Melinda Weston White Family
Ron and
Melinda recently had the opportunity to substitute teach an early morning seminary class for local high school students. This religion class is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the course of study is the Old Testament. The class meets at 5:45am!!! It was a wonderful opportunity to start the day with enthusiastic teens and gave us a real appreciation of the examples of dedicated Christian youth.
Suzanne has been busy completing her latest painting. After one art class, she currently studies by copying the paintings of artists that she admires. Suzanne's newest painting is her version of a Thomas Kincaide painting. Suzanne is also fostering 3 kittens for Catz Jazz, an Austin area rescue group. Unfortunatley, there is always an urgent need to foster black kittens during the weeks just before and after Halloween to protect them against atrocities. This little black male kitten and his two black and white sisters will be safe and loved until they find permanent homes.
Nathan has had the opportunity to volunteer as one of the Watch DOGS (Dads of Great Students) at Keely and Corrinna's school a few days this year. He gets to spend the whole day at school helping out in various classrooms, and even having lunch and recess with each of the girls. The girls' friends all get excited when he comes to school because he plays football with them at recess :)
Christina has accepted a position as a substitute aide for the special needs classrooms at Giddens Elementary. The best part is that she will be working at the same school that Keely and Corrinna attend! This will be a perfect fit for this school year. Christina will be on the same school schedule as her youngest children; it will be flexible enough to work with her schedule; and, it will be invaluable experience to add to her graduate school application next year!
Alicia has been busy working as the Student Director of her school play, The Three Musketeers that will be opening this week. She is continuing to gain experience in everything from helping to build sets to practicing lines with the actors. The days have been long but I know that it will be worth it when the curtain goes up!
Nicholas is now an official teenager and has already passed up his mom in height! He was also selected to participate in the Duke Talent Search program, and will be taking the SAT as a 7th grader!
Zachary is enjoying middle school and has joined the school band. His instrument is the trumpet and he has already earned the coveted spot of playing in the GOLD (first) row!
Keely and
Corrinna were delighted to find that they both got parts in their school play, Beauty and the Beast, Jr, that will open in January. Keely is playing the part of a milkmaid and Corrinna will be a egg timer. This play sounds so cute that I can hardly wait to see it!
James is putting in long hours as he works full time as a physical therapist and continues his course load for his fellowship. James' fellowship specializes in orthopedic and manual (hands on) physical therapy. As part of his course requirements, James has just completed teaching a class on managing the disorders of the upper extremities. He had 28 students in his class room and 16 online students from across the country. James has also recently celebrated turning 30 AGAIN!
Joanna has recently accepted a job at an opthalmology clinic. This is a new adventure in nursing! Jo has already learned new procedures to add to her already extensive resume.
Jonathan is very excited to get the cast off his arm from a recent biking accident! I am sure that he appreciated the many autographs but, now that the cast is off, he is back on the soccer field! Johnny is a versatile player and can play fullback and guard the goal as well as play forward and score as he proved in Saturdays game. Jonathan is in third grade and studying very hard and practicing for the UIL spelling bee. Johnny must pass three seperate tests to be able to participate. He has passed one of the tests....only two to go!
Olivia recently celebrated her fifth birthday and is enjoying her preschool class at her daycare. Livi enjoys dressing up and playing princess, reading, and coloring. She is so ready for kindergarten next year!
Madalyn is now 2 1/2 and is almost fully potty trained. Maddie is learning everything so quickly that we have to admit that she is no longer a baby! Livi and Maddie are enrolled in a gymnastics class in creative movement. Their favorite part of class is the trampoline! James and Joanna also have a new addition to the family. They have adopted a German Shephard puppy, "Zeus"! He is a rather LARGE puppy (weighed in at 58 pounds at his 8 month check up!) but very smart, loveable, and a beautiful dog. He fits right in!
Dave and
Amanda are still waiting for baby girl to arrive...the due date was November 2nd. Three year old
Michael is playing on his first soccer team! The "Blue Jets" is a team of 3 & 4 year olds. The coaches greatest challenge is to make sure that the team is kicking the ball in the right direction and to discourage the team members from sommersaulting on the field during a game! By the way,Michael calls his shinguards "robot shin gliders".
Jared is nearly two and is not happy that he cannot be on the field with his brother! Jared knows that he has a little sister that will soon join the family. He points to his mommy's tummy and signs baby...and then hugs and kisses Amanda's tummy. We hope he still is that excited about his sister when the baby comes home!
Eddie is the proud owner of a sporty 2007 Shelby GT Mustang. This car is a 5 speed and is considered a fast track classic car. Eddie was surprised at how much attention this car receives. He has unexpected visitors to see it and other people asking for rides. Recently, parents of a 8 year old boy asked Eddie if he would take their son for a ride around the block. The only problem was that once the ride was over, the boy would not get out of the car! Eddie has been has made two recent trips with his R-Vision C-class motor home. His first visit was to see Gary and Vicky Bolen in Golconda,Illinois. His most recent visit was to see Timmy and Jo Riggs and their sons, Tyler (15) and Trenton (13). The Riggs live in Popular Bluff Missouri. Both visits were so enjoyable that Eddie is considering a trip to Austin, Texas!
