JJ (13)
--It took 3/4 of the year, but he finally made it to teenage-hood and feels like he has arrived! He is loving being able to watch the PG-13 movies that all of his siblings watch like Star Wars, Marvel, SpiderMan, A Quiet Place, and some anime. It IS nice to be able to watch movies together as a whole family again.
*He celebrated the 70th wedding anniversary of his adopted grandpa, Bill Early and his wife, Wanda, who live down the street. They were thrilled to have him at their special gathering.
*One Sunday in February, JJ, as a member of the Aaronic Priesthood, brought me the Sacrament when I was out in the foyer. After I partook of the bread, he leaned in for a hug, which was sweet. After he brought me the water, he leaned in for another hug and said something so quietly, I didn't catch it and asked him to say it again. He said, "I'm so glad you're my mom." I pretty much melted. He has such a pure and tender heart.
*He continues to get strep throat 2-3 times a year, with a really high fever.
*Had a successful volcano project in April at the end of 6th grade--successful in that it actually erupted when he set up the chemical reaction. :) He patterned his volcano after Mt. Spurr, the volcano that erupted the day his mom moved to Alaska when she was 15 and then erupted again a couple months later and dumped tons of volcanic ash on top of Anchorage. Grandma Lee still has some of that ash and it was mailed to JJ so he could share it as part of his essay and presentation. It was so cool!
*He continues to be an A/B honor roll student and received an academic medal for his efforts. His science teacher sent me the picture on the right.
*He is progressing very well through Taekwondo and has since advanced to a yellow belt and a yellow green tip belt. The judges are always highly complimentary of JJ's strong, clean moves and his strength.
*His love for Magic The Gathering is growing by the day. The only problem is he has no one to play with him so he's SUPER excited when Cooper comes to visit. And Cooper only has himself to blame. :) JJ is also very fortunate that many of the Snyder missionaries were happy to play Magic with him on their P-day.
*JJ finally got braces in the summer and opted to try Invisalign. It didn't take long before we saw some great improvements.
*JJ finally moved from the elementary side of the school building to the secondary side as a 7th grader in the fall. At our urging, JJ decided to try Junior High basketball. Never having played before, he was not the strongest on the team, but he showed some good growth. Even had a couple of important plays and made a few baskets during the season.
*JJ auditioned for the Jr. High One Act Play and got the part of the solider in the production The Post Office. The school performed at the UIL competition at Westbrook ISD in November, but didn't place. However, JJ was the only one from his campus who received "Honorable Mention--All Star Cast" for his performance!
*Concurrently, JJ auditioned for Shrek, Jr. put on by the Ira Theater Club, directed by students, and he was cast as the Captain of the Guard. He did awesome, especially during the dancing part. We are super proud of him for sharing his special talents with a group of kids mostly older than him. Unfortunately, he was sick for the second performance.
*JJ is improving and becoming more consistent at bowling. He even bowled a 195--his highest league score. His goal is to qualify for the Pepsi Bowling Tournament, usually held over spring break. He missed it by a narrow margin for 2025.
*We are still amazed and our minds are blown with all the many different magic tricks JJ learns how to do. I don't know how he keeps them all straight. It's so fun that I asked if he would teach me some so I could do a magic trick every new grading period with my math students because...math is everywhere! Especially in card magic.
CALVIN (16)
--finally dating age!
*He started Accutane treatments for his very painful cystic acne at the beginning of the year. It's not the path I wanted to take, but we exhausted all other options.
*He served as a Stake Youth Leader Committee member, representing Snyder, for a second year in a row, helping to plan and lead stake youth activities and Young Men's camp. (Below: Nerf Wars in Seminole, TX).
*He competed at the UIL Solo and Ensemble contest for choir as a sophomore and received an Excellent rating. He was kicking himself though, because he didn't memorize the music like he should have, and he knew he would have received a Superior rating if he had. (He and the other students who competed are pictured below: He's the 3rd one from the left in the suit. ;)
*He turned 16 on May 1st and passed his driver's license test on May 9th. (Here we go again!!)
*He continued to eat, drink, breathe, dress, play, talk, watch, and sleep tennis! Practicing with anyone who would go to the courts with him. Working hard to go to STATE!
*He attended Youth Conference in Carlsbad, New Mexico and had a wonderful experience.
*As a junior, he became #2 on the boys varsity team. And for one particular game day, Nethan, the #1 player was gone, so Calvin had to play up. He played mixed doubles at 11:30am in near 100 degree temps and beat Wall 8-5. Instead of coming off the court to rest and hydrate, he had to stay and play the boys singles match against the kid from Wall. Calvin ended up beating him 8-3! Calvin played well and smart. After lunch, Calvin went up against the #1 boys varsity player from Monahans and won 8-0. Talk about a confidence builder! The Snyder Varsity Tennis team were back-to-back District Champs!
