Goodbye 2008. Hello 2009!

I wouldn't say 2008 was an overly fun year for us after all we were planning and saving for our upcoming 2009 wedding. However there are a few highlights for the year.

1. The removal of the braces has to be the best thing about 2008!

2. The fun bridal shower that brought together many family and friends. Thank you Mom, Betty and Cristin for making it so special!

3. Uncle Ruben's birthday party. It was great having the Acosta family together again. It had been long overdue!

4. Watching Brycen and Shane play flag football.

5. Meeting up with my girlfriends, Melissa, Josie and Leah. Our lives get so busy that this proves to be a rare occassion.

6. Going to a few D-Back games with the LOML.

7. Shane & Sophia's Kindergarten graduation.

8. Crying when my younger/bigger (yes, he is taller than me) cousin Ben proposed to his girlfriend Christa. We can't wait for the wedding on 1/2/09!

Joe and I want to wish all our family and friends a very Happy and Blessed New Year.

The braces are history- YIPEE!

It's finally over. The braces are off- Oh Happy Day! I do have to say I truly enjoyed seeing Dr. Dickerson and his girls but I definitely won't miss the adjustments that left my teeth aching for a week and a half. Here are some pics from the day.

Me and the girls at Dickerson Orthodontics. The whole staff is wonderful!

Right before the braces were pulled off. It was weird to have them pull the brackets off but the worst part of it was the filing to remove the glue. The sound from the instrument was horrible.

Inserting the permanent retainer on my bottom teeth.

The results- Don't they look fabulous? Was it all worth it? I suppose so. Now it's time to get use to the feel of smooth teeth and permanent retainer.

The parting bag of goodies. Dr. Dickerson's staff gave me this bag filled with all the foods that shouldn't have been eaten while wearing braces. Very clever idea.

The contents of the goodie bag. Interesting that it contains all that is bad for you. The only thing in there that even temps me is the Kettle Corn. The rest I've given up eating. Guess I'll have to bring it to work.

I was so excited to be able to eat corn on the cob. It's been way too long.

Say goodbye...

to the braces!!!!!! Yes, they are coming off tomorrow morning. Oh happy day! Stay tuned to see a pic of my smile with out the metal.

Officially a Metal Head...

Yep, just as the title to my blog states I just got braces put on today. My next step is to have four teeth pulled because supposedly I have too many teeth for my small mouth and I am NOT looking forward to having that done! Here's a photo of me with my braces. I'm not smiling because I'm happy to have them on it's just there's no way to see them w/out the smile. The only bright spot in all this is it will force me to drop some poundage- yay!