Monday, December 14, 2009

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!

holy experience

and the list continues...

8 comments:

gretchen said...

We Are OH SO PROUD of you boys here in SE VA -- Congrats to MY favorite 8 & 11 year old boys. Great job representing your sport and our LORD! You guys ROCK!

Oh - a great pictures Heather! Love you guys!

Carrie said...

What a spectacular privilege and opportunity for your boys!!!! Wow! Perhaps one day we'll all be cheering them on in the Olympics!!! Mom, you have lots to be proud of ... shattering records and proclaiming the LORD!!! What more could you ask for?!?!

Jennifer said...

WOW! Congrats to your boys!!! What fun to swim at Navy.

Amazing photos... as always.

Blessings on your week...

Jessica said...

Always exciting to "meet" another gratitude friend journeying nearby. A hearty wave from Gaithersburg, MD area.
Can't wait until our little ones are old enough for swim team!
Blessings.

Catherine said...

Congrats to the boys on all of their terrific accomplishments! What a wonderful weekend for your whole family to be together to share in this awesome competition!

Anonymous said...

What a fabulous weekend!!!! So glad we could be part of the cheering, hugging and oh so proud family gathering! Love to all, take a long nap you deserve it. Love , Gmom

Linda said...

How wonderful Heather! A weekend filled with great accomplishments, love and growing faith. I am so happy for you!

Alison said...

Wow! How incredibly awesome!! Congrats to your boys and your whole family!