Hi From Charles - May 2010
Sorry it has been so long since we gave any news. Diane spent several weeks in Ohio with her mother before and after her father's funeral. The kids and I went up to send Leon on his way. A large crowd came to his memorial service. On the morning of his internment his mother passed away so Diane got two funerals in on her trip.
We had to use the car to get to Ohio since the power steering in the van was leaking along with the Coolant system. Decided that that was just a little too many leaks to risk. In the car there was just enough room for the kids and I so good job Diane flew. I did take an old laptop so the kids could watch movies since the trip is 13 hours each way of driving. We made pack lunches for ourselves just so we could make good time and the kids both missed 3 days of school.
My work allowed me to work part time and some from home so I could look after the kids once I got back. Once Diane returned she had to increase the number of days at CPE to make up her hours so she has been busier than ever but thankfully that wraps up on Monday. During some of the time while she was away I did get the chance to fix the van's steering but other issues I found require it to go into the garage on Tuesday for a cost estimate since there is only so much I want to tackel in a parking lot.
Diane and B went away to a school camp earlier this week and had a good time. B got to disect a fish to which when asked how she enjoyed it she makes a pretty ugly face. S has also been disecting Toads this week in class and has stated that he has no desire to become a Doctor.
S made first chair in his grade's school band for clarinet which is a big achievement. We enjoyed a concert with them the other week as the instruments are all starting to play together.
B has wrapped up Girl Scouts and her final event was a strawberry picking. We enjoyed many strawberries and overall had a good time but somehow my van was drawn on with a piece of gravel at the event so I have to fix the paintwork.
My work has been slow since the end of April and I am currently doing part time hours. They want to keep me and are just waiting for the work to come back which hopefully will be in June. The month of May has seen my salary sliced in half but at least I am still working.
S got promoted in scouts to Tenderfoot rank and his patrol elected him patrol leader. After a little hiccup with the transition he now seems to be settling in. The other weekend he went on a 5 mile map and compass hike with a fellow scout around Decatur. They had to capture compass readings as they went around. They almost passed the test but did not read all the instructions so today they went out again and answered the questions they missed.
In a month, S & I will be getting ready for the week long Scout Camp where I am slated again to be the First Aid Instructor and let us hope I don't need to use it.
Diane has been working with her presbtery to get them to approve her to look for a job before graduation and so far it is looking like Feb 2011 will be her start. Around us graduates are currently getting packed up and moving. For Diane it is a somewhat sad moment as her class is leaving now while she stays on for the additional year.
Diane should be providing an update soon,
Take care.