Swimming with the Olymipian’s and the Ruby Giveaway Winner

First off, the winner of the giveaway is Naomi Beachy!  Congratulations Naomi. I will e-mail you with details.  Thank you for all who entered.  I loved reading your acts of service and holiday traditions.  Every one of them made me smile!  Thank you for sharing and being a part of Ruby.

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This summer we were glued to the T.V every evening during the Olympics, especially to watch the swimming events.  It was common for the entire family (even Ady) to be up until 11:30, then the late night shows started and it was time for bed.  The kids didn’t want to miss a thing!  Neither did we.  These are really fun summer memories for us and great time spent as a family. 

Swimming has been such a huge part of our life since we moved to Texas.  The kids have been in summer league for 4 years now and Kaylee has swam year round for half of that time.  It is a big commitment but such a wonderful sport to be involved in.  In the middle of September we had the opportunity to be a part of something really exciting!  Kaylee’s year round swim team, Swim Streamline, brought two Olympian swimmers to us!  Josh Davis and Misty Hyman came and taught a swim clinic for our team at our pool. They are amazing people and had so much to share with the kids.  Not only did they offer great advice and tips about swimming, but they had just as much wonderful advice about life and being the best person you can be.  I was inspired listening to them and their amazing life stories.  Doesn’t it seem like every Olympian has a special story to share?  An experience that kept them going and made them such strong people? They had their own stories to share and I loved hearing them.  It’s nice because when Kaylee is exhausted from doing hard things, whether it is at swim or at school we can talk about what we remember Josh and Misty saying.  They taught these kids life skills and gave me extra tools to use as a parent.  The other day I told Kaylee “Practice makes perfect.”  She said, “No. Josh said practice doesn’t make perfect.  Perfect practice makes perfect.”  Oh. Yeah your right. Thanks Kaylee!

The morning started by meeting Josh and Misty.  Each swimmer got their autograph and took a picture with them while wearing their gold medals.  So inspiring! 

They even had the kids sign their own shirts.

Then it was time to learn.  After Josh and Misty gave their speeches it was time for hands on teaching in and out of the pool.

They got the kids pumped up and were so much fun to interact with.

Coach Ross, who is still a strong swimmer and swims for the Masters Swim Team, raced Josh Davis.  The kids absolutely LOVED this!

We are so lucky to have the opportunities we have and be surrounded by so many amazing people every day. Our coaches and team rock!  We are proud to be Northampton Cuda’s and to be a part of Swim Streamline through out the year.

Aaaaaaaannnnnnddd…

We had a birthday in the house!!!

Ady turned 3.

More to come soon.

A Giveaway! {Giveaway Closed}

Yes, you heard that right.  Welcome to the first ever giveaway on These are the Days.  This is a special giveaway and I am honored to dedicate this to Ruby June Warburton. 

Meet Ruby.   

I love this picture.  I remember when I saw it for the first time one year ago.  I just stared in awe at that beautiful little girl.  I am still staring in awe.  I could feel her strong spirit through these images. I love the way she is staring at her mama.  It is the sweetest connection there is and my heart just broke for them.  I know that Ruby is an extremely special little angel baby and one that will  touch so many hearts.  Ruby was here on the earth for 15 cherished days.  It is her one year birthday!

Meet Kristin. 

She  is the mother of Ruby.  She amazes me.  She is such an example of strength and grace through adversity.  She is a wonderful mother to Ruby and has honored her and kept her spirit alive by sharing Ruby’s love and giving to others. 

To celebrate Ruby’s first birthday,  Kristin has put together 15 days of blog giveaways and invited family and friends to join her.  I am day 10 and so happy to be a part of this.  Each giveaway involves the color red.  It is Ruby’s signature color.  :)  To read more about Ruby on Kristin’s blog go  here.  

This is what I am giving away. 

 

Three little red birds which are Christmas ornaments but you can use them anyway you like.  They have clips on the bottom so you can easily attach them to something or just let them sit alone and make something extra pretty. 

Also this pack of 24 Zig Zag cupcake liners and toppers. 

Whether you are taking a treat to a party, surprising a neighbor or just baking for your kids at home they will make the whole process of baking and giving much more fun! 

The birthday gift Kristin and Jared wanted for Ruby was acts of service.  Big or small.  It doesn’t matter.  Just a way to think of others and show someone you care.  For one entry leave me a comment sharing an act of service you have done.  It can even be a mundane daily task.  Sometimes as mothers we don’t think much about those tasks but if you look at it from a different perspective you will probably see it is often related to service.  Go do an act of service in honor of Ruby and come back to share with me!

And since my giveaway has to do with the Christmas holiday, for two entries share with me a way you are going to make the holiday season extra special for your family.  Do you have a special tradition? Are you going to try something new?  Let me know!  I would love to hear.    

Don’t forget to leave me your e-mail address so I have a way to contact you. 

Giveaway closes on Wednesday the 24th at 11:00 p.m.  ‘cause that’s my bedtime!  I’ll close it before I go to bed and post the winner on Thursday morning! 

Have a wonderful weekend.