Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! Feliz Navidad! Feliz Año!
2014 has been a good year. Everyone is busy and growing in their own way.
Jessica, our now 7th grader has been working on her musical talents. She auditioned for PG13 last year and continues to participate in CD Fulkes' audition choir in addition to Theatre arts and Dance. She also competed for All Region Choir and earned 1st chair for her group beating out over 60 other competitors in her room. In Theatre she auditioned for a part in Beauty and the Beast and got the part of Belle. She did a great job in the show. She was recognized for her artistic passion and moral character with the Shayla Dame Memorial award last year. She also participated in her school talent show singing "A Thousand Miles" in honor of her best friend who moved to Kansas in June. About that time, Jessica turned 12 and was able to attend the temple for the first time. In addition to other family names, she was baptized for her great grandmother, Jhonny's "mama". Jhonny performed the ordinance and it was a teary session for all of us. She enjoyed girl's camp and grew friendships in her ward with the girls that are her age who all attend other schools. She also requested and received her patriarchal blessing. It was a joy to listen to her get it. I truly am blessed to be this girl's mother. She is a choice daughter who continues to grow and mature into quite a beautiful young lady on the inside and out. She helps me out with babysitting and taking care of the house. I truly couldn't keep my sanity without her help and support at every turn.
Lily is following in her sister's footsteps while trying to establish her own unique stamp on everything. She was thrilled to be a part of the Musical, Ragtime at the high school last winter. It gave her a bug for the theater and she has looked for opportunities to perform ever since. She joined the Gattis Choir this year and was given a couple of opportunities to perform solos. My stage frightened little girl of the past has found her stage confidence. In May, Lily was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was a very special day for her and she was thrilled to have so many of her family present for the event. In third grade, Lily continues to learn Spanish in her Dual Language class and is enjoying building relationships in Girl Scouts. She also enjoys playing with her little brothers while trying to be included in the older girl's circle.
Gavin is in first grade and growing everyday. Literally - it seems quite often that he is in our room with growing pains. Last Spring he played soccer and this fall he tried Football. Although he seems to have all the energy in the world at home, he hasn't quite found his athletic niche yet. I'm contemplating swimming next. He loves the water and is a little fish. He was also part of the musical, Ragtime last winter and begs me to take him to the high school productions so he can say hi to "Jordan," his stage dad and all the other cast members that he grew to look up to. He is a sweet boy with lots of energy. He loves learning and enjoys reading about planets, dinosaurs, fossils, and other scientific stuff. He helped his dad fix the fence over Thanksgiving. His favorite moments are dates with mom and play dates with friends. He especially enjoys having Sally around to play and watch Pokemon with him.
Ammon is 2! He is as sweet as a 2 year old could be. His theme song is "Happy" as he is always laughing and finding ways to make us all happy. He has also grown with the help of the ECI. His therapists all love him and say he is quite determined to learn. He likes to tinker and make a huge mess wherever he goes. Even though he doesn't quite talk yet, he is determined to be treated like a big boy. He insisted on getting out of his high chair and his crib. He may start insisting I potty train him at some point. I keep waiting for his speech to catch up so he can use words other than grunting and pointing at things. His favorite words are car and ball pronounced "caa" and "baaa". He had an appointment with the ENT in November and found that his left ear is blocked with fluid which may contribute to his delayed speech. He goes back in February for a check up to see if he needs a tube put in or not. Despite all this, he truly brings joy to our family.
Sally is our exchange student from Denmark and temporary child this year. She came the day before school started in August and has adjusted quite well to our temperamental family. She has been very gracious and fun to have around. She and Jessica have bonded over sharing a room. They learned the ultimate patty cake song and performed it for a young women's event. Sally has enjoyed participating in American things like Drill Team tryouts, Football games, and the food. She has relished pizza, donuts, tacos, and other american delights like Thanksgiving dinner. She asked why we celebrate Halloween. I didn't have an answer...She is proud that she managed to pass all her classes mostly with A's and she is very grateful for passing Algebra II, her not so strong subject. I was most impressed that she earned an A in US History. She has made many friends and keeps pretty busy every weekend. The girls from church have loved welcoming her into the ward. She enjoys participating in all the activities each week. We've also enjoyed learning a bit about Denmark and Danish food. I'm sure this is an experience none of us will soon forget.
Jhonny continues to teach Dual Language 2nd grade. He has also been quite involved with Live-vantage, a multilevel marketing company that sales Protandim, a Nrf2 activator. His second job has kept him out most evenings and traveling quarterly to convention meetings. Hopefully all his hard work will turn a profit soon. He was released from his calling in the Elder's Quorum and called to teach the sunbeams at church. During his vacation time he has built us a dining table, refinished a front door, rebuilt the back end of the fence and helped to paint the white walls of our home.
Chalice has continued to work hard as a high school counselor. She has taken pride in getting her students to graduate. This year she has been chosen as one of two counselors in the Visual and Performing Arts Academy. Half her caseload are students in the VPA Academy and she has enjoyed working with them. At church she continues to work with the nursery and was recently named the lead nursery worker. She is grateful for the opportunity to spend a little time with Ammon while he is still young. In her spare time, she is busy with her second job managing 5 kids which includes driving everyone around and watching performances and games, etc. She enjoys the kids' growth and development.
Other events include sending off my parents to a mission in Chile. Attending a funeral for my Grandpa John and getting a chance to visit with family I haven't seen in a few years.We got to go to Disney World as a family for the first time. We miss visiting Houston more often now that Grandma and Grandpa Ellis aren't there for a while. We look forward to hosting family whenever they may come to town!
We're looking forward to a great new year in 2015. May you all be blessed with joy and peace as we continue on our journey in life through this next year. We are especially grateful for the blessing and gift of the Savior and his atonement in our lives. He truly brings us the peace that we seek during the trials of our lives.
