A Recipe NOT To Try

So, I heard this great recipe to make your own cooking spray. It was cheaper, less expensive, and cleaner. It was -mix one part of cooking oil with five parts of water in a spray bottle. Voila, cooking spray! Right? Wrong! My girls and I have been scrubbing pots and pans for days! Everything sticks to the pans and the muffin pans that I have used for 26 years may not survive. I'm planning to buy steel wool to save them, but I'm wondering if it might be cheaper to but new pans. I know it would be easier!

Graduation 2013

After many days of hard work, Sarah has finally graduated. The time we spent last year after her concussion made us wonder if she would be able to graduate on time.  Several weeks ago, she brought me her math book, completed. Not long after that her other  subjects were done with forever. The only thing she had to finish for the last two weeks of school was a history paper. Not only did she graduate on time, but early with honors, grades high enough to get a substantial scholarship from Truett-McConnell, where she'll be attending in the fall. The ceremony was at our church with her two sweet friends Jordan and Nicole, also homeschoolers. So many people worked really hard to make it a fun evening form them and we are grateful to God for seeing her through.

Homeschooling is Truly a Joint Effort for the Whole Family

Too Many Memories to Put in One Spot

With Grandma

Aunt Robin and Aunt Amy

Sweet Baby Sister Abigail

Sports

The sports banquet  was last night and it ended a whirlwind four days for Sarah and our family. She was honored with best offensive awards in soccer and basketball, but the best of all was female athlete of the year.  That is given to the student who excels in sports, athletics and character and it is chosen by the faculty , staff, and coaches. We were so thrilled for her.

The camaraderie of these girls on the basketball team is so very sweet.  I love the joy they share with one another . 

Sarah's soccer team wasn't supposed to make it to the playoffs at all, but they kept winning.  They played a very talented team at the state championship and lost. Here is just a snapshot of the team they played on Monday night, Sarah was about to be slide tackled. These girls knew every trick and used it.

The picture on the left is a collage of some of the injuries Sarah received this year in soccer. And the picture on the right is her with some friends walking away from the field for the last time as players. Yes, we all shed a few tears.

Fulfilled Promise

Last Summer, when we went on vacation to Daytona Beach we toured Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory and saw a chocolate basketball in the window. I told Sarah that if she got cleared to play basketball, played the whole season without getting hurt and her team went to state, that I would buy a chocolate basketball for them. The other moms pitched in for it and goodie baskets and we cut it together at the tournament. It was beautiful and delicious! If you need any custom chocolate, call them.

It was an emotional weekend for me to see Sarah finish her basketball career with such an exciting end.  I didn't fully understand what the ending would be like when Rachel finished her basketball career, and  Hannah's last season was crazy busy! This week, we have spent some time thanking God for healing Sarah from her concussions last year and allowing her to go back to the game she loves for another year. I am so proud of her and her team. And so very glad that our family got to share this time with her.

Senior Night

The senior activities have begun. This week, we had the planning session to get ready for graduation and got some things done on the college process.

Basketball is still happening and Sarah definitely did not touch that ball.

Coach Jenny is still trying to keep Sarah's head on straight, but it's a hard job. Sarah still struggles some with headaches, but does okay as long as she gets plenty of sleep.

Sarah's friendship with all of the girls on her team is so sweet. I am thankful that God has allowed her this season of life.

And, as usual, Abigail just couldn't be left on the sidelines.

Basketball Tournament

Basketball tournaments are grueling, for the players, coaches and fans. There are games going on multiple courts, whistles and buzzers constantly sounding out. There is a lot of walking outside to get a breath of fresh air and bites to eat, and even the most prepared families eat a lot of junk food. Sarah's team played six games in about twenty-four hours and they were all pushed to their limits. It's also a time when players and referees get really tired and make mistakes.

It was bound to happen, but we just didn't know when. During the forth game of the day Sarah was hit hard in the head and went down fast. She didn't move and, to me, it felt like the air was sucked out of the gym. Her coach was on the floor and by her side immediately. Being the parents of athletes, we knew it wouldn't be cool for us to run out on the court, so Ray and I just stood at the sideline. As the coached helped Sarah up and to the bench I trotted around the court, because I'm also the mom who doesn't really care about being cool. Sarah was stunned a bit and had a headache, but she was still able to focus and not dizzy at all. This morning she has a pretty bad headache and is covered in bruises, as I'm sure the rest of the players are too. 

I know I'll be a little nervous every time she plays, but I hope I won't panic so much the next time. Her head is in God's hands and He is the Great Protector. I can't make her live in a bubble to keep her, or any of my children for that matter, from ever getting hurt.

Sarah's team won second and she was named to the all tournament team, which means she and her teammates played great!

She's Back!

After battling the effects of multiple concussions and skipping all sports for a year, Sarah is back on the basketball court. The games started last week and Sarah seems to be doing great. We are so grateful to God for His healing hand on her and sustaining her through a very long year of very limited exercise. She worked hard to get back in shape and catch up on lost time in her school work and is on schedule to graduate right on time. The original story is here and an update after six weeks is here.