February 2025

 February 1 - We took Avian's car back up to the shop.  Steve is worried about the brakes - they feel like they are catching again.  After dropping off the car, we went to the Restore (next to Hilbish Ford) and found a shoe rack/bench to keep the shoes more organized as well as provide a place to sit while putting on shoes and a wheelchair for the ward house.  The gentleman who was helping us would not let us pay for the wheelchair when he found out we were donating to the church.  There are still good people in the world.  We did a little grocery shopping as well on the way home.  That night, Steve went to an Elder's Quorum party at the church.  Val came home from work surprisingly upbeat and then told me he had been let go from Earthbound.  Val and the manager had been having some very different opinions about healthy levels of productivity and this was causing severe angst with Val.  So, I guess this is a good thing.  Avian's gold medal from the Scholastic competition finally arrived as well.  .  

February 2 - Nick stopped by so we could help him with his taxes. He had an appointment in a couple of days and needed help uploading all his documents to help speed up with process of having his taxes done.  

February 8 - I went on a morning walk with Sandra, which is always an invigorating way to start the day.  Steve went to a garage sale and then to Woodcrafters to get his shield helmet for protection while doing lathe work.  He used the gift card the boys had gotten him for Christmas.  In the afternoon, Nick drove up to go on a bike ride and then out to lunch at Outback to celebrate his birthday.  I cannot believe he is 23!!!

February 9 - Val came to church with us.  Everyone was very nice and made her feel welcome. I am so grateful for our ward family.  That evening was the Super Bowl and the Eagles blew out the Chiefs.  

February 11 - Nick is officially 23!  Val had an interview with Hornet's Nest Elementary School for a TA position and came back excited about possibly working for CMS.  My midyear review went well. Dr. Graham is the master of giving praise and constructive feedback so you want to do better.  She is an inspiration as a boss.  That evening Steve and I took Val to Kohl's to try on some different styles of pants now that she was possibly going to be working in a school.  I was very proud of her for trying on new things.  The pants she had been wearing were ill fitting and cropped at the wrong length for her height.  I handed her a pair of full length flare pants and she tried them on reluctantly.  When she came out of the dressing room she was smiling and liked the way they fit and made her legs seem longer.  I then pointed out how they made her butt look.  That sold her on the pants.  

Nick's new profile picture.  I love the mustache!

February 13 - Nancy and I got to attend the Galentine's activity with the Hilliard Ward.  We had food and fun activities and got to know the sisters in the YSA ward.  

February 14th - I cleaned bathroom (which is always worthy of making it in the family history as I really do not like cleaning the bathroom and will avoid it.).  I also did laundry as well as shopped with Val for her birthday.  We went to Goodwill and Primark to continue her quest for a more professional wardrobe.  While we were looking at show options Val got a call from CMS to fill out paperwork and schedule the drug test - very excited!!!

Wearing the fuzzy heart pin my dad gave me year's ago for Valentine's Day. 

Our PTO is the BEST.  They always do such fun things for us.  This a gnome made from a bottle filled with Skittles and a pair of Valentine's socks.  

February 15 - We set out early in the morning to visit Avian.  Val, Leah and Anthony all wanted to come with us.  It was a really fun day.  We picked up Avian and Syd and headed to the mall to find some shorts for Avian.  This plan was perfect because it was raining all day and we couldn't do the usual walking around Savannah thing. 

I think we wore them out!

 

February 17-18 - The Middle School drama club performances had their performances.  As it always is with these theater productions, they miraculously pulled it off.  We made it through all our performances with very little chaos.  

Val went in for her fingerprinting and drug test and to fill out the necessary forms for employment.  

February 18th - I fixed a Cafe Rio dinner for Val for her birthday.  Nick drove up after work and joined us.  We had to move the dinner up one day because an ice storm/snow storm was forecast for the 19th and I didn't want Nick driving in that, if the roads were even driveable at all.  

February 19th - We woke up to snow and a remote learning day for school.  YAY!!  Val is officially 26!!!

Val and I braved the weather and went for a walk.  I love walking in a snowstorm.  It is so peaceful and beautiful.  

February 21 - We got our taxes done.  Our entire refund goes into Avian's school savings account.  It is totally worth it!!  

February 24 - Val found out she got the job at Eastway Middle working as a TA in a classroom for students with severe handicaps.  She is very excited.  Nick flew to New Jersey to take some classes towards his Master Mechanic.  My babies are growing up!! 

February 26 - Val's first day went really well.  She said she fit right in and enjoyed the students.  Up in Jersey, Nick's class got out early so he was able to make it to the airport with time to spare.  I am grateful for this as he would only have had an hour and change to get to the airport if the class had ended at the scheduled time.  Nick had time to get the rental car back, get through security and grab some food before boarding his flight.   He is back in Charlotte.    That night we had the sister missionaries over for dinner.  Sisters Grey and Jasper are so much fun.  After dinner Steve drove to Mooresville to get a router table he found on Facebook Marketplace.  It was a very productive day.  

February 28th - As part of an assignment Dr. Graham gave me to find out how other charter schools are handling their MTSS process, I had the opportunity to meet with the MTSS team from Bradford Prep.  I learned so much and feel more confident about Infinite Campus and how to use it effectively for MTSS documentation.  I also made a good connection for bouncing ideas back and forth.  Back at school we had a PTO luncheon.

It was also secret spirit week for the teachers.  

Remote Learning Day

Superheroes

Twin Day

Beach Day!

Must wear elephant pants and OBX attire.  

Anything But A Cup

Picture from the PTO luncheon - Brandon, me, Marianne and Rose (who is a teacher cadet in the media center this quarter)

Avian's anatomy shirt is still being displayed as an example of how to get an A on this project.  

Avian called to let us know that they had won the Foundation's Award!!!  Video of Awards Ceremony - you will have to log in to your Instagram account to see the whole thing.  The pictures below are screenshots of the video.  

Some of the best students in the world at one of the best schools in the world and then you have to pick the best of that - ummm - That is challenging.  There were 195 entries that were submitted to exemplify what they do in Foundation Studies."  They had a guest judge who looked at each portfolio.  Ben Ward is a SCAD graduate who is the associate chair for illustration.  He was also the winner of this award 25 years ago.  He said that all the work was unbelievable and it was a difficult choice.  He looked for a high level of skill with a range of that skill across mediums and storytelling.  

Screenshot of Avian accepting the award

They asked Avian several questions about the portfolio - mini interview.  

This is what Avian sent us to tell us they had won the award.