Tis The Season!

Let me be the first to say, IT'S BEEN TOO LONG!!  I just realized I never updated anyone on Spencer's injury... in my defense this semester was BRUTAL!  But I survived, YAY!!!  So now for a quick update.  Spencer healed miraculously, I say, he is more humble about it.  Spencer received 3 priesthood blessings from the time of his injury to Monday's appointment with the ENT; one immediately after the accident his dad was with him and gave him one before we left for the ER, the next one on Saturday afternoon, we called our Bishop and he met Cleon at the house and together they gave him a more "proper" blessing.  Well that evening we got a call from Brother Howard, a counselor in the stake presidency asking if he could stop by later, of course we said come on over!!  That night Spencer got released as second counselor in the bishopric.... but wait, there's more!!  He got asked to serve as the first counselor!  So on Sunday he was set apart and given another blessing, this blessing was not one of health and healing, but it was asked of the Lord to bless him that he will have a speedy recovering so that he would be able to serve those in our ward.  Well Monday at the ENT, the Doctor, was confused by Spencer's CAT scans....  he says to us immediately when he walks in the room, your face doesn't look as if it's been shattered (or something to that effect).  So Spencer proceeds to tell him what happened and the Dr. decides he wants to stick a camera up there and check it all out.  There was severe tissue damage and broken bones, but the shape of his face held up, which I guess was surprising considering all the damage that was done.  The ENT wanted us to go to a Neurologist, Spence did suffer from nerve damage to his facial nerve, which has 5 branchs; cervical, mandibular, buccal, zygomatic, and temporal (I now this from Head and Neck anatomy!!!!)  I could also tell you the function of each nerve branch, but I wont LOL.  The Neurologist didn't go into much detail as to which of the 5 branches were damaged, but I am guessing it was the buccal, zygomatic, and temporal because of the numbness he felt in his maxillary arch and he had a VERY slight facial droop.  Needless to say his face was very fragile for a few weeks, but no surgery was needed!!!!!!!  He was off of work for about a month because he was not able to wear the equipment that is required of him, I guess he was at risk of entrapment of the eye muscle if pressure was exerted on his face.  He didn't get to hold Pace much because Pace likes to "love tap" right in the face (it's something we are still working on)!!!!  But Spence has been back to work now for 6 or 7 weeks, they really missed him over there!  We are so blessed!!!

As for me I survived the most demanding semester of my life.  Four science courses, and two clinical courses, almost killed me!!  But I did it along with 35 others, we survived to live through another semester at UTSD!!  We lost 2 girls towards the end and it was really sad, and freaked a lot of us out.  Especially me, all of you know I am a big "WHAT IF-er" and I easily stress myself out, but Spencer and my mom were like little birds in my ear all semester reassuring me that I can do this!!  And I DID!!!!  About 2 weeks before the semester ended Cori started asking me if we could bake cupcakes, I baked molar cupcakes for my dental anatomy professor to go along with a presentation I did on amleogenesis imperfecta (enamel defects), they were cute, but so time consuming I just didn't have the time to bake with her with finals coming up. 

And I felt awful, but my sweet little 4 year old was so understanding when I told her as soon as mommy is out of school we will bake cupcakes.  She quit asking to bake, but she was sure to remind me every 2 days or so that we are baking when I am finished with finals!! LOL, she's a HOOT!!!

You bet that Friday after school she new we were baking cupcakes so after I picked them up from Margaret's we went straight to Walmart and got all we needed to bake the next morning.  

Good morning!!  Lets BAKE!!

We baked a batch of chocolate and a batch of vanilla cupcakes and Cori did all the work!

She did the pouring and the mixing, and she did such a great job that next time I will let her try cracking an egg!! LOL

Enjoying the best part of mixing cupcakes!  Licking the beaters, YUM!!

Cori filled the cupcake trays too!!  Can you believe my little baby girl can do this?  I almost cried, she is getting so BIG!!

We made several types of Christmas cupcakes, these one's are our Christmas trees, I did all the frosting and Cori did all of the finishing touches!!

Coir is making her Christmas wreath cupcakes!  I think she is a natural born cake artist!  I decorated one to show her how they should look, and she did the rest!

Here is Cori making her Holly cupcakes (these of course were MY FAVORITE)!!!!

A job well done!!! Aren't they AWESOME??!!!

All finished and ready to go to Grandmother's house for the Christmas Party!  Which was a total blast!!  I cannot wait to do it in Vegas with my side of the family!!

Here's the deal if you ever want to try it:
It's fun, doesn't take a lot of planning and it's affordable which is important in these economic times!

We all brought something to contribute to our Christmas dinner, beautiful holiday cupcakes were our contribution!!  LOL

And after dinner we all drew names, we had the kids, 16 and under draw with kids, and 17 and up drew with adults, this worked for us!

