i can't believe i'm about to say this but...

I went to the dentist and it was a great experience (as great an experience as getting two root canals and two crowns put on can be)

In addition to the long list of phobias I already have (why have I never sought out professional help?) we must add dentist to this list.  I am incredibly fearful of going to the dentist and so I don't go very often - you think I'm kidding but really, I never go.  As an adult I've been three times... right before my mission when I was 21, about three years ago and then yesterday.

I have been living in pain for at least a month and I think Derek was finally fed up with my inability to call and make an appointment so he made my appointment, took yesterday morning off and escorted me to I was sure would be my death.  Have I ever mentioned that I have the most kind and considerate husband (although I wasn't thrilled with the idea of going to the dentist)

We decided to try a new dentist so we were off to Dr. Ballard's office.   Dr. Ballard (Rebecca) is a friend from church and we had heard nothing but glowing reports from everyone that has gone to her.  I now add my glowing report.

Tuesday night when Rebecca saw that I would be coming in the following day called the house and talked to Derek to find out if I needed any medication to calm my nerves (she knows my fears due to the fact that I have cried in church talking to her about my dental needs - just face it I'm a nut)  Some anxiety medication was prescribed for Tuesday night and Wed morning and the next thing I knew I was sitting in Rebecca's dental chair listening to her reassuring words.

To make this long story a bit longer Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was put in - my choice for movie but don't ask why I would choose a movie with Johnny Depp's dad as a psycho dentist.  

A sweet little gas mask was put over my nose and although I was awake the whole time I'm pretty sure I drifted off to la-la land.  I heard conversations, felt Derek rubbing my feet occasionally, didn't feel any pain but after talking to Derek later in the day seem to have done things or said things that I have no recollection of.  

I do remember trying to let Rebecca know I wasn't feeling well but do not recall throwing up all over the place as Rebecca and her assistant worked on me (nice visual huh?  Nothing better then lying on your back in a dental chair while throwing up)  I feel horrible and am embarrassed to face Rebecca - Derek says I spent a great deal of time apologizing after it happened although I don't remember that.

I left the office feeling a bit tired but came home to a quiet house and a few hours of sleep.  I'm a little sore today but I'm hanging in there.  Honestly, I wouldn't choose to go the dentist but since I had to go it was as pleasant as it could be.    I appreciate all Rebecca did to make it a good experience for me and now I am not near as scared to go back for future visits.

If anyone in the area is looking for a dentist I can't say enough about Rebecca. You really should visit her at her office in Mission Viejo.  You can find more info about Mission Dental Group and Rebecca here.  Tell her the crazy throw up girl sent you!

love this message

we've only practiced this at school

Today was quite the adventure at church.  Derek and I spoke in Sacrament - so glad to have my talk over!  I have a serious aversion to giving talks, it freaks me out.

After Sacrament we moved on to Primary where it was business as usual until the last hour. About 10 minutes or so into Senior Primary strobe lights start flashing and the fire alarm (the very high pitched fire alarm) starts going off.  My first thought honestly was fire drills are only practiced at school and I had a small moment of panic - what are we supposed to do?!

We poked our head into the hall to hear a member of our Bishopric directing us to get out of the building so that is what we proceeded to do.  The kids and teachers were amazing.  We got the kids out to the parking lot and we didn't lose one kid - that was my big worry.  My guess is within 5 or 10 minutes we were back in the building - the alarm had stopped (talk about an annoying noise - I still have a headache from it) but the strobes kept going until the fire department showed up.  Its always fun for Primary teachers to be stuck in little classrooms teaching a class full of kids with a strobe light going off.  

The kids all thought it was a great adventure today - I did too, I was only wishing that the alarm had gone off during my talk - now that would have been a tender mercy!

overwhelmed

Thats about all the post I can muster up - lots to do and not much time to do it.

8 days on the market and....

perhaps we should be buying an ark not a house (aka a pity post)

The rain is non stop.  It has been raining for a couple days but tonight it seems to really be coming down.  We have 3 sets of folks (that we know of) coming over tomorrow to view the house - hope the rain doesn't keep them away.

The rain is probably not helping me with my mood.  I've been in a constant state of tiredness the last couple weeks.  I'm currently feeling way nauseous and praying that I'm not coming down with the flu.  It is after 10:30 pm and Derek is still at work.  Life seems blah right now - here's hoping that tomorrow brings less rain, a stomach that doesn't feel like releasing it's contents and a husband to spend the day with.

if my friends are reading this please stop now

Since we will soon be house poor (assuming we sell our house and buy another) I am loving this "recession proof" gift set.  I can get my friends a great gift without spending a bunch of cash.

Do you not love these coupons from Anvil Modern Paperie?  The graphics and colors bring a smile to my paper loving, type loving, graphic loving heart.

for mom (and any looky loos)

Here are some pictures of the house mom - thanks for coming out and helping us so much.

it's official

Our house is on the market.  

hey all you mommies of toothless kids

You have to check this out.  How adorable is this kit?!?!?!

zombie

4:44 am and here I am blogging - yikes!  Derek and I have been up cleaning, spot painting, doing Goodwill runs, putting boxes in our storage unit, etc.  My life seems to be all house all the time - I need to find some balance.

