Reunited

Jake is here in Pennsylvania! After being apart for 31 days, finally we're together again! Throughout this "waiting period" it seemed as if this day would never come and both of us had concerns that maybe we would need some time to get re-adjusted to each other. It's like we were never apart! It's so nice to not be alone and to finally have my best friend down here with me.

Homework

When I was in hairdressing school, I used to have a mannequin head that I would have to tote around with me back and forth to school each day. I never thought I would have anything stranger than that to carry around with me...until today.

I'd like you all to meet my homework...

This was sent home with me today. Only me...

Never in a million years...

did I ever think I would know what these tools are and how to use them...

0r that I would adopt these words into my vocabulary: cephlomatric x-ray,

direct bonded lingual arch, distal root torque, exagerated curve of spee, hemostat, lingual, mesial, occlusal, quad helix, trans palatal bar, rapid palatal expander (just to mention a few).

My new job continues to be an adventure. It's fun to go into work and learn new things and constantly be challenged. I never thought I would be working in this kind of environment... wearing scrubs, working alongside doctors and having "patients." Never did I think I would adapt these words into my vocabulary, know what they mean and actually use them, or use pliers in someone's mouth! I have been at my new job for a few weeks now and am really enjoying it. When I started I was extrememly overwhelmed (which I still am somedays), but slowly I am beginning to understand the language, figure out the computer system, get comfortable with my co-workers, and more confident in the little that I have already learned how to do. When I am at work now I am actually useful to the other staff members instead of being completely lost and clueless. Most days I am assisting the assistant rather than the doctor...but at least I am doing something :)! I am blessed to be working for three orthodontists and a staff of technicians who all love to teach and train. I am told that the training process takes about 4-6 months. I have been there for almost a month and I have absorbed and learned so much already and I am excited for what is to come.

The Countdown Begins

In just ten days Jake will finally be here in PA! After a year of being 8 hours away from his kids, waiting for a job transfer, searching for a decent, safe and affordable place to live...finally our transition from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania will be complete. It has been a long, tiresome, emotionally draining journey but it will all be worth it once it is said and done in just over a week.

Coming Soon to a Blog Near You...

Jake with pink fingernails and Emma in heelies!

You are all probably wondering why in the world Jake will have pink fingernails and what that has to do with Emma wearing heelies...allow me to explain. At the beginning of the summer, Emma was presented with a challenge by her Mom and Aunt Judy. She was challenged by them to read 100 books over summer vacation. Well, Emma being the avid reader that she is, gladly took on the challenge. She then, turned around and challenged her dad and they made a deal. If she read 100 books over the summer, he would have his fingernails painted pink and post it on the blog for all the world to see AND buy her a pair of heelies!

So, summer is over and Emma has read all of her books! Way to go Emma!! Now it's time for Dad to keep his end of the bargain! We thought it would be fun to let Emma have the honor of painting her Dad's nails herself and Jake wants to take her to pick out her shoes so, unfortunately this all won't take place until their next visit (since Jake is still in MA and Emma is in PA). You'll have to wait a little while, but I promise you it will be worth it!

Emma Ruth the Reader!

"Like my Daddy"

Over the past several months I have had the opportunity to spend some quality time with Emma, Abby and Nate. It has been, and continues to be, a great pleasure to really get to know them. Each of their personalities, likes and dislikes, the things that make them smile, and all the little things that make them who they are. I have noticed that they each have inherited some great qualities from both their mom and dad. I find it fascinating that a child can naturally be so much like their parents, and also desire to be like their parents. During our visits with the kids, I have heard the phrase, "Like my Dad," several times. Each of them are naturally so much like him in different ways and also desire to be like him and do the things that he does simply because he's their Dad.

Emma has inherited her Dad's looks. She is tall, has the same shaped face and eyes, and dark skin. She also has big feet just like her Dad too! But Emma has inherited much more than that. She is also very outgoing and social...she seems to easily make friends wherever she goes. Emma is also a servant. She will do anything for anyone at anytime and it brings her great joy.

Emma also has the same eating habits as Dad...fussy!! These two sure do know what they like and don't like when it comes to food. They even share some of the same likes and dislikes. They are both crazy about cheese and both of them hate tomatoes and watermelon (just to name a couple).
And Emma shares a passion for video games with her Dad too. She even brought her playstation along on the past visit so they could play together.

Now, Abby on the other hand doesn't look a thing like Jake. She is definitely a spitting image of her mom. But, Abby shares with Jake an untamed passion for life. When Abby does something she does it with all of her heart. She is daring and lively and full of energy.
Abby is a natural when it comes to sports just like Jake. Whether it's golf, baseball, soccer, swimming...she picks everything up quickly!
And there is nothing this girl won't try! She loves new adventures and fearlessly takes them on...just like Dad.
And both girls are eager to learn how to do the things Dad can do and they haven't mastered yet. At Martha's Vineyard, Jake was out skipping rocks and when the girls noticed they quickly ran to his side saying, "I want to skip rocks like my Dad!"
And Nathan. Well, I'm not sure which parent this little guy looks more like. Sometimes I see Amy in him and other times it's all Jake. But one thing is for certain, Nate loves to do the things that Dad does.

