Happy Birthday Mom!!

Today would have been my Mom's 66th Birthday! Happy Birthday Mom!! On August 22nd it will be 8 years since she died. We miss her being a part of our lives so much! But, we know that her spirit lives on and that we will all see her again someday!!

I've been thinking about her a lot recently and have tried to pinpoint the different things that I learned from her. I guess the greatest thing I learned from her was her example of love towards everyone. She always smiled and made those around her feel special. My children absolutely adored her. Our guest room became "Grandma's Room". She made each of my children feel special and loved for who they were. She never chose favorites. She was incredible! When she passed away a huge hole was felt in our lives. Yet, we feel her closeness to this day. I have felt her presence on many occasions. I have felt her beside my children as they sit at the piano playing it. I have felt her with me as I have had struggles. I am so grateful for her life, for her example and especially for her love. Happy Birthday Mom!! We love you and miss you so much!!

Happy 18th Birthday Elizabeth!!

On July 10th, 1991 our lives were changed forever with the arrival of our beautiful daughter Elizabeth. Our first little Texan!! The years have gone fast as we have watched her grow into a beautiful young woman. She is both beautiful on the inside and outside and we love her very much! We look forward to watching her continue to pursue her dreams. Happy 18th Birthday Elizabeth!! Try not to "grow up" too fast!

We love you!

Elizabeth's High School Graduation

I never knew how emotional it would be to have a child graduate from High School! The day that Elizabeth graduated from Seven Lakes High School was such a wonderful day! The entire day was spent honoring our beautiful graduate. Grandpa Bruce and Grandma Sharon came over to share this special day with us.

The principal, Mrs. Whitbeck, is big on the number 7 considering it is SEVEN Lakes HS. So, graduation was on June 7th at 7 pm.

We spent the afternoon having fun honoring Elizabeth. Darin and I had put together a DVD of pictures of Elizabeth's life set to music. It was emotional for everyone watching her grow up in pictures. She said it was her favorite gift, but I know know she loved getting her new Laptop computer! We had planned on giving her one for graduation but she didn't think we were going to give it to her until right before she leaves for BYU-ID. But, we surprised her with it now. We then ate Chicken and Steak cooked on the grill with baked potatoes and the fixings and salad. I told her she could have whatever she wanted for her graduation dinner and that's what she chose. We then quickly went outside for picture taking. It was a whirlwind day!!

The Honor GraduateElizabeth with Grandpa and Grandma McShane
Elizabeth, Trent, Eyn and Amberly

Our Family

The whole group! Grandma Sharon was hiding!

The Merrill Center - Elizabeth had to be there by 5:30 so I took her so I could save seats for our family. I was lucky to get seats on the second row behind a row of seats reserved for the teachers who entered with the students. They just happened to decide to sit behind the students instead so we didn't have anyone in front of us!! Great seats!!

Elizabeth entering the center and walked right in front of us! We had perfect seats!!

After she walked in she joined other Chorale Seniors on the stage where they got to sing the National Anthem. It was beautiful!! Elizabeth right after she came down from the stage with her diploma. Doesn't she look happy!!

Hats off to the Seven Lakes High School graduates of 2008!!

There was 577 graduates! This is the first class of graduates from SLHS to attend there for the full 4 years. The principal got up towards the end and congratulated them for not just graduated but for being exemplary students. They recently had their project prom at Dave and Busters and the Houston Police Dept. sought out the school administration to let them know that they had never had such a good group of students on Prom night before! The week before school was out they had their senior trip to Galveston where they spent the day at Schilterbahn and again the management there could not believe how well behaved and good they were. They truly are that! Congratulations Graduates!

Elizabeth and a happy Amberly!

Elizabeth with her proud Daddy!

Elizabeth and her "puppy" Trent.

Elizabeth with her taller but younger brother Eyn.

Elizabeth with her extremely proud Mom!

Our official High School Graduate Elizabeth

What a wonderful accomplishment you have achieved! We are incredibly proud of you and look forward to watching you continue on in your education at BYU-ID. You will do awesome and will achieve great things in your life! We love you!!

Graduation Party!!

The night before graduation we held a graduation party honoring all the high school graduates from our ward. All the moms had gotten together to help decorate and to bring yummy food for a fun evening to honor our children. It was great having them all together. We have known several of the graduates for quite a few years!

The graduates of the Katy 3rd ward are:

Elizabeth McShane (will be attending BYU-ID), Kendra Davis (BYU), Aubrey Steenhoek, (BYU-ID), Blake Redfern (BYU-ID), Carter Peterson (BYU), John Oettli (planning on mission in August), Taylor Schroedter (BYU), Connor Allred (Texas school), Zach Wheeler (HCC), Emily Felt (BYU), Rachel Olsen (BYU), Stephanie Vance (Houston), Anna Moore (BYU).

They are an amazing group of graduates!!

Partial group picture Congratulations graduates and good luck as you take your next step!

