Dental Work

We go to the dentist every 6 months. I feel strongly about this. Every year it is the same story, looks good see ya in 6 months. Every once in awhile Sierra will have a cavity because her enamel didn't develop properly so we will make an appointment to fix that wrong. This last appointment while I was getting my teeth cleaned Bria was getting hers done as well. The hygienist came in and said either 10 or 8 doctor will recheck. I said, "What?" Bria has 10 or 8 cavities? I could have died in the chair. That is boarder line mother-of-the-year award right there. Does a 4 year old even have 10 teeth? The hygienist says does your child eat a lot of fruit snacks or have juice when she goes to bed. No, she has neither! There must be a mistake.

I told the hygienist I didn't believe that and she showed me on the x-rays all the white little lines and what they meant. I left so embarrassed and absolutely mortified at the expense that lie ahead.

I was given the estimated amount of $1,750. Oh and did I mention that we opted out for no dental insurance this go around. Because our dental needs have been minimal for years we (me) decided it was cheaper to just pay for cleanings out of pocket. Corby supported me but he wasn't completely convinced that this was a great move.

I called around to 20(not exaggerating) different dentists getting quotes and second opinions. Some were more expensive, how that could be is a shock,  some were less but wouldn't do the dental work in one session or wouldn't put her under during the procedure. I knew for sure I wanted her out. I had a terrible dentist growing up. He was mean and impatient. I had a lot of dental needs as a youngster and he would say oh you are a mess. This is horrible, blah blah, dentists have come a long way since then but even now when I know I have to go to the dentist I get a twinge in my stomach and think oh! I did not want that for Bria. I want the dentist to just be somewhere you go twice a year and it is fun and educational. Being put out was the only option.

I found a dentist with the help of my sister in law, Jodi, in the Syracuse area. I know I know I live in Taylorsville but it was only a 40 minute drive and it would save me literally hundreds of dollars. I took Bria up for a second opinion a few weeks later and sure enough he said she has 8 with one more almost being considered a cavity. How can this happen? I will not say oh I am Hitler when it comes to teeth brushing but 8 cavities in a 6 month period. UGH!

The dentist was great. He explained what the problem was and how Bria will just have to be one of those people that has to do more for her teeth than most. Her teeth are really close together so flossing is more important than brushing. I have to say flossing just doesn't fit in my evening routine but it will now for sure. He told me technically she only has 4 cavities but the teeth are so close together and the other 4 will turn into  cavities in a month or so. He recommended since she would be numb in the area anyway to just do them as well. I agreed and we made our surgery appointment.  He is such a busy dentist he couldn't get her in for a month. Are you kidding me? I have to deal with this anxiety of what is ahead for a month.

The day finally arrived! I made Corby take the day off because I did not want to deal with this alone. I normally am independent but when it comes to my babies, the momma bear comes out and I sometimes lose it. When my babies get their immunizations I cry every time.

The office gave Bria a crushed up pill that made her loopy. She laid on a bean bag and watched a movie until it was her time to go back. She would try to stand up and her wobbly legs would give out. It was so sad. 

Finally after an hour behind schedule, they called her back. It broke my heart to know what was about to happen and she was so groggy from the pill she did not seem to care. The doctor gave her some shots to numb the area and the work began. He told me if  she became too restless he would have to put an IV in her arm. I told him I trusted him and to do what he needed. I watched for a while but honestly my heart couldn't take it for long. Bria would look at me and her eyes were awake but she just wasn't there. She would start crying for no reason. The hygienist reassured me that she wasn't in pain she was just reacting to the medication. Corby and I left to get something to eat as we would be there most of the day.

I was able to go back as often as I wanted. I would just go to the door and listen in. I would make sure Bria wasn't screaming then I'd go back to the waiting room. Corby had brought his laptop to do work. How can he do work when our baby is in the other room. He would reassure me she was fine and he couldn't do anything anyway but still a loving mother needs to worry, right? While we were waiting the front receptionist gave us our bill, $1,050.00. If we paid in full we would receive 10% discount. Wow! Gotta love that. Corby being the inspired individual that he is, said let me do some research and  look at some dental discount programs. Long story short and after an hour or so we had Bria enrolled in a Silver Package Plan with Dental Select. We took the new policy number to the receptionist and she said, "OK, let me see if this changes your balance due".

By now Bria has  finished and she unfortunately had to have an IV.  We waited for the bag of fluids to finish and we were able to take her to recovery room.

