May 2024

 Magnificent May!

I have decided that the reason May is so special is because it is such a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all the accomplishments people have made throughout the school year.  This May was especially wonderful as we wrapped up Sterling's high school years.  But more on that later.

Here are the highlights for the month.

Christian had his final soccer game of the season. He played very well and was a very strong player on his team!

Early in the month we had a large group of friends over for games and time to hang out.

Sheri and Sterling were given special recognition at the track banquet and we had a lovely evening at a high rise building down town..

They were also recognized at the Band Banquet.  Sheri was recognized as an ATTSB All Region Band Member and Area qualifier as well as an UIL Solo & Ensemble Class One Solo Medalist and State Qualifying Ensemble Member. She was also named a Texas Music Scholar and was chosen as the Outstanding Woodwind Player for her band. Here she is with Kate who was chosen as the outstanding horn (clarinet) player.

Sterling was recognized as an honorary band member since he was never enrolled in band but was able to participate in the marching competition and played at football games.  He made some great friends and memories with the band this year!

Sterling and Christian had their final gymnastics class.  It is sad to see this chapter close for Sterling but he has had a great time and has learned to overcome mental barriers, gained greater mastery of his body, and learned some awesome skills.  We never tire of watching them!

Here are some videos of their last class.

Mid month we celebrated Mother's Day. I am the luckiest (most blessed I could possibly be)!

We got our first strawberry harvest.

The graduating seniors were recognized by walking through all the campuses. We were so excited to see Sterling and I was a little teary.

You only need to watch the first 25 seconds to see Sterling.

Sheri had Drum Major auditions and was selected as the only new drum major for next year.  She will be under the two senior drum majors and will take a larger leadership role for next year. She will conduct the band at football games, also for a portion of the marching competition piece and help keep band members organized.  We were so thrilled for her!

Sheri also had her final dance recital for the year. She has such lovely stage presence and carriage.  It is an absolute joy to watch her!

Sheri is the tallest girl in her classes so she is easy to spot!

Sterling and Sheri had their final theatre show which was a fun comedy about storybook characters.  Sterling played the Big Bad Wolf, who is on trial.  Sheri played Little Miss Muffet, who in a twist of events, we learn, is his long lost sibling. They performed for some kindergarteners who loved meeting them afterwards.

The high school held an awards ceremony for non-senior students where Sheri was recognized for the Outstanding Spanish award and Outstanding Academic Performance in Honors Algebra 2.

Christian was honored at his school for being on the "A" Honor Roll, for "Outstanding Music Student", and as an "Effort Enthusiast."

At the Senior awards Sterling was recognized for completing his Patient Care Tech Certification! He finished by passing a written exam as well as completing his hours at the hospital.

 He also was recognized for the following awards:

Superintendent Scholar, Best Effort in his Communications class, Most Dedicated in his Theatre class, Outstanding Achievement in Dual Credit Algebra, and he earned the one Patient Care Tech Excellence award!  He was chosen as the one or two that were recognized in each of these classes. He was also recognized for taking 2nd in his District Speech Competition. He earned honor roll at Amarillo College with all A's in his dual enrollment classes. (He only got 1 B in his entire high school time). Finally, he received a certificate from Congressman Ronnie Jackson for his excellence in track and academics.

On another evening Sterling was able to be honored for graduating from Seminary.  This has not been an easy four year journey with early mornings or over Zoom (during the pandemic and the end of his senior year) and with all other activities he has been involved with!

I was amazed to see all the areas that Sterling has truly given his best in all he does.  I am so proud of him!

To wrap up the school year Christian participated in the 5th grade track meet.  He was able to win his races and we are excited to see his skills when he officially participates in track in a few years.

He also got to enjoy a field day/color run.

Here he is on the last day of the gifted and talented class. 

On the last day of school they enjoyed a bounce slide, a bubble machine, a 5th grade clap out and saying goodbye to friends for the summer.

Here Christian is with Ms. Aguilar, 

and Ms. Moore - two of his favorite teachers.

Goodbye to this season of elementary/intermediate school! It is sad to see this chapter of our lives end but also exciting with all the upcoming adventures! My baby is growing up! 😭

Speaking of closing chapters, Sterling's high school graduation was May 23rd.

We are all incredibly proud of him but also wish he could stay a senior and be with us a little longer. We know the next few months will bring a lot of change and this is the first big sign that it's right around the corner. The ceremony was beautiful and Sterling was so handsome! 

Sterling expressed his appreciation for great teachers and good friends who have made his time here in Bushland so great!

Sterling with Ms. Cowden (Theatre teacher)

Sterling with Bishop Hendricks

Sterling with Kate and Kolby Vest (church, seminary, band, theatre)

Sterling with Natalie Pearson (Theatre & Band)

He will surely be missed by many!

Sterling with Manning Barton 

Sterling with Presley Smith.

Marianne, Kate, Sterling, Sheri, Presley, Christian

Sterling with Tara Thrower 

Sterling with President Moncivais

Sterling with Brody Moncivais

Sterling with Mindy Smith (Seminary Teacher)

Sterling with the twins, Mariella and Isabelle

Sterling with Nick (Theatre)

Sterling with Mr. Pearson (Track coach and teacher)

We are all so proud of Sterling and love him so much!

With school over we looked forward to a great summer ahead!

We celebrated Sheri's sweet 16 birthday a few days early since she would be gone on her actual day.  We invited friends to a party at our house. We also took the gang to play laser tag which was a lot of fun!

Watch out world. Here comes one awesome girl! Soon she will be driving, dating, and an upper classman!

 Two days later Sheri traveled with her band director and other qualifiers to the State Solo and Ensemble Competition in Waco, TX. She was traveling with them for about 3 days. They did a wonderful job at state!

Here they are at the Dr. Pepper Museum.

Meanwhile...

Sterling started a new job as a seasonal worker at Matt's work. It is hard work but he is learning a lot about perseverance, sacrifice, and all that Matt does to support our family.

Sheri arrived home from "State" in the early hours of Wednesday, May 29th, just in time to go to YW/YM camp.

Christian, Sheri and I all went to camp together this year.

Here are some fun photos of camp.

Here is her lip sync with the other YCL's that she and her two best friends choreographed.

Well, it has been a busy month!  Here are some other things I've been busy with: gathering and sending visa documents for Sterling's mission (a very involved process); preparing and giving a talk for the Pampa ward; creating and teaching an Emotional Resilience workshop for/at YW camp; preparing a Women in the Scriptures presentation about mother Eve; creating a comprehensive missionary packing list; substitute teaching, teaching refugees to read, serving lunches to the homeless at Guyon Sanders Day Center; driving or supervising Sheri's final driver's ed hours; posting new JustServe projects, Helping Sterling apply for jobs, finding Sheri a babysitting job, and meetings for my callings.

Whew! It's been a packed month!  Full of goodness, celebration, and reflection on all our blessings!