April Is My Favorite Month

Dear My Absolutely Wonderful Family,

This is my first time blogging because I didn't think I had any updates that were significant (like babies, weddings or engagements.) But I thought you would like to know all the wonderful stuff I have been up to this past year.

I graduated last spring and worked at SpringHill (pic)with Diana for the summer. At the end of the summer we decided to drive to Montreal{pic(i'm in the bottom left)}. What an incredable city! We then drove home to Florida hitting the big sights on I-95 (NYC (pic), Port Hope, Greenville,SC, Gainesville)

Last fall, I began to study for the Graduate Record Exam. I want to be a School Psychologist one day and I need a master's degree. (great job, get to talk with kids all day and then when it is too hot to go to school I can go where I really want to go, the Ukraine) On November 2nd, I found out that I get to take the test over again. Not only that, I need to beef up my application. That's why I am a volunteer for Hospice, looking into Post-bach classes and trying to get a job in social services. It is really hard but it is going to be a great challenge.

Right now, I am in need of a job. I can't go to school if I don't have enough money to live. This is something I have learned a few months ago. I have been out of work since last summer. Paul is amazed I have lived this long without a job. I can contribute my almost 9 month unemployment streak to God, parents, and my strict policy not to give my money away unless it is absolutely necessary. I am learning that God will provide, someway. I have found a few odd jobs like substituting and working with the nanny family again. It is so good to do something productive (other than learning really ostenstious words to build my inchoate vocabulary for the misanthropic GRE).

The first two weeks of April, I house sat for a friend in southern Georgia. My roommate and this friend went to Southeast Asia to see our other friend there. It was great to be in a unfamilar place. I saw much of the small city from the seat of my bike. I found a prayer chapel on the edge of a pond and I got to meet many locals. I was so funny that I drove north to Moultrie but felt I went to the south. Even the little kids, that I got to spend sunday school with, had very southern accents. There is place downtown that I ate at, called Cheese and Feed, that started out serving only cheese but they now serve really good sandwiches. They turned an alley into the patio (pictured).

I have had a great weekend. I got to go the beach friday and saturday. I took my surf board out for a spin. I didn't do so well but a friend let me use his longboard. I tried standing up. I only got to my knees. It was really fun.

I hope you are having a fun April and have a Merry May.

Love you,
Ruth

Arnold Family

Hello everyone! Here is the Arnold update. Thomas is 6 months old and growing so fast. He is a thinker. He loves Hayden and watches her every move. Alexandria is 5 years old. She is almost done with kindergarten and she just lost a tooth on Easter. I am staying home with the baby until the fall. In the fall, I plan on going back to teaching. I am currently, studying for a science certification to extend my teaching to middle school. Paul is graduating from law school in three weeks. We are very excited for him. His graduation is May 3rd with a party following.

I want to encourage people to keep posting. I love hearing about what is going on in all of your lives.