a bit of advice

i don't give parenting advice

i think that the only advice i have ever given is

"don't take anyone else's advice"

but i think after tonight, i will share one small bit

flash back one year ago

audrey in dance: shy, timid, middle of the pack

audrey in soccer: crying, fingers in her mouth, bored

audrey at pool olympics night: sobbing, afraid (i might have pushed her into the pool)

fast forward to tonight

she asked me 8 times when gymnastics was

she asked me to do her hair

i found her at the front door at 3:45 doing this

i said, "you ready to go Muscles?"

she flashed me these

we go to practice, she asks me to stay and watch her (prime grocery shopping time)

i stay the whole two hours

i watch as my girl runs, jumps, leaps, flexes, flip flops and tumbles

her smile reminds me of the Hollywood sign

too big for it's surroundings yet perfect, remarkable even

at the end of practice, they get to swing on the rope and jump in the pit

i start gathering up my stuff (by "stuff" i mean georgia and 16 sucker sticks) and i hear the clapping.

it is the mom's in the viewing room, i look through the glass and see her team cheering wildly

my timid, crying, middle of the pack wimp is nearing the top of the rope.

i suck in a huge breath and look away-how the heck is she going to get down from there?

i pray

i turn back and she is at the top, Hollywood sign smile, looking right at me through the window

"see Mom, you just needed to help me find my niche, thank you"  

in that moment i knew that i did one thing right so far,

i let HER pick what she wanted to do

against everything i know about sports, girls, one sport burn out

i followed her to the place where she shines

brightly.

(funny thing, that is not actually her in the picture above, i was too busy praying to take a picture

this is her friend kiana who ALMOST made it right after Audrey did)

she is beast

thank you gymnastics for providing confidence, strength and courage to my baby

PS: soccer is still a WAY better sport.....i'm just sayin'