We are trying to make the most of these remaining wintry weeks, but boy are we longing for spring...well, I could honestly skip a midwestern spring and jump straight into summer. Alas. MC and I have been keeping busy these past few weeks tatooing our faces with stickers (during the pre-dinner hour/this has been a long day phase), playing in the snow (after a surprisingly heavy storm last week), and our newest venture: ballet lessons. After a (very) shy start, Mary Clare loves her ballet class at the YMCA. After all, it involves a new outfit and new shoes...both of which are pink. What's not to like about that?

While we endure/enjoy these transitional months from winter to spring, our family is also transitioning in terms of Phil's work at Marquette from full time student to dissertator/adjunct professor. He is scheduled to take his DQE's (dissertation qualifying exams) at the end of this month. Once he passes that bad boy, he will begin to focus his time and energy into researching for his dissertation. We found out that he received a teaching fellowship from Marquette for next year which means he will be teaching undergraduate classes at Marquette next year...I know, way to state the obvious. This was wonderful news for our family and continued and faithful provision from our Lord. He will continue to work on the dissertation as he teaches. Which reminds me, I don't think I mentioned here that Phil actually switched dissertation topics about a month ago. Pretty big deal for him, but one we've been thinking and praying about for over a year. Instead of writing a book about St. Augustine as we've been planning on for years, he'll actually be researching and writing on Martin Luther instead. Long story, but one that God has directed and allowed for. He is totally pumped, which makes me totally pumped. We are very thankful and excited to be at this stage in the game and will of course keep you apprised on its progress. Until later, happy March.