...time marches on

Jen last posted in June of 09 and here we are now in 2010. Jen is enjoying the 2nd grade (as teacher), Ashleigh in now in eighth grade and still a cheerleader, Timothy is in fifth grade and they are making us feel old. I am now the Director of Worship Ministries at Trinity Baptist Church and I start classes at Kaplan University tomorrow (Jan. 6, 2010). I am going for my AAS in Medical Transcription. Jen is looking at going back to Phoenix for her Masters in education. Well that's about it for now. You can find us on Facebook these days a little more easily than here, but we will try to keep te updates coming.

Where Has the Time Gone?!?

To all those who have waited for our family to finally make a post already.... we are finally able to do so. Things have been so crazy busy for the Ridings Family over the last few months. We have had to start the school year and move into our house all at the same time; while trying to hang on to our patience and sanity along the way. The school year is over now and it has flown by so fast that I can hardly believe it is over. I enjoyed teaching 2nd Grade for the first time this past school year and plan to teach 2nd Grade again in the fall. The kids have grown a ton and are doing well. Darren and I have been enjoying the house and all the space that we now have. The kids especially like the pool we just bought and we even had time to throw in a little family project this Spings. We decided, now that we have the space, to plant a little Ridings garden of our own. We planted corn, watermelon, cantelope, green beans, tomatoes (4 different kinds), squash, and pumpkins...oh yes, and Timothy's had-to-have sunflowers. He's hoping to harvest the seeds and use some for next year along with eating the rest...yummm!! :) Now, we make it our nightly routine to go for an evening walk in the back yard to check on the crops we have planted and see how much they have grown. Well...that's all the update for now. We'll write some more soon and maybe even post a few pictures along the way this summer. :)



Jennifer

...and marching

Here we are in April now. It is amazing how fast this year is moving by. A lot has happened this year already. Timothy is now 10 years old. The kids and I are making bigs leaps is music. The kids are getting better and better everyday. We have had the privalage to share the stage with many regioanal and full time groups and Ashleigh and Timothy stood up with them as if they have been doing this all along. Our "dream" is to one day share the stage with the Hoppers. They are the group that we look up to as our mentor or our "idol". Ashlegh is modeling herself after Kim Hopper; who also happens to be my favorite female singer.

The economy has realy hit our family hard. Although God has kept me working, I have not done any welding for the last two months. But, praise the Lord He is providing.

Jennifer is starting a buisness program during the summer and the school. She is currently writing the curriculem and my head is spinning. I am glad it is her and not me...of course that is what her degree is in.

I will be starting classes this summer. I figure since I have been working as a welder for the last two years I should get certified. Hopefully after that it will be easier to find work.

Well...as you can see we have been busy lately...

Until the next post...God Bless.

In HIS Service,
Darren

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.