Those Pearly Whites

Addie is the third born child in our home.  Even though she is third, she is the first to have curly hair. First to play the violin. Now she is first in another thing. We had hoped by the time adult teeth showed up, the problem would self correct, but it hasn't. 

What is she the first at this time, you ask?

BRACES!!!

I know many of you are intimately aware of all the ins and outs of these wonderful contraptions, but this is all new to us. After getting three different opinions, it has been decided that she needs 5 teeth pulled, and braces. This is not something we went into lightly. Braces are EXPENSIVE, especially when our heath insurance does not cover any dental. 

God has been so good to us though. He knew she needed this long before we did. He has been her comfort, as she is nervous about having five teeth pulled. He didn't give her any wisdom teeth, so she won't need to have them pulled later! He laid it upon a family to generously give us almost half of the cost of the braces. We are blown away by their generosity, and God's goodness.

Would you pray with us as we trust the Lord to provide the $3,100 left that we need?

My brave girl.

She lost two baby teeth since this x-ray was taken.

Getting more comfortable with these visits. 

A little glimpse of part of the problem.

This is just a picture of her at her awards ceremony at the end of the year. She is such a smarty pants, and we are very proud of her.

Ain't No Party Like A Mathew Party...

Maybe "party" is too joyful a word for the rough year it was, but we do love to party!

It's been over a year since I have written. So much has happened, that a short recap is about all that will be possible at the time.

In March of last year, Addie's appendix ruptured making her very ill. She had emergency surgery, and even though recovery was a long one, she was able to recover, and for that we are certainly grateful.

Recovering well after surgery.

Right after Addie got better, Jonah got sick. This was so hard to see. We had kept him under preemie quarantine just like we did when Ezra came early, but unfortunately Jonah got sick right away. He came down with RSV and Pneumonia and ended up spending 7 days in the hospital.

Jonah's first Easter.

 Jonah was discharged from the hospital on a Thursday. Friday I was able to go visit my parents. The next morning, my mom passed away from complications from sarcoidosis.  Losing my mother has, by far, been the most difficult thing I have ever had to face.  I am so thankful that God gave me that Friday to see her one last time.  I am thankful that this isn't the end.  My mom trusted in Christ and His death on the cross, and now is with our Savior, and I know I will get to see her again. That brings me comfort when all I want to do is call her on the phone and tell talk with her again.

My dear mom.

We had a good summer last year, and made some good memories with extended family, and just us.

The fall brought new changes. Emma entered high school as a freshman, Josie a 7th grader, and Addie in 5th. I was back into the office learning some new things on Populi, a new program that was implemented at the Bible Institute, and Josh was plugging away with the building and grounds department. In October things came to a screeching halt. Josh got very sick with spinal meningitis. He was hospitalized (and now he was the one in quarantine!) and spent a a few weeks recovering. We are incredibly thankful he recovered so well.  

We are basically quarantine pros at this point.

In November, I needed to have surgery to repair some complications from my last c-section.  It was a longer recovery than I expected, but am glad to be doing fine now.

Overall, 2017 was a bit rough, but there were good things too! Spending more time than usual with family, and so many celebrations. Two milestone birthdays were had in September, and we were blessed with the opportunity to continue to trust God through what seems like impossible circumstances. Isn't our God so good though? I don't know if I could have survived a year like last year without knowing that He was unsurprised by it all, and ultimately in control over what felt like chaos in my life.

Jonah turns ONE!

A little surprise party for Josh who turned 40!