Ode to the Trees That Were Sacrificed for my Education

Oh majestic trees

Once towering and verdant

Formerly a shelter to the forest floor

What have you become?

Jumbled in the head

Of a weary dental student...

Notes amassed over the years:

An aid to her understanding.

Recycle bins are your home now.

Farewell forest floor.

One hopes she remembers

The furious scribbling on your pages.

Girls' Night

The "Dental Wives" club...

Call it a support group if you will, comprised of LDS women connected with the UOP class of 2008 on both sides of the Golden Gate. In essence, it has been an excuse to fly the coop for a few hours, go somewhere where there are no diapers, and be rid of conversations about gum disease and night clinic. My participation in the "Dental Wives" club is somewhat unique, as I am not the better-half of a dental husband, but am, in fact, the dental spouse. Add to this the fact that my kids have not been in diapers for quite a while, and I am downright odd in this crowd. I feel like the math geek getting invited to the popular girls' table in high school. Somehow these ladies have never held my geeky tendencies and advancing age against me. While I am not able to participate in most of the activities that transpire, it has always been a blast when I have been able to join in.

The latest (and probably last activity before we all go our separate ways) was a dinner at Cheesecake Factory in Corte Madera. I felt bad for the people around us, as they were having to listen to our cackling and deal with our paparazzi-like flash photography all night long. It was great fun (no dancing on the tables or wrestling matches this time... we were very well behaved). Thanks, ladies, for letting the dental geek into your popular circle.

It has been so much fun! Sandee McKenzie (My neighbor two doors down), Liz Carpenter, Tammy Ence

Heather Mishler, Katie Shelley (My very skilled hairdresser and the organizer of so many of these activities), Christina Williams (My blogging buddy)

Me, Chelsea Bevens, Tracy Haws (Roommates for our Wicked Weekend... all that's missing is Katie Green...Hope you are having fun in AZ!)

Tracy Haws (My butt-kicking, no-cramp-sympathizing friend also moving to So.Cal.), Bethany Nielsen (Happy Birthday!), Kate Porter

Tammy Ence, Brittney Homer, Heidi Ferre (Another dental-woman anomaly, and my cadaver-carving buddy... Well, let's be honest: Ben Mishler and I carved, you grossed out, Patrick and Yejin talked longingly about their respective soul mates, and Josh Bevens and Chris Ballew were nowhere to be found).

Tara Thompson (my, oh so willing and talented Primary Chorister sub and fashionista extraordinaire), me, Danika Ballew (my temple buddy during first year... and can you believe this woman just had a baby? My goodness! How DO you do it?)

Carlee Carpenter, Kelti Palmer, Chelsea Bevens (all three of which I watch closely for the latest fashion trends at church... A bunch of hotties in our ward!) , Brittney Homer (one of the organizers of this fun outing...Thank you!!!)

I wish I had gotten the chance to get to know the San Francisco girls better. I have learned of your many wonderful qualities primarily through your husbands and blogs.


To all of you: Congratulations on making it through dental school. Your job may have been the most difficult of all (trying to maintain everything while your husbands freaked out over exams and patients). You are such diligent women and I admire all of you! Be sure to pop in on the blog and say hello every now and then. I can't wait to hear how you are all doing as you embark on new and exciting adventures in the real world! See you at graduation!!!

At What Point Should I be Concerned?

When is it prudent to invest in straight jackets for my children (or ME, for that matter)? My boys are special, special little creatures. We just spent 8 1/2 hours with them in the car... And, while I am exceedingly grateful that they get along so wonderfully, I would almost take bickering and fighting to the goofy, silly, hilarity that inevitably ensues any time these boys get bored together. Hayden has this high-pitched giggle that seems strangely out of place with his deeper-than-average voice. Nathan loves to get the giggle going... and keeps it going... and going... and going... (You get the picture). So imagine our journey through Memorial day traffic: I am losing my voice because I have come down with a stupid cold on our trip to San Diego, and Wayne is trying his hardest to drive through L.A. traffic without flipping off every tailgater that crosses his path (...a trait that is deeply ingrained in him from his many experiences hunkered down in the backseat of his Dad's car. I actually only saw him let the bird fly one time during this trip, though I'm sure his trigger finger was tucked away out of my sight on more than just that solitary occasion). Gas prices suck! (Yup. That sign says $5.10!!!) And from the backseat: "Hee! Hee! Hee!" all the way home! It was a joyous celebration of family togetherness, let me tell you!

There was a silver lining, however.

***Cue the angelic choir.***

(Never mind the bug guts that may show up in this picture... I took this through the windshield as we zoomed along I-5 .)

The main reason we went down to So.Cal again was to attend a fabulous fiesta in celebration of Amy's graduation (and I'm lame because my camera did not accompany me to the party, so I don't actually have any pictures of said accomplished graduate). She just completed her master's in Speech Pathology, and can now be referred to as "Master Gold." Way to go, little sis! Given the tremendous obstacles in your path, you have achieved a minor miracle. I am so proud of you! We had a great time with you guys. Thanks for your hospitality, and we'll see you again very soon!

