PES-KES News 1994 (January)

1993 was a wonderful year for the three of us, with lots of new adventures along the way. The highlight was being blessed with another little one who we are eagerly anticipating! (I’m taking the opportunity now during the last few weeks of pregnancy to write this newsletter.) Apart from 4 months of all-day-morning-sickness and 2 months of partial bed rest, everything has gone smoothly! Peter excitedly talks about his baby brother (yes, we had an ultrasound). I know they will be great friends.

Peter turned 2 in December and is growing up fast! He’s still as sweet as ever. He really enjoys talking (like mother, like son), playing ball with daddy, reading books, colouring, playing with play doh, blocks, and of course all cars and trucks (toy or real). He is always such a delight to us – a real joy to have around. He is a very sensitive little guy, always wanting to hug and kiss, and to comfort anyone who needs it.

Peter and I have enjoyed participating in a local “Mother’s morning out” program at my cousin’s church one morning a week. For 3-1/2 hours, he gets to learn and play with 6 other toddlers, and has a wonderful time, while I get to run errands or catch up on things at home.

Since last February, Paul and I have been teaching the 4-year-old Sunday School class during church. We usually have between 10 and 20 children each week, so it’s quite challenging. They are lovely children, and 4 is such a fun age to work with. We plan on continuing all this year. I’ve also been playing keyboards for the children’s worship band (grades 1-6) for the first half hour or so each week. We both love working with kids.

We were able to take several family vacations last year – in March, we headed down to Florida for a week (Paul had 2-1/2 days of business to attend to, but the rest was a holiday). Then in September, we spent a wonderful week at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming – it is a beautiful place – quite awe-inspiring! Peter and I got to visit my dad and Ardell for a week in August, and also brother Eugene and Christine in October, so we are quite travelled-out for a while!

Paul still contracts at GE Information Services. He has started looking into private contracting and will most likely start the search for his first contract shortly after the baby is born. It’s been great that he’s been with GE during my time of bed rest, as they allow him to work very flexible hours as well as a lot of time working from home.

I was able to teach 3 children piano lessons this year as well as tutor a friend in college algebra. I finally bought a piano in April, a lovely 100-year-old restored upright, so have sold my Kurzweil keyboard.

We had a very hot summer in Atlanta last year, so didn’t spend a great deal of time outdoors. However, spring and autumn were just gorgeous, so we made up for it in the cooler seasons. So far, winter has been very mild, with only a handful of nights dipping below freezing. We’ve already had our quota of snow for the season (2 times), so it will be very exciting if it snows again! We’ve enjoyed many evenings in front of the fireplace this winter, thanks to a hickory tree we had to have removed late last year (it was hanging over the house). It actually snowed for a couple of hours on Christmas day, but none accumulated on the ground as it was too warm.

Well, that’s about all the news we have for now. We really enjoyed hearing from so many of you last year, and hope to hear again soon what’s going on with you!

May the Lord bless you and all that you do,
Paul, Karen, Peter, and “baby brother”