quick update

We have had a couple of pretty busy weeks around here. Last week my friend, Lorna stayed with us. It was such a joy. She fits in so well with us and the kids love her pretty easily, which says a lot because we have never seen Salome take to any one besides us like she did to Lorna. So that made it great for me. Lorna also helped to finish up a relief sculpture for our church and watch kids so I could work on it and a painting too.

That was our other big focus. Current, our new church had its first big kickoff service on Friday. It went great. We had a full house (over half were well-wishers) but still the church is really growing with people excited to be there. The sign in the picture was one of Ryan's projects, the outdoor sign. He also made a sandwich board type sign. And we both work on the interior painting and kids rooms. They are not done, but much better. I am still working on the painting, but think it should be completed soon.

This weekend was filled with back to the kitchen work Ryan made a lot of progress with the heating ducts, we need heat soon... although sweaters and socks are working for now. I think it is almost done, and he finished installing all of the lower boxes of cabinets, which is great. We are hopeful to start working on trim and countertops soon.

And Ephraim got to have his first climbing session with Ryan at a climbing gym. This particular gym is a bouldering gym which means no ropes, perfect for Ephraim. Ryan said he did really well. Ryan was preparing to go and teach E how to get up the first wall and before he could get there, Ephraim was already at the top. I guess he managed to scale all but one of the walls in the first section. You have to complete them all to advance to the next section. Ephraim was really upset he couldn't make the last one. Apparently, Ryan only saw one older kid even make that wall though, so really he did amazingly well. I am pretty sure E was tired out at that point and feeling a little emotional, so he was kind of down about not making it up the last wall. The last picture is how he was dressed to go climbing, like a little skater cutie.

Salome still isn't really walking much. She can do it but doesn't seem interested. She walked all the way from her room to the bathroom the other day but only for the fun of following me, but mostly she crawls. She is so much fun right now. She gives us all little hugs and kisses and pats us on the head. So sweet!!