My last post left us leading into the last busy push of the the school year. I never felt like things were winding down, only ramping up even to the last day of school.
Alex had his last choir concert at YHS! I'm so thankful for the choir program and all involved in helping these kids have a positive musical experience during their high school time.
Seniors getting their flowers for the last song!
I finished the musical at SPSCC. Anastasia was a wonderful production and I was so proud to be part of such a creative and collaborative team there. I will miss working with all these people immensely!
Then before we knew it it was time for Graduation! First off, Grandma Kathy and Uncle Kevin made a road trip out to WA to come celebrate with us!
We visited Alex at Farrelli's on the night they got into town
Grandma Kathy made him his T-shirt quilt! It turned out great!
Alex had a combined graduation party with a few of his friends the day before graduation. We had lots of finger foods, senior tables and tables set up with games for people to play.
It was finally time for the big day! June 7, 2026. Yelm High School Graduates!
YHS has a tradition of hosting graduation at the Tacoma Dome
Senior Slideshow
Ready to get this over with, lol
Choir got to sing at the ceremony
Family pics after graduation!
Celebratory Chicken & Waffles at Buddy's after graduation
Zzzzz....
Time for his graduation present!
It's the last Nintendo Console he needed to complete his collection! SNES
Now there were still three things left to commemorate: Alex's 18th birthday, Father's Day and my last day at my elementary school before moving!
Alex was fortunate to have a few long distance friends come visit with him the week of his birthday. They got to experience a lot of WA together and of course, celebrate the birthday boy!
They got to set off a bunch of fireworks to celebrate Alex's birthday!
Father's Day automatically = Korean BBQ, right?
As you can see it was a whirlwind of activities keeping us busy up until the last day of school. I honestly hadn't really even had a chance to process that this was the end of my teaching time here in WA. I had told all the students my goodbyes, I had cleaned my classroom, but I wasn't really prepared for how emotional the last day would be. We had an end of year assembly where my choir was going to sing one of their favorite pieces. They nailed it! And then my specialist team surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and this AMAZING video with the students saying goodbye.
I mean, c'mon. Who is going to keep it together after a video like that?! There were lots of tears and hugs. Once a wildcat, forever a wildcat. I really wish I could keep teaching these kids, and I hope to have the opportunity to continue teaching wherever I live, I do love it a lot. After the assembly I headed back to my classroom to do the final cleanings and I think that's when it all really hit me that I wasn't coming back. Thank you to my team for your thoughtful gift with the school song I wrote on a blanket. I will cherish it and your friendship forever.
And if you've read this far, there's just one more thing to add. I had been following an artist on IG for awhile and she had some guest spots in Seattle open up for June so I decided to go for it. She specializes in these frame tattoos, and helped design one to represent each of our duty stations in our military career. We will be finishing our time in the military in Korea so it only seemed fitting. From the bottom to the top- Korean temple designs, Texas bluebonnets, Colorado Red Rocks, Heart for Virginia, Mt. Rainier for WA and cherry blossoms for WA and Korea alike. My time as a military spouse has made me a bit of a shape shifter, molding into the best person I can be for the area that I live. Each time I learn and grow. Looking forward to seeing what Korea has to offer me this second time around!
It's May and I haven't managed to blog about anything for 2026 yet! My usual time of catching up during spring break was invaded by all things college :)
Here's the TLDR version of the past few months! Then if you want to see pics of most of it, keep on scrolling!
Back to work and school after the holiday break means busy times for all. Not many pictures between the holidays and March!
March-cember means the next round of concerts across the board: SOGO, SPSCC, my band and choir, alex in choir, and Dan gearing up for Month of the Military Child school assemblies
Having a senior in high school means the application to and decision all about college! Alex applied to 3 schools and decided on and committed to JWU in Providence Rhode Island, studying baking and pastry arts after an awesome visit to the campus!
In the midst of all of this, we received confirmation that our time in WA is coming to an end. We will be reassigned to Camp Humphreys in South Korea this coming fall. This will give us the summer to get the house ready to sell and get both boys off to school before taking off on one last overseas military adventure!
Dan and I have been having Friday night cooking adventures. We're often too tired after a week of work to leave the house, so we started using any free friday nights we have to try some new recipes and just enjoy a night in with some records, games and food.
Cade's school allows the month of January for Winter Term projects. This year he spent his time arranging Bach's Passacaglia in C minor, originally for organ, and wrote it for brass choir, organ and timpani. Once back at school Cade learned that the directors decided to include it on the May concert. We felt like this would be an excellent chance to come to one of his performances and made a quick weekend trip to Oberlin, full of classical music! And as an added bonus, they needed a timpani player and I got to be on stage with Cade! Be sure to follow this link to watch it!
Now it's May-cember where all things are happening again! Alex went to prom with Emma, who he knows from church. We had our last ever SOGO concert and Alex had an amazing solo and received a special scholarship! Right now I'm in the middle of the SPSCC musical Anastasia, which has been a blast and half to put together. My choir and band both have concerts within the next week and we'll end the school year with Graduation, Alex turning 18, Father's day, and me and the boys (Cade is home for the summer!) playing with the SPSCC orchestra.