Grandpa Steve also made it down for the occasion. It was so great to see him with all of his grandkids this weekend. Random little tidbit here: We had yummy BBQ the first night we were there, and THIS was the packaging we found:Well, I don't know about the other seven, but there were two dentists that seemed pretty satisfied this weekend. (Though I prefer the sauce termed "Devil's Spit." I like it spicy!)

All in all, it was a flavorful, fantastic, family-filled, fun-fest for Memorial Day weekend.

Notice to All of my Witty Readers

At the conclusion of this weekend, I will list my favorite entries that were submitted for the "What's in Your Head" caption contest. The winners will have their hillarities displayed right next to the pictures in the post. (Sorry... No major awards. Just the honor of my respect for your wittiness). So think fast. I have been very impressed, thus far.

Happy Cows Come From California

With views like this is it any wonder why?Last week, No.Cal had a roaring heat wave! Not quite as toasty as my many native Arizona friends experience on a regular basis, but enough to make our cramped air condition-less apartment feel like a funeral pyre. So when I got out of clinic on Friday (where they had cranked up the AC so high, I was having to cloak my patient in extra clinic gowns to keep her from shivering through her root canal), I was not about to sit in the living room and melt until the sun went down. I ran across the street to the Belli Deli and grabbed some sandwiches for a picnic dinner, and we headed West... As far West as there was to go in California. We enjoyed the drive to Drake's Beach in our Air Conditioned car, taking in the scenes along the way: Through the redwood forest... over the marsh lands... into the pastoral farmlands dotted with Holstein cows... and finally to the beach itself. Not only did we escape the heat during the 45 minute drive in the AC, but once we arrived, we entered a climate fully twenty degrees cooler than central San Rafael.
Once we arrived, it was hard to get Hayden to sit there and eat. He saw the waves beckoning and wanted to roll! (This is why his ribs show in most of the pictures I took of him in his Spiderman swim trunks! He is all Go! Go! Go! and food is sort of necessary now and again. I'm pretty sure I wasn't the one who instilled that philosophy in him.)

When he was finally released onto the shores, he started collecting shells: complete sets of bivalves like muscles and clams, which he found incredibly fascinating ...for about 3 seconds.

He promptly chucked his amazing finds aside and charged the water. He then spent the next half hour or so, yelling at the elements as the waves crashed around him... Things like, "IS THAT ALL YOU'VE GOT?!?" We then had to pluck the skinny, shivering (yet still spirited) Hayden from the waters and tend to his growing hypothermia. Here is one of the only pictures I was able to capture where all of Hayden's limbs are in focus. Almost all others have some part of him moving so quickly, there is just a blur... It's no wonder we nicknamed him Dash after the movie "The Incredibles" came out.
It was a fabulous escape from the heat. Nathan was spending the night at a friend's house, pickling in Jeremie's pool to cool off. He had a good time there, but when he found out about our excursion, raged that he "NEVER gets to have fun with the family." Really? And what kind of teenager are you, Nate? You're not supposed to actually like us!!!

What is in your head? (UPDATED)

I am in posession of some pretty hillarious pictures of friends and family (not all taken by me, I must admit). I challenged my very funny and talented audience, to come up with ingenious captions to go along with them. If you are one of the poor saps to be featured in one of these pictures, TOO BAD!!!

Here are the best captions that were received and who came up with them:

<<<1>>>

"Don't mess with the Zohan!" --Wayne (If you haven't seen the previews for this movie, you won't laugh at this quote. If you have seen them, and you agree that my brother-in-law has some Adam Sandleresque qualities, this caption is quite humorous)

<<<2>>>

"Kids, get Mama's plastic stripper shoes out of the Lego box!" --Kelly (also one of the featured subjects of this particular picture)

<<<3>>> "Rock-y Roa-d???"--Diana

<<<4>>> "When parents over-swaddle. Next time on Dr. Phil." --Kelly

<<<5>>> "Many studies show that twins, when separated at birth, still acquire similar tastes in apparel as adults... But these must be fraternal." --Wayne

<<<6>>>

"We're getting the band back together man!" --Diana

<<<7>>>

"I couldn’t hold it Mom." --Gina (BTW... Just to save Hayden any embarrassment, 'twas the sea that caused this mess on his pants.)

<<<8>>> "They told me catnip was a gateway drug, but I just didn't believe them..." --Kelly

<<<9>>> "All we are is dust in the wind... dude."--Wayne (A little tidbit here: Most of the captions seemed to center around the idea that it appeared I was breaking into song. I was, however, swatting a bug at the time this picture was taken.)

<<<10>>>
"Blind Date" --Gina

<<<11>>>

"After being raised by wolves, the brothers eat they're first meal among us." --Wayne

<<<12>>>

"Christmas? I thought you said Ramadan!"--Rhonda

One of my Favorite Mother's Day Moments

When Nathan was around 5 or 6 years old, he took it upon himself to join in on the tried and true Mother's Day tradition of bringing Mom breakfast in bed. Wayne had purchased yummy food to be cooked that morning, but he was apparently too slow for Nathan. At the crack of dawn (and I mean at the butt crack of dawn... It was E A R L Y!), Nathan comes in with a breakfast tray, brown liquid sloshed all over, a neatly folded napkin already absorbing the stray chocolate beverage. A tall glass, brimming with chunky, frothy fluid sits proudly on the tray. He says to me, beaming, "Mommy, I made you a Slim Fast with EXTRA chocolate in it!" How can one turn down such enthusiasm? I chewed that Slim Fast with complete disregard for the gourmet ingredients that sat unused in the fridge. This breakfast in bed was straight from the heart and the first of many from my very own son.