Bria showing her otter-pop with eyes half open

Keep that bowl close by sweetie.

One eyed Bria chilling in the blue bean bag. 

  Even though Bria was out of it, she knew there was a blue beanbag and she wanted to lay in it. Kids are so funny!

 

 We could leave when she could sit up,  and keep down a popsicle. She woke up pretty quick but kept throwing up so our wait would be long. Sorry little Bria you must have inherited that from your mom I puke after anesthesia too. While we were waiting, the receptionist brought back our new bill. It was $418.00. Can  you believe it? I just about starting crying, which I had been doing most of  the day so that shouldn't be too shocking. We pay $8 a month for Bria to be in this discount program and then saved us over  $600. I knew then and there Heavenly Father watches out for us. He doesn't take pain away or remove hard times but he does make the burden lighter. I had such a sense of gratitude come over me. I am looked out for from my loving Heavenly Father. Tender Mercies!

The doctor took pity on us and let us leave even though Bria couldn't stop puking. The long drive home cracked me up because Bria would randomly say she laid on a beanbag and then she would say she didn't go to the dentist. She pretty much wasn't herself the rest of the day. She would ask for a hamburger and fries and then fall asleep. Poor little Bria, what a day for you to not have to remember and one I hope to never have to repeat. I am sorry for being a not flossing mom. I will repent and change my ways.

Family Vacation Ridgecrest, Trail of 100 Giants, and Mt. Whitney 2012 (Part 3)

This family vacation is on a three part post! What a fun tradition we enjoy each summer.
After the day at the Ocean and beach we began driving again. Once again it was on side roads and unfamiliar territory. Even our Garmin struggled with some of the street names we needed. We drove through a lot of country corn fields and more than once I questioned if we would make it to our destination which was the Trail of the 100 Giants. Several stops and questions later, we finally arrived at our goal.

 Here is the beginning of the trail. Love to see so many smiling and happy campers

 These pictures don't even begin to show how large these trees are. They are mind blowing huge.

 A tree that had fallen, this is it on it's side

 Teenagers and their music. Sierra sharing with Ada

After we saw all the trees we wanted, we drove another 3 hours to Ridgecrest. Now one might ask why are you going to Ridgecrest for your family vacation. Is this the most exciting place in California? NO. Does it provide lots of cool things to see and explore? NO. Is it exotic? NO. but girls, it is where your momma met your daddy. Where our love was first ignited! Ridgecrest doesn't offer much, but it holds dear memories for both Corby and I and lots of good people we both shall never forget. We  served our missions in California and were serving in this area when we met. We were obedient and realized we had some attraction but we didn't act on our feelings until after we were no longer missionaries and the rest is just history. I have a dear friend, Judith (Jude) who married and moved to Ridgecrest to raise her family. I knew she lived there, so we made arrangement to hang out on Friday. She was my roommate at BYU. I consider her a dear friend and was so excited to get reacquainted and have our children meet. She has three boys. Since I am new to this "take a picture about everything we do thing" I did not get a photo of Jude and her sweet family. We spent that day at her paid off house, amazing huh, we made a fun lunch and just talked and talked. My how I miss my college days, such wonderful memories. I would never go back, but I sure loved my time during it. After our husbands had listened to us reminisce as much as they could stand, we left for the Whitney Portals. While Corby was serving in one of his areas he and his companion hiked Mt. Whitney. Do you know all the facts of this place? It is the highest point in the lower 48 states. It was an amazing feat. It takes a permit to hike it and you need to allow at least 14 hours for up and back. There is snow on the top, so cool. I can't wait. It is a goal to return in the next 5 years. Who wants to join us? We want to hike this amazing mountain one day but for this trip, we will settle for the portal.

Bria has a true fear of heights and she was so brave to climb up here with her momma and daddy

Do you see the amazing waterfall behind us?

 

 We spent the afternoon in all this beauty then headed for our hotel which surprise surprise was further than we anticipated so we got in late as normal. Because of all our activities we basically drop in bed just to wake to begin a new day. Vacations are great but so so exhausting. We ate in a small hometown cafe which was delicious.

Chicken Fried Steak

Steak and baked potatoes

love how Ada acts like a teenager with her older sistas.

Spaghetti

 Throughout dinner both Bria and Ada would ask what kind of fish were hanging on the wall. The fish were huge and had been caught locally. The portions were huge we only bought three and shared with all 7 of us. Gotta love the hometown food.
We went to bed and woke up for the 7 hour journey home. All in all it was a great week and I am so glad we survived the trip.
Good to be home but always so fun to get away!

I had to take this photo because we saw this a lot. Corby taking Ada potty. Many times potty happened on the side of the road hidden behind the open door. Shhhh......being sneaky!

Family Vacation Yosemite National Park and the Ocean 2012 (Part 2)

We left Anna's house on Tuesday morning, a bit later than anticipated but thinking we only had a 3 or 4 hour drive ahead of us, we felt like we would still have plenty of time to site see the national forest. The drive was going great until we hit a two lane road with construction which meant the two lane went down to a one lane and you would sit and wait while the opposite direction of traffic took turns. We would wait sometimes 20 minutes before it was our turn. At first it wasn't too bad but impatience set in rather quick and bickering and contention became present. Our 3 or 4 hour drive turned into 6 or 7 hours but a las we made it. The weather was gorgeous and the views were spectacular. We ate lunch down by the ocean and enjoyed the water for a bit.
To make our trip more memorable, we bought items we normally don't purchase for our lunch and that seemed to brighten up some spirits. Weird how food has that much power huh? Kind of strange but it does.

Look our family is famous! bonus it is "all natural" I love labels. All natural, plant produced, orange soda sweetened with cane sugar. Oh well, we are on vacation.

 Priceless enthusiasam coming from Bria. Corby enjoying the atmosphere.

 Ada fell asleep with gum in her mouth, looks like we found it. She is sporting her Wilma outfit.

 Our view during lunch, spectacular.

 Don't even think about it Teesh Lareesh

 Enjoying the last few drops of the forbidden food in our family.

 So thrilled to each get their own can.

After we spent the rest of the day site seeing this gorgeous national forest we took off to our hotel. It was only supposed to be an hour or so but you know the theme of our travels right? It was after 10:30 before we arrived. We found a pizza joint for dinner and then continued on our travels. My favorite part of this days travels was "Daddy I am sorry, I just peed my car seat". I died laughing. No warning, no I need to go potty, just go ahead dear sweet child and pee in your car seat.  I then said oh sweetie you are going to be cold, her response, "No, mom it is warm!" Love parenting!
After getting the girls settled in their hotel room and us in ours, we hand washed the car seat and hit the hay.
Wednesday morning we began the trek to the ocean. We traveled a lot of freeway so it was mostly smooth sailing. We stopped in at our hotel suite to change into our swim attire and spent the rest of the day and into the evening at the ocean. It was beautiful weather for us but the locals had jackets on so it might have been a chilly day for most.

Please excuse the shot, it looked amazing in person but  in this shot there is a lot to be desired.

 Corby wearing the hat I wish I could throw away! He wears it just to torment me and the girls.

 Malia has spotted something fantastic

 Sierra asked how much a house on the beach would cost and announced that is where she will be living. Hope you win the lottery that we don't enter sweetie.

 Teesh, my beautiful daughter

 See the birds that began attacking us when some snacks were brought out.

Forgive the indecentness of this picture and the one above as well, but I just have to leave them in. The girls would run toward me at full speed ahead then fall in the sand. I tried and tried to catch them running but every time it was them in this pose. I think it is hilarious me and my photo skills.

 We had so much fun burying ourselves and searching for disgusting cool things at the ocean. I have to say oceans have a smell that isn't all that wonderful but it was so much fun to play in the sand and water.

 We went back to our hotel and got all gussied up and took the girls to a sea food restaurant not far from the ocean. We thought we needed to let the girls experience how the rest of the world eats out. I was pretty fed up with how the other customers would count our children and even our hostess said, "all these are yours"? Yes, people all these 5 are mine. I had them intentionally. Oh and yes, they all have the same father(loved being asked that) some people's kids!

 The girls in front of our hotel getting ready to head to din din

 Hey gorgeous girls

 Ada and myself enjoying calamari, best I've ever eaten, so so yummy.

 Whatever it takes to have a quiet meal, Bria

Our dinner was fun and so so yummy. Love fresh sea food. 

Calamari

We then headed back to the ocean for some last minute pictures and fun in the sand. As we were traveling,  we had to stop for the wild life in the road. Corby is a kid in a candy store when it comes to wildlife. He is so funny!

 That's right  girls hug and be BFF's for eternity

 Beautiful way to end a great fun day.