August 2023

 August began with some much needed down time.  We used our time to get organized for the school year, enjoy time outside, and squeeze in as many friends as possible.

Sheri loves a good book...

and her friends!

Sterling started preparing for his senior year!  Here he is with friends painting their parking spaces.  Each senior can decorate their own spot how they want to.

This is his spot below.

Christian and his friends made a ton of money selling cookies in the neighborhood.  We have very generous neighbors!  This day they earned about $70!

The kids were happy to be able to hang out with stake friends!

We also did some more back to school clothes shopping.

This butterfly emerged from its cocoon.   We kept one of the many caterpillars we found on our dill plants and were so thrilled to see it take its first flight!

Before school started Sterling wanted to get his wisdom teeth out.  We were happy to have a few weeks to recover before school pictures were taken.  Thankfully, Sterling made a quick recovery!

School started August 16th.  Here are the kids starting Senior, Sophomore, and 5th grade.

Sterling likes to be funny.

Sheri puts up with it.

"Side Eye"

This year Sterling is taking dual credit (both college and high school credit) psychology, US government, biology, algebra, English, economics, and statistics along with theatre.  He is also taking a medical practicum class where he will earn his CNA along with other certifications by the end of the year.  

Here is his Senior photo for the yearbook.

Sheri is taking band, honors chemistry, honors world history, theatre, medical terminology, honors algebra 2, honors English, and Spanish 2.  Sheri has also started dance again after a year off.  She has been surprised at how quickly everything comes back.

They also started early morning seminary.  They are glad to have each other's help waking up in the morning and I'm grateful Sterling drives! 

They will both have plenty to keep them busy! 

Speaking of busy, here are some of the other things we have been up to this month.

We had a Stake day at the Discovery center.

Christian loves to organize his Pokémon cards and is practicing the piano again after the summer off.

We regularly weed and harvest from the garden.

Of course, Matt works so faithfully to provide for our family and always has a yard project or two going.  I love that he brings home organic flour and mixes.

In August our stake split.  We were so grateful that most of our friends are still in our stake and those that are in the other stake are not far away. We are part of the Amarillo East Stake now.  Here are all the units that were in our stake before.  Our boundaries were over 2 hours east and 2 hours west not to mention north and south.

Christian started outdoor soccer and has been loving his coach who makes practices fun!  Sterling got this pic but is not his coach. :)

Football and Marching Band season has officially begun.  Sheri and many of the other kids convinced Sterling to join for games and competitions (even though it wouldn't fit in his school schedule).  They have rehearsals each Monday night and weekends are full of fun!

Sheri, Isabelle, and Tara

Where's Sheri and Sterling, can you spot them?  Also, our previous bishop and new stake president is in the sunglasses - President Moncivais.

Meanwhile Eve has been soaking up as much summer in Colorado as she can. Here are her highlights.

She has enjoyed working at Farm Box Foods with Joseph Cammack and has learned so much!  The company was great to show her that she is capable and valued.

Eve loved spending time with the Cammacks, Robinsons, and Murrays! A big thank you to all who spent time with Eve and helped her feel so loved!

Here she is shopping with Emma.

She loved Hannah's Taylor Swift party. Everyone dressed up as one of Taylor's "Eras".

Sweet Eleanor was baptized!  Eve was glad to be there to witness her special day!

While staying with my parents Eve ran into her childhood friend Bethany who was giving her farewell talk.  Eve also enjoyed reconnecting with Avery Underwood during her Colorado time.

Eve was super lucky to be able to attend the Ed Sheeran concert with the Cammacks!  

Eve was also able to go to Water world, attend Hannah's baby shower, and many other fun weekend activities!  She fell in love with Denver and is so grateful she chose to work there this summer.  Again, a big thank you to our family for supporting her through these few months!

As the month drew to a close I drove to Colorado to take Eve back to BYU. More on that to come in my September post.

We feel abundantly blessed!  We know that God had been generous with us in our opportunities, our relationships, the gospel, and in the beauties around us.  We do our best to focus on the most important things and are grateful to see God's hand in our lives!