This month started with the Utah Classic competition. For Cooper, it started Thursday night with his cabaret. He actually has two this year, but one of his partners--Evie--hurt her leg so she wasn't able to perform at Utah Classic.
Cooper and Clair did an AMAZING job. It was so much fun to watch their routine, hold my breath with the lifts, and see the pure happiness ballroom gives Cooper.
Friday was team routines. Cooper had four to dance. He is on Gold Lift, and the Senior Gold. I'll post a senior gold dance below and save his Gold Lift routines for another post. I love watching him dance and see how much progress he's made over the years. This team placed second for this routine.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/LvHR2ydEZQ33kqdw7
Cooper's least favorite part of the competition is the syllabus routines. Except this year he didn't mind because he was dancing with his good friend, Sage. They've been friends since middle school. To be honest, I wouldn't mind her being a future daughter-in-law, and I don't think Cooper would protest, either! 😂 She's a cutie and they have so much fun together. You can tell they love dancing together when you watch the video.
Cooper had a quick break from dancing to present his Project Citizen for his senior year. His group chose book banning, and took the stance of against it. They did a fantastic job!
Now, back to dancing! We had the Sugar Showcase on March 1, which is kinda a mini-recital. It's another chance for the dancers to perform but not as structured as a competition. Cooper did amazing, as always. I'll post a video of his lift routine because so many people were missing it's easy to see him! His partner had just replaced Cooper's original partner because she was sick. She didn't know the routine very well yet, so they're behind a bit. Still, the lifts are incredible.
Gold Lift: https://photos.app.goo.gl/LvHR2ydEZQ33kqdw7
Syllabus with Sage (I can't help it--I love watching them dance together) : https://photos.app.goo.gl/i8B75Lqys59Lb6sr9
In between competitions, Cooper had his spring choir concert. He's loved being in choir and it's given him so many fun opportunities. He's also meet fantastic people and made new friends.
A LOT was going on during this time. Cooper had completed his mission papers and sent them in. We were waiting on pins and needles for his call to come, and on March 24 it arrived! Cooper opted to open it with just me and Amelia, and then do a "reveal" party with friends and family. I really liked that idea, as it gave him time to process and feel all the feelings without a big audience. He's going to serve in Iowa City, Iowa (English speaking) and will begin home MTC on August 4. He was so relieved to be staying stateside and not learning a language. When I asked him why he didn't want to learn a language he said, "I don't want to have to worry about learning a new language and the stress of not being able to communicate. This way I can just get straight into sharing the Gospel and doing the work." Made me tear up. I asked if he was disappointed about going to Iowa and he quietly replied, " No. This is where I'm supposed to go." He's a fantastic young man.
So the next day he read it in front of family and friends. I was blown away of the support and love shown by those who came. I can't even put it into words. We really are surrounded by amazing people who take care of us and want to make our lives easier.
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| All I ask for is a nice picture of these two and this is what I get. Sure love them! |
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And that's February and March! If you thought that was packed--stay tune for April and May. They both had so many important, huge, significant events I'll be recapping them separately. Stay tuned!