2023 Review
Well it has been quite a rollercoaster for 2023. Here is a review of what we have been up to:
Brent-Working away at Nelson Laboratories. He is now mentoring other employees and is the "Dad" of the group now. He did slip away from the office for a fun trip with the boys right before school started. He explored his old haunts in Washington and now we have 3 boys begging to go back to the beach. Brent has completed multiple amazing art projects this year, some of our favorites a wire dragon that we added to our white elephant presents for the family party. Brent also has been holding down the fort A LOT and being and awesome support to wife and kids. He got a bit of a shock over the summer when he was called as the Sunday School President, but he is doing fantastic!
Katie- In January Katie went back for her certificate in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She finished the program mid-December and is now awaiting grades to post to apply for licensure. She was school counseling full time in middle schools from January-May, then moved to part time Elementary while taking on 2 other sites for therapy internship. It was a bit of a crazy Summer finishing up classes and pounding out the hours, but we got through because of amazing kid and husband support. She is awaiting licensure and has some job offers she is looking into. She is loving elementary school counseling and plans to continue that route for the foreseeable future while working on residency hours for fully therapy licensure. Over the summer the Saratoga Springs Temple was dedicated. Katie now serves as a temple worker and loves the time there. Things have been winding down at the end of the year and she now has more time at home with the completion of the program and is excited about the opportunities in the future.
Ayslind- Sis. Ayslind Shelley was set apart as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Christmas Day of 2022. She is quickly approaching her 1 year mark. She is serving in the Brazil, Porto Alegre South mission. She is currently the only American in a house of 4 sisters. She is training a new sister straight from the CTM. To say she LOVES it is an understatement! This girl is on fire! She is is working hard and growing everyday. Her feet are her proof. She has lost most of her big toenail on both feet to ingrown toenails, but she keeps that smile on her face. She talks with family each week and is an absolute joy to see. Her services has blessed her family so much, but they are now counting down the transfers to her return (5!).
Cyana- Cyana is a senior!! She made a very mature choice and just transferred out of band for her second semester to pursue other interests. She plans to continue band in college. She has been accepted to SUU and UVU. She is pretty set on UVU due to the marketing, entrepreneurial and business degree. She has her dream job and a kneaders bakery. When she turns 18 she can start working as a pastry chef. Cyana also made a difficult decision this Fall to step away from competitive Irish Dancing. She has been working on her teaching certificate for dance and has a great mentor! She is excited to help the next generation of dancers. She has an amazing group of friends that are uplifting and positive. She LOVES seminary and spends ample free time chatting with the teachers there.
Bowyn-He made it to 9th grade and is now 6'3". He is playing tenor sax in the highest band and hopes to make it on the intermediate jazz band with alto. He also runs like crazy! He was cross country team captain and is working hard to prepare for the high school team next year. He is doing amazing in his academics and is exploring lots of career tech options. He is also taking a good look at the high schools around and the programs for what he feels will fit him best. Bowyn has been serving all year in the teachers quorum presidency. He is a good friend and brother. He must share a weekly joke with Sis. Shelley so she can share with her other Sisters.
Lyvian-Lyvi finished out elementary school and despite her anxiety about middle school, is rocking it! She has joined the school tech crew and has been doing performances running the lights. She also is fully engaged in her percussion class and is loving that. She has made some new friends and has also been asked to be a peer leader in her school. She also received her rite of passage this summer by starting her braces journey. It has been a bit rough on her, but she is pulling through. She is glad she doesn't play an instrument she has to put in her mouth. She set a goal the beginning of the year to read the entire Bible. She reads every single morning and is our most structured organized kids. Lyvi is also working hard in Irish Dance. Cyana is occasionally her teacher. We recently added a new animal to the house and gave Lyvi her own cat, Cali the Calico.
Kanyon-Our little guy is growing like a weed! He is the last remaining in elementary. He has recently discovered how much he loves rollerskating. He loves 3rd grade and his teacher. He comes home nearly every day and shares about how many friends he has. He loves to take his basketball to school. He is also working hard on his language arts. He has taken on the challenge to read all 7 books of Narnia. He is occasionally working on piano with his mom and working on his Nintendo switch skills. He loves activity days and is our sweet tender heart.
Well that is our crazy update. We are cruising along, but love the time together. We are so excited for 2024.
Merry Christmas and a safe Happy New Year!
