Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Long Overdue Update

OK, So I didn't realize how long it has been since I have done any updates on here, so I will try to cover everything. Sorry everything is going to be out of chronological order, it will be more by subject, because it's easier for me to remember that way.

Tae Kwon Do -
*In April we all got to go to Raleigh, NC, for a festival where we all competed against others in forms, breaking and sparring. It was a lot of fun. Latrisa got 3rd, Jason got 2nd, and Jessica got 3rd. Jason and Jessica also competed with the Demo team who unfortunately didn't place, though everyone commented possitively about our demo team over all the other teams. Over all it was a great experience and a well needed vacation. We were able to enjoy lunch with Grand Master Lee and a few students from England and Canada. We got to know them better, and the differences between the training techniques at the different schools. I am happy we are here in North Las Vegas where friendly contact is not only encouraged, but unfriendly contact is discouraged.
*In April we all tested for our next belt rank and passed. Jessica and Jason are now green belts, and I am a yellow belt. I will probably not catch up to them until they are red, or higher, because the time between testing is longer, but that's ok because they can help me. I am in no hurry.

David -
Left for South Carolina in March. He has since found 2 jobs and an apartment. He says he plans on returning to Las Vegas after the summer heat dies down, but making South Carolina his summer home. He is afraid of triple digit temperatures. Not that we blame him.

Art -
His divorce with Deb was finalized in February or March. He Married Linda May 4th. We are happy to welcome her to the family. We know it has been difficult for Deb, and will continue to be for some time, but we also know that Deb wants Art to be happy. Linda is a good person that will bring many good things to the family. We, like Art and Deb do not want to see the family in conflict. Jason and I both having been through divorces ourselves understand the desire to move on, and to not be alone, and we support Art in his disicion. We love Art, Deb and Linda.

Deb -
Deb is a rock to her family. She is such a strong mother, wife and woman. Even though I know she is having a hard time right now, she is loved by so many. The weight of the world may feel like it is on her, but her family and friends will gladly carry that load for her. I love her. She is attending singles functions and working and branching out like she has never done before. We are very proud of her.

Jessica -
Jessica has been accepted into the Gibson magnet school leadership program. She is bummed that it isn't the magnet school that offers drama, but at least she won't be at her home zoned school that doesn't have the best rep (fights, drugs, etc.). She will do great things. She is still doing really good in school. She came home with her latest report card and told me that I would be so mad at her, and I asked her why, she told be it was because she had a "C" on it. I told her I was not angry with her at all... I know she can do better, so she needs to work on it, but at least she doesn't have a "D" or "F" like I did. I am still proud of her. I think she is more disappointed in herself than I could ever be. She is working really hard to bring her grades back up so she can be on the A-B honor roll again.

Jason -
Jason lost his job last month, just before we went to Raleigh, but within a week of returning from Raleigh, he had found another. He is much happier at this office, and they are much happier with him than his last office was. He has a regular work schedule, and doesn't work nights or weekends anymore, which is super nice. Now if the medical insurance is going to be affordable and better than the last place, than this office is going to work out perfect.

Latrisa -
I broke my thumb and wrist a couple months ago, but was healed just in time to go to Raleigh. Or at least healed enough. I still have stiffness and weakness when I do pushups, but other than that I am pretty much back to normal. I am trying to get the house presentable again after part of it flooded last week. We had a plumbing problem that occured while we were out running errands, and we came home to 1 1/2 inches of water in our bathroom and hallway, and it spread into Jessica's room and closet where Bob's (Kevins) stuff was being stored, so all that is being relocated so if anything like this happens again, he has no worries. It also got a bit of our room, the living room, Arts room and closet. The carpets will get to stay, because we had some heroes in our ward come to the rescue with an industrial carpet cleaner, and they will be back to clean the carpets soon. The walls...well, we aren't sure yet. They didn't dry as fast, even with the industrial fan going for days. If the walls have to go, it won't be the whole thing, just the bottom 1/4 in part of the living room, most of the hallway, all of Jessica's closet and maybe the laundry area. But so far it doesn't look like that's necessary. So we will keep praying.

We are still trying to finish the back yard, which has been slow going, since David left much of it unfinished and my wrist/thumb broke. Now we are looking at triple digit temps and I am not going to get much done each day in that kind of heat, but we are still trying. It may not be finished until after the end of summer. Slowly things are getting done, and we are learning lesson after lesson in patience.

We are all healthy, and we are all happy, and that is what is most important. I think that about covers everything. If I forgot something, please let me know and I will add more.