Grand Finales for the Ducklings

 I love my church calling. 17-18 year olds. They just graduated high school. Bethany just submitted mission papers, which means every one on the roster plans to be on a mission at this time next year. They have calls to El Salvador, Mexico, Florida, Brazil, and Neal was just called to Bangkok, Thailand. They have plans to attend college, to cheer in college, to dance in college. They have jobs coaching, lifeguarding, and making cookies. They are set apart as temple workers and volunteer weekly. They serve and love and live life fully.  

This week, I was surprised with a Saturday Night FaceTime call with most of the members of our class, my co-teacher Sarah Allred, and several of the kids’ friends on the call. A bit random, but Sarah and I were happy to indulge. They just wanted to know who was teaching the next day, and commit everyone to coming to class one last time that they’re all together before kids start leaving on missions and to school. They also requested cookies. Erm, not really my strong suit…especially at 10pm on a Saturday night. I found a lemon cookie recipe and made a raspberry icing for a sort of crumbl raspberry lemonade cookie knock off.  They were so good! 

We took another class photo because everyone on the roster was there, plus a few bonus members. Ammon posted it on his insta. 

They also planned a class part on the FaceTime call and Neal, Hyrum, Ammon, David, and Sarah came over to my house to make homemade pizzas today. We missed Madi and Bethany. Reese and Logan (or mom and dad as Ammon calls them haha) didn’t have to work until 5pm today, so they joined us, too. 

A shout out to Davey, who walked in the house, put a record on, and pulled a whetstone from his bag to sharpen all the knives in my kitchen. He’s also a fellow foodie, and I sent a charcuterie of bread, prosciutto, fresh mozz, and pesto picnic over to his house with Ryan the other day. He brought the rest of the pesto with him today and after the rest of the kids made Hawaiian and pepperoni pizzas, Dave and I added jot honey to half of them as they came out of the oven, avc then we whipped up a pesto chicken and artichoke pizza with provolone and fresh mozzarella and the real winner today: peaches, chicken, fresh mozz, basil, some pistachios, and a heavy drizzle of pesto and balsamic glaze. Chefs kiss!  

Most of the students in the class turned their noses up, but it was the first one of the leftovers to be devoured by my family. Hooray for foodies. 

Before the party ended, we scheduled some temple sessions together with the endowed members of the class, and Corbin plans to sett up appointment for baptisms with those who are still youth (and will be in our class in January) and the not endowed members at the same time. 

After the party ended, the fun moved to my parents/Reese and Logan’s for Y2K NBA video games. Corbin came home from school and was so happy to have his favorites boys waiting for him. He ended up asking for a last minute ticket to the 5 Seconds of Summer concert at the amp tonight with them. Seminary will come early, but I’m not the parent who will encourage him to stay home. I bought the ticket, and told him to go live it up, but rally the next morning for school. Everyone has different limits. I think 17 is a great age to learn the balance of work and play. 

These guys are all about to be going full time at work, school, and on missions. An hour of “chud maxing” at the Newton household seems like a lovely way to spend an afternoon. I would’ve stayed too but I had after school pickups, orthodontist appointment for Soren, and violin for Esme. 

Huge congrats to Neal for deciding to serve the Lord on a mission! He was called to Thailand. The same mission where his grandparents live and his cousin is serving. Excited for you Neal!  He had so many people at his opening on Sunday evening. He, Noah and Jacob Hill, Hyrum, Brody, and Ryan were all over with Corbin until 11 Sunday night. It was chaos, but as Aaron said “to celebrate you on your call, I’m not making everyone be quiet when I go to bed. Congratulations Neal and you’re welcome” 😂

Sarah A, Neal R, Bryce A, Corbin, Brody S, Ammon J, Hyrum J, Davey S, Greg G, Lucy G, Me, Bethany S, Madi D.

They’re the best ducklings and they’re all about to fly!