Eddie joined
Benny and
Jan for their monthly trip to the Lighthouse Homeless Shelter. They and other church volunteers from the Cornerstone Community Church in Marion spend time encouraging and helping the homeless people/families that have no where else to turn for help...or for hope.
Kerrie has recently had more adventures! She flew to Orlanda for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studio...she had a scary good time. Then, it was off to Fort Lauderdale to visit good friends. This past week, Kerrie was off again! This time, she went to Phoenix, Arizona to visit friends from college. While there, she had the opportunity to explore Sedona, a picturesque town in the Red Rock Country. From there, Kerrie travled up into the mountains to the small town of Jerome. The views there are spectacular! Establised in the 1800's, it is now the home to wineries and an very old and reportedly haunted copper mine! Kerrie's next trip will be to San Francisco! She will be joining another good friend to celebrate his birthday. While there, Kerrie plans to explore the city and, hopefully, go sightseeing to Alcatraz....she tells me that getting a picture of her behind bars will be a "must"! By the time Kerrie gets home, it will be time to get ready to move into her new house. She has packing on her list....do you need boxes????
Todd and his finance,
Dre, are keeping busy with work and trying to keep up with the three children! Todd keeps busy as the owner/operator of "Inside Out Automotive" and Dre is attending school for her nursing degree.
Jacob is now in fourth grade and doing extremely well. Todd recently attended a parent teacher conference last week and was a proud dad when he heard that Jacob has made the all "A" honor roll! Congratulations Jacob! Jacob has just completed soccer season and is looking forward to basketball in January. Dre's daughters are growing up as well.
Jaedyn is now four and already thinks that she is ready for school next year!
Aubrey is two and is starting to learn about using the potty. Good luck with that! Todd and family have recently adopted a puppy from the Humane Soceity. He tells me that he has never wanted a pitbull, but that is just they got! The puppy, "Cupcake", is a very good and intelligent dog, and everyone loves her.
Gary Weston Family
Nina, her husband,
Dr. Wayne Hodge, and his cousin, Dr. Steve Hodge, have returned from a medical mission to Romania in early October. Volunteering to help the underprivileged is a work of love, dedication, and sacrifice for this family. The team worked from a church across the street from the hosptial in Muldova. Wayne and Steve saw every patient that came each day while Nina acted as the pharmacist by sorting and distributing the donated medical supplies. Sometimes the work is discouraging. Wayne and Steve cannot order medical tests. They are often limited to helping as they can and giving medical advice. Nina is always touched by the friendly and grateful people that they serve. The conditions that this people survive in is so much different from the life that we know here in the US. At the local hospital, the patients are only visited by a doctor once a week. Any food that the patients have is supplied by their own families. The church donates bananas as often as they can to help assure that the patients have at least something to eat. Nina tells me that it takes 23 hours of travel to reach Romania...that sounds exhausting!
Richie still lives in Granite City, Illinois. Although he receives disability, Richie works as often as he can. He is a general carpenter and specializes in interior work. Richie enjoyed Derek's junior and senior year of high school when Derek lived with him. But children have a way of growing up much too quickly!
Derek is now 19 and independent with a job and an apartment (with a roommate) in Park Hill, Missouri. Derek is currently working at a 7-11 but plans to seek employement in corrections when he is 21.
Heather recently turned 14 and is in 8th grade. This lovely young lady lives in Arnold, Missouri, and attends the same school that Richie did when he was growing up. Richie, Derek, and Heather joined Richie's mother, Sheri, and her husband, Andy, for a trip to Silver Dollar City in the early fall. Everyone had a great time! Richie tells me that he has quit smoking! He is now on week 7 without a cigarette. Good for YOU!!!
Brandon,
Rachel and
baby Weston were able to spend two weeks visiting family in early September. Although the flight was nearly 14 hours, Weston was a very good traveler and did not cry one time! During their visit, Rachel hosted a party in Paducah for the family to meet the newest addition to the family. Eddie, Kerrie, Benny, Jan, Courtney, Noah, and Emma enjoyed the evening....and, Rachel's candy buffet.
Brandon and Rachel also were able to slip away for a weekend in Chicago. They had a wonderful trip and Brent and Elizabeth were happy to have more time with Weston! Weston had his four month check up when they returned home from their vacation. He is growing quickly! Weston weighed in at 17 pounds and already has two teeth. Brandon is working on the big island now...12 hours a day for 6 days a week! Rachel and Weston take the 45 minute flight to see him on Fridays and fly back on Tuesday mornings. This is the best solution for them to make sure that they have time as a family.
