Enjoying the snow and COLD weather:)

In Minnesota...

Well, as most of you know I'm back in Minnesota with the kids. Here are a few recent photos of us...I hope to add more soon.

Grandpa & Grandma visit Orlando

more photos :)

It sure doesn't seem like it could get much better. We are very blessed to have these two little ones entrusted to us for this season of life. We sure do miss all of you and can't wait to spend time with you.

Evalyn has been such a happy little baby, and brings much joy into all our lives. Azariah loves being a big brother. He's learning how to treat his sister, and how to say" I'm sorry sister," when he gets too rough. I'm sure she'll make up for it, when she becomes more mobile here in a few weeks and shows more interest in his toys. She's on her hands and knees scooting all over, but hasn't crawled yet. I learned a new lesson the other day: I laid Evalyn down on Azariah's bed to change a diaper. When I turned around a few seconds later, we watched her roll off his bed (which thankfully is one the floor, but still about 1 1/2 feet up), and roll across the floor like a little hotdog. I was sure she would cry, and was frankly horrified myself. She thought about it for a second, then got a huge smile on her face. Things are changing every day!

Azariah has been learning a ton as well. He's enjoyed spending time with other kids his age in the nursery at church. We've also been attending a reading time at the Library once a week with a very dynamic story-teller and singing and dancing. It's a great time.

He's been learning to count to ten, sing different songs, build "Big Houses," cook in the kitchen, and go to the bathroom on "the big boy potty." He's interested in everything, and loves getting outside to the pool, going to the grocery store, and to "the farm," where we pick up our milk every few weeks.

check out the pose below as well to see his recent baking project. Cookies for the neighbors, which we ended up eating because no-one answered their doors................:( Also, you can turn off the music to hear the video if you scroll down the left hand side of the page. Just press pause...

M.I.C.K.E.Y M.O.U.S.E mickey mouse..

Hi from the Kids

Starting out the day: Birthday Breakfast

Our baby is TWO today!

Such sweet memories created from moments spent with Azariah. What a precious little life God has blessed our family with for these past two years and nine months. He has brought so much joy and life into our family with his loving personality and lively spirit. Please join us in praying for his little life today...that God would continue to mold him, bless him and lead him to love and worship his creator. We love you Azairah!

"By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,

and by the breath of his mouth all their host.

He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap;

he puts the deeps in storehouses.

Let all the earth fear the Lord;

let all the inhabitants of the world

stand in awe of him!

For he spoke, and it came to be;

He commanded, and it stood firm."

We're moved...

It's been a wild month...gearing up to move, moving and then setting up a new home. God has really blessed us through this process, and although it's been really tough with a toddler, we are glad to be here. Azariah is adjusting well and loves swimming in our new pool. This past weekend Lars (Joshua's brother) visited from Wisconsin. Azariah had such a fun time with him, and was so sad to see him leave again. He loves spending time with young men in particular and grows fond of them really fast. He watched everything Lars would do and really looks up to his uncle.

Evalyn is growing rapidly. Last summer in Colorado another Campus Crusade mom looked at Azariah as said, "Girl, that's not milk you're feeding them, you've got CREAM!" I think about that often and laugh, now that we're on our second bundle of rolls and creases:) Evalyn has been talking a lot lately and loves looking at faces. I've never encountered such a smiley baby!

We are gearing up to head to Minnesota in a couple weeks and really look forward to spending much needed time with our family and outdoors. O BOY I miss it up there. Please pray for us if you think of it... that we would have time to prepare and get organized for our trip, and that the kids would make another transition smoothly. They've had lots of change recently!

Azariah has found numerous places and positions to fall asleep in these past weeks of busyness and transition:)

MAy 2010 photos

Celebrating our marriage engagement day--3 years later

Dear Rose,

Today marks the 3 year anniversary of the day I asked you to unite yourself to me in a lifetime of marriage!! Looking through emails that i saved from that season of our relationship and browsing through photos of that morning at Willow River State Park, i am freshly reminded of how truly blessed of God my life is. Thank you for saying "YES" early that morning atop that tower that overlooks the St. Croix River Valley. May memories of that morning not ever cease to flood our hearts and minds, all of our days on earth!

I recall walking next to an open field and through the state park trails shortly after i had slipped the ring on your finger; we pondered all that may be ahead of us, who we wanted to include in our wedding celebration and so much more. Today, i celebrate God's unending faithfulness to us and His generosity towards us in so many ways. We have two beautiful children who have been entrusted to our care. We have countless family members and dear friends to share the good times and difficult trials of life with. Yet, above all these blessing, my marriage to you is my greatest joy. The time and effort I spend investing in our marriage may not appear as though our marriage is my top priority, but i trust God is helping me to move in that direction day by day. Thank you for your loving patience with me.

We are young, full of energy and, by God's grace, ready to follow our Lord Jesus however and wherever He may call us. It is my honor and joy to do this alongside no one other than you, Rosemarie!!

Declaring my love and commitment to you again, today!

Your husband,

Joshua

Psalm 37:4

Finally more photos

It has been a full, but amazing season of life. I've gone from having my Mom and Joshua's Mom here for the full month of April, to being on my own once again. Praise God it's been possible. For some reason it was daunting to think of being outnumbered two to one. Both the kids are doing great and adjusting well. As I'm typing this Azariah is standing on the couch yelling, "Mooommm!"

He's been a great big brother, and definitely lets me know when he's needing a bit more attention. He loves holding and kissing Evalyn. After he kisses her he says, "Awwwwh." He doesn't skip a beat or miss anything. So visitors... no cussing!

Well, I'll find some recent photos here and upload them for all you friends and grandparents who are sadly so far away to see. We can't wait to see you Tammi, Randy & Britta tomorrow. Mom, on friday, and Dad and Tamara in two weeks. We love you! Safe travels...