Month of March

This has been a really fun month for our family. This past Sunday, of course, was Joshua's 30th Birthday. On Saturday we got a babysitter for the kiddos and went to see Josh Turner in concert at Sea World. Afterwards we rode on the new roller coaster ride called 'Manta,' which I was totally freaked out to go on. You dangle upside down in the air, like 200 feet above the park, for a good bit of it... On Sunday we got Cold Stone and took the kids to the park. And then on Monday we had some good friends over to celebrate with a taco dinner and carrot cake (his favorites). The bast recipe I've ever had for carrot cake, here's the link: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Carrot-Cake-III/Detail.aspx. I made it into a two layer round cake instead of a 9 by 13.
The kids have been growing up so fast! We've started going to Bible Study Fellowship every tuesday morning. It's been wonderful on every end, and Azariah has been learning so much. Evalyn began walking...or sprinting, to be more accurate. She's into everything:) So I've been quite busy simple doing damage control. She has started using sign language to communicate more and tries very hard to form words. She also say's "hi" and "by" to people, waving her right hand in the air. I can hardly believe she'll be 1 year old in a week! We have a lot of fun on days that are pretty low key, yet I'm still learning how to create a warm & loving home environment. God's been so gracious to remind me often to love them tenderly & affectionately, which makes 100% difference in their responses to me. Quite the process of learning, but so worth every second.

Recent visitors

Mom & Terry visited early february while Joshua was out of town in Boulder, CO. He had some ministry related training out there, which turned out to be such a wonderful time. Meanwhile we had a great time visiting the Polynesian resort & Animal Kingdom Lodge. We also taught Terry how to play quirkle, which in return he decided to woop us!

It was also a very busy week for the kids. Evalyn learned to walk, cut another tooth, and tried some of her first foods, which she spit right back out. We may wait a bit longer before trying food again! Azariah enjoyed walks with Grandpa, dodging the doggy doodoo outside, since we live in a complex with about equal number dogs as people. There's no dodging it really!

Randy & Tammi Jo flew in this past thursday, as Tammi had a conference her in Orlando. We had a great time swimming at their resort and floating along on the lazy river. On saturday they treated us to a day at SeaWorld. Since we're only a couple minutes away we came home for nap time while they stayed to watch a Willie Nelson show, that took place there in the after noon. Luckily no-one tripped and broke a hip or anything disastrous like that during the show. Well, we're back to just the four of us! We miss you all very much!

First bites

Moment by moment, here is Evalyn eating some peas and avocado. She's been growing more interested in food, although I've been trying to hold her off. So tonight we fed her some bites just for fun! Although at about 25bls, I think my milk's doing an excellent job!

Up and running

This week has been a busy one, yet God continues to remind me every day how very blessed I am. The kids are doing great, and love playing with each other. Evalyn lights up every morning at the first sight of Azariah. And he constantly asks to "play with the baby?" during her naps when she's not around. It's been fun to teach Azariah more about sharing his toys, since most of them are his, he's constantly having to share:) Evalyn always has to have one "guy" in each hand, and yells very loudly if Azariah snatches one away. Every day is challenging, especially when the kids get to bed late the night before. However, God's been really teaching me how to love them both with a more affectionate and tender sort of love, which I can miss out on when the days get busy. We have much to learn about loving our children well, and I'm thankful to have every day to practice!

Homeward Bound

We had a great time in Colorado at the Denver Christmas Conference. We left very encouraged after meeting other staff from the Great Plains region as well as hearing from a couple different pastors, including Brian Lorritts.

It is nice to be home now, and we've jumped right back into things (Aside from a couple different detours along the way). Yesterday morning as I was making a smoothie, the vitamix got turned on without the lid on. Green juice EVERYWHERE! Azariah was So shocked...we both just stood there frozen for a few seconds before assessing the damage. Lets just say I love tile floors:)

Today we headed to Disney for a bit as a family to reconnect with some friends Joshua's made these past few months. It's so exciting to be back and immersed in a culture of ministry with these students. We're so excited to build deeper relationships and share life with these young students who are searching for purpose. What a blessing!

Evalyn and Azariah continue to be such a joy in our lives. Evalyn is growing up! She chases her brother around, interested in everything he's up to. She blabs every time I begin talking, then is completely quiet when I am... When it's quiet often times I'll find her in their room playing quietly with toys, books, clothes etc... She has to have one thing in each hand at all times...especially as she continues cutting teeth. Her smiles brighten up the toughest of days!

Azariah loves being a big brother, although he may not be ready to admit it. He's been imitating Evalyn by crawling around on the floor blabbing like a baby. She crawls all over him, yet he just brushes her away. Today at the dinner table he asked to hold my hand and proceeded with his eye's squeezed tightly shut. "Dear Jesus...... Mommy, Azariah, Daddy, Baby! Jesus thank you for Toy Story & blankie..........Mommy, Daddy......Aaaaaaaaaa-Men! His greatest joy continues to be spending time with other people and reading books!

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.