And after we had our names we split up and went shopping we had 2.5 hours to go out and find a gift for our person that was under 10 dollars (we set a limit, tax not included, and you can go over, but we tried to keep it close if we did... gift cards are frowned upon).  Some of us thought it would be hard, but we all had a blast and LOVED our gifts, but we ENJOYED every minute of the whole thing!

I pulled Tiffany, one of Spencer's sisters; I went to tractor supply and got her a book on preserving and canning.  She just started to can!!  She loved it, the book was 14.99

Spencer got Paul Tif's husband, we went to academy and got him a gun case, the kind with the foam stuff inside, I'm not sure what it's called, he LOVED it!!  It was also 14.99

Cori pulled Kate's name, she is Elizabeth's youngest and she is 8.  Cori picked out a Monster High watch for her, it was 9.99.  It was so adorable, when she gave it to her, she said Kate, I got you a High Monster watch!! HA HA LOL we all laughed so hard!!!

And Pace got Madison, Tiffany's youngest, we got Maddy a pocket Disney camera that was 65% off at Tuesday Morning for 6.99!!

Ashley, Little Cleon's yougest, she is 17, she pulled my name and got me a gorgeous burnt orange scarf!  Which I love, (HOOK EM)!!  I wore it on a date with Spence later that night and I got 2 compliments on it, apparently Longhorn orange is my color!!!

Marie, Little Cleon's wife got Spence and she got him refills for his thermocel, it a masquito repelling device that he wears when he goes hunting and a pair of wool socks for when he goes hunting.  Y'all are probably laughing, because he got socks...  But he was really excited!!  I put them in is hunting bag as soon as we got home!

Cori got a mermaid barbie for the bathtub from Hailey, and it is honestly the prettiest one I've seen! And Cori is into mermaids right now, so she was THRILLED!

And Payson got the cutest little Tonka Chuck truck from Kate, it talks and has a light on top of it and when he plays with it he says, VROOM VROOM!!!!!!  He can also say, duck, cracker, and ball!  He calls me Dad and Spencer Mom!  It's another thing are working on LOL!!!!!!

Words are not good enough to described how great our family Christmas was, I wish I would have taken pictures!  I cannot believe I left my camera at home.  But everyone got a great gift and none of us had to spend to much money!  It was perfect!

Happy Holiday's from the Carraway's!
Y'all come back now, ya hear!!!

How was your weekend?

So my weekend started off rather nicely!!  I got out class on Friday and headed home right away.  Usually I stay and study for a few hours since Friday is my early day out, but not today both my babies had Doctors appointments.  When I got home I started to study since I had some time to kill... that didn't last long...  I got distracted really quick!

So I decided to take off early and go run a few errands I needed to get done!  I made it to target, and picked up a few bookcases Spence and I wanted to use for nightstands, and I got a a filing cabinet to match our desk... it has become quite an eye sore since school has started!!!  Well it didn't take me as long as expected, I still had over an hour to kill before the kids had to be at the Pediatrician's.  So what did we do you ask?  I decided to cut my hair.

 Here is the most recent before picture I have, aside from the first picture of me goofing around.  It was taken I think last Saturday.  Well folks, I chopped it ALL off, yes 12 INCHES are gone!

 What do you think?  Similar to how I cut it after I had Cori, only this time the "bob" is the same length on both sides, rather then like the Victoria Beckham look.  I really like it!  It is a little harder to style, and I cried about it before church this morning LOL!!  

The kids and I had fun waiting for the Dr. to see us, I love it when I get to play and act silly with them!

Pace thinks we are a bunch of weirdos.... I hate to say it, but he is probably right! LOL

Now for the EXCITING part... NOT!!  When the kids and I got home from the Dr.s office, Spence had his dad and a buddy over helping him work on his truck.  They had been working for hours!  We got home at about 4:30p and oh I dunno around 9:00p my father in law comes in and calmly tells me Spencer got hurt.  Well his calm voice puts me a panic!!  I don't handle injuries well AT ALL!!  After I composed myself I made it down stairs to see my husband lying on the floor with blood streaming down his face.  

In his words this is what happened....

I was tightening the hub after changing the ball joints on the Dodge, so I was up under the fender well cranking down on it, the breaker bar popped off and the 18mm impact socket slammed in my face. ER doc said I shattered the nasal bone and there are several fractures around my right eye socket. I'm still spitting some blood but the nasal spray they prescribed is really clearing it up. I got an appointment to see the ENT specialist but he said we're probably going to have to preform reconstructive surgery. I've lost sensation on the upper side of my teeth, it feels like a dentist has given me a shot. Hopefully I'll get my sensation back. I guess one of the main concerns is I still have eye control now and they are worried that the fractured bones will snag the eye muscles and I could lose control of the eye. But, so far It's only been a lose of sensation in my jaw and I'm still spitting up some blood, and the obviously swollen black eye.

