Mark's working hard at Nature's Sunshine as an International Business Analyst. Since he is over many countries in Central & South America, and is helping another guy who is struggling with his own countries, he has to travel more than we'd like (for example Mexico in October, Ecuador in November, and Brazil in December). However, we remind ourselves to be grateful for a good job. When he’s at home he spends quite a lot of time with the Boy Scouts. When he’s not helping Daniel and Benjamin with their Scouting work or going on their campouts, he serves as a Varsity Scout Assistant Coach. He enjoys getting out in the garden in the summer, and was thrilled when the first seed catalog arrived a few weeks ago!
Nadine continues to run from one doc to the next with one or more of the kids in tow. As a way to help with medical bills, she started a new home business (much to everyone's shock - as this type of business was NEVER her thing!) and is selling lia sophia - quality lifetime warrantied jewelry. See more at www.liasophia.com/sites/nadinesbling and call me if you'd like to get lots of great stuff free and/or REALLY reduced. And yes - I will travel.... When she’s not doing that, and helping out at school, and doing “home stuff” (the usual & taxi cab driver, etc.), and fighting insurance companies RE messed up medical bills, she’s a counselor in the Relief Society Presidency and involved in some other projects for Africa and such things.
Rich has finished all but one elective class for his Master's of Public Health. Because he got a jump start on things and finished his thesis and field work last summer, he is able to do this class independent study and will be getting a full time job working as a Wellness Coordinator. He's actually been doing that part time, now will do it full time until he graduates in April. To see some of his thoughts, see Rich's Blog or to see more of him - look him up on Facebook - Rich Millar - the tool of the modern generation!James continues to excel at all things computer...! He's working in Oakland, California at a firm that does software for investment firms. While his official job is Quality Assurance and Testing, he manages the company's network, advises the developers, built the company website, and consults with clients on custom work. When he's not working, James works a lot on computers and indulges in the occasional computer game (he recently beat the last World of Warcraft version in just two weekends). He also volunteers at the stake building on the Oakland Temple grounds as a lighting and sound technician for the many productions that use those facilities.
Tanya graduated this last summer from Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek, CA. We all went down to witness the happy event. She just finished her first semester of college in Calif, where she's working to complete her GE. She is currently planning to get certified as a radiation therapist. Dance is still a large part of her life, which is how she's stayed so much more fit than her father and mother. Nadia idolizes her big sister and is Tanya's constant companion when Tanya is with us. You can also find her on facebook :).
Daniel had extensive surgery in October (and still has a mouth splint with night brace - hence the wires you see sticking out) and things are up and down with him. He loves drawing, taking things apart, and being outside and digging, playing with wood, building forts, etc. He also enjoys sports to a degree, but is not so interested in those any more. For instance, in his tennis classes this summer, he chose to be "ball boy" - going around and gathering all the tennis balls - rather than taking the opportunity to play?! He made similar decisions in swimming, track, etc. To see more detailed info on the kids, go here...Adoption Blog
Benjamin had less invasive surgery the same day as Daniel (he had the surgery Daniel just had two years ago). He is following in dad's footsteps in terms of loving cerebral things. He loves books and absorbs all the information in short order - and he mostly thinks he is WAY smarter than his mother! He has pretty much flip-flopped with Daniel and now is the sporty one - Loving soccer, basketball, football, skiing, swimming, tennis, track, basically any sport...Nadia is a real character - advanced beyond her years. She gives us plenty of enjoyment when we aren't being frustrated with her precociousness! She loves playing with her dolls and has quite an imagination. She'll keep herself occupied for hours and it's fun to hear the conversations that go on! It's thrilling to see her walk/run around the house singing songs she's either memorized or made up herself. She's extremely feisty and holds her own against her brothers.
If you'd like to see pictures from our various adventures this year (lots of pics and only *little* blurbs by me) - scroll further down in the blog (and click on "older posts" in the bottom right hand corner to see any that are missing) or click on these links:
Rich's Ultimate Frisbee
Big Bear, California
Monterey Bay, California
Whale Watching
Fun in the Payson Pool
Evans Family Reunion
Tanya's Graduation
Dan & Ben's Sports
Mark and Nadine on the Coast Guard cutter
