Day 191: Laugh A Little

With all the sad news and loss this past week I thought I'd post a photo that always makes me smile and laugh. It reminds me how we should never take ourselves too seriously ... as you can see from this photo my family doesn't take me very seriously sometimes ...

In a family portrait taken a few years ago, I said "now everyone smile" and look how my goofy boys smiled ...

Whenever I need a "pick me up" I look at this picture! I love the age of the boys here and where our life was at when this picture was captured ... all my chicks living at home... before they all became teenagers, when I could still dress them, hold them, and smother them with kisses ... this was one of those moments where I wanted to freeze time, have it stand still ... whenever I need to "regroup" and shake off whatever is tugging at me, this is my "go to" picture that can snap me out of a "blue" mood...

Doesn't it make you laugh too?

Day 138: Look Mom, No More Braces!

After years of shiny metal spoiling those beautiful smiles, today was the day that the pearly whites got to shine through! My 15 year old twin teenagers

Harrison & Spencer ....

had their braces removed !

Cause for Celebration I say!

Check out those smiles!

Years of schlepping to the orthodontist office is about to come to an end. Hallelujah! Tomorrow we will return for the boys to pick up their retainers and so there is still some work to be accomplished to keep these beautiful smiles straight, but finally the silver glitter is gone. Now Spencer can stop taking photos as if he is in a mug shot-- never showing his teeth in a photo!

If you know me well, you know I have a "thing" for nice teeth and a big smile. I believe that your skin and your teeth are really great indicators of a person's health, self image, and it is important that both are kept up! Needless to say braces were a must for all three of my boys!

After thousands of dollars and endless trips to the orthodontist I can proudly say I am so happy we handled the boys teeth. I can't wait for family photos now when my boys will actually show those smiles! A beautiful smile is priceless!