Thursday, July 25, 2024

15 Years, 4 Months...Beginning of summer in San Antonio with a boot

Everything is winding up with freshman year.  We had our last youth group activity.  We did a breakout room that had to do with a hotel.  We broke out, but that is because they gave us extra time.

Each teacher was able to select 5 students for a department award. I was selected by my Math, Science, and Social Studies teachers! Mom said that would look good on my resume.  We had field day on the last day of school and freshman year was done.  I can't believe I only have 3 more years left!

Our family went to Jacob and Alex's graduation party at Nana Arden's.  I started talking about not wanted a graduation party and how I only wanted Lila there.  Then I found out I might get money. I really enjoyed talking to Nana Arden's friend Teresa.  She was so much fun!  Our family had another get together on Memorial Day to say good-bye to Jacob.  He is moving to Chicago for his new job.

Then it was time for all the doctor appointments that we can't do during the school year.  Mom and I had eye appointments together.  We competed for who had the best vision. It sounded like a tie, but I think I won!  I also went to the dentist, my favorite!  On the way there, I told mom that my wisdom teeth have been hurting.  She had no idea.  Sure enough, the x-rays showed that I need to have them removed.  Hopefully we can schedule it for dead week this summer.

I have to mention that I am totally freaked out by cicadas!  I'm glad they will soon be gone for another 13 and 17 years!  I went to John's one day and we went swimming at their neighborhood pool (the same one Aunt Lisa goes to.)

Mom and Lia's mom Lainie worked together to sponsor a concession stand to raise money for Nationals.  It was held at Battle High School for the State Special Olympics.  It was so fun to watch the athletes and hear how passionate they are!  My favorite was a girl who ran and kept coming by.  She got a picture with me as her favorite fan.  There was another young woman who was a power lifter.  She was so strong and inspiring!  I worked hard to make a lot of sales, especially the loads of muffins that we had.  We were only able to work the first day because we left for San Antonio the next day.

We had a rough trip to San Antonio. Oklahoma was not our favorite. There wasn't much on the side of the road except signs that said "Hitchhikers may be escaped convicts." We got off the road to go to the bathroom and couldn't get back on for 5 miles of country roads. It also poured down rain and dad did a great job driving.  We stayed in Paris, TX overnight.  The rest of the ride there-we had a rock hit our windshield that had to be fixed.  Less than 3 hours later, a tire came across the interstate and dad had no choice but to hit it.  So many bad things could have happened, but we were safe.  We stopped at a Buc-ee's because I've been dying to go there.  I asked to look at the car first and was shocked at the damage to the front.  Another thing to get fixed!

We were so glad to get to San Antonio.  We had some pool time the first day. We visited the Alamo and  Riverwalk and it was gorgeous!  I counted ducks while we were there. We ate at a restaurant with Nana Peggy and Papa Rick and Paul, Uncle Ed, Joey, and Sylvia. Our family went to Sea World,.  I loved the sea lions the most. It was so incredibly hot too (and I was wearing my boot.)  We left earlier than normal. We spent an evening at Dave and Marge's house, looking at pictures and laughing and telling stories. Uncle Ed and Marie totally cracked me up! Our family went shopping one day at the Marketplace.  I got a blanket for my car (in the future), a t-shirt, earrings.  We visited Paul and Vanessa's and I got to spend some time with Julianna.  We had an engagement party for Paul and Vanessa at Michelle's apartment pool.  I was obsessed with drinking alcohol.  Mom gave me half a rummy gummy and it was pretty gross.  I got to sample champagne and I don't think I will ever drink again!  I couldn't get the nasty taste out of my mouth!  I really enjoyed Texas and San Antonio and would consider living here some day.

I got to have the appointment with Dr. Bohon regarding my MRI.  There is nothing broken, but there is  inflammation.  I have sesmoiditis, which is difficult to heal.  I was given a boot to wear and will have an appointment soon to see how it is doing.  I went to the BHS open gym (in a boot) and parent meeting, and a Missouri Juniors practice (in a boot.)  I'm pretty determined to get better and play in Nationals.

During the concession stand, Maci told me she had a babysitting job for me for a special needs child if I wanted it.  I connected with the mom Holly and set up a time to meet them. Mom took me there and we talked about how old we thought Chase was.  We were thinking 8, maybe older.  He is 16 years old!  He has twin 18-year-old brothers and I really liked the whole family.  I am going to love helping them out!

Good thing I am thinking about getting a job because I went to the mall with Lila and I'm enjoying looking for new clothes.  It's weird to not only wear shorts and a t-shirt!

We sort of broke out

Just a little time with my animals

Visiting with Nana Arden at her house
I got to meet Dr. Maschmann (one of mom's high school friends-Scott's brother) on a field trip
Last day of freshman year, 5/23/24, I want to be a physical therapist
Class of 2027 (that's only 3 years away-yikes!)

The sun was so bright that day!
OMG!  I'm driving!!! (In Columbia, not to TX!)
The overpass at the McDonald's in Vinita, OK
Our stop at Buc'cee's
At the bar our first night in San Antonio



The Alamo was pretty cool (and the temperature cooled off because of the rain!)


Dad being goofy
The Riverwalk was gorgeous!


I loved meeting my dad's family in Texas (Paul and Vanessa)
And his cousins Lori and Marie


Sea World was awesome but way too hot!!!