*At the end of September, Calvin got up the nerve to ask a girl to Homecoming who is a rival tennis player from Sweetwater. She said yes! ;)
*Took his first attempt at the ACT in the fall and got a 23. He plans to retake it after his junior year.
*He also continued to rise in the ranks with youth bowling leagues. He joined the West Texas high school bowling club in Lubbock again this year and did well. (He skipped it his sophomore year because he had made the Varsity tennis team and wasn't sure if there would be game/match conflicts.) For a kid whose only bowling practice for the week IS the youth bowling league time, Calvin is really good at it. JJ, too. At the end of September, Calvin bowled a 289 in his last game. It is his highest score ever and highest 3 game series: 720.
*In October, he auditioned for the All-Region Choir. Not only did he make it, he landed the 4th chair in the Bass section! He also qualified for the pre-Area audition, but didn't do as well on the sight reading as he had hoped. He was one chair away from making it to the Area audition. :( Needless to say, we're proud of him for just qualifying to audition and for performing in the All-Region choir--which was spectacular.
*The evening that we were saying goodbye to our Elder Cox, who had spent almost 6 months with us in Snyder, we got a knock on the door by a police officer. Calvin was driving home after picking up JJ at Taekwondo and decided to drive a little too fast. The officer saw that he was going a high rate of speed and followed him home. The officer didn't have Calvin on radar so he couldn't ticket him, but felt his parents should know. We were very grateful for the heads up. The missionaries pulled up across the street when the police officer was at our door. They didn't know what to do, so they just waited by their car. We had two neighbors, who saw the flashing lights, text me to make sure everything was okay. I responded, "Yes, all good. Except Calvin might want to seek refuge on your couch tonight." Needless to say, he lost his driving privileges for a time. Which, we hate to admit, hurt us more than him.
KARCYN (18)
*a BIG year for her! She became a high school graduate and a freshman in college.
*In January, Karcyn made it to the finals round in her debate tournament and won 3rd place for her Humorous Interpretation of "The Emperor's New Groove." IYKYK!
*In February, as part of a class in school, Karcyn secured an internship at Klip 'n K9s--a pet groomer salon that also provides boarding for cats and dogs. She had two hours built in to her schedule where she could work at the salon to get training. Her new boss, Ashley, also asked Karcyn if she would like to work there after school for a couple hours. Karcyn said yes! As an added bonus, it was about a 10 minute walk from the school cafeteria, so Karcyn could walk there and back without needing a ride for her internship and afterschool. Unless, on rare occasions, the weather was bad.
This has been a DREAM job for Karcyn. She loves working with the animals and is a natural at it. And Ashley is a DREAM employer. We couldn't have asked for anyone better. She has taught and trained Karcyn and has shaped and molded her into a wonderful employee with so many new skills.
*Unfortunately, Karcyn was sick on her 18th birthday, so we celebrated a few days later.
*Had a fun senior picture experience with our friend, Abbi Cowley, from the Branch. Karcyn got some of her pictures with Rolo. And she recreated one of my senior pictures by wearing the same dress I did that my mom made for me when I was in high school. I loved that dress. I had my white, malamute/husky mix, Kodi in my senior pictures, and Karcyn had Rolo. We even took pictures with a thunderstorm brewing around us.
*All potential high school graduates in Texas are required to take a TSI (Texas Success Initiative) which is state law to assess their readiness for higher education. It took her FIVE times to pass the math TSI. It even took Calvin and his cousin, who is getting dual college credits, a couple times to pass one of them. Goodness.
*Karcyn went to her senior prom with her friend, Skylar Martinez, who she went to prom with the year before. Her cousin, Olivia, did her hair and make up again. She looked beautiful. And that wrist corsage, Wow!!
*After a decade of navigating these waters all alone, without the support of school staff or physicians, I finally received some validation: Karcyn was diagnosed with mild autism. Very high functioning. But still on the spectrum. It's something I've suspected all along, but no one would engage in this conversation with me so I was left to figure out how to raise her the best way I knew how without labeling her because I didn't know for sure. It was a difficult journey as her mom, and I suspect, also difficult for her, though she doesn't seem to have suffered too much. I do worry about her perspective of me, as I was very much a repeated corrector and trainer, more so with her than with our other kids. The psychologist reassured me that he didn't get any indication that Karycn felt our relationship was strained and for that I was grateful.
*At the Senior Steak Supper in May, Karcyn received some superlative awards that she was voted for.
1) SHORTEST in her class (and was given a step stool)
and
2) MOST LIKELY to Change the World and was given an inflatable globe. As her mom, this award was extremely touching to hear and one that I could get behind!
