March is still roaring like a lion!!!!

We woke up Friday morning to another 1-2 inches of snow. It started the night before and melted pretty much as it hit the ground. When we went out Friday morning it was snow with a nice layer of ice under it. So much for the cute little saying we learn in elementary school, "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb." Here in Jackson the lion is still roaring! I am happy to report that my evening the snow had melted as for the most part was gone. What a way to start Spring Break!!

Jason's truck covered once again in white stuff.

Tabetha headed to school and not too happy with the snow.

Sleeping Bags & Frost!!

Looking forward to camping this summer Tabetha and Ethen decided to get a head start and "camp-out" on our balcony. They couldn't fit a tent so they started lugging sleeping bags and blankets, I think anything of warmth we own ended up out there. When I got up this morning they were still both sound asleep and quite warm dispite the 28 degree temp and frost on the ground.

They emerged from the blankets so I could take this shot, then it was back under.

Pizza Night!

Every Friday night here at NTBI is pizza night! Now you should understand that this is not just for the students but is quite the social event of the week for all the staff, students and families. Really, all the kids look forward to pizza night, and heaven forbid they should be grounded from a pizza night. So, I finally remembered to take my camera and get a few shots. These are mostly of the Dueck and DeMarce families with a few friends thrown in.

THE BOYS TABLE!!

This is the scary table! When I took the picture not all the boys had made it through the line yet. This is usually the first table to fill, eat and be gone. They only have enough time to shovel it in and they are off to the gym or outside to play. Amazingly they can consume a fair amount of pizza, salad and ice cream only to come home a few hours later hungry.

THE GIRLS TABLE!!

The girls table is usually around quite a bit longer than the boys. Please don't misunderstand me, there are plenty of things the girls could be off doing but what girl doesn't like just sitting around chatting.

Here is Jacob, with a mouth full of carrots, because he doesn't like pizza. He is a privileged child and get to sit with dad, mom, uncle and aunt at the "big people table." Note this is also the table you will have to sit at if you are grounded or have lost the privilege of sitting with friends.

Last but not least, Jeremy! I would have to say he may have it the best, all snuggled in the carrier, with not a care in the world!!!

HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY GEM!!!

These are the cupcakes we make every year for Gem's birthday. The kids in child care love that there is a "doggie treat" in them. The preschool class even sang Happy Birthday!!

This is Gem enjoying a quiet birthday evening snuggled up in mom's blanket on the couch. She had quite the eventful day. The morning spent at the Bible School with lots of kids. After supper she got to go to the park, her favorite evening activity!! The only thing left is a bath since the walk in the park was a muddy one, her least favorite activity!

Just a little interesting side note. As of today Gem is 29 in human years and I, Jenni, am only 5.75 in dog years. Should you be interested in finding out just how many dog years you are check out this link, http://www.onlineconversion.com/dogyears.htm

Family!!

We were all excited to find out back in September that my sister and her family would be joining the staff here for a few months. The Dueck family was headed back to the states from Guinea, West Africa in October so that Jermery could join the family in January!! This would be the first time in 16 years sisters were residing in the same state let alone only 3 blocks from each other. Tabetha and Ethen were both overjoyed to have cousins close again. It has been a great 5 months of getting to know each other again and enjoying family times together.

So one of the best days together was January 2, 2008!! It was an early morning phone call, 3:45ish to be exact, from Dalton that started my day. I was needed up at their house so Dalton could get Sue to the hospital. Now you have to understand some geography to really get the rest of the story. The DeMarce house is just across the road from the hospital. The Dueck house is 3 blocks up a hill from us...so they are very close! Ok, back to the fun...I jumped out of bed, dressed, and ran for the car. I arrived at the Duecks about 13 min. after the call to find my sister already in the van and ready to go. Then I headed in and waited, and waited, and waited. The kids all slowly woke up and the excitement grew as we waited for word from the hospital. At about 9am Dalton came in and let us know Jermery Dalton Dueck had arrived at 5:03am weighing in at 8lb 11oz and was 21 1/2" long. Now for those of you who noticed the time of arrival will understand why having the hospital so close was a good thing. I found out later that they made it to the 4th floor and into a room by about 4:20am, with several contractions along the way. So there wasn't much time to "settle in" before that 5:03am arrival. It was such a privilege to be apart of that day!!

Jeremy Dalton Dueck

Then and Now!!

Still Alive!! Part 2

I, Jenni, still over see the Child Care department at NTBI. This semester we started with 33 student and staff children, ranging in age from new born to 5 yrs. Since Jan 1st we have added 3 more newborns with 3 more on the way in March and April. Wow...Seeing that count in print makes me wonder if we will need more cribs?

Ethen enjoys relaxing after a hard morning of shoveling snow playing X-Box. He has had two steady shoveling jobs all winter.