February was a fantastic month! We've been busy! Here are our highlights.
At the beginning of the month Sterling was voted "Most Likely to Succeed" along with his friend, Kate. He was also nominated for "Most likely to become famous".
Here he is with baby Peyton (I was babysitting), Kate, and Presley.
Sheri and her ensemble competed and advanced to the state Solo & Ensemble competition which will be in May. Sheri has been practicing a ton and was quite concerned about this piece since her group was struggling to come together and a few members were not ready. She and I prayed pretty hard that it would go well since her solo last year was frustrating and not her best, due to nerves. Well, miraculously her friend, Tara was able to join since one of the girls got sick the day before and the group performed their very best. They sounded beautiful together and got the highest possible score. We felt that it was truly a miracle! She also got the highest score possible on her solo as well but didn't advance because she didn't play it memorized. She didn't want to risk a memory lapse. She hopes to memorize her piece next year. I'm proud of her hard work and dedication.
Sterling and Sheri were both honored as Superintendent Scholars for having all A's for both of the previous semesters. This is a great achievement especially with Sterling taking quite a few college/dual credit courses. Sheri is currently 10th in her class.
Christian also earned all A's and is starting to have more expected of him as he transitions out of elementary school.
Sterling has started his Patient Care Tech hours at the hospital on Mondays. This certification is above an LPN and will give him great experience working with patients.
I love his badge!
This year for Valentine's Day Matt was going to be traveling for work. He surprised me with a date to a musical at West Texas. We had a lovely evening together!
Sheri wanted to have an elaborate Galentine's Day dinner and so she and her friends went all out.
Christian and his friend, Charlotte exchanged gifts that evening. He also had a valentine at school. :)
Eve also had a great Galentine's with her roommates in Provo.
The next day I went to Christian's class party. These class parties will be some of the last elementary school parties I will get to attend since he is my youngest and is going up to middle school soon.
Speaking of BYU....
This month Sterling has been a busy, busy bee! He participated in one of the last Speech and Debate tournaments for the year and did a wonderful job!
Sterling and Sheri have also been rehearsing their One Act Play in preparation for the UIL competition. Sterling plays two roles (as the play calls for). He plays Roderick and Actor. He has the most lines in the show and definitely helps set the pace and tone of the show. I am proud of his leadership and commitment. Sheri plays his twin sister and gets buried alive. She does a great job of acting and even uses fake blood to make it more realistic. Here the kids are at rehearsal and at a workshop.
Near the end of the month track season started for Sheri and Sterling.
Meanwhile Eve has been having a great winter semester.
She continues to enjoy her new job at the Environmental Science lab and is learning new skills each week.
She enjoys ward and FHE activities and has been going on dates with different guys.
And she enjoys going to basketball games and gymnastic meets with friends.
She is also taking 3 dance classes. Here she is in her modern class. BYU has had so many great classes and opportunities for Eve!
Sterling received the great news that he was accepted!!!!
He is our newest Cougar!
We could not be happier for him!
He has worked hard to qualify and we are grateful for his hard work and diligence!
We all heard him open his acceptance letter on a video call.
With everything going on we were only able to get away for about a day and a half for President's Day but we made the most of it! We visited White Sands and enjoyed an evening there.
The next day we went to Cloud Croft where the family (minus me) skied. - I worked in the car on my callings and supplied snacks, sunblock, and support. Christian really got the hang of it this time. It was a beautiful, sunny day. I was happy to soak in the warmth in the car!
This season Christian was able to join a club indoor soccer team. He was one of the very youngest on the team and was picked up after the team had been practicing for over a month but he quickly rose to the challenge. We are grateful that he was able to play on a more challenging team. His coach was very invested in the boys' learning and taught sportsmanship, teamwork, strategy, and endurance. The boys were up against some elite teams and didn't win very many games, but I know Christian was challenged and I was proud of how hard he worked! He was definitely an asset to the team! It was a good growing experience!
Christian also started his Basketball season and has grown tremendously in the few short weeks that comprised the season.
I have stayed busy helping my refugee family, serving in my callings, scheduling and chauffeuring the family and keeping up with meals etc.
Here are some pictures of random happy times during the month.
Driving home from church
Christian with his little friend, Holly. She asked him to say the prayer at her baptism.
Here I am preparing for my Bi- Stake Just Serve Working Group meeting. It was an important meeting for me to lead and I definitely felt the pressure! I think it went quite well and now that it is over I feel like we are on a roll with our committee. I am excited to see the church coming out of obscurity here in Amarillo and am excited to be supporting the effort through Just Serve!
The kids continue with in-person seminary on Thursdays (when they can make it). The rest of the week they complete seminary online.
Sterling got to join the Seniors team for the Seniors vs Juniors volleyball game at school.
For a youth activity the YM did a mock trial with the YW being the jury. Sterling played the lead prosecutor in the case. He was a natural! He is pretty comfortable speaking publicly and making a case. :)
The youth had a bi-stake formal dance. Sheri was able to make the last hour or so. My kids can't get enough of church dances. They have such a fun time with friends! Of course, I enjoy chaperoning!
Here Matt and I are matching at church. I'm so grateful for his constant love and support!
Well, that about sums up our month!
