Thursday, March 28, 2024

15 Years, 1 Month...Good-bye to Aaron, back to volleyball!!!

After celebrating my birthday with cake and presents, I had to get up at 2:45 in the morning and stay awake until my EEG at 12:45 in the afternoon.  It was hard to stay awake even with Mom being downstairs and distractions.  I had an MRI at 7 AM too, which consisted of contrast.  Little did I know that involved a needle and fluid injected into me!  Not my favorite day!  A few days later, I had my neurology appointment and she said that all my tests came back normal!  We asked about return to play and she not only said that I could return, she encouraged it!  I had the green light to start a gradual return-to-play and can even serve in the next tournament!  I have been doing physical therapy as well to help with my neck strength and headaches.

Our team had the Centerline Challenge volleyball tournament, and we took 1st place!!!  The next weekend was the Sunflower Slam.  We played in the 16s division and took first place in the silver bracket.  Our team is doing so well, and I am back in action!!!

Mom and I went to see the play Mousetrap at Battle High School so I could support my friends.  It was so good!  Mom and I figured out the killer by intermission.

I spent a Sunday afternoon at Aaron’s house, and he came to Emily’s birthday party.  We did a breakout room with a lot of her friends.  Aaron came over here afterward, but I wasn’t feeling well and felt bad about asking him to cut the afternoon short.  I have been struggling a lot with him lately because he texts me so much and expects me to text back all the time.  I have been feeling smothered and after a lot of tears and talking, I decided to break up with him.  Mom took me to his house on a Friday that we had off school.  She stayed and talked with his mom while I told him that I just couldn't do it anymore.  We cried and talked and talked and cried and had to say good-bye.  It was really hard, but I know it was for the best. 

I know the next few weeks are going to keep me busy, and I scheduled a birthday celebration with my friends the next day.  Lila, Lucy, and Olga met me at Bertha’s Beans Cat CafĂ© and I enjoyed having cats all around me.  Next, we went to Pottery Island and just hung out.  I wanted to paint something pretty with flowers and chose an elephant with flowers.  I spent 5 hours painting it!  I wanted it to be perfect, and my friends were so patient.  Lucy and Olga left, but Lila stayed with me.  We ended up going to Claire’s so I could get my ears (re) double pierced!  It was just the day I needed!

Since then, I have kept myself busy with school, volleyball, and youth group.  I’ve spent more time upstairs and with my family.  I went on a Physics field trip to the Mizzou Engineering school.  It was really interesting, and I got to meet Mom’s friend Matt who is a professor in that department and got a picture with him!  Dad took me to Wichita for the second day of Power League 2.  We played a lot better than we did the first day and ended up in 4th place out of 9 teams. Can’t wait until our National Qualifier tournaments coming up!

Hooked up for my MRI (so very, very tired!)

Ready for another tournament
More hardware!

With Coach Maci
And Emily, of course!
Next tournament
With more medals!

My volleyball BFF, Kaya!
And Emily!

Dining out with Dad in Witchita
"This hotel is soooo fancy!!!"
Our view


Dad's cousin Lori and her husband Alex came to watch us play!
The crew


I love all the kitties...
"You know what we should do..."
Painting my pottery for HOURS!!!
Lila, Olga, Lucy, and me
Getting my ears double pierced

Fully engaged in church
And yet another tournament
Courtwarming introductions

Happy for the courtwarming winners
Getting my ears double pierced!

Friday, February 16, 2024

15 Years Old...Snow, courtwarming, and healing

Happy 15th birthday to me!!!  We had another snow day this month.  It has been super cold too.  I asked Ethan to drive me to school even though Lila wasn't going to come because it was too cold to walk to the bus stop.

Dad took me to another one of Aaron's basketball games, and Mom took me to two other games later in the month.  I’m trying to make all the games that I can.

Our family volunteered at the Food Bank because mom was doing a student council event.  I really enjoyed myself and would like to do that more. Aaron came to our house one day/evening and we made and decorated the cookies that his mom gave us for Christmas.  Mom and I left for Kansas City for the Power League Qualifier.  I was able to quickly made it to full play and got to play libero! We ended up in Power League 2.  Mom and I went to Kansas City for the first weekend of the Power League 2 and we didn’t play the best.  It was our third tournament in the same facility this season!

We again had more snow days.  I made brownies at Lila's for the Courtwarming food day to raise money.  We had a courtwarming assembly and we played a Hungry Hungry Hippos game with balls, scooters, and a clothes baseket. I went to the courtwarming game because that was when they were going to announce the winners.  I had way more fun than I thought.  I was happy for the girl who got courtwarming queen for the freshman class because she was very deserving. And of course, Aaron and I went to the courtwarming dance.

I started physical therapy for my concussions and headaches.  It is a lot of neck strengthening and stretching and eye coordination.  I was surprised at how out of shape my neck was!

I woke up with a fever one Thursday and was home sick for two days.  I was not feeling great, but we still had our family birthday party.  The next day, we did our birthday pictures and then watched the Super Bowl at home.

I missed working at the pancake dinner at church because I had volleyball practice.  I met up with Aaron at Andy's for Valentine's Day which was really nice. We celebrated with cake and presents for my birthday at home.  I had to go to bed early to prepare for my MRI and EEG the next morning!

15 Years Old!!!

Perfect form!

Playing games with Dad and Linda while Aaron was over
Helping at the Food Bank
I have a grown up outdoor chair now!
1989 baby!
The cake I wanted
Celebrating my birthday with a smaller crowd this year

My Kendra Scott necklace!
Molly getting her pup cup without Athena interference!
Circle up

More hardware!
Hungry Hungry Hippos at the courtwarming assembly
Waiting for them to announce the courtwarming winners

Helping Aaron with his tie
We clean up really nice






Emily always wants a picture with me!

The whole family (including Twist!)



And we're off!

At the dance
Supporting Aaron at one of his basketball games
And I have Academic All-State honors!!!