Catching Up... Again

Well, I have most definitely failed at posting once a week. May was a very busy month for our family. Starting with my final LHS concert on May 7, we never really stopped running. At the concert, we performed some really incredible music, it was also awards night for senior music students. I recieved service awards for being choir (and band?) secretary, the Director's Award for Choir, and the John Philip Sousa Award. A week later, we had the real senior awards night.
The next day, Sandi got home for the summer, and less than an hour later, Aunt Karen and Grandma arrived to our house. That Saturday (the 16th) was Angie's State Track Meet. She got 1st in the triple jump (setting a new school record, jumping 31' 7.5" (i think)), 1st in the 400 meter dash. 2nd in the 4x200 relay, and 2nd in the 200 meter dash. The Zion girls team placed 1st overall for the 2nd year in a row!!! If that wasn't enough excitement, the Krugs, and Aunt Christa, Jack, and Kate arrived in town that evening for Angie's Confirmation. The weekend continued to be excited on Sunday morning. Sunday, May 17th marked Angela's confirmation day. Her life verse is Deuteronomy 31:6. The service was very lovely (with some great music, I must add). Although I did not sit with the family (cause I was playing my flute), Jon and I still got to have some fun with a little one, Evelyn, in the balcony during the service.
The following week meant finals and a good-bye to high school for me. I only had to take three finals, and had to finish up two yearbook spreads (can't wait for it to come out!!!) Grandma even stayed the whole week with us!!! (what a blessing!!!) Thursday night, Zanny and Vic arrived, and we went to the Ascension service. Saturday, Aunt Karen, Uncle Jon, the Krugs, and Matt Zeitler arrived in preparation for Sunday (My high school graduation). Sunday, marked my graduation day for me! I was the lone valedictorian for the LHS class of 2009. We saw most of the family off on a very rainy monday morning, after I spent most of the night up at Grad night.
Zanny and Vic stayed for a few more days before heading to IL and WI. While they were here, Zanny helped my make a t-shirt quilt, which I absolutely love!!
I got a job working as a babysitter at Club Fitness; Sandi is working at Dots; Angie is taking Summer class in Applications (a computer course). We are continuing to just live our lives.
Saturday, we had my graduation/Angie's Confirmation party... it was lots of fun, and we probably had about 40-50 people go through the house throughout the evening. We hope you are all doing well, and pictures from the past month will follow soon!
Love, C

A Matter of Life and Death

This past weekend has been pretty exciting. As I said on Saturday, Angie and Mom had a track meet Friday night. Despite a whole lot of rain, Angie came in first in triple jump, third in the 400 meter, and third in the 1600 meter (approx. one mile).
Last thursday night, I discovered my phone was broken and would not charge. On Saturday, I went to the AT&T store, and they confirmed my suspicions that I would need a new phone. This was my matter of death. On Sunday, I went to Wal-mart and picked up a very basic nokia phone, which I am still in the process of getting used to...
Now, time for the matter of life. On Sunday, my friend Sarah Cooper and I hosted a baby shower at Zion for women all over the community. We asked everyone to bring items that would be donated to the Pregnancy Resource Center, and Our Lady's Inn. Today, at lunch, we sold our left-over cupcakes (because we had a very low turn-out), and made an additional $20 to give to the PRC and Our Lady's Inn.
AND IF THAT WASN'T ENOUGH...
My cousin Matt and his wife, Elise, o and their daughter Madeline welcomed Carley Anne to the world yesterday night, just one day after Madeline's second birthday... Congratulations to All!!! All of us here in MO love little Carley already!

Rain, Rain Has Gone Away!

It has been a very rainy week here in the St. Louis region. Despite the rain, Angie and the rest of the Zion team had a track meet yesterday, and they placed third in City! More great news from the week, the Krug family will be coming for both Confirmation and Graduation this year!!! We are very excited!!!! and waiting to find out how the rest of our family is working this double celebration thing. I have finally figured out the main idea of my valedictorian speech =) and am preparing for AP exams... for that reason alone, please keep me and my sanity in your prayers this week. I have my final concert as an LHS student this coming Thursday night as well. Although, I'll be glad to be out of LHS, it wil also be hard to say goodbye to something that's been such a huge part of my life for even longer than the past four years (especially the music program). Tomorrow, Sarah Cooper and I are hosting a baby shower to raise items for the PRC and Our Lady's Inn so we pray that will be a successful event. Also, prom is next weekend! Pictures will be posted!
Well, as the title of this post stated, the rain has gone away and it is a beautiful day here in St. Charles. Dad and Mom are working outside. Angie is working on a skit for English with some friends, and I've been busy with a prayer vigil at Planned Parenthood, and homework so far today. I'll be playing my flute at the 5:00 service, and then going to the play at Lutheran High! Have a blessed week! Love, C

On (to) Wisconsin!

My decision has been made. After sitting quietly on a decision for the past two days, I announced this morning that I will be attending CUW in the fall. Although it took me much longer than I hoped to come to a decision, I am very much looking forward to next August. I have already been placed in the Wind ensemble, and am very excited about all the new challenges and opportunities college will bring!

He is Risen, Indeed! Alleluia!