So there you have it!  He got racked in the face with a breaker bar, and apparently I am the only one who has absolutely no idea what the heck that is!  And to correct a few things from his statement... the Doc actually said pulverized, basically telling us the bones on the right side of his nose are dust.  And the fractures are in his orbital floor, that is why there is concern form entrapment of the muscle.  He is so blessed, had this breaker bar hit him just a few centimeters higher he would have most likely lost his eye. 

We were waiting in the lobby at the ER for nearly 2 hours before we were called back.  He was signed in by 9:34pm and was not released until 4:27am! Crazy I know!  He did however have I shot of pain meds (which he didn't like at all, but it did help him to relax and rest), 2 CAT scans, a great nurse, and me to cuddle with, so I guess it wasn't all that bad for him!

Cat scan image 1

Cat scan image 2

Cat scan image 3

All of the images above came from his CAT scan (obviously)!  Now when you are looking at it I want to to notice how much black space in on the right side of his eye and nasal area.  And compare it with the left.  On the left side you will see much more gray area, when compared to the right.  That is the damaged area.  We wont know for sure what is going to happen, but the ER Doc and the ENT I spoke with on the phone Saturday made it sound like we were looking a surgery.  So please keep him in our prayers.  He has to go on short term disability (STD), because he cannot wear the safety equipment that is requiered.  And when he is up for too long he starts to bleed form his nose.  I know he is feeling pretty down about it, Spencer is so dedicated and I know he never ever would have thought he would have to go on STD.  I know he feels like he is letting people down, especially with the new promotion.  His bosses were more than understanding and made it very clear to him to take all the time he needs, which was I relief for both of us!

We were not planning on going to church today, because Spence needs all the rest he can get right now, but late Saturday afternoon President Howard called and asked if he could speak with us.  Spence said yes and arranged form him to come to our home.  You know when someone form the stake calls or first reaction is to HIDE!  LOL!  I told him, "all's I know is this better be for you not me!"  We both laughed, but he knew I was serious!  Ha ha!  It turns out the visit was for him.  Spencer was released as second counselor in the bishopric.. wait before you start to get excited.. he was called to be first counselor in the bishopric.  I am so grateful for my husband, for his faith, and for his diligence to serve our family and our ward.  It is difficult to be in school and be away from him and to come home and he has meetings to go to and to not get to sit together in the chapel on Sunday's..  but it brings such peace in my heart when I get to look him in the eye when he is up on the stand.  My husbands testimony is so tender, and true.  I am thankful for our bishop and the support he gives Spencer.

Enough of the mushy!  After sacrament we came home and I made my little family a delicioso breakfast!  My in laws have hens and they have started to lay eggs so I used fresh eggs this morning and I got my first egg with TWO YOLKS!!!  I was so excited about it!

Shortly after I got breakfast cooking, my fire alarm went off, which it does if I have too much smoke in the house, it drives me NUTS!  I was cooking bacon and had the vent on low, so I flipped to high.  Usually the alarm will shut off, only this time it didn't... and that's because this time I actually had a FIRE!!

See the burnt paper plates?  Ya I had them to close to the flame!  I didn't dare try to get a picture of the flames. but it was quite frightening! But the show must go on and breakfast must be served!

As I was fixin' to clean up the mess I made, I turn arourd to see my ever to curios 1 year old has all my cuborads open, plastic spoons and hay strung all over the floor, yes hay!  It was from a decration from his 1st birthday I wanted to save.  I guess that was a bad idea LOL!!  I don't know how I missed it, he had to have been making noise!  Oh I know the fire alarm must have distracted me, ya that was it! Ha ha

How could you ever be mad at that face?  You can't!  He wins.. and I lose, again!

 

A meal fit for a King, a queen, a princess, and a price!!

Back to those bookshelves I bought, I mention to Spence that I wanted to build the bookshelves myself since he is out of commission at the moment.  Apparently he doesn't trust me to use his tools, because he texted his brother to see if he would help him build shelves for me, he was sure to advise him that he would be doing most of the work!  LOL  And for the record, I don't know if I trust him to use his tools either!  LOL!!!  Of course little Cleon said he would come by, he had actually planned on it, shortly after that (big) Cleon called and he came over too!  I had a whole crew working on my shelves, I wish I had more things on my honey do list!

Cori was the biggest helper of all!

She was right in the mix, and now she want's to be a builder!  She asked us if Santa was going to bring her building blocks this year!

She helped had out screws and asked A LOT of questions!

