As Audrey celebrates her first birthday away from home, she reaches the last of her teen years.  Audrey’s roommate, Haley, decorated their door & Audrey’s bed.  Thank you Haley for taking care of my girl!.  Audrey said that her boss had decorated her desk and brought donuts in for the office.  We had the local cookie delivery company, Chip, deliver cookies to her after work.  Audrey told us that she and her roommates went out to dinner that night to celebrate.  She had made a triple chocolate bundt cake the weekend before that she and her roommates enjoyed.  We love you Audrey!

This is how Carson and Sophia Started their day.  Carson was ready as returning 2nd place in the Junior High Geography Bee to hopefully win this year.  Sophia, headed to the District Spelling Bee, just happy for the experience.

Carson did not want anyone at his Geography Bee so I don’t have any pictures.  It’s probably just as well as it didn’t turn out the way Carson was wanting.  It was a very disappointing day, but we are proud of Carson for trying his best.  It’s good to have disappointment in life sometimes.  Tough as it is, it creates learning experiences for our good.

I do have photographs of Sophia’s Spelling Bee.

Mr. J is the librarian at Sanborn Elementary. He was a great support to Sophia during this experience.

Sophia got out on the word “fidelity”.  She spelled it “phidelity”.  So proud of her!  Not sure if she had even heard that word before!

We were so happy to celebrate with family, Ava’s blessing.  Ryan did a beautiful job blessing her.  Nicole’s brothers, a niece, and her parents came to town for the event.  We had a nice breakfast following at our house.

Marc and I were not able to stay long as we had a lunch at the church with a visiting Area Authority, Elder McKay.  Grace took over the role of hostess and did a great job while Marc & I were gone.

The entire group.

The Coria’s LOVE baby Ava!

On a side note, Marc and I also had the opportunity to have dinner at our Stake President Grohman’s home Saturday night with a different Area Authority.  President Adrian Ochoa was also here in the valley visiting.  President Ochoa spoke at a devotional with the Ray 5th (Spanish) Ward in our stake after dinner.  Marc and I attended that devotional.  It was a beautiful weekend filled with spiritual messages, family, and friends.

Last week the 8th graders went on a field trip to their prospective high schools to see what classes are offered in the CTE program.  It’s a fun trip that gets the junior high students excited for high school before they register in a few weeks.  Since I have 2 other children that have gone on this field trip in the past and I have also gone on it as a chaperone when I was working for the junior high, I knew that Carson would come home with a Chandler High t-shirt.  When I went to pick him up from school that day I was greeted by this:

Chandler High School Class of 2023

I don’t think anything could have prepared me for the wave of emotion that filled me instantly.  My little boy is a teenager.  He’s a young man.  He’s growing up.  I would be lying if I said my eyes didn’t well up with tears.  I was strong though and held them back enough so they didn’t overflow.  How can this be?  When I think of Carson, In my mind’s eye I see this:

In actuality, everyone else see’s this:

Marc and Carson after his ordination to become a Teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood. January 13, 2019.

It’s an interesting phenomena, watching your little boy grow into a man.  I know he’s just begun his journey and has a long way to go, but nonetheless, it has begun.  He’s growing quickly and maturing beautifully.  Marc and I are so proud of the choices Carson is making.  His ordination was beautiful and he was very excited to help prepare the sacrament before sacrament meeting.  This advancement came 4 months early as the church announced a month ago that no longer will the boys wait til their 12th, 14th, and 16th birthdays to advance in the priesthood.  Starting this year, the boys may advance in the beginning of the years that they turn those respective ages instead of waiting until their birthdays.  Carson’s birthday is at the end of May, so we were not expecting this advancement until then.  When the Church announced these changes, we were all so excited that Carson would be able to advance early this year.  I feel these changes are truly inspired.

We were happy to have both Marc & my mothers come to be part of this ordination, and of course Uncle Daniel.

Carson and Daniel

It was then that I realized that Carson has passed Daniel in height.  Not sure exactly when that happened?!

Sophia came home this week with 2 awards from last semester.  Principals List- she got straight A’s & Perfect Attendance!  We’re so proud of our Sophia!

Principal’s List