Ada completed her competition season with the state championships where she rocked! She took first on floor and balance beam, fourth on vault and bars, second all-around! She was thrilled and made us so proud! She works with great pride and determination and her hard work and dedication pays off! She has been asked to continue on to level 3. She's thrilled and has accepted the challenge with great excitement!
The following weekend, both big boys had a pretty big event going on. Grayson played in his first Aiken Festival of Music where he really played well and received wonderful comments and superiors from all judges. Because of his outstanding performance, he was asked to play in an honors recital alongside other talented budding pianists in the area. Being fairly new to piano, this was a big task for him, he had to play 2 hymns, 2 folk songs, and 2 memorized pieces. He put forth a great effort and really did his best. His hours of practice and drive to do well, helped him succeed and taught him a wonderful lesson about hard work and greatly increased his confidence in himself and what he was capable of. It was definitely a proud moment, as his parents and I won't pretend I didn't get teary watching him at the recital.
The other big boy, or Daddy, had a pretty memorable weekend also! He has been pumped and super excited for his chance to run a 200 mile relay from Columbia, SC to Charleston, SC, with our pastor, his wife, and 6 others from around the state. He spent many morning running and training for this relay and was really really excited to run it! Unfortunately, he did end up with an injury, a really stinky part of any sport/extra activity is the risk of injury. The timing of his was horrible and led to great disappointment, but we are all still so proud of his training effort and the heart and drive he showed during his relay. It certainly didn't go like he imagined but it was a great opportunity and has definitely opened the door for more in the future! :) Grayson and I greeted him and the team at the finish line, and felt such a since of pride for them and what they accomplished. Absolutely admirable! He and I have found such a passion for running and healthy living. It has provided such a new bright wonderful light in our lives. We share the passion and that makes it even more wonderful. This past year, running found us and it has changed us in so many ways, none of them negative!
The little one and I have sat on the sidelines, attended countless practices, listened to many hours of playing, and run many miles along side. I am just as proud of that little fellow as the rest. He grows each and every day! He has started to write his name so beautifully, he has began to talk with such descriptive detail, to be sure you understand just what he's trying to say. He's a thinker and I love that about him!
All of the events over the last couple weeks have kept us busy and kept me proud! I never dreamed that I would play a part in raising children who loved God, themselves, loved life, and loved others. This season of having kids (vs. babies) has been extraordinary. I love seeing them find themselves, discover their passions, face their fears, swallow their disappointments, accept big challenges with diligence and hard work, and then go out and share their love and passion with the world! It's amazing to watch. These tiny little babies have began to grow into their own and I am so incredibly proud of the little people they are becoming. I can only imagine what the future holds for each of them! These people are my greatest treasures, so excuse me while I enjoy my proud mama moments. :)
