All too often life gets heavy. The highs and lows, the ups and downs, the journey for the next thing, next moment. However, there should always be a time to celebrate and a time to recognize achievement!
The 2024 Essay competition began in November 2023 within our homeschool group. Honestly it started weeks before crafting the right words. It stretched to practicing countless times in front of me, to a trial run in front of our church family, to the eventual county competition.
Abigail placed 3rd for the 9th grade (which I will comment on later) Jackson won first for the 11th grade.Moving On after competition January 29thAll 1st place winners in their grade advanced to the Regional Competition in Knoxville on Saturday, February 3rd
Talk about a busy week! We all have them I know. We balanced our home life, our regular classroom load, his college class requirements, basketball schedule, church, piano, extended family time with grandparents and visiting Aunt Fran, and luckily even slipped in an afternoon to be on the waters fishing with his dad.
All week practicing landed us here!, Pellissippi State11th grade speakersSo many good kids, such amazing speechesHere he was given a topic on the spot about Peyton Manning and how football and 4-H could be related, were they both team sports. He had about 45 seconds to write down a note or two and then had to deliver a two minute speech on the fly. He said this was crazy hard!And in this room I witnessed the most magnificent speech. I watched a shy kid vanish in front of me. I saw a young man willing to go through Hell and nerves and sweat and anguish. He wanted it! He memorized almost 7 minutes worth of captivating storytelling and inspiring his audience. He worked the room, was flawless, and was oh so very handsome! I was so bummed that videoing was not allowed, oh how I wanted to share that memory, that enthusiasm and calm demeanor.My boy placed first! He won! He achieved what he desired, what he planned for! He won his trip to Nashville in March and will compete at the state level at 4-H Congress Lyla also won for 10th gradeThe medal is just awesome, and the travel bag not too bad either.My heart is full for him. I swell with pride and fill with tears! As I reflect how each and every challenge in this life of homeschooling has turned into unexplainable opportunity…I am just reminded of how blessed I truly am!
Proud of you baby boy, and can’t wait to help you prepare for state!
For my children 
Leave a comment