The Dream

Anna didn't make a national team.

Which made her a little sad, but, you know, she's eight. Lots of time for getting even more awesome at gymnastics, right?

The amazing thing is this:

As we were walking together, alone, on the way to pick up Naomi from preschool, I asked her if it was worth it.

"All the summer testing meets, all the fundraising, all the two-a-day practices ... Do you want to keep doing this? I mean, I know you did your best down in Texas, so what if you go to testing every year for all three years and your best is never good enough? Will it be worth it?"

She didn't hesitate. "Yes!"

I took a deep breath. Okay. One step at a time. My mama brain so often wants to go into overdrive when I think about the future.

"Because, Mom," she went on, "if I keep working really hard, maybe next time my best will be the best."

Just a little reminder on a Monday morning for all of you out there pursuing a dream. xo

Back from Karolyi Ranch

We got back from Houston yesterday. What a fun trip we had! Anna did a great job testing, so now we're waiting a few weeks for the results. 

I don't have high expectations. I'm just glad she had fun, showed her best to the judges, and that we got to experience the Karolyi Ranch with our friends. What a cool place! 

Here are a few pictures:

Handstands at the Walk of Fame, Karolyi Ranch

Anna!

The girls and their coaches

Right before testing: Anna covered her face in sparkles, which is why she looks slightly alien-like. 

I also got to have dinner with my dear friend and critique partner, Kristin Rae (author of the YA, WISH YOU WERE ITALIAN). Her six-week-old baby, Layla, is soooo adorable! We had a blast and even conspired together over secret projects. (So excited!!) 

Cuties!!

Krista's cover! ...and Gymnastics News

Last week, my good buddy Krista revealed the cover for her gorgeous MG debut, THE SOUND OF LIFE AND EVERYTHING. 

I am in love with this cover! What do you think? I'm so excited for this book to come out. I got to read an early version, but I know Krista has worked on it a ton since then.

Here's the blurb from Goodreads:

Twelve-year-old Ella Mae Higbee is a sensible girl. She eats her vegetables and wants to be just like Sergeant Friday, her favorite character on Dragnet. So when her auntie Mildred starts spouting nonsense about a scientist who can bring her cousin back to life from blood on his dog tags, Ella Mae is skeptical—until he steps out of a bio-pod right before her eyes.

But the boy is not her cousin—he’s Japanese. And in California in the wake of World War II, the Japanese are still feared and despised. When her aunt refuses to take responsibility, Ella Mae and her Mama take him home instead. Determined to do what’s right by her new friend, Ella Mae teaches Takuma English and defends him from the reverend’s talk of H-E-double-toothpicks. But when his memories start to resurface, Ella Mae learns some shocking truths about her own family and more importantly, what it means to love. 

THE SOUND OF LIFE AND EVERYTHING will be out in May of next year. In the meantime, you can pre-order wherever books are sold.  

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In other news, I leave with my daughter Anna for Texas on Friday so she can participate in National Gymnastics Testing at the Olympic Training Center. Exciting times! Please pray for us, that we have peace and safety in our journey, and that Anna stays healthy and uninjured for testing. THANK YOU!

Anna and her teammates. She's far right.