Dear
Friends and Family, Dec.
8, 2014
It’s
amazing to me how quickly time passes. I love how each chapter in our lives
offers new experiences, insights and opportunities. Our latest chapter has our
big kids making their transitions into adulthood and our little kids leaving
babyhood completely behind as they enter grade school. Rather than feeling sad
about all the changes, I’m finding that I really love the beauty and joy that
come with each season of life.
It’s
a little strange to be down to only 5 kids at home. And although we really miss
our three oldest, their absence has allowed us to focus on the next kids in
line. I’ve enjoyed seeing the transformation that happens when a previously
“middle/younger” child becomes the oldest (at home). It gives that child (or
both children, if you have twins) a chance to lead, to grow and to shine (and
to be the boss). And I guess everyone needs that chance. J
Here
are some of our memorable experiences this year:
- A spring break trip down to Porterville, California, to visit Karl’s dad and his wife, Novie. Also enjoyed some sight-seeing in San Francisco.
- Nina enters the blogging world with her blog: Bringing Up 8 Bilingual Babies. It’s already received well over 10K hits with readers from all across the globe. http://nonnativebilingualparents.blogspot.com/
- Dallin breaks the school record in discus and then goes on to take first in state. Way to go, Dallin!
- Michaela and Kiana come home from college and we get to spend a delightful, fun-filled summer with our two amazing girls.
- Michaela’s mission call to the GERMAMY FRANKFURT mission! Yes, we are all thrilled. Love that she gets to use her German!
- Regional youth dance festival. Huge production, lots of practice and time. But it turned out amazing! Our kids danced the “Cotton Eye Joe”. See videos at: http://pdx-ldsyouthdancefestival.weebly.com/
- Price family reunion in McCall, Idaho. Lots of fun flying, swimming, boating, playing and bonding with cousins. So fun. We also drive down to Utah and spend time bonding with our Shurts cousins.
- Girls camp and AFY (Adventure for Youth) for Kandra. Camp Helaman for Dallin. Both kids had fantastic times.
- 4-H and the county fair. This year, Dallin showed a steer and Kandra showed a lamb. Nina still helps lead our Banks Barn Busters 4-H club.
- High Adventure. Dallin backpacked and mountain biked with the scouts in central Oregon. Nina took the 16-18 year old girls back packing, mountain biking and inner tubing along the beautiful McKenzie River. So, so, so fun!
- We get a horse!! One of those little “dream come true” things (Thanks, Jana!) Nina LOVES her relaxing and rejuvenating rides through the countryside…heaven!
- We send Michaela off on her mission in August, preceded by lots of fun family activities organized by Michaela so that she could squeeze every last memorable moment out of her summer before leaving on her mission.
- Our baby twins start Kindergarten. It’s a new season for Nina, who has a few days each week without kids at home. Kiana starts her 3rd semester at BYU Idaho.
- Knee surgery for Nina. Fairly quick recovery. Happy to be back running 2 months later.
- Thanksgiving Surprise: Karl’s sister, Doreene, and Kiana drive up to Oregon to surprise Karl and kids.
It’s
been a wonderful year and we feel very blessed. Karl continues to be Mr.
Amazing. He’s constantly working on projects around the house. He’s an involved,
supportive dad and a caring husband. On top of all that, he also makes dinner
every Sunday!! He’s still at Intel in the server division doing strategic
product planning. At church, he is in the high priest group leadership. I am
still Young Women’s president over almost 50 amazing girls. I really love working
with the youth.
We
are so grateful for you, our dear friends and family. We are especially
grateful for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. At this time of year, our
thoughts turn to Him and His exemplary life and His ultimate sacrifice. We pray
that you also have felt the beautiful peace and joy that He brings into our
lives. And we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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Merry Christmas
The Shurts Kids:
Ben (Elder
Shurts)(22) is
serving a 2 year mission in the Wisconsin Milwaukee Mission. He started in
March 2013 and will be home in March 2015. He has served in Marquette,
Oneida, Maustin, Madison, and is currently in Elkhorn. He loves his mission
and the people of Wisconsin. He’s had lots of fun and interesting experiences
and we love to read his insightful letters each week. We can’t believe he
only has 3 months to go! He LOVES to get letters. Feel free to send him an
email at benjamin.shurts@myldsmail.net.
