August 2024 Family Update

After getting home from Europe, I had a post-vacation hangover something terrible. I barely remember the first week of the month. But then it was all hands on deck to get Skylar’s Eagle Project finished before she started back to school. She did a great job planning and executing her project over the course of 4 weekends. Along with a lot of volunteers she built a 24′ wide Gaga Ball Pit for the Andrew Jackson Police Camp. It was impressive!

I’ve seen so many parents drag their kids across the Eagle Project finish line but I was determined not to do that with Skylar. When I say she was motivated to do it all on her own, I mean it. I only showed up when she asked for my help with specific things. Overall, she raised $1200 in fundraising. She used half for her materials (with lots of discounts and donations) and was able to donate the other half to the beneficiary. The final total of volunteer hours was 144. I’m telling ya, impressive! She still has to sit for her formal Board of Review next month but she’s well on her way to being a female Eagle Scout.

We had one week of scorching August heat in the 100s but otherwise, it was quite pleasant and perfect for visiting the Wilson County / TN State Fair. That’s usually my last little hurah of summer and then I transition into fall. Me and Paula ate our hearts out and had the best time!

Skylar started back at Cumberland University for her dual enrollment classes and her Senior year. She was cool as a cucumber this year and, ultimately, I think that’s the part that made me so emotional. I have a love-hate relationship with the growing up business but I’m so proud of who she is and how far she’s come. She’s truly self-sufficient and when she’s not, she knows how to use her resources to get what she needs. I have zero concerns about sending her off to college. Speaking of, the fall college tour is starting next month and we hope to know by December where she’s gonna go next fall.

At the end of the month, I got to see Smashing Pumpkins and Green Day with my favorite concert crew. It was a great show and my first time at Geodis Park – really nice facility.