I loved the sea otters
Emily thought the penguins stunk!
We were about done here (dolphin and whale show)
We had a lot of fun shopping too
Counting ducks


Visiting Paul, Vanessa, and Julianna (and of course their dog and cat)
Ready for our last family night
The toasts lasted a long time

Family pictures



Wednesday, May 15, 2024

15 Years, 3 Months...A little down time

I had my second year of EOC testing.  I took the Government test this year since I took the Algebra test last year in 8th grade.  Easy peasy!  Dad also set up a meeting for us to meet with Mrs. Backus about college credits.  It's so weird to have to think about that already.  I'm not ready for that to happen!

We had a couple of youth group gatherings.  Mom came to both.  The first we helped tie blankets for the Humane Society.  Lillian arranged that because of my love for animals.  The second week we volunteered at the Food Bank. 

I skipped volleyball to go to Emily's choir concert.  I know she went to a lot of my things when she was younger.  I have done some driving with Dad and went with Mom.  I gave her my advice, "I just get in the car and pray!"  We celebrated Dad's birthday at Nana Arden's and went to Chili's as a family to celebrate.

I spent some time with my new boyfriend John.  I went to the mall to hang out with him, and then his mom took us to watch a music performance.  (His is an amazing pianist!)  We then went out for ice cream at Sparky's.  I also went to a movie with him.  Mom took me to Lila's dad's house afterward and we made slime.

I was happy to take a week off volleyball before starting high school spring practice.  The ball of my foot has been hurting for a while and one night I came upstairs crying.  Dad took me to MOI and I got x-rays.  Nothing was broken, but I was put in a boot and then had an MRI.  I'm looking forward to hearing what they find.

I worked at an event at Special Olympics because that is where Coach Maci works.  Our team got to help coach the athletes alongside the Mizzou volleyball players.  I got to talk to Head Coach Dawn Sullivan!  She asked about my foot and wished us luck at Nationals!  I also found out that MO Juniors and 417 is planning a merger.  I was shocked and angry about this.  I have been so loyal to Missouri Juniors and I can't imagine playing for the leaders of the other club.  We will just have to see what happens.

My bionic foot

The bootsie twins

Emily and I working on iPads together
Screens were very popular in our house this month apparently

Helping out at Special Olympics
A little slime time





Tuesday, April 16, 2024

15 Years, 2 Months...Going to Nationals!!!

This has been a big month of volleyball!  Mom and I went to stay at Jill's house for Regional's.  With Mom to Jill's for Regionals.  The team ate at Red Robin and had a really good time.  We played very well and took 4th place overall in the American division.  The top two teams got a bid to Nationals, so we were hoping for a trickle down bid.

Grandma Kathy came and stayed at our house for two nights.  She went to Emily's Hero Day at school and I got to hang out with her in the evenings.  Two days after grandma left our house, we went to her house to pick her up and head to St. Louis for the MEQ tournament. We played in the Liberty division and ended up tying for 5th place. I was never put in as libero and didn't know why.  It left a bad feeling in me about playing.

I decided to talk to Maci and Ellie about my position and felt a lot better.  We played in the St. Louis Crossfire one day tournament and took 1st place!  I got to talk with Mom's friend Scott.  I also had a lot of arguing adult fans while I was line judging.  The one woman was getting ready to tell me off and mom stepped in before she could.  I was so embarrassed, but I know I could have handled it myself.  During the final game, the other team's coach was screaming at them and throwing her clipboard.  It was so embarrassing!

During one of our practices, the coaches surprised us by telling us that we won a trickle down bid to Nationals from our performance at Regionals!!!  Most of the girls were excited, but I was up late the night before talking to mom and Jennie Vogt about it.  It took the pressure off of us when going into our last tournament for the season.  Mom and I went to our last qualifier tournament, the three day Show Me Qualifier.  We were all very tired and I hurt my knee and thought it was worse than it was.  We won 3 and lost 3 and ended up in 2nd place in the silver bracket. It was a rough way to end our season.

Spring break was so much fun!  Mom and I went to Kaya and Megan's house for game night and tacos.  Mama Kim (Kaya's grandma) was there too.  We laughed so hard, and ate so much.  I love those taco shells!  Kaya and I decided to take the test for our permits.  I can't say that I studied very hard and failed the first time.  I got to take it a second time and passed!!!  Not that I'm ready to start driving or anything...

Smudge got neutered over break and did alright.  I went to the mall with Lila and ended up finding a bikini.  I'm glad I feel more confident with my body.  Youth group did baking for the community, but I had to skip it because we had volleyball practice.  Our family went to Washington for Easter.  I enjoyed talking with Becca and Harper about college, and even started to get excited about college.

I finished up my physical therapy and will hopefully get to shadow the PT this summer.  I started practicing and lifting weights with the Battle High School team this month, in addition to Missouri Juniors practice.  I went with Lila's dad and brothers down to south Missouri on 4/8/24 to watch the complete solar eclipse.  It was a really cool and fun experience (again!)  I also took the EOC test for US government for this year.

Hunting for eggs



Family enjoying the beautiful weather

A little Easter hunt at our house too
Let's get going!


Wait, there's a puppy to love!


Red Robin...YUM!
Just some teenage volleyball players crossing the street from Red Robin to Target
The gang's all here (even EJ on the poster!)

I don't know what I would do without Kaya
I love when Grandma joins us!
Mom doesn't like missing any of my games
National Anthem
The huddles

Crashed out with Smudge in Mom and Dad's bed!
Papa Ron and Linda came to the Crossfire tournament
Huddling up
Handing out the first place medals!

They stayed until the end (a VERY long day!)

Just a small portion of what a national qualifying tournament looks like
Conversing with Maci

Not sure we are ready for another 3 day tournament

Our final huddle
Leaving my mark
The state says I am ready to practice driving!
Finding out about our Nationals bid
Highlight clip