Spring is on its way?!

Well, we have now been home for an official 9 months of the year. The perpetual snow (so it seems) is beginning to wear on us and the hope for spring is strong in the air. There is a saying that March comes in like a Lion and out like a Lamb. I think this is especially true in the northern United States. We witnessed a huge snow storm ending February. In this storm, we left school early while the snow came down up to 2 inches or so an hour. By the mid afternoon it was looking awful in the city. Lanes piled high with snow so that passing was near impossible. The children and I made it home early from school after an early release day was called. Nathaniel was not so fortunate and discovered the bus he normally takes after work was rerouted onto the snow routes. Routes that would not take him home. We began our rescue mission. (It sounds so much more fancy than it really was.) As long as we were on side roads we were fine. We made it successfully halfway to meet him. He hiked 8 miles in 2 hours and we ended up meeting at Baker's Square Resturant to have a meal together and then head home on side streets. The children and I got stuck in the parking lot of Baker's Square and a kind gentleman towed our car into a parking lot with his truck. I was thankful for God's protection in that storm and we had many laughs following that.

The kids are adjusting well and part of our plan to ease adjustment was to add two new additions to our family. "Lucy and Alice" (named especially by Joshua). They are Guinea pigs. The kids have enjoyed having them and they are the most docile animals you could imagine. Everytime I shake a plastic bag they whistle for food. They love the hand that feeds them and food is the way in for these creatures! I think they could eat and eat if we kept feeding them. They are also just so cuddly to hold and so adorable. So we have enjoyed having these pets in our family.

Here's a picture of Alice:

Here's a picture of Lucy: We have been so blessed in God's awesome provision in both our work situations and provision in our home, neighborhood, school...and the list goes on! Just last weekend I was thinking about how the Lord has just blessed so many things as I was driving around the circle roads in Richfield and remembering Brazil. Even down to the smallest little things the Lord just orchestrated it all and I am so thankful! We have happily settled and are so thankful for our family, church family, friends, home, and the littlest things that seem to be just perfect in this all! Thank you to all who have continued to pray for us as you think of us.

The boys are standing on the snow fort they built with Nathaniel:

Eliana being silly: