Moving Forward Through 2011

What a year 2011 turned out to be! It was a crazy, busy, fun, exciting, and eventful year for our family. Even though life can throw a few hard punches from time to time, 2011 was a year of blessings, accomplishments, hard work, living out dreams, and lofty pursuits. It was certainly a year of learning and growing. We are so grateful for the wonderful year we just completed together as a family. Téwa and I are blessed with four wonderful children that never cease to amaze us. Here is a quick summary of what's been happening in our lives:

Lance: I just completed 18 years (and counting) with Liberty Press, LLC as Controller and General Manager. I am also busy working at my "other job" in music, producing two projects in 2011 for Jesse's band, "J.WRIDE" (albums "Indigo" and "Love on the Run" - both along with their previous album "Work of Art" are available on iTunes). I am currently the number 1 fan of the BYU Cougarettes and I now love ballet (thanks to Lea and Emry).

Téwa: Téwa just completed 16 years (and counting) with Showcase USA Vocal & Dance Company. She continues to teach private lessons in voice and is one of the top interview and pageant consultants in the State of Utah. Her greatest accomplishment as a pageant coach happened in 2011 when she helped our beautiful Lea, prepare for, and win the Miss Pleasant Grove Pageant. She is truly an inspiration to anyone who is fortunate to learn from her. She is still running everyday and seems to have not aged a bit since I married her 27 years ago. She is a wonderful mother and a loving, devoted wife. Her happy, positive disposition is a blessing that lights and strengthens our lives daily.

Noah: Noah is a second-year medical student at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Noah was able to visit many times throughout the year. It has been so fun when we are all together during his visits. He continues to play and write music. He completed his second marathon in 2011 and is already signed up for 2012. Noah is the Cassius Ellis Scholarship recipient at the University of Minnesota Medical School and is being featured in an article for the Biannual Publication of the Minnesota Medical Foundation. Noah’s is the ultimate big brother and continues to positively influence us, even though he’s thousands of miles away. Although extremely busy, he never hesitates to help the family with whatever is needed (lots of math, english, science and medical questions). We love the daily texts and phone calls to keep us posted on the latest “medical school” news.

Jesse: Jesse has been very busy working at Liberty Press and recording and performing his music. His band, J.WRIDE, released two albums in 2011, "Indigo" in February and "Love on the Run" in November. "Love on the Run" made the top 100 iTunes pop albums the week of its release. I get to spend a lot of time with Jesse and it's been awesome working with him. In March of 2011, Jesse was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. After many years of medical tests and incorrect diagnoses, we are grateful to finally know what was causing his health problems. He is learning how to control this disease and is doing very well. Having to live on a tightly controlled diet, he is becoming quite the cook. Jesse teaches us to love life. He knows how to roll with the punches. Although his talents are truly astonishing, he remains humble and kind. We have grown accustomed to the band’s constant practicing at the house and we love going to J.WRIDE concerts.

Lea: Lea had a remarkable year in 2011. As Pleasant Grove High School's Dance Sterling Scholar, she went on to win Region and was a State Sterling Scholar Finalist. She was named to the All-State Drill Team. She received numerous dance awards including: Queen Overall Winner at DanceFest, and Hi-Point and Overall Winner at Jordan Classic. She won Miss Drill Utah and then went on to nationals winning 2nd Runner-Up to Miss Drill USA. She was also crowned Miss Pleasant Grove 2011. She graduated from Pleasant Grove High School with Honors and was accepted to Brigham Young University. One of her life-long dreams was fulfilled when she made the BYU Cougarette Dance Team. She is currently attending BYU as a Dance Major and also works part-time at Showcase USA teaching dance. Lea has always been remarkable, but this past year she has emerged as a prime role model for others to follow. She has worked very hard to overcome obstacles in the way of her goals and dreams. She is a fighter with an “I can” outlook on life. With everything she has accomplished, she still remains focused and grounded. She loves being with the family and weekends are great when she comes home from school. We love watching her dance and cheer with the Cougarettes!

