Determination, Focus, and Practice equals Success

Following the Summer Olympics last year, Amira decided she really wanted to try gymnastics.  We found a gymnastics’ facility not far from our house and signed her up for a month worth of classes.  After two weeks of classes, her teacher decided Amira needed to advance to another level as she was already more than capable of handling the moves being presented in the entry level class. 

Realizing Amira really had a love for the sport, decided to keep enrolling her in classes.  During the second month of her classes, her teacher once again approached me and said there was a competition coming up in February and she really believed Amira would be a great fit for their team.  So began the competition training as well as continued weekly classes.

The competition was to be held at California State University Sacramento on February 23, 2013.  She was thrilled, excited and nervous all at the same time.  Amira is not a morning person, but on the day of the performance she had no problem waking up early…..lol funny how that works. 

We arrived at the gym early and found front row seats.  The energy in the air was exhilarating, and all the performers stood tall and proud.

There were four routines the girls could do, the beam, the vault, the floor, and the uneven bars.  Amira participated in all four routines.

After all the performances were completed and scores were tallied, all the gymnasts and their coaches sat in the middle of the floor awaiting their results.  You could feel the anticipation and excitement, I think even more from the crowd and coaches than the gymnasts themselves.

Amira received a 3^rd place in the vault, a 2^nd place from the floor, a 1st place on the uneven bars and a 1^st place on the beam.  It was all very exciting to see all the gymnasts approach the stage and receive their ribbons.  After the ribbons for each routine was passed out they then awarded medals to those that competed in the All Around (competing in all four events).  Amira was not awarded a medal in this event because she actually won 1^st place in this event, which afforded her a trophy.  She was so thrilled and beamed with pride at winning her first trophy.

I know I couldn’t be more proud of her for her accomplishment for she truly put her heart and soul into practicing diligently and focusing on what she was being taught from her coaches.

It’s been a testament and honor to watch what such determination can achieve.

Amira's First of Many Experiences

A week ago, Friday, Amira’s school had their annual Harvest Festival, which consist of food, crafts, community gathering and this year a talent show.

About a month prior to the Harvest Festival, Amira came home from school and announced that she wanted to sign up with one of her classmates for the talent show. Internally I was shocked because of her severe shyness, but externally I showered her with encouragement and support. She shared they were going to do a scene from Alice In Wonderland Jr., the musical. All new to me, but was excited for her nonetheless for her adventurous nature. She practiced everyday when she had free time.

A week prior to the Harvest Festival she even took her backpack to school with a few dresses and shoes to show her friend so they could decide what they were going to wear for their play.

The day of the Harvest Festival, Amira packed her backpack with all her wears and went off to school. At 4:30 that evening my dad and I arrived to greet Amira and assist with any last minute preparations for the big show. We also ran into her little friend that was equally as excited, nervous and ready to go.

Beings this was the school’s first year at having a talent show at the Harvest Festival, it was a bit unorganized leaving families uncertain as to where, when and what time the show was suppose to take place.

Like sheep we followed a flock to a classroom where we all gathered for the big event. You could clearly tell Amira was nervous but wanted to play it ‘cool’ around the other kids. The program directory was passed out and the talent show attendees where asked to sit up front. Amira’s little friend was still not in the room when the talent show began, which added greatly to Amira’s nervousness.

Amira’s name was finally called to step up, to which she did, but to tell the director that her friend was not here yet. Ugh! She returned to her seat and anxiously awaited her friend’s arrival.

A few acts later and her friend finally arrives. Amira runs back up to the director of the program and advises her that her friend has arrived, so they let the two of them go to center stage with a microphone in Amira’s hand. The room is silent and still. The two girls look out at the crowd, then look at one another. Amira’s eyes begin to wail up and she puts her hand around her throat. Her friend’s eyes are like a deer looking in headlights – wide as can be. They just stand there. Finally the director whispers to them, “it’s ok, you can sit down”. The two girls walk off the staging area. Everyone claps.

We make it through the remainder of the talent show, then Amira comes up to me barely holding back from crying and I grab her hand. She doesn’t not want much comforting as she’s seconds away from losing it and doesn’t want to do it in front of everyone.

We make our way to the car. Once inside we both start bawling like babies. I feel so horrible for how she’s feeling. She’s embarrassed and can’t stop crying. She wants to just go home. We held hands all the way home, and talked about the show. I shared with her how proud of her I was, and how proud others were of her for taking such a big step, as they know how shy she is. She tells me that when she looked out at the audience she was surprised how many people were there, and that Patrick’s advice (from Spongebob) of visualizing people in their underwear did not help AT ALL. I shared with her my experience of having to say or do something in front of people and how it made me feel. Hearing this seemed to help calm her nerves.

