Dentist

Craig has taken the kids to the "denist" this morning. This will be the first visit for Brendan to get his teeth cleaned and I'm hoping for a good report (considering all the junk we allow him to eat). Trinity had her teeth cleaned two weeks ago but she now has to have sealants put on her teeth and she is NOT looking forward to all the stuff they put in her mouth to get this done. They go to a pediatric dentist but it still amazes me that the dentist thinks all this stuff (like a cigar roll of gauze between the cheek and the teeth and a metal tongue mover-thingy that looks more like a gigantic pair of eyelash curler contraption) can fit in their little mouths and the kids not gag. Trinity has a very very strong gag reflex. Going to get a strep culture is complete torture for her and me and the several nurses that have to hold her down. She ends up with bruises on her face and bloodshot eyes from holding her breath and gagging. It's horrible and for some reason I feel completely embarrassed that I cannot will my child to not be afraid and do what I tell her because it's for her own good. Unfortunately she is like me and is very stubborn and the more I fight her and get aggravated that she has to do something she needs to do (i.e. learn to swim, learn to ride her bike, get a strep culture, get sealants on her molars...etc.) the more stubborn she gets. She is a very sensitive and gentle child and so sweet but you "force" her to do something she is afraid of and she morphs into the complete opposite of her normal self. I'm praying they come home and Craig is proud of her and that she conquered her fears and not come home and he is disappointed with her and she is weepy and feeling sorry for being so scared and not obeying. I tried to quote scripture to her to give her courage (Josh 1:9), told her my fears and how I overcome them...it doesn't seem to help when in the heat of having to do the actual task. Pray for her!!