The house seems nearly ready to list.  Flooring guys will be here Tues. - Thurs. and then we will be ready to take some pictures and list the house.  The only glitch in the plan (and the reason we haven't gone to bed yet) is that a realtor asked our realtor if she could bring some clients in tomorrow to see the house (actually that would be today since it's so early in the morning) even though we don't have it listed yet.  I guess they have been looking for awhile and haven't found the perfect house but their realtor seems to think our house might be the one.

We'll see what happens.  We are not holding our breath for a quick, pre listing sale - I mean, really, what are the chances that someone would give us the amount we want before we even list?  It would be awesome but it seems highly unlikely.

I think I really need to get to bed now.  4:51 am and I have to get up far too soon.  Poor Derek has to be up for a 7 am meeting.  Any bets on if we are going to be taking naps today? 

:(

My mom left, I have workers in my house, I have a killer stomach ache, I'm beyond the point of exhaustion and it's raining.

Why did we decide to sell our home?

some more kid pics

Ashlee, the photographer I mentioned in a previous post just posted pics of the kids from the photo shoot.  You can see the Baker kids here.

Thanks Ashlee for the great photos.  

the mom report

Paint Emily's room - check

Clean Emily's ceiling fan - check

Paint kid's bathroom - check

Install light fixture - check

Paint master bath (until 1 am) - check

Continually pick up after four kids because they can't seem to grasp the concept of "we have to keep the house picked up so some one will want to buy our home" - check

Install toilet paper holder - check

Hang shelves - check

Keep me from having another total breakdown (Sunday was not pretty in regards to my mental health - why must selling a house be so stressful?) - check

The above was my mom's list for Monday - I'm sure I didn't even cover everything she did.

Today promises to be as work filled as the last few days (will it ever end?) but I do think we are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel.

don't tell derek but i think i'm in love with jay reily

Can't wait to see all the pictures from the photo shoot but you can check out a few here.

I also have a bit of a girl crush on Ashlee, but that's a secret too. Ashlee is an adorable mom of 5 from Provo that was shooting with Jay for the day.  She couldn't be nicer and her photography is amazing.  Be sure to check out her blog to see her work.

when your mom is a work horse

First off...my mom is one of the hardest working people I know.  Derek and I along with the kids were gone for a good part of the day yesterday at the photo shoot with Jay Reilly (more on that in a minute)  My mom pounded through a ton more house projects and got so much done.  My pantry sparkles right now, my newly painted bathroom cabinets are amazing - why did I not paint them such a glorious "brown velvet" (paint name) before so that I could enjoy them?  She cleaned up our backyard - I think she wanted to help but more than anything I think she worked in the backyard so she could bask in the warm California sun.  She has been a tremendous help and we are just so thankful she is here.

Hanging out with Jay (like the hanging out phrase?  I'm sure he and I are best buds right now) was a lot of fun.  He is just a low key super cool kinda dude.  The kids liked him and they had a great time having him take their pictures.  We can't wait to see how they turn out!

I have a bit of camera envy - his camera was sweet.  I also have some house envy - not because of size, layout or anything like that but because his walls are covered with amazing family photographs that truly capture the feel of his cute little family.  I now have an idea for some creative family goodness to grace the walls of my new home but I'll share that idea later. 

there may be a serious lack of posts

I've been a little busy...

We have made the decision to put our house on the market and if you have ever done that before you know what it involves.  My mom flew down this morning to be my handy man for a week so that we can get our house listed.  Since about 1 pm today she has completely taken care of my boys room - took down bunk beds, cleaned out bookshelves, took down old blinds, puttied holes plus she cleaned my kitchen, painted my pantry plus a ton more.  I am so glad that she is here - we wouldn't be able to do this without her.

If you're in the market for a house let me know and I'll send you an email when it is finally listed (hopefully within a week)  If you are not looking just say some prayers for us - I'm not looking forward to following around my kids picking up after them so that the house can stay "ready to show clean"

lucky, lucky

This guy has invited our kids to be a part of his photo shoot tomorrow in Carlsbad - can you see me grinning from ear to ear?!?!

diy

I am so making this perpetual calendar.  How great would this look on a wall?  It is so full of graphic goodness I can hardly stand it.  Keep track of your appointments and other calendar jive by using post-its.  

I'm off to take pictures and find a suitable wall to display this beauty.  Who am I kidding?  I'm actually off to clean my fridge and organize my pantry but after that maybe I'll shoot some pictures.  Sometimes the realities of life really get in the way of my creativity.

NOTE:  I realize the picture is cut off - sometimes I hate Blogger.  I can get the full picture if I download from Iphoto but Blogger is not letting me go that route at the moment.  For a full picture just head over to the link.

"prepare" for a great giveaway

For those of you that have goals to get yourself & your family more prepared for whatever may come - bad economy, earthquakes, etc. you need to check out this great giveaway at the Totally Ready blog.