*At the end of May, Karcyn's employer, Ashley, said Karcyn had improved a lot and started giving her tips. Karcyn got about $100 (sometimes more) every couple of weeks!
*Karcyn received not one, not two, but FOUR recognitions at the Snyder High School End-of- Year Awards Ceremony. 1) Hunter Appreciation Scholarship ($60), 2) A/B Honor Roll, 3) OUTSTANDING STUDENT English 4, 4) MOST-IMPROVED STUDENT Environmental Systems. We're so proud of her!
*Karcyn graduated!! This first photo is actually on the Snyder ISD web page.
*Karcyn worked long and hard at her job over the summer. At the end of June, she got to see her friend, Ashley, who lives in Seminole, Texas (about an hour and a half away) for a few days while Calvin was at youth conference in Carlsbad. It was the only vacation from work that she got until Christmas.
*At the end of July, she moved into one Grandma Hough's empty rooms down the street. Talk about the ultimate dorm room! She got her braces off and in the middle of August, she started her freshman year of college!
COOPER (22)--
*We could sum up Cooper's year with the title:
EnviroGuard Chronicles: My life as a Traveling Pest Control Technician.
--91 stings from various bees, hornets, wasps (not including ants) --Traveled to Midland, Abilene (awful living experience), El Paso, and back to Midland where he was won over by a beautiful gray and white stray cat he named Sheik that he fell in love with and couldn't bring inside or take with him.
--He was in the top 8 out of the whole company for receiving multiple 5-Star ratings. Abilene was the top-rated office in the West Texas area and he lead the Abilene area. Cooper was the highest-rated tech on Google. --And our favorite...he had TWO incidents with the police. 😂 The first occurred when he was in a backyard spraying. The gate closed and locked. When he tried to leave, he couldn't get out. The owners were not at home. So logically, he started climbing over the eight foot fence. He was about halfway over when a police cruiser rolled by. The officer stopped and asked, "Do you need a hand...or do I need my handcuffs?" To which Cooper replied, "A hand would be great, thanks." The second incident was when Cooper approached a home for an indoor tech appointment. As he got near the porch, he noticed it was a glass door. Not wanting to smudge or mess with the glass with his dirty hands, he made sure to position his hand on the only part of the door that was not glass, which was also right by the doorknob. As he did so, he he heard young voices from the other side of the door exclaim, "He's trying to open the door--quick! Call the cops!" Cooper stopped his hand in mid-air before knocking, dropped his head in resignation and just walked back to his company truck. He leaned on the hood and waited for the police to arrive so he could show them his work contract.
*After his travel season, Cooper stayed in Abilene for six months and lived at the ARCH apartments, shared with two other guys.
*Cooper did have one terrifying bathroom experience. It was during his travel season. He was inside a house spraying. While he was in the bathroom, he got immediately with the gut rumbles. He didn't even have time to ask if he could use the facilities. It came out quick and he said, "Let's just say the pile was above the water!" He went to flush and it went down...partially...And then it all stopped and the bowl started to fill up with water again. He panicked because he didn't have time to even ask to use the bathroom. He looked for a plunger, but there was none to be found. Not knowing what to do, he went for a gutsy hail Mary and tried flushing one more time. It all went down and he was able to avoid an extremely mortifying conversation with the homeowner.
*He worked, worked, worked, and worked some more--six days out of the week during travel season! When he wasn't working during maintenance season (Sept. through Feb.), he was spending time and money on shiny cardboard (aka Magic The Gathering) and training JJ in the MTG ways. We relished any chances we got to see him!
JAKE, TRINA, & THOMAS:
*Jake worked his last year and a half of college on his psychology degree (the path of least resistance) at Utah Tech.
*Jake also worked as a customer service rep for pest control company Enviroguard (and got Cooper his job as a tech). Also worked on the side as a videographer for the Parade of Homes.
*Storm chased and documented his experiences with the camera any chance he got.
*Trina worked really hard on her bachelors degree in marriage and family studies through BYU pathway online while raising Thomas.
*Thomas worked hard at growing up to be the super-est, smart-est, most adorable baby and toddler.
JENN:
*Took over a 4th grade science/social studies class in January to replace another teacher who left, joining forces again with Elizabeth Hermosillo (my first partner teacher) and Melissa Sorrells, who mentored me while I taught 4th grade math the year before.
*Had post-menopausal break-through bleeding and after a pelvic ultrasound it was discovered that an ovarian mass was the culprit. Had bloodwork done to screen for cancer markers. Fortunately, the bloodwork was normal! And amazingly, the cyst disappeared on its own...no surgery for removal was necessary.
*Celebrated and witnessed the Solar Eclipse with my students on April 8th! Even in 93% totality, it was pretty awesome.
. 
*At the end of the school year, with no trips planned in the fall, I decided to teach full-time for the first time in over 20 years.
