time flies

Wow, it has been way too long since the last post. Ok it's only been a month, but a lot happens in a month around here. I've been meaning to post for a while, but busyness got in the way. Here's a rundown of the hightlights.
-Nathan turned 4, we had a Chuck e Cheese party and he loved it.
-We made the trek to MI at the end of January hoping for some snow fun. We had 1 day of snow and because of illness we didn't really get out in it. The trip was still great though. So fun to see all our friends and family. Nathan loved being back on the farm, he wants to be a cowboy ya know :). Charlie loved playing lots of video games. Caitlin was a bit stressed, but she warmed up by the end :).
-The boys are playing basketball at a local church. Charlie loves it and is really pretty good. Nathan mostly asks if he can sit down yet, I think soccer will be more his thing :).
-Mariam came out of her harness during the day, she only has to wear it when she sleeps Hurray!! Normal ultrasound and everything. So fun dressing her :). We go back in 2 weeks  and if all looks good she'll be done for good. She has yet to figure out what to do with her arms during tummy time, but I'm sure she'll catch on :). So nice to take her places and not have people stare when I get her out of her carseat. Thanks to everyone for all your prayers, keep them coming!
-We went to a conference for Frontiers (a mission organization). We're starting to get serious about preparing to go in the next 2-3 years. Exciting and crazy to think about after all these years of preparing.
-Caitlin turned 2. We had a double party with our friends the Patricks. Their little girl turned 2 a week before Cate. I made owl cupcakes, not sure why but we seem to have an owl thing going this year :).

Jason's basketball team's season has come to an end so we're hoping for some more evenings at home together. Girl's club is going well for me, it's really great to introduce these girls to Biblical stories and get to know them better. Jason's work has gotten busier. Most nights he doesn't make it home in time for dinner and call really means call these days. He's on call every other night and weekend so there are definately times we're feeling a bit weary. Pray for us in this. Pray that we make the time we have count and as always wisdom in what things are important enough to sacrifice our limited family time for.

The weather here already seems like summer so everyone is out and about more. Pray for us as we interact with our neighbors that we will always have Christ at the tip of our tongue and on our hearts.

We're always learning new things around here so I'll end with sharing the latest :). Apparently on your birthday here(at least in the inner city) people wear a "birthday" pin on their shirts. Then as they go about their day people give them money and they pin it to their shirt. Then when they have cake someone smears it in their face, like at a wedding. Anyone else heard of this tradition?