2015 Cushing Family Newsletter

WHERE DID THE YEAR GO? It feels like time speeds up the older our kids get! We’re thankful for happy memories made together this year, for time with family and friends, for health and safety. 2015 has been good to us. We know God has a plan for each one of us—He sent His Son Jesus Christ because He loves us! We’re thinking of you and hope that the peace and spirit of Christmas will lighten your heart and bring you joy this season! Please keep in touch!

Cushing Family Highlights in 2015:
Grandpa Rod and Grandpa Deb visit for Spring Break
Amazing Chicago/Wisconsin trip for Sheen Family Reunion
Sheens and Cushings in town for Wade’s Aaronic Priesthood ordination in October
Lots of fun with family in Utah over Thanksgiving
Made a family trip to LDS Bountiful temple to do baptisms—highlight of the year!
Getting excited for new Star Wars movie—we’re going out of town to see it in IMAX 3D!

Jason:
Turned 40 years old in January 2015, and there was much celebration!
Drove a GT-R and a Porsche 911 GT3 around the Willow Springs racetrack…and it changed his life (especially the GT3)
Went on a 50-mile canoeing trip with 9 other high school friends to celebrate everyone’s 40th birthdays…it was EPIC!
Turning 40 hasn’t all been fun--injuries and ailments forced cancellation of several running events during the year…UGH!
L-O-V-E-S teaching the Gospel Doctrine Sunday School class at church
Switched jobs at work, now leading a Technical Project Office team of 80+ people and is a supervisor once again
But most of all, enjoys being a husband and father to a great wife and wonderful kids

Verity:
LOTS of time spent carpooling kids around, but she loves it
Flew to Texas for her mom’s 60th birthday—a fantastic trip!
Turned into screaming 10-yr-old fan girl at Imagine Dragons concert with her kids
Fun date nights with Jason—her favorite was Chinese food followed by stargazing and milkshakes!
Still teaching (and loving!) a weekly gospel course for young adults; still subbing occasionally
Has a serious, borderline crazy crush on the NBA Golden State Warriors team

Rhiannon:
LOVED Stake Pioneer Trek (a testimony-building experience!), Girls Camp, and EFY Express! Spoke in stake conference!
Sophomore in high school—doing well! Plays in the band and takes honors courses.
Imagine Dragons concert for her 15th birthday down in Anaheim—got to bring a friend. Called it the “best day of her life!”
Got braces—not a highlight, but she is a champ about it!
Favorite down-time activities are reading, playing piano, listening to music, watching TV, hanging with friends, checking Facebook, and watching YouTube videos of Jimmy Fallon and The Voice.

Wade:
2nd place in district spelling bee; 5th grade basketball tournament champs (a SUPER fun and positive experience!)
Turned 12 and became a Deacon; taller than his mom now and will probably pass his sister in 2016
Doing great in 6th grade at middle school! Plays percussion in beginner band and is getting good grades
In his free time he loves watching ESPN SportsCenter, studying new music on iTunes, playing Destiny video game with his dad, hanging with friends, checking sports scores, or watching Destiny YouTube videos. Also loves new Coldplay album!

A window on our life this week

I filled out a "parent ad" for Rhiannon's middle school yearbook tonight, where you pay some money and they put a little love note for your child, from you, into the yearbook.  Wade helped me fill it out and Jason gave his approval.  Hopefully it'll be something Rhiannon will enjoy.  Not too many parents do it, but I couldn't resist, especially since Rhiannon has had so much fun in her yearbook class this year!

Explosion of pollen + crazy wind the last two days = no fun for allergy sufferers.  Wade's doing okay, Rhiannon seems fine, I'm downing essential oils and Zyrtec daily to take the edge off, and Jason been under the weather with it.  You don't see the pollen until someone washes down their sidewalk, and then you can't help but notice the green stuff they're washing off.  Not fun.  On the plus side, the weather is beautiful and spring is almost here!

We drew a square on our chimney out back with chalk for a basketball hoop and the kids have had fun playing some b-ball out on the patio.  Every day.  Wade wanted to go out at 7:30 am on Sunday and do it, and I had to explain to him that it was daylight savings and people would NOT appreciate the steady beat of a basketball at that time of day!

Last night we had our new sister missionaries over for dinner--Sister Green and Sister Waite.  They are lovely and brought a nice energy and spirit into our home!  I made some oatmeal-chocolate-chip cookies for dessert and was reminded why I don't make cookies often.  They get devoured in less than 24 hours, ha-ha, and I certainly help with that!

Last Friday night Rhiannon and I picked up her friend Emily and had a spur-of-the-moment Girls Night.  We went to the high school's Mr. BHS pageant.  It was a total blast, and I had a good time remembering when Rhiannon participated as a little escort a couple of times.  A young man from our ward, Kyle Robins, won the contest fair and square--he did an amazing job!

10 weeks of school left.  YEE-HAW!

Grandpa and Grandma Sheen come for a visit on March 22.  DOUBLE Yee-haw! :)