Yes, It is GOOD Friday

This blog post comes a day late and from a different place than normal. Nora, Penny, and Mommy are in Jackson visiting Grandma, G-Pat, Meredith, Bryan, and puppy, Maybe. This past week has been one full of April showers! We've been inside most of the week and been looking forward to nicer weather. Nora got to spend last weekend in Jackson by herself with Grandma and G-Pat. Back in Grabill, Mommy and Penny went to get haircuts with the Sauder girls (plus Ian). I also got a much needed nap that afternoon before Josh and I went on a "date" (with Penny). Sunday morning we both played at church--it was my first time back since the month before Penny was born. It was nice to be back! That evening Grandma and G-Pat came back with Nora and stayed with the girls while we went to our last youth group meeting for awhile. There was a fun Easter egg hunt for the kids and one of our seniors gave a great Gospel presentation. We had a quiet week but also enjoyed some fun time with friends. G-Pat came to get us girls and drove us up to Michigan. Josh will join us tomorrow for an early Easter celebration.

This week Nora has been talking even more. I think I've probably heard "I want that" 1,000 times. Good things she's so cute when she says it. She's also been saying "Please" and "Thank you" at the right times and that also evens things out. While at Grandma's house, Teddy was misplaced and Nora never forgot about him in the intervening 4 days. Every night as she was laying down to sleep she would say "Teddy?" and shrug her shoulders. Thankfully, the explanation that he was at Grandma's and playing with kitty seemed to answer all her questions! Potty training went ok this week. I let her go in underware to church 2 times and both of them were not successful. But we'll keep trying.

Penny has been increasing her hours of sleeping at night. Last night was one of the longest yet--7.5 hours!! That made mommy very happy and rested :) But P.J. has also had a pretty bad cough this week and lots of trouble sleeping during the day. That has led to a frustrated mommy. Thankfully she's so cute! We've been getting lots more smiles and laughs are coming easier these days.

We pray that you all are remembering why we celebrate Good Friday and Easter. Jesus took on all our sins on the cross. But the cross wasn't the end of the story. Jesus conquered death and that is why we can live forever. This is something we are teaching Nora about even though she doesn't yet know much about it. We pray that someday both our girls will understand this sacrifice and put their trust in the One who will never let them down.