Emry: At the young age of 13, Emry has established herself as one to watch in the dance community. She is on scholarship at the Barlow Arts Conservatory where she is a member of the Senior Ballet Company. In 2011, she danced major roles in "Alice in Wonderland" and "The Nutcracker." She won numerous awards at dance competitions throughout the year including "Queen Overall Winner - Lyrical." Emry also continues to dance at Showcase USA Vocal and Dance Company where she is a member of Senior Jazz Company and Prestige Vocal and Dance Group. Her commitment to dance has not hindered her scholastic achievements. She currently maintains a 4.0 gpa at Pleasant Grove Junior High School. Emry is a bright light in our lives. She is generous, kind and extremely thoughtful. She loves life and is motivated to succeed at whatever she does. She’s still my little sidekick and still loves to work with me in the yard. This past summer Emry planted and maintained the family garden. She brings a lot of joy and happiness to our family.

We are so grateful to our Heavenly Father for blessing our family throughout 2011. Like most, we also faced some challenges, but as I look back on 2011, I will have very fond memories and will always consider it a fantastic year for things that really count. I am incredibly proud of my children and my beautiful wife Téwa. Words can not adequately express how much I love and appreciate them.

We take a few notes from 2011, we learn from our mistakes, we celebrate the victories, and we look forward with gratitude, love, faith, hope and determination as we start a new year as the Wride Family. Thanks guys, for making 2011 a great year!

Happy New Year!! What a year this has been! Many wonderful blessings and a few challenges to keep us grounded and humble. The greatest blessings in our lives are our beautiful children. They each are pursuing their dreams and are examples of dedication and drive!

*Noah - caring brother, medical student, and runner. Completed his first marathon and passed his first semester of Medical School at U of Minnesota.

*Jesse - caring brother, musician, and talented composer. Sold out concert for his CD release in February in just four days.

*Lea - amazing sister, dancer and sterling scholar. Lea is dancing her way through life! Her dedication to her art is impressive and she is realizing that hard work is it's own reward.

*Emry - loving sister, dancer and academic whiz. This girl is one in a million! We all have been blessed because Emry is a part of our family. She is a beautiful dancer and gives 100% in all she does.

Yes, life can be difficult at times but it never ceases to amaze me how the blessings have flowed in our lives. We could not ask for more then we have... for we have each other. We are so grateful for the gospel and our knowledge that Jesus Christ loves us. Here's to a new year filled with peace and new possibilities!!

Good News!!

We are so happy for Lea, she was chosen to be PGHS Dance Sterling Scholar!! This is awarded not only for her excellence in dance but for her academics, leadership and community service. She is having a great senior year and working hard to accomplish her goals. I personally would like to thank Jeana, Cassie, Daysha, Janalyn and many other outstanding teachers and mentors who have influenced Lea as a dancer and as a person. It really does take a village to raise a child!

Noah is off to medical school

Lance and Noah spent 20 hours on the road in Noah's little red Kia driving to Minnesota. Noah starts medical school on August 2nd and they went to get him ready.

"We had a great time on the road and then setting up Noah's tiny, but cool, studio apartment just off campus. As a father it was hard to leave him there alone but I found comfort in the knowledge that he is confident, prepared, and more than ready for this new adventure. University Ave. will be his little world for a while because we found everything he needs on that road. We did get lost several times as we tried to find our way around but we always managed to make it back to the apartment. It's exciting to see our son realize his dream of going to medical school."

Gracie and Molly - new additions to the family!

Summer 2010

This summer has started out busier than ever. Lance is busy with work and producing Jesse's second CD. He finally has the yard looking like he wants it and is so glad to see some sunnier days. Téwa just finished up with Miss Utah and all the girls she is working with did very well. She is teaching voice and summer dance clinics and is dedicated, as usual, to her daily running. Noah is getting ready to head off to medical school in a few weeks. He and Lance are driving out to get him settled in to his apartment on July 15th. He is also preparing to run a marathon in October. Jesse is doing well with his music, working on his second CD and performing a couple times a week. His band has some big concerts and events throughout the summer. Lea is busy with drill and is taking ballet. It's summer and she still has to be at drill practice at 6 am everyday. Lance thinks that is just crazy. She loves it though! (she doesn't love getting up early, she loves drill and dance) Emry is busy with ballet 3 hours a day. She is so dedicated and is quite a dancer. She has taken charge of the garden and can't wait for those tomatoes to grow! Emry and Lea are both having fun with our new puppies, Gracie and Molly. It looks like it will be a great summer!!

Exciting news...

Noah was accepted for medical school to the University of Minnesota!!!

He has worked hard and been so dedicated to his goals. We couldn't be happier for him! Here's to a few trips to the cold frigid state of Minnesota!