Time marches on

Well it has been about two months since we last posted anything. Since then, a lot has changed. We are and have been all moved into the house. The yard is nearly undercontroll...save for those pesky dandylions...all but the bedrooms have now been painted and we are pretty much all settled. Ashleigh is in cheerleading, and I must say that she is the cutest girl on the squad and Jennifer is now the assistant coach and of yesturday. Jennifer and I have both had birthdays and Timothy has one coming up. I have come off the road with the quartet and they have found a God annointed man to fill the spot and have just been recently been voted by the church as the new "family ministry leader"...(deacon). The kiids are coming along great in music and we may be ready soon to take a few outings. Dad is recovering well, the road is still long ahead of him, but he is doing geat. Mom is back to work and glad to be. Well, Christmas is just around the corner so I will have more to write soon.

Dad's getting even better...

today they removed the chest tube. After eating some jello for luch, the nurses helped dad get out of bed and into a chair. Next step is to move him out of ICU into a regular room. Hopefully he'll be going home soon. Keep praying for dad and a full and speedy recovery.

New Updates

It has been nearly a month since we last updated. We are in the house now, still getting settled, but we are in. Work has still been slow and sometimes even a little scary. On my days off I have started looking for work else where that is not so closely attached to the housing market...that is not going well rigth now. About the noy thing i know is construction and equipment opporating and no one is hiring. So for now I am just trusting in the Lord to get us through these hard times.
Ashleigh is enjoying junior high...She has even joined the cheer squad and is enjoying that greatly.
Timothy is just being Timothy...meaning that he is just rolling with the punches as life goes on.

Most of you may already know that dad had a heartattack a few days ago and just underwent bypass surgery today. All is well and he is resting and recovering well. For more info go to Dusten and Sarah's blog.

I am using mom's computer right now (since we are all here) so I don't have any pictures to post. As soon as we get the net up and going at the house I will start posting pictures again.

HAPPY 12TH BIRTHDAY ASHLEIGH!!

Well, I wanted to make this post with birthday pictures in it, but for some reason; our computer is not cooperating. But we will keep trying and will post birthday pictures as soon as we can.

We didn't want too much time to go by though without posting a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY ASHLEIGH!!! Ashleigh is now the big 1-2 and making her parents feel oh so OLD, and she says that she is oh so enjoying doing just that. :) In all seriousness, we wanted to tell Ashleigh how very proud we are that God made us her parents. We are proud of the young person she has become and all of the wonderful milestones you have succeeded in. We know that the Lord has special plans for your life and we can't wait to share in them with you! Know that we love you and will always be here to help guide you; just be sure that God is the driver and you are the passenger in all things.

Love Always,
Daddy, Mommy, & Timothy

Updates

Well, things are still moving slow with our move into the house. We are still currently waiting for an electrician to fix the problems in the house and for the air conditioner guy to come and fix that too. Our patience and strength are being tried right about now. But someone is suppose to be at the house to fix the problems on Monday, so please pray that everything gets sorted out and fixed so that we can finish moving in. Yesterday, we moved everything over to the house minus the things we must have to live. Our apartment is starting to look very empty and the house is looking more like our home. We are praying that all will be fixed and ready for us to completely move in by next weekend so that we will all have the chance to get settled before school starts. But all-in-all, we are thankful that God has given us this gift and will continue to be thankful for the challenges that come our way and will use those challenges as learning tools.

House/Family Updates

Business is a little slow right now, so I got the day of today (Thursday August 7, 2008). We went over to the house around mid-morning. Jen got started on doing the finish painting in the hall and livingroom while I unloaded the truck. I went back and got the kids and picked up another load to take to the house. The dining room is done, the livingroom is almost moved in and Ashleigh's room is fully set up minus the custom paint that she wants. I am getting the yard under controll and it is starting to look really good now. Within the next couple of weeks we will be completely in the house.

Another update; we finially got a video of me and the kids practicing. Check it out on my music blog; http://darrenridingsmusicministry.blogspot.com/.

End of Summer Activities

After a most of the summer battle with asthma(with Timothy), we decided to try and have some summer fun with the little bit of time we have left of summer vacation. It was a little scary for Mommy, but Timothy let her know that all was well. Please continue to pray for Timothy as he has really been having a rough time with allergies and asthma. Please also continue to pray for our family as we are still getting things ready to move into our new house (we had a few electrical issues and a bout with a broken air conditioner that needs to be taken care of before we can move in). We are praying that we will get the all clear by next weekend so that we can have time to adjust a little before school starts.

Timothy is just growing so fast and becoming so very handsome.

Ashleigh prefers to climb trees without the use of shoes.

Timothy giving Mommy the all clear.

Ashleigh has become our gymnist...Future Olympian?

Timothy has been longing to ride his Scooter and play hard all summer. Mommy finally gives in...watching cautiously from a distance.

