Collin's 17th birthday

I have a seventeen year old! We are into the homestretch of having my baby at home with me, and it's freaking me out! By this time next year, he'll have his mission call and be defering his university acceptance. Crazy how time flies! 

Collin's birthday fell on Christmas Sunday this year. It was kinda nice because church was only an hour. He asked for a guitar - many of his friends are getting guitars this year too - so he and Ryan and some of his friends all went shopping together. It's fun to see him picking up another instrument.

For his activity this year, he wanted to go climbing. Two friends, Connor & Wyatt, plus Brennan and Ryan all went. They had a great time. When their fingers were too tired to continue, they went to MOD pizza for lunch.

Collin is a proficient pianist now, composing his own music for sacrament meeting rest hymns and playing Rachmaniov at his recital. He has always had a knack for it, but he also works so hard. 

He is also the lead programmer again for the Robotics team at school. He gives so many hours to the team. I am so grateful he can now drive himself everywhere and that we were able to get him a car last year. 

He is a national merit scholar, in the top 25 of his graduating class, and taking 7 AP classes. He works his tail off, and I am so proud of him. He'll graduate with his associate's in cybersecurity, as well as many, many credits towards his bachelor's. 

He plans to go on his church mission the summer after he graduates (2027), and then attend BYU in computer science. This kid is going places! 

giftED in Grapevine

Last summer I learned I wouldn't be able to attend the Texas Association for Gifted Educators Conference because it was being held in Grapevine (north of Dallas) rather than San Antonio like last year. My district wasn't willing to foot the bill. I felt like I learned so much last year, so I was super sad.

 

Anyway, sometime in August, the organization who hosts the conference said that they were offering scholarships. I told Ryan about it jokingly, mostly because I never win anything.  He asked what I had to lose, so I went ahead and quickly answered the Google form questions without putting much effort in. Anyway, long story short, I won the scholarship - $1300! The Conference was held at the Gaylord Texan, so the first $900 went to accomodations. The conference ticket was $300, so that left me with $100 for food and gas. Haha. We were only out a little though! 

I had the best time! I met peers from all over the state. The Gaylord was also decorated beautifully for Christmas. 

I had so much fun being on my own - five hours of my audiobook in the car, typing my notes in the king-size bed each evening, napping during the lunch break in my room, and running on the treadmill in the hotel gym each evening. 

All in all, it was a great experience. Now I have to figure out who/how to fund going to next year's in Houston! 

In January, I presented my learning to my fellow elementary GATE teachers here in my District, and I also presented a faculty meeting to my campus about utilizing AI to write fast finisher projects to achieve depth for their high achievers. While I still have zero interest in "moving up" to greater leadership roles, I sure do love learning! 

Thanksgiving in St. George

For Thanksgiving this year, we took the 18-hour road trip to St. George. We stayed with Grandpa & Grandma, and Nana & Papa came down to visit after they finished their two weeks in the MTC in Provo. Kim & Rich and their crew came down on Thanksgiving Day too. It was so nice to see so much family! I miss seeing anyone now that we are so far away in Texas. And it's not a road trip with a whole bunch of candy to keep us awake! 

We enjoyed card playing and pickleball with Nana & Papa. 

Ryan took the boys hiking at Angel's Landing. 

We enjoyed a nice walk, lunch, and ice cream at Zions National Park. 

Grandma took Ethan & Katelyn driving in the golf cart a bunch of times. 

Collin gave daily concerts on the chapel piano. 

To maximize our time, we actually ate "The Meal" on Tuesday. Who said I wasn't flexible?

The boys went to the tempe with Grandpa & Ryan one morning. The next morning me, Ryan, Grandpa, and Grandma all went and did an endowment session. We got to take a tour too, which was neat because the pioneer temples are set up so differently.  

We had a nice walk to the lava tubes in Snow Canyon, and the kids enjoyed climbing the walls of a slot canyon. 

On real Thanksgiving Day, we all went to see Wicked 2: For Good. 

We had a great time! I sure wish family wasn't all so far away. Until next time! 

Costa Rica

I was in a bit in crisis at the start of the school year. In an effort to save me from a mental health collapse, Ryan planned and booked a wonderful trip for just the two of us to Costa Rica. We were married at 22 years old 22 years ago, so we called this trip our "half lives together" vacation. I am grateful that Grandpa & Grandma came from St. George, so the kids wouldn't be alone for a week. 

He really spoiled me rotten. First class seats, massage at the spa, lots of time outdoors, and great food! 

After we arrived and got our rental car, we headed to Oropendola Waterfall. We were literally the only ones there. They had lots of fun hanging bridges and stairs, and the quantity of water was astonishing! 

Next we drove to our hotel, a perfect little casita - Nayara Gardens - tucked into the rainforest. The animals were LOUD each night. Right in the resort, we saw sloths, toucans, wild turkeys, tree frogs, cacao and kapok trees, etc. We had our own private pool patio with a great lounger for reading.

Our first full day we went zip-lining at Sky Adventures Arenal. It was seven different lines over the rainforest, sometimes while it was even raining. The longest was a half mile and we reached speeds of 60 mph. I was definitely scared at first, but it was awesome! 

After ziplining OVER the rainforest, we hiked their trails underneath. We saw a capuchin monkey, chachalaca birds, and an anteater. The trees and plants were incredible too! 

For dinner, we headed to Rainforest Cafe. Delicious!  

The next morning we drove to Tenorio Volcano. We took the Tenorio Trail to the Rio Celeste Waterfall (250 stairs!), Laguna Azul (blue lagoon), bubbling geothermal & sulfur smells, and last El Teñidero, wher two rivers - Quebrada Agria and Rio Buena Vista - meet after an Indiana-Jones-style bridge. 

For dinner that night we went to Italianissimo. Yummy Italian food! 

The last morning we headed to Arenal Volcano. We hiked along the lava flows. Unfortunately, the volcano was in the clouds pretty much the whole week. We saw lots more plants and animals though!  

Our last night we enjoyed dinner at Travesio. 

It was truly the best to be away with my best friend! It was also just the kick-start I needed for another long, hard school year as a mom, teacher, and relief society president. Thanks, Babe!