Spring has arrived!

We are finally experiencing spring out here in South Dakota. It has been a loooooooong winter. All our snow has finally melted and we are having some nice mid-60 degree weather. It is so nice to be able to play outside and go on walks and actually head somewhere (as opposed to the treadmill). Kiera has just LOVED being outside. She spends lots of time on her swingset that a family in our church so kindly gave us as well as digging in the dirt, pushing her doll in her stroller, and attempting to play frisbee with me (can't say she's got a real good arm yet and I think I get the better workout). We are hoping to get our bikes out this weekend and take advantage of the many bike trails in the area. As far as or life here goes, Ryan is keeping very busy with church activities. It's hard to believe we've been here 8 months already! There have been many times that I have missed Ripon and the convenience of everything within walking distance (and being able to walk year round), as well as the many friendships we had. It has been a big adjustment for me to break into a new church family and very difficult for me to be brave and just put myself out there and try to make some friends. We have found some great friends, but it always takes time and effort to get to where we were when we left Ripon. I just have to be patient. Having a lot of family close by has been another big adjustment. It has been difficult trying to find the middle ground since we enjoyed our independence so much in CA. But, we enjoy the family and Kiera just loves having cousins to play with...as well as Grandma close by to spoil her. We covet your prayers as we continue to adjust and adapt to our new home. Even though it's been eight months, everything takes time and lots of patience. Kiera has had no trouble adjusting and continues to be her goofy happy self. Right now one of her favorite things to play is Pretty Pretty Princess. She has some dress up clothes that she loves to put on. We are including some pictures of her and her many faces. You should be able to identify her goofiness! One of the pictures is her fingerpainting. She did not want me to put the paint away. She LOVED it! Today we went to the "crack" store...aka the craft store. She just couldn't get the "ft" in craft, and I just laughed and laughed. She laughed right along with me not knowing what I was laughing about and then we called Ryan to tell him where we were headed. She got her first scissors and glue stick. Boy, we she excited!!!! She spent the rest of the day gluing and cutting. Why didn't I buy these a long time ago!!!