March SPSCC concert- the only percussion was timpani, and our usual timpanist was going to be out of town for the concert, so I took his place! :)
March YHS choir concert!
The next day we were off to Providence, Rhode Island to tour the JWU campus!
Go Wildcats!
Most likely to be the dorm Alex will live in
Turkey on campus!
This was a quick trip since we needed to make it happen without taking too much time off. We took a redeye on a Thursday night and arrived to Providence Friday around 10. By 11 we were on campus and meeting with the financial advisor. After meeting with him we were feeling the 'travel tired' taking over, but this was our day to see the campus. We got some lunch and headed to the student visitor center. We lucked out and found a current grad student who also teaches at the school. She offered to give us a private tour, and boy did she deliver. Since she had access to lots of the school she could take us in rooms that the normal tours don't. The next few pictures are of the building where Alex will spend almost all of his time. This building is 5 stories tall and just FULL of working kitchens, store rooms and mock restaurants. It's really quite impressive.
Each kitchen has a purpose. Breads, sugar, chocolate, cakes, culinary, wines/spirits, etc. All have working sinks, dishwashers and whatnot for students to also get used to the cleaning side of things.
Then they have these full working restaurants so students can experience preparing food for an event. The college hosts many events here and the culinary students do all the prep, including front of house elements like waiting tables, serving buffets, etc. And they have amazing views!
Chocolate works on display
Sugar works on display
Hops anyone?
On campus is a culinary arts museum with lots to look at and learn, and even some skee-ball
A glimpse of Alex's required materials
After touring the campus we could finally head to the hotel, and we took a much needed power nap. After a few hours of rest we were ready for dinner and a little sight-seeing. Per the recommendation of the dean of the culinary arts program, we headed to a mexican restaurant near our hotel. It did not disappoint! We got the molcajete to share and the chips and salsa were delish.
Then we drove south to the Atlantic Ocean to the Point Judith lighthouse. To our dismay it was on government property and not fully accessible. It was still beautiful and we caught a lovely sunset on the coast.
Their ice cream was soooo good!
After a good night's rest we spent all of Saturday sight seeing Rhode Island. First we hit up a World War II museum that was unlike anything I've been to. It was pretty small and packed with war-time propaganda, from all sides of the fight. Pictures were allowed, but you couldn't take pictures of any nazi regime insignia, which was almost impossible because it was everywhere! It was a fascinating visit!
We visited downtown Providence and came across Brown Univeristy campus, an awesome old library called the Athenaeum, the RISD museum (art/design museum), capital building and more. It's a very unique state and town! I hope Alex comes to really enjoy it!
We found some Chihuly glass in the RISD museum. A little bit of WA all the way in RI
After that whirlwind visit Alex could see himself baking and learning in those kitchens, and decided to commit to JWU. He made himeself a cake to celebrate!
I upped my collection of matroyshka dolls by getting this giant one at an antique store. It breaks down 12 times! She needed to be buckled in for safety, lol
Dan and I scored some free tickets (Dan is so good at going above and beyond to help people!) to the Seattle Symphony and had a night out downtown!
Our Thai Food Was SOOOOO Good! My panang curry came in a coconut! And look at that Mango sticky rice. Wow!
Their guest artist was a percussionist- what a treat!
A few of our Friday Night meals!
Not but a few weeks later Dan and I were off to Oberlin. We tried out these things I saw on the internet that keep your head from bobbing as you're sleeping. They work pretty well!
We arrived in Oberlin just in time for Cade's performance with the chamber orchestra. Man it was so good! Such good quality musicians there!
Then we headed to his dorm to hang out a bit and played some MarioKart and Jackbox games, his roommate even joined in.
Next morning was the dress rehearsal for the Brass choir piece. Here's Cade and I getting ready!
Love it when I can be with one of my family in a musical setting!
After a successful rehearsal we had the rest of the day to hang with Cade since the performance wasn't until Sunday afternoon. We walked around campus a bit, got lunch at Culvers, did an escape room with a different roommate of his, and then went to the Cleveland Orchestra. What a music filled weekend!
Love that there's an awesome koi fish point right outside the Conservatory building
Sunday was performance time and then go time. Our flight left late Sunday Night Eastern time and got in to Seattle a bit after midnight Pacific time. Long day, but we were so excited and proud to support Cade. Not only is he growing immensely in his playing, but that arrangement was awesome. The players loved playing it, and the audience really enjoyed it. Keep up all the hard work Cade!
Had to snap a pic of all the trombone folks walking in their concert black across the beautiful campus
Back at home and back in the swing of things. Here's my 5th grade band!
It was time for Alex's Senior Prom! Aren't he and Emma so fun and stunning?
My boys got me my favorite type of See's candy for Mother's Day! A whole box full! Milk Chocolate Scotch-mallows!
This last weekend we had our last SOGO concert. Alex was a featured soloist for the Brass choir, was recognized for the Senior day and awarded at $300 scholarship. So proud of you Alex!
Well, that's us in a very large nutshell! I leave you with a cat picture. Lace and Hornet have come so far! They rule the roost and entertain us daily :)
