This past weekend my daughter's All-Star team wrapped up their season in the best way. They beat two Wahoo tournament (World Series qualifying teams) winners.  For the semi-final game, they were down two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning (they only play six innings) and came back to win.  I have never witnessed a more intense game. My daughter was the winning run.  Could my heart swell any more?  no.

After the last game was played, a reality hit home.  That was it for the season.  My daughter was put on the all-star team last year.  Many of the same girls played on her team this year.  Last year was just as amazing as this year.  We have had so much fun.  I realized though that just three years ago, we were missing all of this.  We had no idea great times were being had and intense games were being played.  We were going about our summer, doing summer time things.

It is hard for me to let go.  (That is a blanket statement for me for all things)

It is hard for me to say good bye to the season.  I told the coach, I could do this - going to tournaments, every weekend. I love watching the girls play.  I love watching them win.  I love listening to their cheers.  I love the excitement.  I just do.  Why would I want it to end?

Maybe I was better off three years ago, when I didn't know what I was missing?

No way!

{I will patiently wait until next summer}

Way to go girls!

It's London Olympics time and I couldn't be happier.  I have always liked watching the Olympics, but this year I really looked forward to it.  I feel like I have seen quite a bit of it so far.  My kids like to watch it too, and they are in awe.  My youngest pretends to be a "good swimmer" in the couch cushions.  Yesterday we were watching men's gymnastics.  As he watches, he says, "I can do that."

It's hard for me not to beam with pride for these athletes.  It is hard to watch the parents watch their children.  What they go through watching their kids nail it.  Pride wells inside me, I know that pride for my own children.  Maybe not on an Olympic level, but I can imagine that it is very much the same.  I am not sure I could be an Olympian's mom.  I would cry.  all.the.time.  Good or bad, the emotion of it all would sweep me away.

My heart beams for the winners, no matter what country they are from, and it is even more exciting when they beat the world record.  You can't help to realize their awesome athletic ability, determination, and the countless hours, days, weeks, and years they have dedicated for the moment they are in.

On a smaller scale, I have my daughter and her All Star softball team.

They are beyond awesome.  They have lost only one game this season.

We haven't played for two weeks and this week will be our last tournament this year.  We are thankful to play one more time.  There is something about watching these girls that is exciting, it's emotional, it's fun.

It is amazing what you start to pick up on, as a parent in the stands.  You get used to their different stances.

The different silly faces.

Watching them gear up.

Watching them brave the weather that engulfed this summer with days of relentless heat.
Those girls played many days in mid 90 degree weather.  One day was particularly rough, with the heat at 102 degrees and the heat index at 114 degrees.  That was a hard day, but they kept their spirits up...their biggest collective redeeming quality, they have awesome attitudes.

I cannot say enough about the coaches.  They put so much time and effort into teaching these girls.  You can tell they care.

They are good at consoling, and keeping an upbeat attitude...always encouraging.

The catcher's dad, the assistant coach, beaming with pride...when the catcher reveals her secret of picking the other team off.

"You can't teach that."

No, you can't...and that is just how these girls are.  Smart.

I'll miss this as I did last year.

And eagerly anticipate next season.

Good luck this weekend, ladies!  You are a great team!