When we got home I asked if she wanted to share some hot tea together and she said that she did. As I was preparing the tea she decided to get this book she gave me last year which was a book of Maxine quotes (see below the first page of the book she turned too).

When I brought her a cup of tea, I found her crying again. I asked what happened and she said she got the “Maxine” book out as she thought it would cheer her up, but instead she said, “I opened the very first page and this is what I saw”.

Maxine can be so cold sometimes. LOL

Artist in the making

Amira has recently shown an interest in art, so found a school in a nearby town that offers art classes to children of all ages.

Yesterday was her first trial class and here's the results of her first project.

She seemed to really enjoy herself, so she's been officially signed up and will continue attending classes on Saturday mornings.

Looking forward to sharing future Amira works with you.

Amira's Adventures

Well in light of everything we've been experiencing with mom's situation, Amira's been having some pretty fun adventures.

One night I had a dinner "meeting" so she went with my brother, his family and my cousins to a minor league baseball game. She's been before but now that she's almost 5 she's more intriqued and interactive with everything. She and cousin Pat, who really gets into all sporting events, were taunting the umpire with things such as...."oh come on blue what kind of call is that". During the innings they also play music, so again she and cousin Pat would stand up and dance. I'm telling you cousin Pat is a kick in the pants so was a bit envious of Amira hanging out with her and the family. Especially after the "meeting". Ok, well it wasn't exactly a "meeting" but in a way it was sort of. I had recently met someone and we had been talking and chatting online, so we were meeting for dinner. I'm telling you this much, no matter how old you get this part is the worst part......getting to know someone to see if there's the possibility of a relationship.

It was a nice evening. We had dinner at a place call Joe's Crab Shack which is located right on the river. So it was lovely to sit outside on the patio area over looking the water and enjoying the sunset. Conversation was good and his company was nice. However, I get the feeling we are going to be great friends but nothing further. He's also divorced and has two children. He's been divorced for over a year and a half, but there's just something that tells me he's not completely over the shell shock of being divorced, which I completely understand when you are not the one that wanted the divorce in the first place. Anyway, it was a nice evening and if nothing else I have a new friend, but really I'm not looking to date a bunch of people----hate that--never have been good at it and don't want to learn now----just want to meet someone and start a new chapter of life with them.

Anyway back to Amira's adventures. After the ball game and learning how to cheer and taunt the umpire we hung out with cousin Pat and Pooh for the remainder of their stay. Always a wonderful adventure with them.......filled with lots of laughter.

Last Sunday I needed to work so Amira went to her friend Angela's house for a few hours. Before taking her there I got a text from MixedUpMe asking to pack her swimsuit, which Amira was thrilled to hear. When I got off work and went to get her they were still at the pool. MixedUpMe shared that she had a great time but never once got in the water.....only sat on the stairs with her feet in the water. :-) But it's all good as she had a great time. In one day that little girl's olive complexion immediately darkened to a beautiful color while poor white girl mom takes nearly all summer to look the same color as her in the dead of winter....LOL

Other fun adventures coming up so will keep ya posted.

To My Precious Baby Girl - Amira

It’s hard to believe it’s been 4 years since Amira was born, alhamdullilah. She is honestly a gift sent from God. Truly she touches everyone that comes into her life. She’s loving, tender, kind, and determined. She has brought a confidence out in me that I don’t would have otherwise come out.
Truly our children come into this world to teach us----not the other way around.
To my precious baby girl, Amira, may Allah bless you always, keep you safe, and guide you at all times. Happy Birthday Baby! I love you so very much.

I dedicate Martina McBride’s song “In My Daughter’s Eyes” to Amira.

In My Daughter's Eyes

In my daughter's eyes I am a hero

I am strong and wise and I know no fear

But the truth is plain to see

She was sent to rescue me

I see who I wanna be

In my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal

Darkness turns to light and the

world is at peace

This miracle God gave to me gives me

strength when I am weak

I find reason to believe

In my daughter's eyes

And when she wraps her hand

around my finger

Oh it puts a smile in my heart

Everything becomes a little clearer

I realize what life is all about

It's hangin' on when your heart

has had enough

It's giving more when you feel like giving up

I've seen the light

It's in my daugter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes I can see the future

A reflection of who I am and what will be

Though she'll grow and someday leave

Maybe raise a family

When I'm gone I hope you see how happy

she made me

For I'll be there

In my daughter's eyes