May 2023

May was full of wonderful things!  Here is what we have been up to.

To start off, we had Wonderland night with the Elementary school.  Wonderland is the small amusement park here in Amarillo.

Christian's soccer season and our coaching came to an end.  All in all it was a fun season.

Matt planted new flowers and hostas.  Every time I look out my kitchen window I think how lucky I am to have him and the beautiful flowers.

As the school year drew to a close there were lots of opportunities to recognize all the great achievements for the year.

The Band Banquet

Sheri earned the award for the Outstanding Marcher and was also recognized for her All Region Band Participation.  She worked very hard in Marching Band and on her flute this year.  She has loved weekly flute lessons. She has grown so much!  

Sterling earned the honor of becoming a member of National Honor's Society which is earned through excellence in academics, service, character, and leadership.

The kids got to perform their final performance of "Sweet Nothing In My Ear" and did a great job!

Falcon Awards - The teachers at the high school gave awards to students in each class.  Sterling earned the 7th Period Outstanding Student in English 3, Outstanding Achievement in Pre-Calculus, 2nd Period Highest Class Average (Theatre), and the US History Award.

Sheri earned the 3rd Period Outstanding Student and English 1 Honors- Highest Average awards.

We are so proud of how hard they have worked and that they stand out as stellar students.  The kids earned all A's this year and were well loved by their teachers!

Christian sang with the Primary for Mother's Day for the last time since he will be 11, turning 12 next year.

Speaking of Mother's Day, Sheri posted this on Instagram!  Isn't she sweet?!

I told Matt that the flowers and gardens that he planted/ built for us were enough of a gift for me!

He always makes me feel loved!

Matthew and I were asked to be a Ma and Pa for the upcoming youth pioneer trek.  We have had a few stake activities but this was our very own pre-trek family activity.  We loved getting to know our youth better!

Matt went to visit his mother in Estes the week after Mother's Day.

The boys enjoyed dressing up Pearl.

The wheat is growing!

So are all the wild flowers.

We have such beautiful sunsets and evening skies!

Christian also got recognition in his last days of school.

He enjoyed Field Day!

We finished the school year!  We overcame our challenges that came with a new start in a new place.  We are thriving and happy.

One noteworthy thing is that we have had so much rain this year! It's great for the wild flowers but Matt had some flooding at work.  Fortunately it didn't last too long.

Sheri turned 15 years old!

Sheri also got her driver's permit on her birthday!

We had Sterling take a turn blowing out candles as well since we were going to be on trek for his actual day.  We love that he makes us laugh!

I love my silly family!

We continue to find fun critters in Texas.

 The week after school got out Christian flew to Colorado to stay with the Sullins while we went on the Pioneer Trek.  This was his first time flying alone. Watching your child leave on a plane without you is VERY sad.  It definitely tests your faith in aviation and in the plan of salvation! :)

But we pressed forward bravely and can't wait for our summer adventures!

By the way, here are 3 short video clips of Christian - working on his "moon walk", his "worm", and at field day.

May was full of wonderful things!  We feel blessed and happy for summer to start!  I will write about the Youth Pioneer Trek in my next update.