13 Years, 10 Months...Getting ready for Christmas

This has been a busy month at school.  Our drama class got to go to Battle High School to watch Grease.  It was really good!  I can’t wait to go to high school!  I have been working hard to make sure I have all A’s.  I know that my math and French classes are the most important because they count toward my high school GPA. 

Mom and I went to one last Mizzou volleyball game.  We found out that Josh Tayler was fired as the head coach, and I was shocked!  I worried so much that I lost my contact with Mizzou volleyball.  Fortunately, Russ was kept as the recruiting coach.  I also went to a volleyball positional that day.

A few of the youth went to church to decorate for Christmas on our first day off school for Thanksgiving.  I always have a good time there.  (Michael tends to feed us which helps!)

Thanksgiving was a lot of fun too.  We went to Washington and spent the first day at Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Tom’s.  I talked a lot with Becca.  She is going to college in Springfield and is interesting to talk to.  We spent the night and went to Papa Ron and Linda’s the next morning.  Papa Ron took Emily and me to Altemueller’s to pick out charms for our bracelets.  It was nice to have time with just him.  Our family went to have dinner at Uncle Mark and Aunt Julie’s.  I had an interesting conversation about hunting with Uncle Duane.  I asked if he ever hunted bunny rabbits, and he replied, “I just call them rabbits.”  Our family went to the parade with Papa Ron and Linda afterward and headed home later that night.  I had another positional the next day and we had Thanksgiving pizza at Papa Rodney’s shop afterward.  It was an unusual time, but at least we were together.  We decorated our house for Christmas that weekend.

Our family was asked to read and light the first Advent candle at Church the next day.  I was really embarrassed, and Mom read while Dad lit the candle.  I was asked later to read and was really nervous, but I did great!  After Church one Sunday, the youth went to shop for families in need at Target.  (And we went out to eat as well!)  It was a lot of fun to hang out with everyone again.  I helped Mom do some Christmas shopping too.

Volleyball has really picked up and we have had three practices a week.  I went to Lila’s swim meet to cheer her on and then spent the night at her house.  I don’t get to see her as much since we aren’t at the same school or on the same club team. 

Christmas activities are picking up!  Our family went to the VU Christmas light display.  We tried the night before, but it was cancelled because of rain.  We went to Bass Pro to see Santa instead.  He was funny and guessed what we wanted for Christmas.  He totally “got” me!  Our family also went to the Christmas concert at Cedar Ridge for Emily’s concert.  I got to see some old friends, including Jace Cooper!

Aaron and I have continued to talk, and I realized that I made a big mistake with him.  Bernard wasn’t treating me well, and I knew that Aaron did.  We started “dating” again on November 23rd, but I was scared to tell Mom because I thought she would be mad.  Surprisingly she wasn’t!  I think she realizes that he is a good person and will treat me well.  We are really enjoying getting to know each other better and trying to get together!

Coloring with Emily at Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Tom's the morning after Thanksgiving

Ready for the Washington Christmas parade with Papa Ron and Linda

St. Nicholas Day!

Visiting Santa

Lila and me revisiting the good old days at a Cedar Ridge concert

With Leandra (her last game for Mizzou)

With Janet

With Lauren Forbes

With Riley Buckley

With Anna Dixon (her last game at Mizzou)

Christmas decorating

Andrew snuggling up to me at Church

Lighting the Unity candle at church

Reading at Church

Scrimmaging Club CoMo

Jamming out at the Christmas concert with Lila

13 Years, 9 Months...In between seasons

I have gone to many Mizzou volleyball games.  One was just me and Mom but the next day, we met up with my middle school volleyball team.  We sat in two different locations because it was crowded, and I ended up texting Coach Holland during the game.  I caught a t-shirt and rubbed it in to her!

It was hard to break up with Aaron last month, but I was getting attention from a boy at school named Bernard.  He and I were able to see each other every day and that was easier.  I was doing a lot of texting at school and one day I got a spam phone call.  I went to turn it off in class because it was buzzing, and I ended up getting a tech referral.  That was so unlike me, but I knew it was just a warning, so I didn’t think it was a big deal.  Mom and Dad did though!

I went to the Monster Mash at Cedar Ridge so I could see my friends.  Ella and I ended up sharing the Cardinal costume and had a blast walking around!  Mom got pies thrown in her face.  That was awesome!  Our family went to the Mizzou homecoming parade the next day and I got to pet a lot of dogs!

Mom took me to Hy-Vee to get a flu shot and I went back by myself.  I got it quickly with no problems.  I’m getting braver!

Because school volleyball is over, I have been able to go to youth group this month.  I went to the youth group bonfire at Jack’s house.  We had so much fun!  Lillian made a game for us to guess food items by touching only that were labeled as body parts.  It was so gross!  We also played pool and Jack’s dad (Thad) asked if I wanted to be his partner in tournaments (not because I was good, but more so because I am competitive and willing to learn.)

Later that week, I felt really sick.  Not Covid or even a fever, but just felt exhausted and miserable.  I even passed up going to an MU volleyball game and a party at Miss Kendra’s!  Luckily, I was better the next day.  Our Church had a Fall Fun Fest at Midway Golf and Games.  We played archery tag and hung out with friends.  We ate there and trunk or treated.  Our car won the Golden Pumpkin with our beach design!  We visited Nana Arden and Papa Rodney on the way there.  It was really nice to see them.  Shelby and I went to Lila’s again for Halloween.  I dressed up as Ali Kreklow again!  I convinced Mom to let me stay until 10:00.

Oakland had an all-school party after school for those without detentions or bad grades (luckily, I learned to put my phone away!)  It was actually kind of boring but I’m glad I went. 

Mom and Dad went to their annual school counseling conference and Grandma Kathy stayed with us.  It was so nice to have her here.  We didn’t have school, so we got to hang out more than usual.  I took care of the animals for the most part.  Grandma doesn’t feel comfortable driving in Columbia, so Papa Rodney and Nana Arden took me to volleyball practice and got to watch.  That was cool because they haven’t been able to watch me play club before.

I went to an Oakland boys’ basketball game and got to hang out with friends.  Because Mom had parent teacher conferences, my parents couldn’t go to my conferences.  I didn’t think it was a big deal though since I am doing well in all my classes.  I take great pride in that!

Ali Kreklow (Take 2!)

Jump serving for Oakland at Battle

Celebrating a victory

With Leandrea

With Janet (our future assistant coach)

With Lauren Forbes

With Skylar Buckley

With Anna Dixon

With Riley Buckley

Mom and me (I mean, the Cedar Ridge Cardinal!)

I found Ainsley!

Youth group game

The family at the Mizzou parade

Ready for the Mizzou homecoming parade

Suiting up!

Ready to rumble

Katniss Everdeen

Athlete of the Month

Lilah and me after our game

Helping Elizabeth (Katie's sister) at Church

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

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