Tumbling

John and Mandie's middle daughter Audrey is involved in tumbling. Today I'm taking a little break from the quilt show to talk about Audrey and her accomplishments.

It seems like a short time ago but likely it was two or three years ago. When you are in your 60's two or three years ago is a short time. I'm sure it seems like a much longer time ago for Audrey. She was participating in T-ball and was not enjoying the experience. We went to see her play in one of her games. She was painfully shy and didn't want to be the center of attention in the batter's box. I went up to stand with her and run the bases with her. John and Mandie let her quit after the season. It was an important lesson. Try something new. If you don't enjoy it you can quit but only after you fulfill your obligation to your team.

Somewhere along the way she got involved in dance and tumbling at All About Dance and More in Mt. Sterling. This year she decided she wanted to participate on the traveling tumbling team. The little girl who didn't want to be the center of attention playing baseball enjoys tumbling. She doesn't feel like the center of attention because there is always several things going on at once. She enjoys the competition and the sport. I enjoy it for a couple of reasons. First, she is having fun. It seems to me that is the important part. Second, her parents are supportive. They aren't pushing or criticizing her. They are encouraging her and want her to have fun. They support her in doing her very best. If her best doesn't win, that's fine. She is still loved and encouraged. Her coaches are the same kind of people. Loving and encouraging. They are exactly the kind of women you would want coaching your daughter or granddaughter.

Today was the Illinois State meet in Pana. Audrey finished 7th in her group and has earned the privilege of competing in the national meet in Rapid City, South Dakota this summer. Here are some pictures from her competitions this year.