I haven't been on the Internet sharing too much lately, but...

I haven't been on the Internet sharing too much lately, but I REALLY love this and encourage everyone with kids to read and think about it.  One of my hugest parenting peeves is when people don't treat their children like people with minds and hearts and personalities of their own.  The joy of parenthood, for me, has not come from forcing another individual to conform to how I want them to be.  The joy has been in meeting and getting to know and love the person I helped create.  🙂

Your Child Should Never Be Forced to Hug Anyone (Yes, Including a Relative) – Here Are 7 Reasons Why

Walked the torts after work.

Walked the torts after work.  Tort Baby prissed around the yard for a few minutes before he tired out and went to sleep in a pile of grass.  Nom sat around and ate everything he could reach while moving as little as possible.  LOL  Then he took FOR FREAKING EVER to poop.  I knew it was coming because he kept wiggling his tail.  Y'all ever heard a turtle fart?  As of today, I have.

Happy Friday!

Shadow did great for his braces.

Shadow did great for his braces.  Dr. Benton said he was so nice and respectful and has a great disposition.  He said he sometimes gets a lot of attitude from the kids, but not mine.  🙂  I wish I could take more credit for his awesomeness, but the truth is that he's always been happy and pleasant.  I've just managed to not ruin him somehow.

So, he got braces and springs and rubber bands for his overbite.  No Herbst appliance yet.  His bottom jaw is too narrow for now.  Dr. Benton said maybe we can do that in 5 or 6 months.  That's fine.  Shadow is in pain tonight, so all that he has going on in there is enough.  Shaun bought him some Aleve because the Tylenol we had just wasn't cutting it.  🙁

The Man-Cub is currently asleep.  I hope he doesn't feel awful in the morning.  He's got school orientation.  For TENTH GRADE.  😳  Unfortunately, I'm going to miss this one because I have a doctor's appointment for my monthly blood test, but Shaun's got it under control.  THANK GOODNESS.  I don't know what I'd do without such awesome guys in my life.  ❤

I am SO GLAD that this is where Piggy ended up.

I am SO GLAD that this is where Piggy ended up.  Looks like their residents couldn't be any happier.  PIGS Animal Sanctuary is amazing!  ❤

Last crunchy hurrah before braces! 😃

Last crunchy hurrah before braces! 😃

Who missed the nail pics? LOL

Who missed the nail pics?  LOL

I know, I know.  These are not impressive.  They are sad little nubs painted with one hell of a pretty pink holo by LynBDesigns, and stamped with an "Om" (or so Shaun tells me), to remind me to breathe through all of this stress.  I didn't have the time, patience, or brainpower for anything fancier.  But, it's been a real treat having color on my nails again, so maybe I can begin to set aside some time for myself in the coming semester.

P. S.  I know that the bottle of polish I'm holding isn't the one I'm wearing.  I couldn't be bothered to walk to the other room to get it.  But FYI, that beige-y holo is like lingerie for your nails.  I tested it out the other day when I got it.  SO PRETTY.  😳

Well. Today was not uneventful.

Today was not uneventful.

I got an email a couple of weeks ago that the email address in my Groupon account was changed.  I did not do it.  I emailed back and forth with their seemingly inept customer service department for a couple of weeks before finally giving in and just calling them.  I was able to prove the account was mine and got it back, so that's awesome, but when I logged in there was someone else's name and several purchases that were made in Baton Rouge, LA.  There was a full address on the account and when I Googled it, it was a big fancy house.

Thankfully, my card was no longer on the account (yay for being too broke to be stolen from!), but there were two other card numbers that I assume are probably stolen.  I messaged Anniston PD to ask what I should do and they told me to contact the Baton Rouge PD.  I haven't done it yet, but I plan to.  If you're in need and you steal... well, I'd still rather you ask me for things, but I can understand desperation.  But you don't live in a freaking mansion and try to take things from people who are hanging by a thread.  That is not cool and I don't plan to let it go.

In other news concerning financial matters, thank goodness for Care Credit.  I took Shadow to see Dr. Benton today because his dentist said he should see an orthodontist and I kind of figured as much.  Dr. Benton did my braces, oh, 17 years ago (WOW) and I was really happy with them, so of course I went back.  Well, it was not surprising to me at all to hear that Shadow needs braces.  I was a little surprised at how badly he needs them, though.

I have known that he has an overbite, but I didn't realize how bad it was until Dr. Benton showed me.  All of Shadow's bottom teeth, even the molars, rest behind his top teeth when he bites down.  None of his teeth meet up naturally.  Dr. Benton said that if we correct this now while he is still growing, then it shouldn't be a problem.  He said that if we wait until Shadow stops growing it would take surgery to fix.  So... his appointment is Thursday.  Thankfully, he's excited.

As for me - I am starting to hurt again and my skin is breaking out.  Maybe it's just stress; though Emma seems ok at the moment I don't know what is wrong with her.  Yay for Care Credit, but honestly the last thing I need while I'm working so little is an extra $6000 in debt.  Also, finals are coming up.  I have a feeling that the next couple of weeks are gonna suck.  😕