Snow, Birthdays and Our Future

Well, just like the rest of the world, we've gotten lots and lots of snow this winter. It was fun for the first few days, with adults and kids out all day. Now it's pretty desolate, and the fascination with it all is waning. I, personally, am indifferent. I'll be ready for spring, but still don't mind watching it snow while sipping some hot drink. Last night, we had our patio curtains open still so we could watch the snow fall. It's so bright out at night with the snow covered ground! At one point I watched 3 deer run in front of our neighbors apt's in the falling snow, so pretty.

Jenna turned 3 yesterday! If I sound a bit anticlimactic about it, well, it's because it was that kind of day, anticlimactic. We had invited friends to her birthday dinner, decorated, blown up balloons, made a big dinner, but then our friends got sick. So we invited more friends...and they got sick too :(. I was sad for them and us! I was crying, Joshua was crying, Nate was trying to console, and Jenna was "la la la" bringing us Kleenexes! Funny. She's to young to really care yet, but it made this momma sad and intensified my homesickness.

Life is pretty even keel at the moment. Isaac is one amazingly content baby! Joshua is getting so grown up and Jenna is making better choices with each passing day. Nate was accepted into the PhD program here, so we're not moving or frantically searching for a job. Which, by the way, I'm so very proud of him!! We didn't come intending to try for PhD, but where God opens doors we'll follow. So here we'll stay. We'll enjoy this lull in life while it lasts. Life is good, God is gracious, and I'm reminded each day what a gift it is to have 3 healthy children and a husband that loves me. Blessings - Janel

The beginning of lots of fun in the snow!

Heading out to try and dig out our vehicles.

Lots and lots of snow!

The snow fort we built with the first big snow we got a couple weeks ago.

Isaac working on some tummy time, which he does not like for more than about 3 minutes!

Everyone who breast feeds walks in to find their daughter doing this at some point or another. In this case, I walked in to find Jenna sitting very still, baby doll under shirt. When asked what she was doing, she said she was "milking her baby".

We invited a few of Jenna's friends for a play date to help celebrate her 3rd

Isaac is such a happy boy!

Ladybug cake - yummy!

Happy 3rd Birthday Jenna Jo!

Opening gifts

Jenna blowing out her candles