1000 Gifts: The Christmas Invitational

North Baltimore Aquatic Club's Annual Christmas Invitational

December 11-13, 2009

The United States Naval Academy

Annapolis, Maryland

It was a blast.

A rip-roaring good time.

A family thang~

And a weekend of extraordinary accomplishments.

Just one more adventure,

punctuated by the LORD's blessing and the outpouring of His mighty hand~

"I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;

I will tell of all your wonders."

Psalm 9:1

So this morning, with a heart full of wonder,

I give thanks...

0216

a selection, an invitation, a most generous offer to attend this prestigious event...

and the team of coaches who believed in my boys enough to extend it

0217

weeks, nay months, of training and the privilege of competing

0218

teammates who encourage, who push, who cheer... who drive one another to excellence

0219

teammates who play, who laugh, who congratulate, who accept

0220

a weekend of spectacular accomplishments, almost too numerous to count

Noh-man, my very favorite 8-year old in the whole wide world

(swimming in the 10 & under age bracket)...

• was the only 8 year old boy to compete at the meet
• swam 9 separate events... swam 8 personal bests
• swam in the finals round three times (for having one of the top 8 times)... out of 45-60 swimmers per event
  
• smashed 2 more team records... in the 200 IM and the 100 fly... by over 14 and 11 seconds respectively!
• made an age-group qualifying cut for the 9-10 age bracket
• placed nationally in the 100 yd butterfly-- he's now ranked 7th in the country amongst 8-year old boys
• made this mama prouder than a peacock!

Bub, my very favorite 11-year old in the whole wide world

(competing in the 11-12 age bracket):

• was the youngest 11 year-old on his team to compete
• swam 9 solid races with 5 personal bests (including 2 shatterings of his previous results)
• firmly nestled himself atop the 11-year old pecking order by once again finishing first amongst his competitors
• courageously proclaimed the gospel of Christ to all who cared to hear... by boldly tattooing (in marker!) John 3:16 on his shoulder... by sharing our true Hope, our true Light, this Christmas season
• made this mama prouder than a peacock!

0221

their love of the sport

0222

the love of grandparents-- 4 wonderful grandparents...

who traveled many miles and sacrificed much to support & encourage their grand-kiddos

0223

a favorite coach, her never-ending support, lots of hugs & high-fives... her care for my boys

0224

a weekend rich... with memories that will last forever

0225

the outpouring of God's favor... His wonders never cease!

and the list continues...