Trent's 5th Grade Graduation

On June 3rd Trent officially graduated from the 5th grade and elementary school. It was actually a very emotional day for both me as his mom and for him. He had an absolutely incredible 5th grade year and having it come to an end was really hard for him. Trent began school at Kilpatrick Elementary for kindergarten and was there for K, 1st, and 2nd and absolutely loved it there! I feel very strongly that a good principal makes a great school. Mrs. Fleming was his principal there and she is awesome! Well, 3rd and 4th grade a new school opened and we were moved to it. 3rd grade teacher abandoned the class before Christmas and left us all in limbo and the way the principal handled it wasn't the greatest. 4th grade the teacher was great, but Trent wasn't happy at the school. It was a hard few years. And then 5th grade started. Another new school built just a few blocks from our home. Bonnie Holland was opened and we got Mrs. Fleming back! All I can say is what an awesome year it has been! Trent has been able to ride his bike to school. He loves his teachers and the principal makes school a fun place to be!! At graduation Trent got a little emotional as he realized it was all ending. How grateful we are for a great year!!

Graduation was great!! Elizabeth was done with school so she was able to join Darin and I as we watched our handsome boy walk across the stage and receive his certificate of completion. Emotionally I was doing good until the principal informed us that we only have 7 years left with them before they are off to college. Open the flood gates!! It hit me quite hard. My little buddy is growing up on me! He has had a huge growth spurt this past year and I know that all too soon he will be towering over me as well! How proud I am of my little Trent and all his accomplishments this year! Way to go Trent!

This picture is a little blurry - Trent receiving congratulations from Mrs. Fleming as he walked across the stage.Trent and his homeroom teacher Mrs. Gutierez.
Trent and Mrs. Fleming

Our happy 5th grade graduate

Trent with Mom and Dad

After graduation we wandered over and found Mrs. Getz room. Mrs. Getz was Trent's 1st and 2nd grade teacher. She took her entire 1st grade class and moved up to 2nd grade with them. What an awesome experience that was!! We all love her so much!! She is Trent's all time favorite teacher and we were thrilled when she moved over to our new school this year so we could see her again! Trent loves to see her in the hallways at school!

Trent with Mrs. Getz in 2nd grade. He's grown up just a little!!

Congratulations Trent!! We love you and are so proud of you! You'll do great in Junior High next year!!

Seminary Graduation

Last night we were able to attend Elizabeth's Seminary Graduation. What an incredible experience that was for us! For the past four years Elizabeth has been attending early morning seminary. When I say early, I mean early as it started at 6:00 a.m. before each school day! I promise you, it is no easy task! It is hard on both the students and their parents and especially the teachers who dedicate so much time and effort to their classes!

Our ward currently has 4 classes which are held in the teachers homes. Chris Quirante has been Elizabeth and Eyn's teacher for the past several months. Elizabeth's former teachers have been Tari Davis and Diane Noren. I don't think that Elizabeth and Eyn realize how blessed they are to be able to attend such a wonderful program. Each one of them got perfect attendance this year along with other awards. Elizabeth earned the Master Scriptorium Award for the past 4 years. This is the highest seminary award you can get and it comes with a medal. Some of the requirements for this award is : at least 90% attendance, memorization of 25 scripture mastery, read the entire New Testament, and it seems like there's a few more and I can't remember them. Eyn received the Scriptorium award which has a few less requirements. What a great accomplishments for them both! I'm so proud of them!

Here is a picture of Elizabeth, Darin and I with Elizabeth's teacher Chris Quirante. Elizabeth and her teacher
Elizabeth with some of her fellow graduates. They have all known each other since they were around 10 -11 years old.
They are: Rachel Olsen (will be attending BYU-ID with Elizabeth, Tara Bauer (BYU), Kendra Davis (BYU) Elizabeth (BYU-ID) and on the floor is Lauren Riggs (Lone Star)
Before Katy 2nd split we were all in the same ward together. Tara and Lauren are both in Katy 2nd while the others are in Katy 3rd. They both will be graduating from Cinco Ranch High School while the others will be graduating from Seven Lakes High School.
Elizabeth and Lauren

It was a wonderful evening. Elizabeth was part of a group of girls who sang a musical number. There was 5 of them and they sang "I know that My Redeemer Lives". It was beautiful! As I sat there with tears running down my face all I could think about was my hope and prayer and Elizabeth will truly always know that her Redeemer lives and that He loves her. I hope and pray that she will always have a testimony of Christ and that she will continue to live her life in following his example.

Amberly's Kindergarten Graduation - Celebration of Learning Day!

Yesterday we were able to go to Amberly's Kindergarten Graduation! It was wonderful! I guess I hadn't really thought too hard recently about the fact that my youngest was finishing kindergarten until they asked everyone to raise their hands whose child was their first to graduate and those whose was last. Then said about how it was an emotional day. Okay, your not suppose to give the tears permission! Amberly was precious as she walked across the stage and was presented with her "diploma". What a great year she has had!!

