There are so many days I look at this world around me and can only think “wow!” There is so much that is hard to understand right now and life is ridiculously stressful for so many strange reasons. But I am also amazed by all the goodness that I’ve been given and that surrounds me each day.
Ten years ago, as I sat at the hospital waiting for our latest little bundle, I had no idea what the future held. I had no idea that the tiny little human waiting to enter our world would so dramatically change it.
We didn’t expect to get a screamer, but that what we got. A tiny little fireball that screamed her way through the first 5 years of her life. Yet, 5+ years ago, I never would have guessed that we’d be where we are today, with the quietest, sweetest, most loving and caring 10 year old.
And looking back now, I can see that the crying was for a reason and in that time, it was just her way of showing us her fighting personality. Because really, that’s all she is: a fighter. And when she wants something, she works until she gets it.
Before her first birthday, she fought to walk. Dragging her right leg for months, she tried and tried and tried until she got it and could wobble around like a pro.
At 1 year old, she loved to carry things. She would constantly move around the chairs, saying “heavy! heavy!” all the way.
At 2 years old, she learned how to swim. She couldn’t figure out how to keep her head up, so she learned to hold her breath and swim under the water.
At 3 years old, she began gymnastics. She moved her way up through the progressions and, tiny buy mighty, got one skill after another. 
At 4 years old, she did her first dance class. Hip hop didn’t end up being her thing, but she shined as the leader of the acro portion.
At 5 years old, she began to read, on her own. After only a bit of phonics work with me, she spent her afternoon nap times teaching herself to make sense of the words.
At 6 years old, she began competing. After her first competition, where she got 3rd highest all around score on her team, she said “If I’d known there were going to be trophies, I would have tried harder!” And she continued with that attitude all season.
At 7 years old, she learned an entire level of skills in the summer, and the next level between Thanksgiving and Christmas. When we moved from Florida to New Jersey that spring, she was pushed up another entire level.
At 8 years old, her coaches talked about holding her back. They weren’t sure she was mature enough to move on with her team, but she worked hard all summer and moved up two levels, alongside her teammates.
At 9 years old, she spent over 100 days practicing and working at home when she couldn’t go into the gym. She did zoom classes with her team and submitted daily challenges to her coach. And never missed a day.
Finally, A few weeks ago, she went back into the gym stronger and more determined than ever. Because this girl has a fighting spirit like I’ve never seen. And I can’t wait to see what all she achieves at 10 years old!
