You might think we live on Ft. Benning, but really we live in Walnut Grove. I'm Ma, Mike's Pa, Sadie is Mary (we understand this is a deviation from the original story but Jane has to be Laura), and Ellyn is Carrie. Oh yeah, Bailey is our good old bulldog Jack. Welcome to the Ingalls family. Actually Jane is much more obedient as Laura, everything is "Yes, Ma" instead of "why" or "can I do it later" so I'm game. Every meal is met with the question "Is this something pioneers ate? Is this something pioneers would wear? Can we do something pioneers used to do?" To say that Little House on the Prairie is an obsession around here is an understatement. But there are far worse things for your kids to be obsessed with. Jane and Sadie got bonnets from one of my friends for Christmas and my mom sent another so that is what they wear any chance they get. Savannah, Jane's little friend gets the extra but on Sundays it goes to Ellyn. The theme music to the series is blaring through the house after school and the book is read at bedtime. It is truly a funny situation around here. Sadie even calls me Ma now.

Ellyn had a cough this weekend which kept the two of us up to all hours. She is finally getting over it and there was no school today so we all slept in. It was fabulous. i was released as a Primary teacher and put in as the Young Women's secretary. I've never done YW before, it should be fun, and now I get to go to Mike's Sunday School class.

We are doing well here. Mike has a month left as of today. We are becoming more and more anxious to find out where we will be stationed. We are trying not to get our hopes up for Lewis but all of our planning for the future involves being there. I especially realized it just now when I was reading Dave's post and thinking "yeah, Mike and I can both do the October marathon. Mom will watch the kids, will Meagan be recovered enough from the baby to join us..." And then it suddenly occured to me that we could be in El Paso Texas, heaven forbid. My brother Adam and his wife just called tonight to tell us that they have decided to move to the area and should be moving around late March. Oh, the fun we could all have! We'll keep praying that that is what Heavenly Father wants for us. We know that's what we want for us.

Dave, as for your challenge. Mike said he would love to. I'm techinically not supposed to be running but I could walk it really quickly (for the first hour) and if this pain EVER goes away I might get the okay to run again. Sisters, I need a walking buddy. Kim, I am so happy you are having such a good time. Your pictures were great. I was at the winter clearance sale at Old Navy the other day and was thinking of you. Well we love and miss you all very much. Dave and Adina we can't wait to have you back. I'm going to try to find a way to send Mike your direction before you come home. I need to find out about MAC flights. Any guidance in that direction? Didn't you do that on your last trip over? Please let me know.

Tracey here are our birthdays Mike-Nov 28, Brooke-Aug 13, Jane-Aug 14, Sadie-May 28, Ellyn-Feb 14. For Christmas my sister in law made me a birthday folder with everyone's birthdays and anniversaries in it for both sides of my family (thank you Barb) and I love it. Hopefully I will be better at recognizing everyone's birthday (maybe even cards but let's remember who is writing this). Okay, this is really the end now. love, the Ingalls family