*Taught summer school to save up money to take Calvin and JJ to Branson over the 4th of July.
*Flew to St. George, Utah to babysit 10-month-old Thomas while Jake and Trina went away for their anniversary. Had the BEST time!
*Found out I was going to 5th Grade math the middle of July. Back to School was the beginning of August. Gina Browning (reading) and Brittany Beltran (science) were my partner teachers.
*Was Snyder Intermediate School's Rock, Paper, Scissors Champ for the month of October.
*Became Maleficent for Halloween.
*At Calvin's All-Region Choir performance, I started missing choir again and received a very strong prompting to join a local choir. So I reached out to a friend who I thought was in choir at the large Baptist church in Snyder. She was and loved the idea of me coming to sing with them. I've never "crashed" a party like this before, but they were all so wonderfully and warmly welcoming. They were genuinely happy I was there even though it was clear they didn't need one more alto. But singing with them brought parts of me alive that I didn't even realize were dormant inside. It was incredibly joyful and the Lord magnified my singing abilities in ways I have never experienced. All the notes and words just glided off my tongue. I didn't make any mistakes. In fact, the lady next to me was so impressed she asked if I had been practicing with the CD. I asked, "There's a CD? No ma'am, I'm sight reading." And if you know me, I don't sight read. I sing by ear. So not only was this the highlight of my Christmas season, it was a remarkable sign of the Lord's love for me and how He can make more of us than we can. I'm also most grateful that my unsolicited addition to the Colonial Hill Baptist choir did not prove to be embarrassing to the Snyder branch. :)
*Relief Society instructor. My current favorite calling!
JARED:
*Worked the Cogdell Hospital walk-in clinic, including every other weekend.
*Elder's Quorum president, though it is extremely difficult to do this calling when you live in a branch and you are only at church every other Sunday. 🥴
*In August, went on a striper fishing trip with his brother Kevin, Cooper, and Coop's friend Will. Jared won the trifecta title for FIRST fish, MOST fish, and BIGGEST fish.
*At the end of September, he went to Canada to fish with Kevin and celebrated his birthday while they were there!
ROLO:
*Living his best life!
*Escapes and runs away whenever an opening presents itself (or a door or gate is accidentally left ajar).
*He threw up 8x at the beginning of December. This happens every few months. We kept thinking he was being a naughty dog and getting into things he's not supposed to. But this time, the vet suggested we try a new food to see if that makes a difference.
FAMILY:
In March, we spent spring break driving to Mesa, Arizona and visiting my parents who were serving their 7th senior mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We got the BEST surprise when we arrived...Trina and Thomas were there!! They had visited the week prior and she extended her stay so we could see them. Jake had to go back home to school and work. We also did baptisms for the dead at the Gilbert AND Mesa Temples. We saw the amazing Easter production, Jesus The Christ on the Mesa Temple Grounds and it was incredible. Jared, my dad, and Calvin went to a spring training baseball game, then we met up with my sister, Shell, her husband, Shawn, and their kids Jameson and Brooke at Organ Stop Pizza. This is a one-of-a-kind dinner experience. It's the home of the largest Wurlitzer ever constructed so we got dinner and a show! We spent our last day driving through the Superstition Mountains and stopped at Tortilla Flats at the end of the road. We hiked a trailhead with the kid and enjoyed some delicious ice cream and witnessed a gun shoot-out reenactment. Back at home as we packed up, Jared's sister, Nicole drove an hour north to come see us. We were happy she could make it before we left! And we even stopped in Midland to visit Cooper and to see his apartment before we went home the rest of the way.
May--Got to see "Northern Lights" in Snyder.
June--1) Celebrated the Ira Bulldog baseball team's State Championship title--they went the whole season undefeated!
2) I drove to Lubbock at 7am to take a content certification exam (math, social studies, reading, science, music, physical education) for grades K-6. 4 hours later, I drove 90 miles home, picked up Calvin and JJ and our bags, and got back in the car to drive 4 more hours to Ft. Worth where they competed at the state bowling tournament the next day. Will Donovan, the best bud of Jake (and Cooper) from College Station, showed up as a surprise to watch and support them.
July--Went to Branson with the two younger boys, stopping in Stillwater to visit Aunt Stacy and Uncle Mike on the way.
September--Our Brazilian boy, Luke, arrived in Rexburg, Idaho, to attend BYU-I. We still haven't gotten to see him, but at least he's a little bit closer!
November--Donald Trump won!!
December--1) We participated in our 2nd annual Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army and helped raise $245 in 2 hours!
2) Drove to St. George, Utah for Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa Lee, Jake, Trina, and Thomas.
3) Found out grandbaby #2 is due in June!
4) Did temple baptisms at the Red Cliffs Utah temple as a family and had a fantastic visit with the fam.
