As opposed to last year, I actually thought and prayed over Lent this year – before Fat Tuesday even came around! Whoo-hoo!!
Living with my parents is really like community living. We eat breakfast in the morning (all 7 of us) and dinner too! So my mom and I are both in the kitchen and doing the grocery shopping together, it really is so fun (and I’ve learned SO MUCH about cooking in the last two months!) because we are doing this life together, I asked my parents what they thought about all of us giving up “treats” for Lent. So we all prayed about it on our own and have decided to give it up! I’m excited, I was really challenged last year during Lent. And I wanted to do something even more sacrificial (I really like treats) and how cool to do it as a group. So that is what we are doing. Also, I’m hoping it will just set the scene in the house for the kids to continue to eat healthy, clean and not ask for junk. So its going to be a challenge on all levels. And ultimately, I’m prayerful that the challenge will bring me closer to Christ, which really is the whole purpose for the period of Lent.
I continue to feel blessed to be here. We woke up to snow about two weeks ago, but it seems like spring is springing into action now as the mornings are just amazing buds are blooming, the days are getting longer and I’ll be honest to say that I’m excited to actually experience spring (70ish degree temps here in CA) versus the 90 degree temps in AZ right now! I don’t mind keeping a sweatshirt on for a few more months. NOT TO COMPARE OR ANYTHING – just finding the good in where we are 
I’ve run into some high school friends which has been fun! And I made my kids appointment with a pediatrician out here – only to realize she was MY pediatrician too! I love stuff like that. I’m also still in the system at the medical clinic, as Amy Gillespie, which is hilarious. I have to bring in proof of my “new name.” love it!
and I just have to end this post with this girl. I LOVE THIS TOOTHLESS GIRL!!! She has grown up so much in the last few month. What a joy, what a helper, what a little love she is. She has my heart!! I thank God for all my kids, they are a blessing!
it’s actually not 90 degrees here, it’s a perfectly warm mid 80′s during the day with amazingly cool mornings and evenings!!:) Glad you’re having fun out there!!!:)