You can follow his progress on his blog: http://whileinwisconsin.blogspot.com/.
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Michaela (Sister
Shurts)(20) spent
the first part of the year at BYU in Provo. Upon arriving home for the summer,
she received her mission call to the Germany Frankfurt Mission. She spent the
rest of the summer working two jobs: Del Taco and Old Navy, and spending time
with family. She left in August for the England MTC for 2 weeks (she tested
out of the 6 week German instruction) and she is now enthusiastically serving
her mission in Germany. Her first area was Wetzlar and she’s currently in
Herne and loving every minute. Her email is michaela.shurts@myldsmail.net
and her blog is http://missmichaleaann.blogspot.com/
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Kiana (20) is attending BYU-Idaho in
Rexburg. She was home for the summer and worked 3 jobs (one was at Old Navy
with Michaela). She’s our active, athletic girl. She ran a half marathon with
Michaela as well as the famous Hood to
Coast relay race in August. She also ran cross country at BYU-I this past
fall. Kiana is taking a heavy load of pre-nursing classes. She hopes to apply
to several nursing programs in the spring. Kiana is constantly in demand as a
hairstylist. She has styled hair for proms, weddings and even several brides,
but her favorite and most appreciative hair model is still Clarissa.
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Dallin (18) is in 12th
grade and thoroughly enjoying his senior year! He’s a friendly, funny, happy
kid who enjoys life. He pretty much lives for track season and is passionate
about throwing the discus. After breaking the school record and taking first in
state last spring, he has high hopes for this coming track season. He already
has the attention of several universities and hopes to continue his throwing
career in college. He’s also one of the top players on the varsity basketball
team. In his spare time, he plays piano, hangs out with friends and writes music
on the computer. https://soundcloud.com/dallin-shurts.
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Kandra (15) is in 10th
grade. Last year, she attended a different high school for a while, but
decided that despite its limited course offerings, she prefers our small home-town
Banks High School to a bigger school. She is now happy to be back at Banks. She
played soccer this fall. She has her drivers permit and LOVES to drive. She
can’t wait to get her license in March. She’s a devoted older sister to her
little siblings. Kandra is an amazing artist and a talented pianist. She
enjoys being with her many friends, but her favorite place is at home and her
all-time favorite activity is reading books in front of the fire on cold and
rainy days.
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Jonathan (7) is a first grader and
absolutely loves school and his teacher. It’s fun to see him reading everything
in sight. He really enjoys learning new things. He especially likes figuring
out how things work. I’m guessing we have a future engineer in the making.
Jonathan is a sweet, pleasant, thoughtful and sensitive little guy. He’s also
the most thankful little person I’ve ever met. His cute night time prayers
take FOREVER as he always has to list ALL his blessings. He consistently thanks
God for things like the color of the walls, the “new” fridge we got a year and
a half ago, the tooth he lost last year, and the list goes on and on.
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Clarissa (6) lights up whenever she’s
around people or animals. She LOVES being in Kindergarten, where she’s made
lots of friends. She’s quickly learning to read in both English and German. Clarissa
is such a thoughtful caring little girl. She’s always trying to make everyone
happy. She loves to help around the house and when someone is sad, she’ll
drop everything to cheer them up. She started ballet this year and absolutely
loves being in a class with all the little girls. This weekend, she’ll be
performing in the Nutcracker!
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Simon (6) really enjoys being a big
Kindergartner. He would love to catch up in age with Jonathan, but is
frustrated that Jonathan keeps getting having birthdays. All three little
kids still speak exclusively German at home. At school, they’re all enrolled
in ESL and making great improvements in English. Simon is our athlete/warrior.
Give him a ball or a weapon (preferably a sword) and he’s happy! He is constantly
on the move, jumping off tables and sofas, climbing up door frames. When you
add all that boyish energy to an intensely sweet and sensitive little personality
the result is a charming, endearing, and irresistible little guy.
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2014 Shurts Photo Album: tinyurl.com/Shurts2014
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