Something something something or other

Don't really know what is going on these days. Snowboarding with the boys, working hard, and buying stuff on amazon (its a hobby). I can't really remember how the weeks pass but they seem to be flying. Foster the puppy, our new addition, is a handful. He's cute enough but I already have needy children. Somewhere in the recesses of my mind he fulfills a childhood need for having a dog. I'm glad we have him, but like I said, I have children. Quick update for now. Oh and the Niners blew it.

Boys Weekend!

It was just me and the 3 (of 4) amigos. While most of our time was spent eating junk, watching movies, and chillin in our PJ's, I'm happy to report we only sustained minor injuries. My oldest was pretty good at watching the other 2 - we only sustained 2 major potty training accidents while I attempted a nap Sunday afternoon. He did his best :) We also managed to go to breakfast and a movie on Labor Day - a pullup was definietly part of the wardrobe. My little guy was sucking down sprite like it was his last meal and still managed to stay dry the whole time! Moral victory while Mom is away. All in all we had a great time but welcomed the sight of Mom and Kai so the balance could be restored. Thanks for the memories boys, be nice to Mom next week while I'm gone :)

50 miles to....

Me and some friends (and boy scouts) went on an epic journey into the wild wearing nothing but massive backpacks full of every convenience we could manage to carry - mine was 60 lbs. Still, we manage to rough it for the most part and have a great time doing it. Nothing says city slicker like a dude dressed out in all new gear from all the top manufacturers with nearly a scratch on them - that's ME! Anyways, we hiked up and up and up, summit-ed Red Mountain (12000 ft elevation) and camped at some beautiful snow melt lakes. All in all, besides the physical challenge, it was a great trip - more mentally challenging than I imagined. While huffing and puffing up the mountain, you have a lot of things to think about - none of which revolve around the freeze dried meal in a bag chillin in the bottom of my pack. While trying not to think about milk shakes and french fries, I think I resolved to be a better husband, father and orthodontist. Sounds simple enough - work harder in all the aspects of my life that matters. (Note: notice I did not say work on my six pack.) So, how do I do such a thing? Good question. I'm not sure, but I'm at least resolved to work hard, and if there is anything that I'm good at, it's working hard. I can be stubborn, selfish, and hard headed sometimes, but my wife does an excellent job of training me - unfortunately my breed is thick headed. It will happen, it just may take the rest of my life, which I'm OK with - I just have to believe that my perfect physique will happen as I work hard on being a Dad. Here goes everything.

Ch-ch-changes.

Me and my significant other have been discussing amiably what is wrong with us. We tend to get bogged down in the everyday and never truly appreciate the important things in our lives. We have a lot going for us, but we seldom slow down to enjoy it. Recent tragedy has struck within our circle and it has us thinking about what we are doing, like right now, like this second. We came to the conclusion we are existing but not living. Parallel lives without intertwining, without meaning.
Living life to the fullest - the mother of all cliches. Live, laugh, love, barf. See I'm doing it again. Cynical to death, unable to appreciate the simple truths because they are sticking to someone's wall in vinyl lettering. How did I become so darned cynical and how do I stop? My Mom always told me 'where there's a will there's a way.' I hope I find my way before I miss out on another opportunity to live, laugh, or love.

Gosh Dang You Half Japanese Girls

Well my wife and two oldest are off in Japan - Okinawa to be exact. They're visiting friends and exploring the foreign universe that is tropical Japan. My wife is half Japanese and has been dying to visit her best friend who married a Navy Oral Surgeon - now stationed in Okinawa. I'm sad I'm not with them. Buying stuff, playing sports and even going to Laker games hasn't filled the void. Another reason I'm glad they are part of my life and routine. It has made me rethink the concept of work and how much of this I'm supposed to do till I go crazy and explode. A two week vacation is stuff of legend for orthodontists (or most professionals/small business owners). "Who will manage the shop?" comes to mind. I'm really happy that work has been great and we can afford to do these trips, but I'm hoping I'm on the next one. Miss you guys. Love, Dad

