Saturday, October 22, 2022

13 Years, 8 Months...Beginnings and endings...

I have gone to a few of Emily's soccer games this season.  I think I only missed one, but she missed quite a few of my volleyball games.  She had practice on Monday nights, and that is when we had half of our games.

Uncle Mark, Aunt Julie, and Chase came over to hang out with us on a Saturday because they were in town for a wedding.  It was so good to see them.  Chase, Emily, and I played basketball outside while the adults talked inside.  I left a little early because I went to Lila's birthday party at her house.  Lila, Lucy, and I hung out at her grandma's pool for a while and then just enjoyed being together for a sleepover.  I spent the night at Lila's house and then she went to Church with us the next morning.  It was Pastor Carol's 10 year anniversary at the church and we had a big catered meal.  

We played volleyball games against Gentry, CIS, Smithton, Lewis and Clark, West, and John Warner this month and lost all of them.  Aunt Lisa came to the game at West.  Lillian and Grayson came to the game against Lewis and Clark.  Papa Ron and Linda came to our volleyball tournament at Hickman.  We won our second set against Gentry, and lost the rest.  We played Lange at Battle High School and won in 2 sets!  It was a really exciting game and fun to play at my future high school!  It is hard to believe the season is over, including my middle school volleyball career. I enjoyed it, but got really frustrated with our lack of ability and effort toward the end of the season.  We did have a fun BBQ to end the season.

Club volleyball is going to start soon.  We ordered our jerseys and hopefully they fit better than last year.  We were able to pick our numbers this year, first come, first served.  Another teammate ended up getting #5 before I could.  I was pretty devastated but didn't want to show it.  After talking it through with dad and thinking hard, I decided on #7.  I wanted an odd number and my favorite MU player now (Leandra) is #7.  I'll just work hard next year to beat her to #5!

I got to go to an MU volleyball game with mom and they almost won against Auburn (who hadn't lost yet this season.)  We went to the game the next day, and they beat them!  A lot of my Oakland volleyball team members were able to go to that game, and we brought Shelby.  

Our family went to Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Tom's one Sunday for lunch (lots of yummy soup!) and then we all went apple picking.  It was really nice to hang out with them and the weather was nice and warm.  We got to enjoy apple pie, apple crisp, fried apples, and just regular apples for quite a while!

I had a birthday sleepover at Addison's house and we had a blast!  She has such a nice house.  They ended up inviting me to the MU football game the next day and it was so much fun!  I didn't home until really late that night.

We had picture day at school and I'm still waiting to see how they turned out.  I was able to go on a walking field trip on the African American trail in Columbia.  It was nice to get out with my whole class.  I also went to Six Flags with Youth Group one Sunday for Fright Fest.  We stayed really late and had so much fun!  Now that volleyball is over (until club season), I can attend Wednesday night youth group!

Other big news-Aaron and I lasted one month exactly.  He and I were able to have our first "date" at Midway Golf and game for putt putt golf (supervised by Mom and his Dad, just two holes behind us.)  We had a really good time.  He won, but we were both really competitive.  I started to realize that it was hard to date him while we did not go to school together, so I broke it off with him.  It was so hard to do, but it was the right thing to do.  He and his Mom ended up coming to my volleyball game that night (against John Warner, our last game of the season) and it was pretty awkward.  We both went to the Battle vs. Rock Bridge volleyball game the next night and were able to talk a little.  It was nice to have that chat with him.

Sleepover at Addison's house


Lilah, me, and Mya after the tournament
After the tournament with Lilah
Our family apple picking

So glad Grandma and Grandpa could come with us!


Tractor ride to the orchard

Aunt Lisa came to support me!

Serving in my last game at Oakland

Last huddle
Putt putt golfing with Aaron

Serving, set point-we won!

Serving at Oakland
Serving in my last middle school volleyball game at John Warner


Saturday, October 1, 2022

13 Years, 7 Months...Volleyball and 8th grade!

We started this month with volleyball tryouts at school.  I was convinced that I was not going to make it, but I did!  I even got #5!!!  Emily was gone that week at Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Tom's so I didn't have to worry about taking care of her.  Mom, Dad, and I went to the first Mizzou volleyball game, which was a scrimmage.  They are so much better this year. I went to another game with Mom and another one with Dad.

I got my 8th grade schedule and I am really happy about it.  I love my teachers, and even have Mr. Settles for 3 classes!  I have advanced science, a block English/social studies class, drama, French, algebra, and PE/advisory.  I don't have EEE this year because it didn't fit into my schedule.  I'm ok with that because I didn't really want to do the 8th grade project.  I can take it again in high school.  Our family went to the Back to School night at school to meet my teachers.  

Our church celebrated the start of the school year with Blessings of the Backpacks.  We also had a Fall Kick-Off, which ended up being inside because of the rain.  Our Youth group went to Midway Golf and Games for some fun on the 2nd week of school.  I enjoyed hanging out with my friends.  We also had a Parents Night Out and I was really excited about helping there.  I have formed a bond with a little boy named Andrew and love to spend time with him.

Our family went to Corrine's birthday party.  Dad took me to the Hallsville volleyball tournament and I created my dream team there.  He also took me to the Hallsville/Battle volleyball game.  It was cool to see players that I may play with next year in high school.  They lost, but were competitive.

We went over to Nana Arden and Papa Rodney's house to help them move some rocks for their landscaping and foundation work.  We really didn't have to do a lot of work, and I had a lot of fun using a sledgehammer on the bricks!  We got to enjoy a lot of Shakespeare's pizza too and spent some time with them.  We are starting to go to Emily's soccer games again.  I'm glad I get to support her too like she has supported me for years.

We realized that Shelby didn't really get to celebrate her birthday at home so we threw her a birthday party here!  We baked a cake, I gave her presents, and she spent the night.  It was a really good time!  

We have had 3 volleyball games for school and we have improved a lot from last year.  We haven't won yet, but we have been competitive.  We played against several of my Missouri Juniors teammates (Lia, Mya, and Lilah.)  Mom and I went to Lila's cross country meet.  I had never been to one before, and it was pretty interesting.  I got to have another Missouri Juniors unofficial practice and it was so good to learn new things instead of having bad habits at school volleyball.  

Finally, I went to an Oakland football game.  The reason is that I had to meet my boyfriend Aaron!  He goes to another school, and I saw a picture of him and have been talking to him on Facetime.  I was so nervous to meet him, but I really enjoyed hanging out with him.  I really wanted mom to leave, but she wouldn't.  Ugh, parents!

1st day of 8th grade, I want to be a dental hygienist, 8/23/22





Year 28, Year 22, 8th grade, 3rd grade
Happy birthday Shelby!
New teammates
Ellie, Callie, Jaiden, Lilah
After playing "the other Taylor"
Lucy and I supported (a very stinky) Lila
After playing Lia
Ready to serve
Serving at Oakland