The kids were enjoying a few fun summer activities before we head off back to school. The kids and I have to start back August 11th for my teacher orientation, but Ashleigh starts Jr. High on August 27th and Timothy starts 4th grade on September 2nd; so technically our summer is over August 11th.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Please keep all of our family and friends happy and healthy. Please especially help Timothy overcome his asthma so that he can play like every little boy should. Please help us all to have a memorable school year full of fun and learning; but most of all, help us to let the love of Jesus shine through us so that all will come to know you. We pray for our family members who are on vacation to have a fun trip and a safe travel back; feeling refreshed and ready to continue to serve you. Thank you for all that you do for us!

In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

How Time Flies

I was just sitting here looking of pictures of the kids and nocticing how much

they have grown. Ashleigh will be 12 in two weeks and Timothy will be

10 in five months. Where has the time gone. It just goes to show you, you

have to cherrish the time you have, because it will be gone soon.

This picture was taken just eight years

ago around Easter time. Ashleigh was 3

and Timothy was 1.

Now Look at them. This was this last spring 2008.
I can't believe how much they have grown.

House Pictures

Timothy was having trouble with his asthma this morning, so I took him to the Kaiser Urgent care. While we were waiting for his perscription we noticed the name "Ridings, N." on the name board for ready scripts. Timothy thought that it might be Nana. Sure enough as soon as he said that Papa came around the corner. Long story short, after mom finished her appointments they came over to the apartment (which was a total mess from getting ready to move) and we went over to the new house. While we were there I took some pictures this time...enjoy!!

my very own "jungle"

This is the backyard

Master bedroom

dark picture of Ashleigh's room

Timothy's room

Livingroom facing the back door

this it the front of the house. Doesn't our car look so good in front of the house.

New House-day 2

Today, we spent the afternoon at the new house. Jen and the kids finished the first cleaning of the carpets, then we all pitched in on the painting. The living room is almost completely painted now with the exception of trimming in the corners. We chose a neutral and soothing color...it is somewhat between a light taupe and a dark cream. I know it sounds blah, but it looks great with our Tuscan style living room furniture. Later on I got started on tackling the backyard...YIKES!!! It was a jungle. I think we found about four different types of spiders out there. Well, lots of weed eater string later the jungle now looks like a mowed hayfield. Next week I get a lawn mower so I can tame the yard a little more. Once I get the main part under control, I then start on the rose garden in the back and the flower beds through out the yard. Next room to tackle inside the house is the hall then the bathrooms. After that Timothy wants his room painted blue and yellow and Ashleigh wants her room painted powder pink and pastel purple. I guess our room will be the bland room. I will try to remember the camera on our next trip to the house. Now off to the shower to wash the backyard off of me.

Moving

We spent the whole day today working on our new house. We sign the lease papers on Aug 2. This was one of those times that God just dropped a blessing right in our laps. I went to a house to install a gate. The house appeared abandoned, so I contacted the owner about renting it. Well, they were willing to allow Jen and I do all the clean up and painting and such in leu of a deposit. So, while Jen and Ashleigh were working inside on the carpets Timothy and I were outside working on the fence and the yard. Hopefully I can put some pictures of the house up soon.

Cabin Fever!!

After being sick for the last week, the kids and I started getting cabin fever. So, with Daddy's permission, we decided to get out for a bit. (daddy is out of town singing for the Lord) We had a great time, leisurely walking through our apartment complex and snapping a few pics along the way. Unfortunately, we weren't able to be out long before Timothy's asthma started to kick in again; so please pray for us while we are on the mind and for Darren and the Golden State Quartet while they are traveling all this weekend. Here are a few of the pictures we took:

Ashleigh & Timothy dreaming of going swiming when we are all well



They really are each other's best friends.....honestly....well we can dream can't we!?

Timothy & Mommy

Ashleigh & Mommy

Ashleigh ever the model

My handsome "Buddy Bear"

Ashleigh "Squirely"

Timothy the tree monkey

Our most precious possessions

Dear Heavenly Father,

Please help us all to be well soon and help all those who we love to be healthy and happy. Help our Daddy and the Golden State Quartet to have a safe trip and help them to gloify you through their wonderful music and in all that they do. Thank you for our family, our friends, and for your love. Please help us to show your love through us so that many more can come to know you.

Amen

Just Thinking

Well I went to bed early tonight (last night actually) and then woke up with pain. In the last hour I have been up I have been thinking about life, God's blessings and then the things that we forget to thank God for. About two weeks ago we started having revival in our home. This started after watching a christian movie made totally by volunteers with God's hand all through it..."Facing the Giants". What a great movie! If you have not seen it, I strongly advise that you do. It is not one of those sappy christian movies that you sit and role your eyes at the whole time you are watching it. You can actually see real life unfolding before your eyes. The whole premise of the movie is the fact that we are always asking God for His blessings, but yet we are never prepared to receive it. As the old folk proverb goes..."there was a great drought and famine in the land. Two farmers prayed for rain, but only one prepard his fields to receive the blessing." Too many times in life we ask God for "rain", but how often do we actually prepare our fields for it.

