March 7

Emily got a plant garden for her birthday.

Lillian used a fork to eat her cake, and did a good job!

Her favorite present.

Lillian

Well, as I start this post I'm amazed at how much we've done in the last 2 1/2 months! From New Year's eve to Virginia to camp to school, we've done a lot!!!

For New Years Samantha went to stay at her friend, Lauren's house. The rest of us stay home played games and ate party food. Then the next Monday we started doing school again.....it's always hard for me to get back to doing that after a long break. One weekend Daddy and the boys went to a father/son retreat up north. They enjoyed that a lot! Samantha drove us (me and her) up to Camp Fairwood to work another weekend. That was fun! It was the first time she had driven that far. Daniel had his 10th birthday on the 25th. We also found out Grandma Trish (dad's mom) had breast cancer and was having surgery. That was hard.

February 4th, Daddy, Mommy, Lillian, and I flew to VA to be with her for her surgery. That left Samantha and Emily home with the 5 little ones. We got there just before VA's snow storm hit. 2 feet in 24 hours! We had no power for 3 days! Grandma was at the hospital with Daddy for most of the time when the power was out. Monday (the 8th) Daddy flew back home. The Tuesday the "second" round of snow hit.....WAY to much snow for VA!!!!! Mommy, Lillian, and I were able to see my Grandma Sandra (mom's mom) and Auntie Robin. I'm very glad we got to see them as were they. My Grandma hadn't been able to see my mom in 9-10 years. Grandma went to the doctor's for a check up and was recovering well. (now we know that she is cancer free and won't have to go through chemo or radiation!!!!!) The 13th we got on a plane and flew home! We also celebrated Mommy's birthday when we got home. Then we spent the next few days getting back into the "normal" routine of things. Lillian had her first birthday the 26th! She had chocolate chip pancakes, pizza, and carrot cake. My parents bought a new chair for the living room, seeing as the other one in 13-ish years old.

This past weekend Samantha and I went up to camp for the scrapbooking retreat. We were able to see our friends, especially Kiley!!!! That was very fun!!! I was able to get all caught up in school before I went too, so I am happy about that! =D Emily and the boys went to a kid's collage and made some stuff for 4-H. The younger children went to a church nearby and saw the new Veggie Tales movie, Pistachio. (like Pinocchio.....)

Lillian eats regular food, walks all over the place(she took her first step while we were in VA), has a top tooth in addition to her two bottom ones, is continually climbing up the stairs, tries her very hardest to talk, loves for me to hold her, knows what she want (and whines when she doesn't get it), and is all-a-round getting to be a toddler.

My parents are looking for third car for Samantha to drive. Samantha has applied for a job at several places, and has been helping a family with 6 children out.

In all our lives have been busy, and even somewhat chaotic, but we've been able by God's grace and help to get through it all. As spring approaches and we get glimpses of the warm weather, and see an end in sight for school it is easy to become discontent. 1 Thessalonians tells us to give thanks in everything. Let us think on this as we look forward to spring!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always,

pray without ceasing,

in everything give thanks;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.