This month has been nothing short of eventful. For those of you that aren't aware we had a rough start to 2024. Dipper attacked our neighbor's dog earlier this month (thankfully she's healing and is fine) but as a result Pat has a court date to go in February, we are getting a fence installed, and Dipper was quarantined for 10 days. Later that evening, Alaina and I went to the movies and she was trying to open a bag of candy with her teeth and chipped one of her front teeth. We had to go to the dentist the very next day and as we were leaving and making a right to get onto 364, she got into a fender bender (with me), she rear-ended me (her in the corolla and me in the 4Runner). It was easy to feel overwhelmed and down for a week or two because 1. we didn't know if our neighbor's dog was even going to be okay, 2. the expense of everything that happened within 2 days time, and 3. where we were going to come up with the money to pay for all of this stuff. Thankfully Pat and I vented to each other, prayed about it, and let it go.
A week or so later we found out the neighbor's dog was going to be fine (thankfully), Alaina's tooth was fixed, and the fence is coming (once the weather permits). On a good note, I got to take Declan to visit his first (and only) college. He is thinking about going to State Tech Missouri in Linn, MO. It was a very nice school, VERY small town, and I think he really liked it. I don't get much one on one time with him so it was nice to have an entire day just him and I to hang out. I really enjoyed it and he seemed to as well. I think the reality of him becoming an adult and possibly only living at home for a few more months is starting to sink in. He, as many boys do, waited until the last minute to sign up for the A+ program through school so he's doing his tutoring and if he gets it all done, his school tuition will be free (PRAISE THE LORD) and he'll just have to pay for tools, books, and a place to live. The program is only 2 years and they help you to find a job afterwards. I think he's excited but also a little nervous.
Last October or November Alaina had a scout from Stephen's College reach out to her out of the blue to see if he could come watch her play in a tournament. He ended up coming to two of her tournaments and then reached out at the beginning of January and asked if she'd be interested in coming and touring the school and playing with some of the current girls that play on their team. Only 15 spots were available and so we went and did that yesterday. She had a good time and it was nice to tour the school with her. Pat and I had never been to Columbia, MO to just visit. The coach told her that she should hear something from him within the next couple of weeks regarding notes and things to work on, etc. They can't officially offer any scholarships until you're a Junior in HS so nothing was officially said. She was the youngest of the girls that were there and she surprised herself that she was able to hang just fine. Afterwards we had to drive from Columbia to Fenton because she had two indoor games to play in last night and she killed it. It was so fun watching her.
So although our month started off a little rocky and I was freaking out that our entire year was going to be that way, there are so many things to be thankful for! To say we are proud of our kids would be an understatement. I can't believe that they're as old as they are and it's so bittersweet watching them grow into the people God has created them to be and watching them shine. Their ambition and goals blow me away and I'm constantly humbled by their grit and tenacity. I love having a front row seat to watch them bloom!
