checking in...

SPRING IS COMING!!! We'll probably have more snow first, but we're seeing signs of it! Last week we had some gorgeous days with sunshine and warm weather!

Thank you to all those who prayed for Mikey. He is home from the hospital and on the mend. He will have to have several more surgeries, so continue to pray for him as he has a long road ahead. His feeding is key, as being able to take a bottle and receive nourishment will help strengthen him and make his health stable for the surgeries.

Gary and I are currently taking a class through the University Of Phoenix. We have to take 6 credit hours every 4 years to keep our certification. We're doing both classes this spring, a three week class now, and another one immediately following. The work is all done online making it convenient, however doing a 5 week course in three weeks that you know nothing about is terribly hard. We chose two technology classes so that Gary could have something to use at his job, and I could attempt to keep up with the outside world in preparation for "someday" when I go back to teaching. So far the biggest lesson I've learned is that I know nothing about technology and do not handle stress well. The assignments are very time consuming, especially sharing a computer and feeling lost the entire time. Today ends our first week, five to go.

Yesterday we took a quick trip to Mansfield to attend the Ohio Wedding Reception of Graham and Seda Geisler. It was a wonderful event and we're so thankful we got to be a part of it. We're so happy for the Geislers and thankful they have been able to move from Cambodia, to America. We're praying for you Graham as you look for a job! Seda, it was a blessing and an honor to meet you! We saw many people that we worked with when we lived there and it was fun to see the reactions to our adding two girls to our family since many of them had seen us. The highlight of my day, was holding Ali Stauffer (and visiting with her mommy! I got to talk to a real live adult!!). I love that little girl and her parents so much! It's extremely moving to have prayed for something, almost daily, for years, and then to see God answer those prayers in such a wonderful way. Children are a blessing and we're so grateful God answered our prayers and sent Ali to Ben and Amy. We continue to pray for you guys and we love you!! Keep in touch! :)

Esther is now taking one bottle of formula a day. Thanks to a very generous donation I might switch her to two a little ahead of schedule. I also will be able to start cereal with her as soon as i find her highchair cover! She still eats, plays and sleeps right on schedule. She wants to sit on her own in the worst way, but can't seem to sit still so she falls a lot. She's not at all interested in rolling but has started getting herself turned around and scooted both from her tummy and her back. She's never where I lay her at night in the morning! She's such a good baby. Grace and Tyler are doing well too. It's been an adjustment for them, again, with my preoccupation with these courses. Having mommy preoccupied most of the day and daddy stressed and preoccupied at night has been rough, but they have each other and truly love to be together and play together. Having more space here has made a huge difference. They act up like crazy outside of the house so most people would never know it, but they are great kids. I feel badly about all the adjusting they've had to go through, and I'm blessed to have kids that are so resilient.

As I composed this in my head earlier today it seemed I had more to write... but now I can't remember. :( 5-6 hours of sleep a night is just not enough for us! I'm off to pack a picnic dinner for us to take to daddy's work. Phone problems will likely have him there most of the evening so hopefully he can help me with my power point assignment and we can let the kids run around in the hallways or gym a bit!

I hope to post more photos this week.... if not look for them next month! :)