On each visit, Nate insists on wearing Jake's shirts. We first let him wear one as a nightshirt and now he wants to wear on all the time. He loves to dress like his daddy. If dad is wearing a hat, then Nate wants one too. If dad is wearing flip flops, then so is Nate.
Nathan was thrilled to go to Dad's work at Lens Crafters. He was surrounded by glasses and tried almost every pair on and each time he looked at his reflection in the mirror he smiled and said, "Like my Daddeee!"
Nathan and Jake also share the same love of snuggling. I think if you let them these two would sit and snuggle all day!
Whether they are similar to their dad in many ways or only a few, one thing is for certain...Emma, Abby and Nate LOVE their Daddy!

Abigail Rose

Abigail is one very animated little girl. She is beautiful and full of life and those qualities always shine through in every photogragh taken of her. Whether she is posed or just being silly, there is no doubt about it...Abby loves the camera!

Most of the time Abby loves to pose for pictures...

But, sometimes posing can get a little boring and you just have to force that smile...

And when your asked to say, "Cheese," sometimes you just have to shout it!

And there are times that you need to let loose and dance for the camera...

or just dig in...
or hang out...
be a little silly...
or down right wild!!!
Abby's smile is infectious. When she smiles I can't help but smile too :)

Becoming an Orthodontic Assistant

So, my new job is going well. I must say there are a couple great perks to this job:

1. I get free orthodontic care (too bad my mom already spent thousands of dollars on that several years ago!) and immediate family members get up to 50% off!! This could possibly be a great deal if/when Emma, Abby or Nate need some work done!

2. I get to wear scrubs! I love wearing scrubs for several reasons:

* The office pays half the price.

* It takes less time to get ready in the AM because you don't have to decide what to wear.

* They are as comfortable as wearing pajamas.

* Even if you are having a "feeling fat" day, you still look good :)

At the moment it is all a little overwhelming but very exciting at the same time. Learning how to do the actual work is one task...learning the terms that are used is another! I feel like I am in a room with people who are speaking a foreign language! I'm not sure which will be harder to pick up, the language or the skills. In my first couple days I have already put in a new wire, changed elastic bands and taken an impression! I must say that I find it quite interesting that in cosmetology school I needed to log in 300 hours of classroom time before I was allowed to even shampoo a customer, but in my first day on the job as an orthodontic technician I am allowed to poke around in someone's mouth with sharp instruments! The doctor kept teasing me that he purposely gave me an Amish person as my first patient because they aren't allowed to sue!

Cosmetology to Orthodontics?

So, I have been a hairdresser, a nanny, and worked in retail several times over the years and have moved to PA and did I find a job in any of these fields? Nope. Leave it to me to find a job (hopefully a new career) in a completely different field! I stumbled upon an opening for an orthodontic assistant and somehow managed to get it!

Someone (uh-hum...Barbara) had urged me to go into offices (whether or not they were advertising for help) and drop off my resume. This is completely out of my comfort zone, but I thought I needed to give it a try! Last Monday I headed out to begin my search. The first place I saw was an orthodontic office. So, I pulled in, walked up to the front door and opened it to be greeted in the front hallway by the entire staff!!! Apparently they were having a quick, impromtu staff meeting. I stumbled over my words as I told them why I was there, handed someone my resume and quickly left feeling quite embarrassed.

The next morning I got an email from the office manager telling me that not even one hour before I arrived at their office the day before, she had placed an ad for help in the local newspaper! And then she set up an interview with me for Wednesday. I interviewed on Wednesday, met with one of the doctors on Thursday and was offered the job Thursday afternoon!

I never in a million years would think of applying for a job as an orthodontic assistant. Although it is something I think I could really enjoy, I just assumed you needed training to do a job like this. Apparently you don't! This office actually prefers to train their staff themselves. It seems like a really great place to work and I am excited to start learning a new trade. Well, I better go and get some good rest tonight...I start working tomorrow!

PS You can check out the office online at http://www.loasmiles.com/

Our New Place

Here are some pictures of our new place. For the most part, everything is unpacked and organized. And, thanks to my Mom who visited last week, most of the pictures and decorations are hung up. There are a few minor things left to do that will have to wait for Jake to arrive. And one major project that is still in the works...the kids' bedroom! So you'll have to wait a while to see pictures of that room, but this is what I have so far:

Welcome!

Our living room.


Dining room.

Kitchen. The door with the birdhouse on it opens up to the laundry room.
Upstairs hallway.
Upstairs bathroom.
And this is my favorite! There is a built in little vanity in the bathroom. How cute is that?!