This morning, I sit like a princess locked away in her tower: certain that I will be allowed out of my bedchamber once my little princes release me with their heartfelt creations. I can smell the aromas of another homemade masterpiece wafting from the downstairs kitchen. I can hear the clinking of cutlery and the slam of the microwave door as I sit in anticipation. What are my boys creating today?

To my Moms

Happy Mothers' Day to my moms. I am who I am because of these remarkable women:

To my wonderful mother, Linda Henry... I am someone who cares very deeply for her family because of your example. I learned how to empathise and serve because I watched you doing the very same. All that is tender in me, I learned from you.

I am also a big-time goofball... wholly because I watched you break loose publicly on so many occasions (much to my utter humiliation as a teenager). I learned to find joy in life because you fostered that in me. Thank you, Mom. I love my life, and that is due to the undying optimism that you instilled in my very nature. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

To my wonderful step-mom, Jeanette Berger... There is so much of me that has learned to be tenacious and strong because of your influence. I have an enduring spirit and am willing to stick my neck out because of you. You have encouraged those traits in me, and I would not be able to do the things I do without them. It is hard for me to imagine what my life would be like, had you not entered my life in my preteen years. You are a remarkable woman who I am lucky to love. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

And last (but certainly not least): my "Other Mother," Lynne Van Cleave. You have been an influence for almost half of my life. To you, who raised my favorite person in the whole world: Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You have shown me perseverance and loyalty. You love your family so very deeply, and your devotion is astounding.
I am a lucky woman, indeed. All of these remarkable women, like a kaleidoscope, add color and sparkle in my life. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I love you all so much. Happy Mothers' Day!

Movie Night

Hayden here:

Every year at my school, we have a movie night. We watch a movie on the big screen and we sit on the grass of the field at our school. This year was Star Wars Episode IV.

We played a little bit of basketball while we waited for it to get dark. And then we got some food: popcorn and hotdogs. And then we watched the movie. We were bundled up, freezing almost half-to-death. And we left once we started getting really cold. We had a very good time, and the hot dogs were DELICIOUS!

THE END

Mom here:

This has been a fun tradition every year. We have never made it through an entire movie, because our butts get sore and it is freaking freezing in Marin at night time... no matter what time of year it is. But it's always something I look forward to. There are so few activities that I get to participate in with my family these days... I'll take freezing in the dark!

Another "Working" Weekend

This weekend was the California Dental Association's convention in Anaheim. I was asked by the school to present my research again. So I shlepped my giant poster back on down to So. Cal for another table clinic, only this time it was a competition. Several other students from the second year class also participated. But I got to take home a lovely new accessory (below).
2nd place, Baby! (...and I was told I was only points away from a 1st place win).When Hayden saw the ribbon, he was very enthusiastic. He held onto it in the backseat of the car on the way home from picking me up from the airport. He asked me what it was for. I told him I had been in a science fair, except this one was for a bunch of dental students from all over California, and my science project was all about teeth. He thought that was pretty cool.

The Most Magical Place on Earth

So in addition to winning my "Major Award" (anyone who can quote "A Christmas Story" as well as our family does will appreciate that reference... Fra-ji-lay... But I digress...), I got to meet up with Wayne's cousin Kelly for a trip to Disneyland, which was very near the convention center.

We got so lucky on the rides. We hardly had to wait in the lines, thanks to Fastpass and good Karma. The longest line was for the Finding Nemo submarine ride, simply because it was so new. It wasn't worth the hour that we waited, but we got to rock out while in line, as there was an 80's cover band playing very nearby. Here are a couple of shots from the best of the fastest roller coasters.

This sign means something entirely different when issued as a command.

My favorite sign on Main Street (...only in training a little longer!)
In Fantasyland: Kelly brought along a couple of books of cool little-known facts about the park. One of which was that the carousel turned in the counterclockwise direction so as to more realistically simulate jousting. Whodathunkit? We went on a bit of a treasure hunt throughout the day. It was a fun element to add to the day.

So, on the first night we were there, we heard this massive KABOOM in the hotel room. I thought it was some kind of truck slamming into the hotel, and Kelly thought it was gunfire. Turns out, they were launching fireworks very nearby... It felt like they were launching them from the rooftop. I was able to run outside and take a few pictures, while Kelly ducked and covered in the shower that sounded a little like Iraq for about 15 minutes as the explosions reverberated throughout the room. That was all we saw of the fireworks, since the weather didn't cooperate the next night.

Random tidbit here: Every bathroom had one of these signs posted under every soap container. Seriously? Are there people who really need this?
Kelly, I could have fun with you any time, any where (Smell Mop)
... But it's always more fun at the Magic Kingdom!