So this is Spring?

Our van got stuck on Sun.  We didn't get it dug out until Tuesday.

Scott's parents and the tractor that came to dig us out got stuck and the men had to dig both of them out.

At least 3 little people are enjoying the mountains of snow:).

I can't remember what devotions they were part of this time, but it was pretty cute.

Caleb's Birthday quilt from Nana.

Enjoying the rays of sunshine.

Kiersten loves sunglasses(these ones are Caleb's).

Elyssia made "stone" soup with carrots(Nana and baby ate it).

2 more kind people that agreed to eat it, even though it was cold.

Enjoying the Toy Story Lego set that Kirk gave to Caleb.

It's been a crazy week since we got home.  We've had one thing after another and this afternoon seems like the first time that we've just gotten to sit around and enjoy just being home together.  Scott's family came for Spring break, but when they arrived on Tuesday it really wasn't very Springy.  Thankfully there was a neighbor down the road that was willing to come help us get the yard cleared.  The propane truck was supposed to make a delivery this week, but they never showed up.  When we called them today they said that they tried on Wednesday, but they were told the roads were too muddy.  I think we're below 8% and they said that if we really need it they'll bring a small container to tide us over.  Scott went into town on Wednesday to teach at Caleb Village and run some errands, meet someone for lunch and check out some potential jobs.  He arrived home to find that the drainage system for the toilet wasn't working properly.  Poor guy couldn't even sit down.  The smell of sewer gas was pretty bad, but thankfully the sewer didn't back up into the basement.  On Thursday they were able to get a pipe and get it flowing out into the field again.  They figured that part of the pipe had frozen up, but I'm really not sure about all the details.  I do know that it's now working, Praise the Lord! Then this morning, part of the tooth that he was waiting to have capped broke off.  The dentist' office said that they should be able to do that sometime this next week or two.
  The other major job has been working on potty training Caleb. The first day didn't go so well.  He would sit on the potty, but only while protesting.  The second day I told him that I would give him a treat if he went.  He went to the toilet, sat down and got the job done. Since then he's gone on the potty at least 10 times each day and we've praised him loudly each time:).  We found out that the Nutters store in town was closing and Scott picked up a bunch of yogurt covered raisins and special mints at a good discount.  They've really come in handy for the potty training.  Elyssia and Garrison have been volunteering to read to him while he goes so that they can have treats too:).  I usually let them do it once or twice a day.  By the way, all 4 kids have been wonderful helpers lately.  They've all been volunteering to wash, fish and dry the dishes, taking out the trash, making their beds and generally being quite helpful.  They don't always want to set the table, but they've been doing it anyways, which is a great help and blessing.  Looking forward to seeing more and more of it as they get bigger.
  Another exciting thing has been watching Garrison's reading skills improve.  Seeing him recognize the words he's been reading from the easy readers in the more advanced books too.  Today he read through a fourth of a book without all the prompting.  I even skipped around to make sure that he didn't have it memorized:).
  Thursday night we went to Prayer meeting.  It was the usual 2, our family plus Kirk.  The kids did pretty good, considering that they've been going to the children's classes while we were on vacation.  I know they're going to miss the extra fellowship, but there's not much we can do about it since we don't have any other kids coming to Sunday School right now.  On Sunday(when we were snowed in) we were able to watch the preaching from Pinecrest.  It was kinda like being at church with the family and thanks to the time difference we can watch their evening service at 4 and be preached to before going to our evening service at 6!  I think it will be good for us, as adults, to have the extra preaching.  It's neat to hear Elyssia and Garrison talking about their "teachers" in Georgia and identifying them singing in the choir and serving the Lord.  So, now our prayer is that we can go forward, renewed and encouraged by our time away and be ready to give more in the coming days and years ahead.  Thankful for all that the ways that the Lord has blessed us.  To God Be The Glory, Great Things HE Hath Done!