Merry Christmas!

Basketball Group!

So, I play basketball Monday, Wednesday and Friday with these women. Some of which have been playing together for over 20 years. These ladies do not mess around, they are very dedicated to playing ball and some hardly miss a day.

A few of these women are Grandmas, in their 50's. I hope that when I am in my 50's I am still in good enough shape to play as hard as they do.

Dental Talk

Finally, here is a photo of the room we remodeled at Jason's dental office. I wish so bad we had taken a "before" photo, because it was truly remarkable. Just picture the worst Grandma-ish decor you've ever laid eyes on and mix it with the worst dental smell you've ever experienced. And Voila. Alameda Dental Office.

And while we are on the topic of dentistry.
Here are a few reasons its hard to be married to a dentist:

5. I have to listen to "dental talk."
4. He makes me use an electric toothbrush
3. I have to brush for the full 2 minutes. (which I can usually get away with only brushing for 1 minute, if I get ready for bed when he's not around)
2. He comes home from work smelling like burning teeth

And the number #1 reason it sucks to be married to a dentist.......drum roll please....

1. He makes me floss.

And I hate to floss, I mean who doesn't right? But really, I absolutely loathe it. So, I used to only floss once or twice a week, but he was constantly lecturing me about not flossing. It is always the same conversation:

Jason: When was the last time you flossed?
Me: Oh, I don't know, a few days ago
Jason: Are you sure because I never saw you floss
Me: Well, just because you didn't see me do it, doesn't mean I didn't floss
Jason: Well, I just think I never see you do it, because you never do it
Me: Just don't worry about it

So, I have started a new thing. I make it a point to always floss when he's not looking.

Lynlee's Elmo Birthday!

See....Ramen Noodles gone bad!

Can you believe Lynlee is 2? Well, I can't. But can I just say, she just gets cuter and cuter everyday. And believe it or not, she is still just a little sweetheart. She has the sweetest disposition, and brings such happiness into our lives.

Let me tell you a quick story. Once upon a time I thought I wanted to be a career woman. I thought for sure I would never be a stay at home mom. It just seemed so mundane and boring....laundry, dishes, vacuuming, making dinner.....blah. I could never picture myself at home, crafting and decorating and changing poopy diapers. I couldn't see the joy and happiness that comes from being a mother and homemaker.

Well, after Jason was done with 2 years of dental school, I applied for my Master's degree in Biology at the Ohio State University. It was the perfect program. I would be done just as Jason was finishing dental school. I anxiously awaited my response to my application. One day, I got a package in the mail. I came home and waited to open it with Jason. I had gotten in! I also took a pregnancy test that day...... And I was pregnant. Yep, I found out I got in to the master's program and that I was pregnant with Lynlee both on the same day.

That was that, I knew that first and foremost comes family and although I didn't understand why it had to happen that way at the time, I knew I wanted to be best mother I could be, so I decided not to go back to school. I had a really hard time while I was pregnant, worrying if it was the right decision. If I would regret it later. If I would be happy staying at home. Little did I know, that would be the best decision I could've ever made.

I feel so blessed to be able to stay at home with Lynlee and be here for her in every stage of life. I could not be happier. I could not possibly feel more pure joy and fulfilment than I do as a mother. It brings more joy and happiness than I could have ever imagined. I have never looked back on that decision in my life and wondered if it was the right one. As soon as I held Lynlee in my arms for the first time, all doubts were gone and I have never looked back.

She is the sweetest little girl I could ever ask for.

On another not so mushy note, did I mention she's been wearing underwear for the last week? Well, she is. And so far so good.

I know all of you out there are reading this, and wishing that my next child is a little hellian. I can just sense these things........

Thanksgiving Holiday Family Quotes

I think direct quotes are really the only way to give you a good idea of what my family is made of:

"Doesn't she look like death in the morning?"
-Matt, referring to my sister Bonnie (P.S. They are newlyweds)

"Sorry I farted when I was walking away."
-Ben, my mom forced him to apologize for crop dusting

"You're not crazy, its just a mom thing."
-Matt, to his new mother in law

"If I had your brain, I would turn it off."
- Moi, to my beloved father

"Lynlee's hair looks like Ramen noodles gone bad."
-Ariel, about Lynlee's birthday hair (pics to follow)

"Sometimes its a chore."
-Matt, once again, referring to his new wife

"Chance it! Chance it! Chance it!"
-We made a new tradition this year, each night we went out and played "around the world" on the basketball court behind my house, I'm sure my neighbors loved hearing this over and over at 11pm