Okay, So Apparently I Was Kidding When I Said "Update Coming Soon"

Unless you consider 'soon' almost a month later :)

I have to admit, it's been a busy last couple of months, what with the Lenten season to Easter to judging speech tournaments to attending a couples' Bible study every Sunday night!

The kids as usual have been busy entertaining us and it's been a joy to see them grow and change. Will has improved in his ability to be independent so now he has chores in the morning like making his bed, getting all the way dressed and brushing his teeth. He's pretty impressed with himself when he does these things without help :)  He still attends preschool two mornings a week and is learning so much there with his teachers and classmates, not the least of which is how to get along with other kids his age. He loves to color and paint now which I could not get him to do after repeated attempts.

Leah is full of spunk and has added plenty of words to her burdgeoning vocabulary. Some of her favorites are Dada, Mama (yes, she's finally addressing me in ways other than pointing & grunting), Will, Leah, dog, hi & bye (in an enthusiastic voice), kitty, cup, train, deer, snack, choo-choo, beep-beep and baby. (She says her cousin Bryce's name quite well too!) She loves singing "He's Got the Whole World" and "Jesus Loves Me" and pronounces some of the words pretty well!

I (Jenn) have been busy working on articles for the Untrained Housewife and continuing to write on my blog, Meditations for the Heart.  I was privileged to judge several speech meets this year and hope to coach in the future....that is, if I have the time and opportunity!

Kirk is preparing for Confirmation at church and spent the last couple of months devoted to Lenten services on Wednesdays where he traveled to different churches in our district. He went as far as Egeland, ND, a four hour round trip. He met so many good people during these services and was able to take Will along three times.

The weather is amazing here right now and will apparently continue this way for awhile--we definitely can't complain! God has been very good to us in many ways and we pray the same is true for you.

Here are some pictures of family activities over the last couple of months.

Leah on Valentine's Day...doesn't look too impressed with having her picture taken.

Will baked some heart-shaped cookies.

One Saturday we were restless, bored & cranky so we decided to go to my grandparents' home by the lake. We all felt much better at the end of the day.

The kids love to sit by each other on the couch and read. Even if they sometimes get a little pushy :)

Trying out Will's new tent that he got for Christmas.

The day before Easter we went to the Alerus Center in Grand Forks for an Easter Egg Hunt.

Leah likes to push the stroller rather than ride in it anymore.

They had plenty of bounce houses and brought in a firetruck which really impressed Will.

Will and his loot. The kids just ran around a sectioned area on the field picking up eggs off the ground. So much for a "hunt" but it was still fun.

Later that day we headed to the Steffan farm to dye Easter eggs and visit with family.

My kiddos on Easter Sunday.

Our first family picture since Thanksgiving!

Don't you just love the cheesy grin? I just recently started putting pigtails in Leah's hair, so cute and curly!