Family Update

It's been a while since I last posted, so I thought it would be good to give a quick update on the family. So here's some random facts of what's going on around here lately:

~We are finalizing our plans for the back room addition. The architect is just about finished with the drawings and hopefully they will be submitted next week for the permit. So, we're gearing up for another season of demolition, construction and remodeling. We are finally getting rid of the enclosed back porch and making it into a "real" room. Some men (who are skilled in construction) in the church have offered to help us since Ron is planning on doing most of the work ourselves. We'll probably have a couple of "barn raising" days this summer to get the work done.

~Ron's ministry workload just increased as he is now serving on the Sovereign Grace Ministries Board of Directors. Here's an article announcing his appointment along with 8 other pastors. He travels to Louisville next month for a Board Meeting. With this new season, here's what Ron's up to most of the time:

~ We're just finishing up our school year of hosting our international student, Emily. She will go home to China for the summer and return again to stay with us next term. We have enjoyed having her here, it feels like she's part of the family. I've signed up with another foreign exchange student agency, HLI, and will host/ tutor a Japanese student this summer for three weeks.

~ I'm enrolled for an ESL course to get my certificate to teach English to foreign students. I'm hoping that I can use this to make some money as a part time job. (to pay for our remodeling.) By hosting students and teaching English in my home, I can still stay home with the girls, homeschool- and work at the same time.

~ I'm also volunteering once a week to teach ESL at a Mother's Club here in Pasadena that works with low income Hispanic moms and their children. I've been wanting to do something in the community for a while now, and this seemed like a good time / way to volunteer. It's been a great experience! Now that the kids are getting older and I'm looking at an increasingly "empty nest" this seemed like a good opportunity to get involved with two of my favorite issues: literacy and motherhood!

(Valentine's Family Night)

~ We continue to have our weekly "Family Night" with all the kids. Zach and Andrea and Courtney join us on Monday nights to have dinner together. In the summer we do more activities like picnics in the park, outdoor concerts, Shakespeare by the Sea...etc. Sometimes we just make a meal, talk over coffee or play cards or watch a movie. It's been so good to spend this time with the family and I look forward to it each week.

Carving Pumpkins... one of our "not so successful" activities...

Homemade Pizza by Paige and Taylor.

~Paige is finishing up her Senior year of High School. She's been busy with studying and completing all her coursework. She's looking to go to PCC for her first 2 years and then transfer to Cal Poly Pomona to study Hospitality Management / Event Planning. She babysits/nannies for a couple of families in San Marino and it seems to pay well as she continues to look for other, full time work. She is always busy with some project: Here's a recent dress that she made herself. She and the girls spend a lot of time baking for special occasions.

(Cupcakes they made to sell at a fundraiser for World Vision and Taylor's Homemade Bread.)

~Taylor and Ashley are busy with school, music lessons, and being "mother's helpers" each week to a few gals in the church with babies. They each serve a mom one afternoon a week by helping with babysitting, cleaning, organizing, laundry, etc. So proud of these girls!

And of course everyone (except Dad) is so happy to have Tilney back!