Amberly walking to Ms. Ljungdahl on the stage after her name was called. They said the child's name and then said what they had said they liked about kindergarten. Amberly said she had loved everything but especially having Junior Achievement with her Daddy. Priceless for Daddy!

Amberly and Mrs Fleming our wonderful principal. We had Mrs. Fleming as our principal when Trent was in Kindergarten and Eyn was in 4th grade. Love her!! The children absolutely love her!! I do believe a great Principal makes a great school!

In Amberly's class they always talk about how they are a kindergarten family. This is the extended kindergarten class family.

Amberly and the lovely Ms. Ljungdahl.

Mom, Dad and Amberly enjoying the day together!

Congratulations Amberly and good luck in 1st grade!

Seven Lakes High School Choir Banquet

May 15th - Choir Banquet

We were able to attend Elizabeth's Choir Banquet. It was held at a very nice country club and the tickets were $32 per person. Luckily, Seniors were free so Darin and I just had to purchase tickets. In years past either Darin or I attended but considering it was Elizabeth's last year and that they honor the seniors we both "had to" go. It was a wonderful evening! It was by far the best choir banquet! The food was delish and the program was great! It was a little emotional at times during the program, but we really enjoyed the evening.

The pictures are out of order that they were taken, but it will do. :)

This is Elizabeth and Mr. Carter - the head Choir Director. All I can say is that he is the best director we could have ever asked for! Elizabeth has been in his top choir since her freshman year and absolutely has learned so much from him!! Photo Op on the staircase leading into the ballroom where the banquet was held.
Elizabeth and a few of her choir friends.

Elizabeth and Mrs. Cooper - the assistant choir director. This was her 2nd year at Seven Lakes and she is loved by everyone! One wonderful thing about Mrs. Cooper is that she is also Sister Cooper! She is in our Stake at church and the youth have worked with her in the Stake Youth Choir. She is such a wonderful example and has really been a wonderful addition to our choir program! It's great because we'll still get to see her around!

Darin with his flowers he received for the work he's done on the Choir Website. He has helped with it for the past 3 years and is happy to now pass it on to the next person.

Elizabeth with Mr. Carter when he was spotlighting her. He told about how out of all of his students he has really seen her grow and mature over the past 4 years. She was in tears as he spoke about her. She will really miss the choir program!

Elizabeth and Mr. Carter again during her spotlight. He had each senior come forward to be spotlighted. While they were there they had a baby picture, an embarrassing picture, and a present picture come up on the screen. We were one of only a handful of families who had been in the SLHS choir program since the beginning of the school 4 years ago.

It has been a joy to be a part of such a wonderful program in such a great high school. We will miss it.

Trent's Last Cub Scout Pack Meeting

A few weeks ago Trent attended his last Cub Scout Pack Meeting. It was a big night for him because he not only earned his weblos badge but he also was awarded his arrow of light. He worked hard to achieve both of these and we are very proud of him for doing so! Now he has "bridged" over into scouts and loves being with the other 11 year olds in our ward!

Trent with Robert Frame and Aaron Nelson. Brother Frame worked with Trent before our ward split off in January to work alone. He also worked with Eyn when he was in Weblos. He is very dedicated to scouting and we loved working with him. Brother Nelson took off where Brother Frame left off and has done fabulous with Trent. Trent really enjoyed all he did in weblos. Trent is standing on the bridge that each boy crossed symbolizing crossing from cubs to scouts. He's also holding the arrow he received for getting his arrow of light.

Happy Trent!

Proud Mom and Dad with Trent after he "pinned" mom.

Junior Achievement

Earlier this year Darin went to a Chevron meeting where they talked about the JA program (Junior Achievement). Chevron is very active in the JA program and actually are sponsors to many schools. Darin quickly became interested in this but wanted to do it in our elementary school. He decided to start from the bottom with kindergarten. Katy Independent School District is actually the only school district in the world which is completely parent ran and in everyone of its school and grades. It's a wonderful program and Darin has had a great time being involved in it. He was able to teach it to the class next door to Amberly's class first and then found out the JA leader for her class had backed out and he did her class too! Since Chevron is a sponsor he gets to leave work and do it. He usually works from home for the rest of the afternoon after he teaches the class. All I know is that ALL the kindergartners have gotten to know Mr. McShane and absolutely LOVE him! I've gone up to the school with him on the last day of it to help him pass out all the goodies they get. Chevron gives each child a pencil bag with some crayons in it and Darin takes them cupcakes to celebrate. It is a wonderful program and I know he looks forward to doing it for years to come!
Darin with Amberly's class on the last day of JA.

I think we have learned over the years how important parent involvement in the schools are. The amount of involvement here is absolutely incredible and we feel very blessed to be in such a wonderful area where so many parents are involved in the lives of their children.