Newitts 2013
This year has been one of endings and new beginnings.
Endings …
Tori graduated from high school! The graduation was held at the ASU arena and
was great!
Our ward (LDS congregation) had its geographic boundaries
realigned in April and our neighborhood was assigned to a new ward. In our old ward Jerry served as the Boy Scout
Varsity Coach, but was released with the boundary changes.
In our old ward Stephanie was the Cub Scout Committee Chair,
but was released with the boundary changes.
Stephanie was also volunteering with the Gilbert Education Foundation as
their STEM Committee Chair (Science-Technology-Engineering-Math), but due to
increased responsibilities elsewhere resigned in August. Stephanie saw her 2012-2013 preschool class
move on to kindergarten.
We had one of our last family campouts in June when Jerika
was home from BYU. Her boyfriend Brandon
(now fiancé) joined us. Over the summer
we had additional camping trips, but not all of our children were able to go
with us. *Sigh* Seasons of life come and go … I’m not sure
if I’m ready for not having my girls home.
Jerika, after 2 years, quit her job working for the dental
call center. She appreciated the work,
but was glad to move on and develop different skills.
Gideon, after being at his school since second grade, has
transferred to a new school this year.
He was grateful for a Halloween party this fall where he could see his
old friends.
Thanksgiving. We and
our children were all home for Thanksgiving.
Now that Jerika is getting married, this blessing will be less
frequent. We enjoyed this Thanksgiving
with all our hearts.
Other news ...
Both Kyler and Tori were able to participate in our stake’s three-day Pioneer Trek.
Stephanie joined her sister Becky and Jerika and Brandon at
the Timpanogas Storytelling Festival in Orem and had a wonderful time.
Stephanie and the boys (Jerry, Kyler & Gideon – I
remember the days when it was “Jerry and the girls.” *sigh*)
spent five days in California in October over Fall Break. We enjoyed fun and games with cousins,
visiting the Monterey Aquarium and the San Francisco Exploritorium. We loved spending time with Grandma Susie and
members of her family.
New Beginnings …
Kyler began participating in the high school’s new
aerospace engineering program. Basic
engineering design is the focus for the first two years, with aerospace being
the emphasis for the 3rd and 4th years. This is in partnership with the local branch
of Jerry’s company, Orbital Sciences.
With the Varsity Scouts, Kyler had his first experience snowboarding
in February. Then, in August, he had his
first chance with water sports and went wake boarding. Kyler has a blast on this adventure trips! Kyler is now the new Team Captain for his Boy Scout Varsity Team,
which will be a new experience for him.
Kyler and Gideon also purchased lambs this fall to raise and sell in the spring. This is their first experience with raising livestock. Another first for our boys is participating in the Orbital Family Rocket Launching Activity. They really enjoyed it.
Gideon played baseball this year. In past years he played for the town’s Park & Recreation league. This year he played for the first time on a National Little League team. He really grew from the skills focus and in one game he hit two triples.
Kyler and Gideon also purchased lambs this fall to raise and sell in the spring. This is their first experience with raising livestock. Another first for our boys is participating in the Orbital Family Rocket Launching Activity. They really enjoyed it.
Gideon played baseball this year. In past years he played for the town’s Park & Recreation league. This year he played for the first time on a National Little League team. He really grew from the skills focus and in one game he hit two triples.
Gideon began Webelos this year and has earned his Webelos
rank. He enjoyed Cub Scout Day Camp and
worked hard to earn his Aquanaut and Scientist badges. Gideon began playing the cello this year in
his school orchestra.
Three weeks into the school year, Gideon and I received the
news that there was space for him in the district’s new program at a different
school. After much prayer and weighing
options and feelings, he and I decided the new school would be a good
experience. At his new school he has
enjoyed building a Rube Goldberg machine (click here to see a Myth Buster’s example of a
Christmas Rube Goldberg machine), building spaghetti bridges, his first
science fair, and writing letters to NASA and universities. It has been a unique and engaging experience
and he is enjoying his new school and new friends.
Stephanie attended the BSA leader training called Woodbadge. This was a very new experience for her. She is almost done with her last ticket item (goal).
Tori began working as a seasonal worker for Party City and
then Carter’s. She has enjoyed the
benefits of employment. She has been
able to use her Spanish speaking skills to help customers and has been excited
about that. Tori also received her
driver’s license last spring and has been a big help to her mom by shuttling
her brothers places and running errands.
In our new ward Jerry has been called to serve as the Boy
Scout Assistant Varsity Coach and partner with a good friend of his. They have begun preparing for the 2014
Mountain Main Rendezvous. Jerry also
bought a new motorcycle this past spring and is enjoying his commute more.
In our new ward, Stephanie has been called to serve as the
Education Counselor in the Relief Society.
She is enjoying her opportunity to get to know the sisters of the ward. She has begun a weekly email for all the
sisters so they receive the weekly announcements and notes from the Sunday
lesson.
She also began a new school year with her new preschool
class. They are adorable and such fun to
teach. She is implementing a new lesson
theme this month based on the book The Polar Express. She is excited to share it with the children.
Stephanie has begun giving Professional Development
presentations at local schools regarding the characteristics and needs of gifted
students. It has been a positive
experience and eye opening to many teachers and principals. She is also a member of the district’s newly
formed Gifted Education Parent Council.
The dedication of the Gilbert Temple has been
announced! It will be March 2, 2014,
with the youth of the region having a Cultural Celebration of song and dance on
Saturday, March 1st. Kyler
will be participating in this unique experience.
We went on our first of many-to-come family boating
experience. We had fun tubing on the
water!
Jerika began her new job as a Teacher Assistant for one of
the Physics professors at BYU. She
really enjoys teaching and science. This
job is just plain fun for her!
Jerika is beginning a new life with Brandon McKeon with
their marriage at the end of December.
We are excited to have Brandon as a part of our family.
We are in our third year in our new home and our first year
in our new ward. Though many things
come to an end, there are also many new beginnings before us. We wish you a wonderful Christmas and a New
Year full of your own new beginnings, filled with the love and tender guidance
of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Much love,
Jerry, Stephanie and family
