The Braces Are Off!!!

After 7 months, John Adams got his braces off yesterday. He was so excited and so were we. All the months of making sure he brushed his teeth really good and wore his rubber bands and didn't eat anything that he wasn't supposed to had come to an end. In just an hour, he went from this:

to this:

 Pretty Amazing!

 He may have to have them again when he is older but we are just going to enjoy right now and not worry about later.

 So to celebrate, for dinner, we had all the things he had really missed while having braces. Popcorn, peanuts, carrots, jelly beans, and starburst. We also had biscuits, bacon, and eggs. Not sure why I picked breakfast to go with this celebratory meal but that's what we had(maybe because it's easy). 

He loved it!!! Who wouldn't love candy for dinner :)

 We also have a climber in the house. I guess he couldn't see out the window. Our dog was outside and he couldn't get a good look at her through the door. I guess I should think of it as resourceful, right?

 Climbing at the orthodontist office while waiting on John Adams. I think he tried climbing on every chair in there. Very thankful there were only a few people waiting. They may not have shared that feeling :).

And this is where we found Charlie yesterday while Charles and I were fixing dinner. Can't take my eyes off of him for even a second. Oh well, I'm sure I'll miss this stage one day. Right now, it just scares me to death to think of where he will try to climb next. 

Ellie's Baptism

 Ellie was baptized Sunday night at our church. This was such an exciting time for our family. Not just because of her baptism, but also because of her decision to follow Christ. My prayer is that she will not lose the joy of her salvation that she has right now. That she will seek God in everything and love Him with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Charles was waiting on the 'boy's side'. John Adams and Riley had to be back there with us as well. I guess they wanted to make sure we did it right :). 

Charles said a few words, mentioning the fact that Ellie became a Christian during Upward Basketball/Cheerleading. There are so many people that have been a part of teaching Ellie about Jesus and planting seeds for her to make this decision. We are so thankful for all of them. 

As we do often, we had a party afterwards with family and friends to celebrate this wonderful event. 

I cannot begin to imagine what it would be like not to have family and friends who supported us and helped us in the raising of our children. I do not know everything and most definitely need help in this process often. But we are most blessed by knowing that so many are praying for us and for our children. Charles told Ellie that the people who were there will be there to support her and help her on this journey as a Christian. It was such a sweet time and my heart was very full at the end of the night. 

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16