Spring is in the air...

Wow, time certainly flies with 2 little crazy boys in the house. This past month has been full of good-chaos. It is the kind of chaos that you just want to hold onto longer. I know that a few years down the road I will look back to this time when they are 2 and 1 and long for it, long for the simplicity in keeping them excited, or engaged, or just the joys they have of just playing with us.
In the past month Nathaniel turned 1 (on February 1st) his birthday party was full of family. It was delightful to have all six kiddos on the Gelschus side together. We also wished Hannah (DuFrene side) a very happy first birthday too! It is fun having N and H so close (only 4 days apart) in age. Makes the holidays that much more exciting have the "twins" there.

January updates: Amy went to Chicago for work and take a class. It was delightful but crazy too, ask her about the train sometime! She also got to see JPUSA (Jesus People USA).

February updates: Malachi tried skiing, Nathaniel had his party! Amy did 30 Hour famine and Valentine's dinner with youth. Mike worked a lot-played with the boys and introduced them to his old toys.

We have seen bitterly cold days, and more recently some very nice days. Malachi has loved playing in Lake Snowbegone that has formed on our driveway.

At it's peak this week it was about half the size of the entire driveway and expanded some into the circle. There is not a dry shoe in the house at night for that little tyke, but he loves it!

Nathaniel is starting to walk, Mike and I decided we have to officially call him "walking" as opposed to learning to walk. He can walk a clear 10 feet before stopping, he likes to still hold on to walls as he passes, but can stand in the middle of the room, squat, walk, stand up after squating, everything. So it is just a matter of time before he is completely confident to run. Probably about the time that mud truly is embraced by spring. But it will be perfect for this summer where he and Malachi can enjoy the back yard together!

With this change in weather we have seen a change in ourselves too. Relieved to see some sun but very sick of being "stuck" inside. It is hard still with N not completely confident to be outside for long periods of time, or to not get chilled. So we find ourselves still sitting inside some, and not able to embrace it the way we would like to. Please pray for contentment for us in that department. Also, unlike other years Malachi has not been as quickly to adjust to the time change. Before Sunday I would have told you that springing forward is actually my favorite with kids (it is with N still). But Malachi has really struggled this week, today was the climax of such struggle. He has not wanted to eat much, has had temper tantrums every morning, which today's was 30 minutes. He woke himself up, so it isn't us doing that-we are allowing him to sleep a little longer to fight some of that, and Thursdays are his sleep in day because of Mustard Seed Kids at church on Wednesdays (which is done by 8, but he stays with mom until youth group is done so isn't home until close to 9). Please pray for him during this time, it is wearing on him!

WE are loving this new weather. Would you pray for us as we try to reach Hutchinson? We are excited for everything that is happening at OHCC-we are on the committee to help with the "Old Fashion Tent Meetings" this August-that is pretty exciting.

Following HIM,
Amy