Mark has taken on the role of Mr. Mom and is doing a great job. It's amusing to hear him say he doesn't get much done in a day by the time he does his Costco run, school trips, errands, etc. His latest project is the creation of a guidebook for guests traveling to Berkeley and he did an incredible job on it. Check out the website at www.gamedayinberkeley.com. He's also been creating and improving websites for several schools and athletic teams as well as developing plug-ins for public use.
I am still enjoying my job at Francis Parker School and the role continues to expand. I continue to work with a teen counseling company as their office manager (www.PacificTreatmentServices.com), am in my sixth year coordinating enrichment program at eight elementary schools, and also created a foundation to help families who can't afford treatment for their substance addicted teens - www.ANewEnding.org. I have a great Board and we are awaiting the 501(c)3 approval and can then begin soliciting donations. This need is great and I hope you will consider making a donation to this worthy cause.
Ryan has had a year of much change. He graduated high school in June and has been working for most of the year at a dog day care and now at Petco. He is in a vet assistant course currently with the goal of becoming a vet tech. He has 17 months sober and hopes to be a graduate of his program by the holidays. The new year will find him moving out with two other graduates into their own apartment as well as continuing with gen ed college classes. It's been awesome to watch what a wonderful young man he has become and all that he has overcome. The picture below is him today with Will, the counselor he started with at PTS, and Connor.
Connor is in 10th grade and doing independent study through the first of the year when we decide if he will return to public school or apply to the private school Kell goes to. He is excited about going on a mission trip with the youth group in March to Bolivia but that is contingent on grades, behavior, etc.!
Kelleigh is in 9th grade and doing very well at the private school she started at in March. She's made friends with a great group of girls and recently enjoyed all the Homecoming festivities. It's great to see her enthused about school and adjusting well socially with a new group.
Blanche turned 93 in July and continues to do well. She enjoys making knitted and crocheted hats for newborns and preemies which we send off to an organization who distributes them. The dogs have their daily visits to get treats and her most recent adventure is getting an account on Facebook!
We have a new furball in the house thanks to a trip to Petco where Mark was tasked to get a turtle filter and comes home talking about a darling little white fluff ball that would be perfect for Kell. After convincing the rescue group that we were worthy parents, we picked her up the following week. Sadly, she has had a series of health issues and nearly died a week ago. Mark is the most smitten with her and she is indeed darling. She is a 10-month old Maltese mix named Chloe who takes no flack from her two big brothers! Buddy absolutely refuses to have anything to do with her but Jake is happy to play any time. Below is a picture of her after her "spa day". Darling huh?!
I think that brings us up-to-date and I'll try to update this weekly ...
Cindy
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