Playing catch-up: Rhiannon's winter band concert!

Rhiannon's high school band winter concert was a blast!  We all wondered how the band would function with the new band director, Mark Hatter...and we are happy to see they are doing great!!

Tractor Supply Company "field trip"

Didn't want to forget about a funny local "field trip" the kids took with me last month:

January 4th:  "Checked out our local Tractor Supply Co store for the first time today, just for fun. It was great! As much as I love Ridgecrest, I admit it was pretty cool to pretend I was in Idaho or Texas for a little while, instead of California, haha! When we told the sweet older cashier Gloria that it was our first time in the store, she gave us a big smile and said 'I’ve been waiting for ya!' 💗

We’ll be back."

Rhiannon makes an announcement!

In January Rhiannon decided on her university of choice!  She has put so much thought, prayer, and time into this decision--we are very proud of her and excited for what's to come!

She has chosen to attend the University of Nevada in Reno!

And here was the quiet picture I took capturing that moment she "announced" it on social media.  It was a poignant moment for me, looking at this beautiful young woman and enjoying her confident excitement.  University of Nevada Reno is a great fit for her!  

It's been a few weeks now, and Rhiannon is still very, very busy.  Jason has given her a lot of help with financial aid documents, and she has spent a lot of time on scholarship applications, along with enjoying and thriving in her senior year.  She keeps mentioning "senior-itis," but she is doing a great job staying on top of it all.  So hard to believe that she'll be 18 in 3 months and off to college in 6 months!!!

2018 Cushing Family Goals

2018 Cushing Family Goals, Challenges, and Experiments

Family:
2 family temple trips
1 camping trip
Get Rhiannon to college
Consistent family scripture study
Call Howard and Sandi at least once a month

Jason:
Monthly date with Mom
Monthly activity with Rhiannon
Monthly golf with Wade
Anniversary trip
50-miler with Wade
Run half-marathon

Verity:
Try gluten/dairy/soy-free diet for thyroid health
Finish CLAD and induction programs
Monthly date night
Start monthly SYC meetings
Donate blood
Publish 2016 and 2017 blog books
Daily Book of Mormon study
Life skill opportunities for kids

Rhiannon:
Finish Personal Progress by 5/30
Summer job
Try something new in Hawaii
Go to prom
Practice piano every Sunday
Before college, cook dinner at least once a month
Go to institute
Explore Reno
Write in journal every day

Wade:
Get all remaining Eagle merit badges
Run/bike twice a week and prepare for 50-miler
Do 5 Duty to God sections
High school golf team practices
More summer jobs

Playing catch-up: Wade's winter band concert!

We love watching Wade play during band concerts!  Here are a few videos from his winter band concert in December.  He hits those keys with confidence!









I had to snap a quick picture of Wade with Mr. Simon Austin afterwards, too.  This man is such a wonderful band teacher--he taught Rhiannon for 3 years before moving to Murray.  We're glad both kids have had the opportunity to work with him!

Playing catch-up: 2017 Ward Christmas Party

In December our ward had a relaxed Christmas party, "Polar Express" theme.  There was a cardboard train, a delicious breakfast-for-dinner buffet, and a hot cocoa station.  It was a kid's paradise, for sure!  I had to get a few photos of Jason reading Polar Express to the kids--he was a good sport!

Playing catch-up: a fantastic Thanksgiving week in Utah!

Thanksgiving 2017 was a wonderful week for us.  We traveled up to Salt Lake City and enjoyed several days of fun with the Cushings and Croppers!  

• birthday celebrations for Grandma Deb
• Sunday church
• First movie theater experience in RECLINERS!
• Freebirds dinner with Grandpa Rod and Grandma Deb
• Fat Cats with everyone!  We sure do love and look forward to our "pizza and bowling" tradition!
• Siblings and spouses movie night, deluxe treatment!
• Thanksgiving Day fun--delicious meal, great company, and fun games!
• TV watching
• Games, games, games
• Tennis
• Cousin sleepovers
• A little shopping
• Sleeping in and getting some much needed R & R

Family time--we loved every minute of it!  Love you all!

Playing catch-up: 2017 Cushing Family Photos

On Veteran's weekend in November we picked up Emily MacGregor at her home (she had cookies for us, too!) and then drove out to Wagon Wheel, a really great spot for family pictures.  We were very pleased with the results!

 

Playing catch-up: Rhiannon's senior piano recital in October

The last Saturday in October Rhiannon did a solo piano recital at the Presbyterian church.  She worked with her piano teacher to put together a program and a little paragraph about each song she played.  It was an amazing recital!!  Friends and neighbors and church family came, and I think we all were blown away by Rhiannon's performance.

Here's what I wrote about it:

"Yesterday was a really special day for Rhiannon, a day 8 years in the making. We are so grateful to her piano teacher Melanie for setting up a senior recital where Rhiannon could perform for friends and family and showcase what she's been working on.

For me, sitting there on the front row, the only way I can describe it was this: it was like I had just woken up from a long 8-year sleep and there was this beautiful young woman sitting on a piano bench playing just for me, with this stunning grace, power, and emotion. It was like I was seeing and hearing Rhiannon for the first time, and she was fantastic! She jokes about and embraces her awkwardness, but she is anything but awkward on the piano! It was out-of-this-world awesome to see that yesterday.

We are so proud of her and appreciative of the hard work and time she has put in, and for our dear friend Melanie who has supported and helped her every step of the way.

Way to go, Rhiannon!! We love you!  ❤️😍❤️"

Enjoy some videos!