Barden family beach portrait 2007.

Barden family beach portrait 2008. Thank you Brandon.

I love comparison pictures. A year ago – I think we look so different. Dr. Robinson tells me that the shape of my face will change with this device – I hope so – look at the difference in my face from 1 year ago – my weight isn’t any different but my face is shorter and chubbier. I am hoping to get that defined jaw line back. Nonetheless – this is one of my FAVORITE pictures of Jared and I together.

My vacation blog stopped short on Day Five – which I think was Wednesday. Thursday I didn’t feel too good – the heat, the sunburn, my jaw, and my fluid filled ears – all conspired against me. Jared and I spent the afternoon inside watching a X-Files marathon to get ready for the movie. Friday we spent ALL day on the beach – the last full day. Saturday we left around 10 AM – driving out of OC i got a migraine so I tried to sleep most of the car ride home – which took about 10 hours. We stopped at a few outlets and then to grab a bite to eat around Thorndale PA. We got home and unpacked – threw a load of laundry in – and went to bed. We slept in and recuperated Sunday morning – then spent the afternoon with Mara – who missed us like CRAZY! Our Second Annual Barden Family Vacation had come and gone.

I am posting the pictures from Jared’s camera first – ‘cus it is much easier than trying to organize them with mine.

Jared and I our first night on the beach.

It seems to be that moms are always in control.

Dinner on the Boardwalk – it is so nice to sit out in the fresh air and enjoy a meal with those you love.

Will someone PLEASE tell me what the deal is with these sunglasses!

Hanging out in the living room – watching a movie before bed.

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE – Jared’s favorite place to eat – home or away.

The BEST onion we’ve ever seen.

Mom and dad enjoying the sun …

Trying to get a picture of all of us together …

Dinner at Seacrets – mom and dad’s favorite place to eat in OC MD.

Thrasher’s fries – a MUST HAVE on the Boardwalk.

Please note the AWESOME tan on half my forehead. It was all over my head – but the peeling began.

My AWESOME tan gave way to slight tan underneath – but I have learned that I need to actually wear an SPF now.

So – I have mentioned it before but I will say it again – I have the BEST family ever. My family, friends, and church family have blessed me with their love and kindness. I have a TMJ Relief Fund – thanks for the name to Jessica (my sister-in-law) – that people have been contributing to. I am amazed and so humbled by what people have given me thus far. I am not only talking about monetary gifts – but prayers and kind words. As an update for all of you who keep up with what is going on in the region of my TMJ life – I had my second appt. yesterday with Dr.  Robinson. He hooked me up to a TENS unit – an electrical stimulation device – to help relax my muscles – for about 70 minutes. He then took molds of my bite to send out to make the device that I will wear all along my bottom teeth. August 19th is the appt. where I will be hooked up to the TENS for about 45 minutes and then have the device fitted and in place! I can hardly wait. I will have trouble speaking for the first few weeks – or so I am told – but I am willing to sacrifice that to feel better. I sometimes get overwhelmed when I think of the life that I will be living in a  few months – God willing. I have the calmest peace about this device – I truly believe that THIS is what God has in store for me – for us. Again – thank you to all of you who have given or are giving of your time and money to help me in this endeavor. I cannot even express to you in words what it means to me to know that I am in your prayers and that you are willing to help me in this purchase. I would love to make a little graph on the side of my blog that shows how much I need and where I am in that goal – but I don’t know how.THANK YOU – THANK YOU – THANK YOU.  

This morning we woke up and headed straight out to the beach. Jared and I wanted to find a spot next the sweet, kissing old man and his family – but they weren’t out there yet. The lifegaurd told us that the region of the beach we were sitting is was SURF BEACH for the day – so we moved down a titch so we could wade  in the ocean if wanted. I was hoping to get some awesome surfing pictures – but it is only Maryland and not Hawaii. I think I got a few of one of the surfers – we will see. We settled in for our day of reading and relaxing when we were approached by the SCOPES guy to take our pictures. This particular guy – Brandon – has been after us all week. Turns out that a couple in our church was down here a few weeks ago and had prayed for a SCOPES guy named Brandon. He came back to them the next day and felt tons better after the prayers. They had told us to keep an eye out for a blond SCOPES guy named Brandon. So when we ran into him the first day – we asked his name – and sure enough it is THE Brandon that the people from our church ran into. So we told him that he could get our pictures but not till later when I looked like a human and not a lobster. I look much better today – with the exception of my hip still – so we thought – WHY NOT? Now – Jared’s dad LOVES the beach – he hates the sand and the ocean but loves the beach. So this Brandon makes us get down in the sand and has mom B and I lie on the backs of our guys. It was great – cus dad B would never do that. We thought – we don’t have to get them – so why not. I very rarely get good pictures of me and am always behind the camera anyway.

We spent the day reading, relaxing, and visiting. We ran into the family that we were trying to sit next to and chatted with them a little. The older guy – the kisser – said something that made me think. I said something about family values and how it seems they aren’t like they used to be. He said – well I think more people care than you might think. You have to give people a chance. He said - it is like the people who need help with some things. When people are in need you help them – when you can – sometimes those people appreciate it and return the favor at some point and some people never say a word – but you do it anyway. It was a God appointment for me – for sure.

For dinner we went to mom and dad B’s favorite place – Seacret’s – and then to check out the pictures from earlier. If I had known about stuff like this in college – SIGN ME UP! This is what I know that I am meant to do – making moments into memories. Anyway – the pictures were good – one was GREAT. We got an 8 x 10 and then a keychain for Jared of the two of us. Now we are spending a night in watching Hoodwinked.

I am looking forward to my next jaw appointment on Tuesday – this week has been tough finding food to eat and with sleeping in different places. I needed this week to relax – we get back this Saturday – then on each weekend I have the following – a wedding in Athens – a wedding in Canton and church picnic – KT’s grad party and PK sleepover – wedding in Athens – visiting Trudence in VA – wedding in Wellsboro – OFF WEEK – Ren Faire with the family – wedding in Lawrenceville – Sara’s wedding – WHEW – that takes us all the way into October!

I appreciate all the prayers for my jaw and related “pains” GREATLY! With Jesus ALL things are possible!