She even did some heavy lifting!

I am pretty sure she is admiring all her hard work!

Taking a break with her daddy!  

Ya'll come back now, ya hear!

There is so much to tell you!

So much has happened!!  I hope I am able to catch you up!!  Where do I begin?  Well let me start with, we finally got our pictures back from our white coat ceremony!  If you remember, my mom was able to be here for it, these were taken by the photographer right after my mom and Spence coated me.  

HA HA HA!  This one cracks me up!  My mom had to make sure everyone could see the UTDB logo!  UT is a pretty big accomplishment, and she wants to show it off!!! 
She made the audience laugh!  We are all so proud!!  
This one though, needs to be framed!   
I LOVE this picture!  It is so perfect!  Don't you think?
(Don't worry momma, I'm going to put it in the mail soon)

I decided that I am missing my family way too much.. so last week I decided to decorate my locker.  It is still under construction, I need to hunt down more pictures, but it is so nice to be able to see the ones I love and miss so much throughout the day!

We finally got to work on out first patient!  Well, sorta...

This is my patient in the sim lab.  The simulation lab is where we spend HOURS learning how to use our instruments.  It’s hard, and not it’s not very much fun (all the time), and many of us have shed a tear or two either in lab or immediately after!  Learning how to hold and use the instruments is so difficult.  I joke with Spence and tell him I am going to pass all my sciences, but fail clinic!  However I am getting better, I’ll have this mastered in 2 years for sure!  

 

My fulcrum finger!!  Curse you fulcrum finger!! Holding the instrument is extremely difficult or me...  It is very awkward getting your hand positioned the right way in such a small space.. who knew? LOL!

  

This is Mrs. Melchor's hand showing me the proper way to hold my instrument.... I'm off a little bit!

 Apperently our instructors think we are ready to start practicing on each other after just ONE time in the sim lab!!!!  And I am first up.. really?  Do I look frightened?  I WAS!!!! But Alfa, my student partner was very gentle and did a great job!

Saturday September 10, 2011 I was able to participate in my first health fair!  I took along with me this little green guy, he is a puppodont!  The kids LOVED him!!!  This is a great teaching aid!

This is the group of us that got to participate in this event!  Nine girls were from my DH class and three seniors!  We were all bright eyed and ready to get this thing started!!!

I am guessing we saw close to 150+ people that day.  I was a little aprehensive about talking to the adults for some reason, but as soon as our first group of kids came in I jumped right it, IT WAS GREAT!!  And that got me into the flow of things, I was able to help both parents and children.  I know I have only been in school for a month, but I have already gained a tremendous amount of knowlegde about oral health, it felt really good to share it with people who were concerned and needed the help and guidance!

For some reason the fire fighters loved us... I cannot imagine why.. could it be that we are all pretty girls with nice smiles? LOL!!

From left to right: Nadia, Katey, Brittany, Ashley, and me at the end of a long, fun, eventful day!!

Well I shouldn't say "at the end of", because it wasn't the end of my day!!  I was able to break away from studying and hang out at the pool with my family!  I was a little torn.. studying vs. swimming, both options had their pros and cons.  I had a test on Monday so I was a little worried that I made the wrong choice, but taking time for myself and my family was definitely worth it!  And I still made a 91 on my exam, in case you were wondering!!

My sweet Cori was so happy that I came out to Aunt Beth's!  She wanted to play!!  She was running at me with a water gun!  LOL

Pace was just hanging out, he LOVES the water!!

Now to end our fabulous Saturday we treated ourselves to some gourmet cupcakes from The Cupcakery!!  Now I will not tell you ho much they cost, because I am ASHAMED that we paid it!  But it was definitely a delightful treat!  And I will go again one day, Cori LOVED IT and so did I!!  Perfect date for her and I!  The shop is darling the cupcakes are AMAZING!!!  It's a cupcake version of Baskin Robbins, totally awesome!!  Unfortunately my cupcake isn't pictured, it didn't fit in the box, but I chose PB&J and let me tell you, it ROCKED!!!  Please, treat yourself one day, it will be fun, I promise! There is something else that is new and exciting to our little family... are you ready... Cori taught Pace how to drink out of a straw!!!

YES!!!  FINALLY!!!!

 Oh.. I forgot to mention, my class nominated me and elected me to be Vise President of our class!  So please let me introduce you too the UTDB dental hygiene class of 2013 officers, from left to right.  Mihn Quan serving as Secratary, Nadia Garza is our ADEA rep, Amber Lovatos is our class President, YOURS TRULY serving as VP, and Thai Nguyen is our Treasurer!!!  I am so excited to have this opportunity to really be involved and leave my mark not just on my class but with UT!  Hook Em!!!!!

Ya'll come back now, ya hear!