Brent is now the Vice President and CFO of Precision Steel and ,also, Calx Resources! When his parent company opened a rock quarry, he was appointed as the vice president and CFO of this new company as well. Brent is working much longer hours but is gaining some invaluable experience.
Elizabeth has also received a promotion at work! In July, she was appointed the project manager for a 1.2 BILLION dollar project that her company has contracted with the Department of Energy. Elizabeth says that she is gaining very valuable experience as well. During all of her hard work on this project, Elizabeth has had to have carpal tunnel surgery on her right hand but, thankfully, she is healing very quickly.
Dalton will soon be 13 and is in the 7th grade. He has surpassed his mom in height already! He is a very good student, but his mom is most proud of his wonderful heart and good manners. Dalton recently played in the semi-final game of the state football championships in Lexington, Kentucky! He plays the position of first team cornerback for the Lone Oak Purple Flashes (their logo is a purple bold of lightening) football team. This was the teams only loss of the season. Congratualtions Dalton!
Carter is now 4 years old and in Pre-K. He is active in Awana's at church and has a number of patches for memorizing Bible verses. Carter also plays soccer and scored 4 goals in a recent game! But, what Carter is most known for is his sweet heart and entertaining personality. He explained to Elizabeth that when their minature Yorkie turns seven, she will become a German Shephard! (Maybe he can come to Texas and play with "Zeus"!)
Benny Weston Family
Benny and
Jan enjoyed a vacation to Macinac Island, Michigan. The weather was cool and pleasant. They visited the Creation Museum, featuring movies, displays, and paintings that inspired. They also visited the Football Hall of Fame. All in all, it was the kind of relaxing vacation that everyone needs! Benny also keeps busy driving the church bus when needed for various events. He drives the youth to summer camp and is currently driving the basketball team from Christian Unity High School in Herrin to their tournaments in Pinkneyville. Benny will also be driving passengers on Sunday evening to the "Trunk or Treat" activity sponsored by Cornerstone Community Church in Marion. This is one of the churches biggest outreach events. Benny tells me that his church will have games, a hayride, petting zoo, and food for the attendees. The church is expecting about 3,800 people to attend!
Like so many of our families, Rylan and Ashley are certainly examples of busy parents!
Rylan is working for Frontier Communications. During the more than ten years he has been employed at the company, Rylan has gained experience in both the cable and construction departments of the business.
Ashley is working at the VA Hospital in Marion. She is employed as a clerk in the anti-coag clinic and helps co-ordinate with the nurses to be sure that all of the patients receive the care that they need.
Ethan is now an 8th grader! When he is not busy with school work and playing defense for his soccer team, Ethan practices his guitar. He is very talented young man.
Ryley is in 5th grade and also keeps super busy. She participates in a jazz class; gymnasitcs; soccer; and, is now considering trying out for a play in December. The family also includes their male Yorkie-poo, "Wyatt"; a new addition, a female Yorkie, "Bella"; and, their female cat, "Fergie". Now, if Rylan and Ashley can just keep up with four weekends in a row of soccer tournaments with Ethan and Ryley, they might find a second or two to relax.
Andy and his business partner has started an investment company. The company is doing well and the benefits from working from home are many! The best part is that Andy no longer has a long commute and his hours are now much more flexible (which means more family time!).
Courtney is continuing to volunteer on Tuesday nights at a local medical clinic for working people who cannot afford medical insurance but do not qualify for medicare. Courtney uses her nursing skills to help those in need. What a blessing that is to those she serves. Andy and Courtney celebated 9 years of marriage with a weekend trip to Nashville. (Thank you to Jan for caring for the two children!) Courtney is teaching her children in home school. And, both are doing exceptionally well.
Noah is technically in first grade but already works on differnt subjects at a 2nd and 3rd grade level. He is very excited about participating in Upwards Basketball this year at church. Although
Emma is in Pre-K this year, she is already learning to read and to add! Andy, Courtney and the children were also involved with "Marketplace A.D." Several churches in the community joined together to organize this Bbile school event. One street downtown was blocked off and set up to look like a street in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus. This street was complete with tents and shops and with information about the culture and daily life during that time period. What a wonderful event!
Chad has been working at Marion Ford since he was 16 years old! He started out in high school and is now a top salesman.
Brittani is enjoying staying home with Ellie.
Ellie will be three in January but is already learning many things from Brittani to prepare her for kindergarten. Ellie is a joy to her parents and delights them with her sweet and bubbly personality. Ellie still enjoys hide and seek and LOVES to read books. Brittani tells me that her favorite character is Strawberry Shortcake. (That brought back a lot of memories of my girls!)
Brandon and
Megan have celebrated Brandon's birthday and their wedding anniversary with a trip to the northeastern states with stops in New York and Boston. But, the best part of the celebration might have been the 30th birthday party that Megan gave for Brandon before they left. Brandon was REALLY surprised! Megan's father has recently had his inauguration as President of Mountain Empire Community College in Virginia. Congratualtions!
