New Experiences, New Challenges

 

Watching Ezrah try something NEW has been both fascinating and gut- wrenching. I've been full of pride and gutted in disappointment all in the same day. You see, Ezrah hasn't found her tribe yet on her new volleyball team. She is clearly the "newest" and the least experienced. (She only decided to try-out after a 3 day camp she attended in August, and fell in love with the sport. She was HONORED to make a team at the local high school.) She's hungry to learn. But, I believe that because of her ability, she hasn't quite been accepted. I've seen her be isolated in the group. She has been totally alone as the other girls form groups, lead cheers, and chat amongst themselves. I've seen girls make faces if they get partnered with her. I've witnessed her come out last and by herself from the locker room. She sits ALONE on the bus because, "there isn't room for her." She's always put at the end of the team bench. 

We have PRAYED for just ONE girl to come alongside her and welcome her. As a mom, I hate it. But, I'm so proud of her for putting herself unabashedly out there. If you're a prayer warrior, PLEASE pray for my girl to find a friend.

Being the joy she is. She doesn't see what's going on. She's just so happy to be there. What an honor. She IS joy. Her naivety is both a blessing and a curse. I wish they'd get to know her... give her a chance. She's a pretty cool kid.

She's not the only one on the team who doesn't go to that school. There are several others who either attend alternative schools or are homeschooled. So, this isn't a "homeschool" issue... it's lack of skill and "odd man out" issue. Her shyness is a disadvantage. Her leg, however, feels great, and she's hungry to get better. SHE WANTS TO BE THERE. She wants to grow. And she's thrilled to cheer loud and be the best teammate she can be.

It has never sat right with me that Ezrah's bone infection was never traceable as to the WHY. So, scouring all avenues, we decided it best for our family's health to replace our 32 year old windows. We had found mold in MANY of our sills and seeping into the wood paneling that framed them. We are now processing through both medical debt AND the debt of having them necessarily replaced in hopes that we are no longer exposed to mold. Tony says he'll be working until he's 90. Such is life with this beautifully large, unique family. We are thankful that breathing in mold is NO longer a factor for our health. In our eyes, this debt has become necessary, and it simply is what it is. But, the other reality is that I may need to find a part-time job.

Tony seems back to himself. He recovered quite quickly from his June surgery. He's dabbled in a few "forbidden" foods (not alcohol) and has had zero side effects. We haven't been on a "date" in MONTHS because there really was nothing he could eat at restaurants except salads, to which he'd come home, still absolutely ravenous from devouring a $30 salad, and requiring "second dinner." Why are salads so expensive!? And why does Tony eat like a Hobbit?

We celebrated 24 years of marriage on 9/16. 

The Nelson Academy kicked off another year of homeschooling on 9/9. 

Elijah turned 21 on 9/10. 

Perhaps in a few months when we don't have a sporting event every single night, we'll be able to celebrate 24 YEARS with a date night somewhere fancy that serves something other than salads.

Micah is actively pursuing a career in law enforcement. He is most interested in SWAT and K9 training. The experiences he's gaining through the Clark County Sherriff's Explorer program and the Criminal Justice Program through CTA have been life altering for him. He's at some volunteer event weekly and also playing tennis for Prairie.

Amelia accepted a full-time position with another Orange Theory studio and has started her NASM certification to be both an OTF coach and a personal trainer. 

It's been a novel here. I should've made chapters. But, it's been ages since I've updated, and my heart and Ezzie's could use some prayer. PLEASE.

Thanks for being in our village, as always. We are grateful and truly feel so incredibly supported. 🙏