It is amaizing how God works. A week after we saw the movie, the quartet was heading up to Oregon to sing at a church that we have been working with for years. My heart was open, soft and pliable to the moving of God's hand. Three souls were touched and redeicated to God that day. It came time for me to introduce an old familiar song that I have the solo's on, "Sinner Saved by Grace", God got ahold of me and for about five or ten minutes I started to preach. During the last two songs, "Sinner Saved By Grace" and "Broken Vessels", the Lord was moving in the house. I have continued to see things like this since then...and I have been seeing Satan's attacks. The more we commit to God the more Satan will attack us. And it seems that when we are being attacked is when we blame God instead of thanking Him. Yes, Thank God for the attacks from Satan. Why? Because it is only when we are in the Lord's will that Satan will attack us. And, sometimes, like with Job, God will allow these attacks to test us and to strengthen us.

So, the next time you pray for "rain"...get in your tractor and plow your fields. The next time Satan strikes your fields with lightening and the entire harvest is lost; thank God that your family is safe, your home is still standing and you can replant next year.

In all things, give God the thanks. Pray for God's blessings and prepare for the bounty. ALWAYS, give GOD the glory and take none for yourself.

Darren

4th of July Weekend

Darren and I had some much needed time alone during 4th of July week, thanks to Nana. Ashleigh and Timothy had a great time visiting, getting spoiled by, and enjoying 4th of July with Nana and Papa. But we were able to spend a couple of hours with Darren’s youngest brother and his family and Mom and Dad during the weekend. Its always nice to get together with family. Ashleigh was too busy playing video games to have her pictures taken. :) We'll have to tie her down next time.

Timothy & Caleb being silly Cousins

Timothy and baby Cousin Joel

Timothy & Nana

Practicing with the Kids

Jen took some pictures of me and the kids practicing.

Some were funny like this one. We were warming up with

our scales and I was in a terrible key (key of E for all you pianists)

and I was hitting ALL the wrong keys. The kids could not stop

laughing, I almost lost practice time. If you want to see more pictures

go over to my music blog. I'm still trying to get the videos up.

Family trip to Apollo Park

Ashleigh and Timothy...ever the clowns

Jen and the dogs

Me with the dogs, Saidie and Milie.

Apparently Saidie thinks my knee is dirty

Diva Princess Ashleigh...every picture has to be a pose

Timothy can't deside if he wants to feed the ducks, or eat the bread himself.

GO JETHAWKS!!!

Daddy & Timothy enjoyed a special Father-Son Jethawks game; while Ashleigh & Mommy shared some much needed Mother-Daughter time. (don't have any ashleigh & mommy pics as daddy had the camera, maybe next time) Timothy was so jazzed, can't you tell :) Can you believe Timothy needed his jacket in Lancaster at the end of May?!

Timothy Shooting

Since Ashleigh just had her graduation I noticed that we have a lot of pictures of her up...

So, I thought I would put up a picture or two of Timothy participating at one our families favorite activities. We all have our own bows and custom made grafite arrows and gear... Unfortunately, because of my busy concert and work schedule and Jen's work schedule we don't get to go to the range very often. But when we do we have a lot of fun. Timothy is getting pretty good with his form just needs to work on his follow through now. Hopefully next season, we'll get to go wild pig hunting if I can get the trip and tags all set up. Yup! i am turning Timothy into a regular "redneck" just like is daddy.

Our other family members, Sadie & Mylie .... aren't they cute!!

Ashleigh receiving her diploma from the Principal Mr. Dennis...She Finnally Made It...half way.

Sixth Grade Graduation

Well, we made it through the evening without alot of water works...that anyone else saw anyway. Mom and Dad and Val and the kids came up for the graduation. Hope you all enjoy the pictures. This is the first step of our baby girl wlaking into a whole new and much bigger world. Good luck Ashleigh, we love you and we will be praying for you, always.

Ashleigh's Graduation

Tonight, May 30, 2008, Ashleigh graduates from the sixth grade. She is starting to get good at making Jennifer and I feel old. As a matter of fact, I am starting to make it a little easier for her to count my gray hairs. Oh well, at least I still have all of my hair. I will have some pictures tonight and hopefully some video as well if I can ever get my video capture device to work right. That's what I get for not buying a digital video camcorder .

We finally got to go to Disneyland!!!

It has been nearly 15 years since I have gone to Disneyland, and about 13 for Jen. This was the kids first time. It didn't really hit me until we made it thru the ticket line and walked into the castle. At that point Jennifer and I quit being 30 somethings and turned into little kids again.

The kids where in such awe of the whole thing, I don't think they took two breathes in the first hour we were there.

Check out the picture from Space Mountain, the looks on all of our faces says it all.

Hello All

Well, both of my younger brother's have a blog on here so I thought that I ought to get with the times and creat one myself. So...here it is!