Days turn into weeks

So here it is how many days or weeks since my last post? I'm sad to say I've come back to my blog about umpteen times to update it and never managed to do so. Here I am. I come bearing silly stories, photos, and other random updates.

Life is fairly similar since our last installment. I'm happy to report that our scripture reading is still happening. Sarah often interupts with questions about 'what is ____?' or 'who is ______?' but I think she more is asking just to hear herself talk and not because she really wants to know. But I humor her until it gets to be a bit much, then we move on. I'm so impressed with how it has become a habit already. I think we've missed two nights since we started and both nights I felt like I had forgotten something very important. Sarah now asks for the scriptures before bed.

Allison is growing a little too fast for my heart strings. I've pretty much weaned her from nursing except for one late night and her 7am feeding - and as much as I've longed for this day it makes my heart a bit sad. I think the amnesia of how hard life is with a newborn baby is starting to kick in. Thankfully (?), Joel is there to remind me just how hard it was and how happy we are with two bitty kiddos in our lives.

Back to Allison - she has three official teeth all in front and on the bottom. She was desperately to walk but still hasn't quiet figured it out yet. She can stand pretty darn well, but leans into a fall as soon as she attempts to walk. She loves to say Mama and Dada. Her favorite toy is Sarah's little beany baby bear she got from the fire engine Santa Clause. As soon as she sees it, Allison leans into it making a little 'buuuuhhh' sound and smooches the bear on the face. I melt everytime she does it. Can you tell I'm more writing these down for my own reference than for your benefit? :)

Sarah is my big girl. Everday she surprises me with how intelligent and loving she is. She is ever the big sister being protective, encouraging, cheerful, and loving. Sarah has turned out to be quite the little artist. I'll have to scan in some of her artwork because I think it's pretty impressive! She has 'mad' coloring skills and loves to read. She doesn't read any words but she could sit for hours and listen or even look at the pictures and tell herself the story. We're working on writing letters which she is mastering quite well.

Sarah is constantly keeping an eye on Allison. If Allison needs something or is grumpy, Sarah is there to provide and encourage. I can only hope they are this close in the years to come.

As for me, I'm loving training for the 1/2 marathon in June. The longest distance so far has been from Mom and Dad's house to my house which is 6.6 miles. Today I ran 5 miles. Every week I'll increase my Saturday distance run by 1 mile. I am really feeling blessed to be able to participate in these activities. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined this is where I would be at 27 years old - and here I am!

Joel is itching for warmer weather so he can get serious about some house projects, car projects, and yard projects. We're so excited for so many different things to work on it's hard to focus on just one. But for sure the house will get painted this summer and hopefully the retaining wall in back. I'd love to enclose our backyard for the girls so they can play and have fun so we'll see how planning goes on that.

That's gonna be it for now - my camera is having a hard time loading anything tonight so I'll post just a few pics and the rest you can see on Facebook. :)