Future Plans

Well, most probably already know what we are doing in the next couple of months, but just in case, here is an update on our plans: Greg will graduate on May 19th and on Monday the 21st we will leave to go to Boise, ID. Greg will be doing a chaplain residency at St Lukes Hospital for one year. This is a requirement in order to become a certified chaplain, which he may want to do in the future. During this coming year we will also be doing some "pre-church-planting" work with the Evangelical Covenant Church (our denomination). If all goes well, and we feel called, we will be staying in Boise to plant a church a year from now. We are very excited to start this next chapter; to be done with seminary and to live in a smaller city that's closer to family!

Getting Outside

We spent several hours outside on Tuesday, when the weather was BEAUTIFUL! Spring is finally starting to show itself here in Chicago, and boy are we ready for it!

Another CUTE hat - and this is my new favorite outfit of hers (thanks Trish!)
This was after dinner and our second walk of the day so Joel was ready for the stroller.
Maren is riding in comfort with Daddy!

Potty Training

Joel is almost potty trained! He has accidents every once in a while and wears pull-ups at nap and bed time, but for the most part he is really good about going on the potty when he needs to. He also loves his big boy underwear - these ones are from the movie CARS, which is his very favorite movie!

Another cute hat

Even though it is March 9th, and Greg is on "Spring Break" there is still snow on the ground and as of two days ago, we were still having to wear hats and mittens outside. Today is actually close to 50 degrees and we have the hope of more warm weather to come!

Mommy Milestones

Now that Maren is 4 months old, I thought I would venture out of the house, in the car, on my own with both kids...this may sound crazy, but I had not yet done this! This was easy to do because of the frigid winter here in Chicago, Maren's hatred for the car seat, and Greg's flexible school schedule (allowing us to go out in shifts). SO, I decided it was time to be self sufficient and I took both kids to story time at the library on Tuesday. It went so well, that the three of us went out again on Wednesday...despite 2 inches of fresh snow on the ground and more falling! Maren hit a milestone, too, because she did really well in the car and even fell asleep in the carseat and took long naps! Yay...I feel like I finally have my life as an independent mom back and can free up Greg to do other things (homework, perhaps?)!

4 Months!

Maren turned 4 months old on Friday March 2nd. We had her 4 month check up that day and she has grown and developed so much since her last visit! She is now 12 pounds, 4 ounces and 24 inches long (this is 2 inches of growth and almost 4 pounds of weight gain in 2 months!). The doctor said that she is almost up to average height and weight for her age, and that developmentally she is right on track. She gets to be more fun every day and we are so happy to have her!