Well, here we are in week 4 of my College Composition 2 Class. One of the things that we are supposed to discuss this week are some of the difficulties we are having in our research for the final project. Well, they are many and diverse. College Comp 2 is a lot more difficult that College Comp 1. In the first class, the instructor gave us several different choices of final project topics to choose from and we could search for resources anywhere. In Comp 2 we have to choose our own topic with no suggestions; I chose to research the effects of music on mental health. You would think that since this is a mental health topic that there would be a lot of information out there, but there is not. Another difficulty that I am having in my research is that we have to use the school's e-library only to find our research sources. It is taking me a very long time to sift through the mess of search results, most of which irrelevant. So, needless to say I am facing quite the challenge this class term. But, "Hakkunamatta"!

Ok, blog number two for my colleg writing class at Kaplan University. Not really sure what to say, I have selected a topic to write on for my final project in this class; The Affects of Music on Mental Health.

New post...FINALLY!!!

Well, here we are in September of 2010. Since beeing on Facebook, I haven't spent alot of time here. I have started a new class at Kaplan University, College Composition II for the Health Care Professional and one of our assignments is to start a blog page here on Blogger. Well, since I already had a page I thought I would just make an update. Timothy is in sixth grade now and Ashleigh is in High School AAAAAWWWWWWHHHHHHHGGGGGG!!!!!! Ok, Ashleigh is still on the cheer squad and Timothy is now in Boy Scouts, and of course it is that time of year when you get to support the Scouts by buying popcorn, so if you like good popcorn let me know and I will hook you up. Jennifer is still teaching second grade and is in her 10th year at AVCS, but is concidering going back to school for her Master's in Education. A big addition, me and the kids are currently recording our first CD and the first project from the Ridings Family since Steven, Dusten and I released Temporary Home back in 1993. I have all of the piano tracks for the trio songs all laid down and am starting on the piano solo tracks. Next I go in and build the full soundtracks to back us up then we put the voices in. The kids are very excited and so am I, this is the first time back in the studio for me since Golden State Quartet back almost three years ago.

...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