Thankful for Family

Hey y'all. This thanksgiving I'm thankful for a house full of boys and a loving wife. I don't know how we've made it this far in life, but I couldn't have done it without the gang. I don't know how many years have passed nor how much hair I've lost, but I'm still here doing the thing I love: being a father, husband, orthodontist, and under-rated city league indoor soccer player. My wife doesn't understand the soccer part but she let's me play anyways :)

Seriously I couldn't balance 3 practices, 4 boys, the Gringo Soccer Club, and a plethora of debt and headaches without a rock at home. Thanks honey!

Happy Thanksgiving interwebs!

Amusing Addiction

I don't necessarily have an amusing story to tell, but my addiction to this "thing" is kind of amusing. I quit diet coke this week and while I suffer from incessant headaches I find it amusing how addicted I, in fact, was to it. When I started drinking, I was what you would call a 'social drinker.' I didn't really drink the stuff unless I was at a restaurant or at a party.

Then dental school hit. I was bombarded with 8-10 hrs of class and tons of after hours lab work. I found myself reaching for an occasion drink to keep me going. But, it wasn't till Ortho school that I really started abusing the stuff. Now in my head I thought, a carbonated beverage in the morning is completely accepted as normal behavior. But I knew better. The scoffing behind my back that I chose to ignore, the look of amazement at the size of my morning beverage (which at the time was a paltry 32 oz), yet I still pretended not to notice. Me and my carpool buddy started down a road I wouldn't recover from for nearly 5 years. We'd stop one the way to school every single day.... Even if we were late! Addict much?

When we moved to our current location, someone I go to church with introduced me to the 100 ounce jug. In my mind I thought this guy has a real problem and his wife needs to do something about it (until I realized that they were both partaking and abusing it). I didn't go overboard immediately, but I did buy myself a nice 32 oz refillable cup. Sooner than later I found myself refilling it a couple times a day. I quickly upgraded to a 44 oz then a 64 oz model just to keep it economical - cause if the refill price is the same, more is better. 64 ounces is waaaaay different than a 100 oz model, yet as I would polish off a 64 oz I would find myself thinking fondly of a larger cup that would fill the thirstyness inside. When no one was looking on a drive from Las Vegas, there standing in the window was my cup. I could hear it beckoning me to come closer and partake of is sweet never ending goodness. I bought it.

I played it off like it was a novelty that I bought for kicks, but deep inside I wanted to go swimming in it and drink till I was a bloated floating raft in a sea of liquid gold. Unfortunately, (or in my case fortunately) holding a 100 oz drink in public is not socially acceptable no matter how cool you pose with it. I felt like people wanted to take a picture with the 'soda freak' as they walked past me in the checkout line. I just smiled with one of those 'haha you get it it, it's huge!!!!' type looks and played it off like I was in on a joke that they totally didn't get, but I knew better.

I was a laughing stock. I quickly downgraded back to the 64 model and kept it going strong for a couple more years. I would fill it in the morning and drink it till 3pm or so till it 'turned' then I would drink a can for dinner and another during vegetation mode (after the kids went down). The mornings I didn't go to work were the worst. I'd find something to go do so I could pick one up at the local fountain. Sunday's were really the worst!!!! I couldn't justify going to the store (we don't believe going to the store on Sundays). Cans would tide me over till Monday rolled around and I was back to the routine.

So, it's been 5 days and I've only had a couple small sodas to stem the tide of raging headaches. I feel way better today and I think it will continue to improve though the week. Playing soccer tonight I felt much better and less tired. I think I was beginning to get strung out on the stuff and slowly became a chain drinker.

My staff have no sympathy for me while my wife applauds the effort. We'll see how long this lasts. I'm hoping to stay away from caffeine on a daily basis and only drink it if I'm driving long distances - so it still has some effectiveness. Wish me luck!