Helping our Neighbors

I couldn't sleep last night.  Besides some little nonsense stuff distracting me in my life, I was watching the tornado coverage in Oklahoma.  It was just so heart breaking to see unfold.  This got me to thinking of all the other tragedies over the past few months such as Hurricane Sandy, Newtown, and Boston.

I'm finding it harder and harder to filter out these tragedies at the end of the day enough to unwind and turn in for the night.  Is it because I'm getting older and they are impacting me more?  Is it because I see these tragedies through the eyes of a mom?  Is it because they seem to be happening more and more frequently? Is it because I feel helpless?  I don't know.  All I do know is that they weigh heavy on me and the devastation breaks my heart.

Being from the Jersey Shore, I saw an outpouring of support to our area following Hurricane Sandy.  Even though much of our area is still recovering, I was happy to see that many of the local organizations that were formed during our time of need are recognizing the need for help in Oklahoma.  They are now taking up collections and offering support to others who are now in greater need. This warms my heart. 

What Oklahoma needs now is prayers and support.  We can do this through supporting organizations like the Red Cross who turn up in tragedies to help ease the crisis.  It is as simple as texting  the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation or visiting the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund.  For more ways to help visit NBC, ABC, or organizations like Samaritan's Purse.

When this tragedy is over, or if you are unable to aide in this disaster, take a look in your own backyard for ways to help your neighbors, after all we all need to look out for one another.  Volunteer at a soup kitchen, make a donation to a food pantry, sign up to donate blood at a blood drive.  There are so many ways to help those in need without ever spending a dime.

Now go hug a loved one.

Schnauzer Campaign

My daughter has been begging for a dog for quite some time.  Particularly a schnauzer.  Or a mini schnauzer.  Or anything that may possess  "magical chin hair".  Today she took it to an all new level. 

She created a whole campaign.

 She called it her picket sign.

It was double sided.

One side for why

one side for the things we should know

and a picture in case I forgot what a schnauzer looked like.

Did I happen to mention that she put a miniature schnauzer on the store list we keep on the fridge? 

An A+ for effort Baby Girl, put the answer is still no.

I'm a Jersey Girl {aka my 1st Vlog}

I have a confession to make.  I've been very resistant to where the trend of social media has been going.  Video.  Not is it only one more thing to learn, I've just never been all that comfortable in front of the camera.  But after a fun day at a photo shoot for MeridianMomtourage (also out of my comfort zone), I decided to harness the energy and jump in feet first and do my first vlog.  Here goes nothing.

Braces vs. Invisalign

Thinking back to the 1990's I remember quite clearly how friend after friend would show up at school sporting their new braces.  Most of them weren't too happy about their new "tinsel teeth" but I was envious of them.  I have always had a gap in my front teeth and I used to be very self-conscious of it.  I begged my mom for braces.  When she took me to the orthodontist and he informed her that the only benefits of braces would be cosmetic, she shut down the idea of braces.

Flash forward 20 years to the present and you will find me the mom of three kids, all hitting the perfect age for braces.  In fact, my oldest son got his braces on just a few months ago.  What, you think you missed the picture?  Well, you didn't.  You won't find a picture because he won't allow me to take one.

I had the pleasure of recently learning more about Invisalign Teen and I only wish I had sat through this informative session a few months earlier.  You see, my son would have loved clear braces that are nearly invisible.  Invisalign is a system that utilizes a series of clear aligners made of lightweight plastic that sit smoothly on the teeth for a more comfortable and nearly invisible fit.  What's more, they work as effectively as the traditional metal braces. 

The benefits don't stop at clear braces though.  There are many other advantages to the Invisalign system.  

• Since the aligners are removable there are fewer restricted foods to avoid.  
• Again, since the aligners are removable, kids can brush and floss normally with no wires to get around.
• Invisalign costs roughly the same as traditional braces.
• There are fewer visits since there is no need for adjustments every 6 weeks like traditional metal braces, and no need for emergency visits due to broken brackets or wires.
• Fewer soft tissues injuries occur, especially for kids involved in sports.
• There is less irritation and discomfort with Invasalign vs. traditional braces.
• There is no wait to see the results at the end; patients will notice the gradually improved smile throughout treatment.  

While the decision was already made for my oldest, I have two more kids that I can look into Invisalign Teen for.  And who knows, maybe I can even see about doing something about that gap in my front teeth after all.

To learn more about how Invisalign works, take your own smile assessment, or to find a provider near you, be sure to visit the Invisalign website.  

Have you or someone you know used Invisalign?  If so, I'd love to hear about your experience! 


Disclosure:  This post is sponsored by Invisalign.  I was not required to state a particular opinion or point of view.