Jesus Christ is Risen from the dead! What a wonderful thing He has done for us, in giving us eternal life! All of us hope you this post is finding you happy, healthy, and praising His name! Also, this post should catch you up on some things in the Steinbacher house. Thank goodness for Easter/Spring Break, a time to finish scholarship applications, take practice AP Calculus tests, and to finally post something new on Blogger...
Dad has spent the past month continuing to teach Freshman boys' health, biology, and anatomy. Nothing too exciting has happened in health or biology, but in Anatomy, he took the kids to see a cadaver disection at St. Louis University, and on Maundy Thursday, he shared an article about the science of Christ's Crucifixion.

Mom has been doing physical fitness testing with her PE classes at Zion. She has stayed busy assisting with the Track team, and the juniors (5-6 grades) have already had a meet. (Angie's age group, the 7-8 graders, got SNOWED OUT!!! just last monday).

Angie has been busy with Track, and has gone up to practice on the actual track at Lutheran High a few times. This week, she'll be finishing up her confirmation banner, and will be working on Confirmation essays.

Sandi has come home TWICE since the last post (O my, I've definately been slacking!) Her spring break was about a month ago (March 14-22). She went to Oklahoma for the first weekend to Visit Aunt Christa and her family (and managed to suprise Zanny in the process), and she was home for the rest of the week! She came home again on Good Friday night. Her drive through Tennessee and Oklahoma consisted of Tornado-like weather conditions. We praise God that she arrived safely and we were able to finish my birthday celebration =P

Now, to catch up on my life...

Senior girls: Alanna, me, Sarah, and Sissy

Band Tour was from March13-16. We went to 0hio and Tennessee. I had a blast! We even got to play outside the Grand Ole Opry.

Playing outside the Grand Ole Opry

Me rocking out on the Crash Cymbals HAHA

I was named Valedictorian (Graduation is May 24) My college decision is still not final... As I was sitting very contently with going to Mequon, Seward called and offered me the president's scholarship, and Dr. VonKampen, the choir directior called to tell me personally that they really want me out there... O dear... (once a decision is made it will be posted) We had state festival for choir and band on April 4. In Missouri, the rating are 1=superior. 2=excellent. 3=good. 4=fair. 5=? anyway, Band got a 2, which is good for our band, and was actually all the seniors were pleased with it. The men in concert choir got a 1 from all three judges and from sight-reading; this was the first time a LHS choir got 1's in all four categories. The girls got an overall 1 as well, with a 1+ in sight-reading; and to wrap it all up, Concert Choir got an overall 1, too! All three choirs finished with a 1. It was a really exciting day! The next day (April 5, palm sunday) Zion's youth group presented Painting Grace, a live show of painting and silent acting. It was so awesome! So many people were involved, and really shone on the stage... Even Jon had a part as Joesph! I had the privelege of opening and closing the show, and being the official photographer (Thanks Mrs. Staude for letting me use the Nikon!!!) In the week since the show, We have celebrated Easter, and I have turned 18 (uh oh... lol). Good Friday marked my 18th birthday. To celebrate, 4 friends and I went to lunch and to the Painted Zebra (where you paint ceramics). Once Sandi got home late that night, we had cake and openend presents.... which included the Lutheran Service Book accompaniment version, a gift card to Hobby Lobby, some really cute shirts, and a book of piano arrangements =)

Eve tempting Adam with Satan closely watching

Joseph being thrown into the pit by one of his brothers

Now that you should be all caught up, We wish you a very blessed week, and a wonderful Easter and Spring season!

Love, C

Tough Decisions...

Today, was a pretty great day for me (Christa). School wasn't all that bad, calculus test is NOT on the same day as the lit test =) and when I got home, the much-anticipated scholarship letter was waiting in the mail box. I opened (home all alone) to find a $1000 music talent, 1500 endowment, and placement in the symphonic wind symphony at Concordia Mequon. Needless, to say I was pretty thrilled about this (who knows how Dad feels though).
Also, we took a family trip to a local ice cream/donut shop because Zion's pastors and church staff was scooping up the ice cream tonight. So, the tough decisions were not just limited to my college choice, but also to what flavor (of about 15 choices) to have, and whether to have it in a waffle cone, cake cone, sugar cone, or dish... so in the words of a very wise grandfather of mine (Cookies 'n' cream-butter pecan, tough decision, butter pecan...) so although I did not have butter pecan (honestly, I'm not that big a fan) I did think back to his saying that is so often repeated here in the Steinbacher house...
Please keep me in your prayers as the time to make a decision draws nearer, and Sarah and Reid (yesterday was their anniversary, so they are brought to mind) who are still in Japan.
Love, C.

It's a Happy Day! (and I thank God for the weather!)

What a lovely day we have had on this beautiful Friday! Missouri weather at its definite finest! This week has been much calmer for Mom and Angie with out basketball games or practices, and now Mom, Angie, and I are greatly anticipating the start of track season. This past week has also been National Lutheran Schools Week, so Zion has been much a buzz with special dress days, and exciting events, such as grandparents day and the book fair.



Yesterday evening, Mom, Dad, and I attended the American Association of University Women monthly meeting along with my math teacher, Mr. Haak, and about 15 other area high school seniors who have been nominated as outstanding students in math or science. Since I am not taking a science course this year, I was obviously the nominee for the math award. Each girl had to give a short speech talking about their interests and future plans. It was really an honor to recieve the award, and I realized last night that I love to talk (especially "public speaking").

This is Mr. Haak, me, LHS science winner Brittany, and my dad (her teacher).

Me giving my 'speech'

In conclusion, today and this week as a whole has been beautiful. With an emphasis on today's lovely weather!

Love, C