End of an era

Ainsley was on a role in the fall with gymnastics and made level 8!  She competed in her intrasquad meet in December and did really well.  Unfortunately, her body failed shortly after (back and wrists) and she's been trying to recover since.  She has been going 1/2 time since January and was feeling great, so she started doing many of the skills she hasn't been doing and her wrists flared up after the first practice and acupuncture hasn't helped this time.  So, the time has come to move on and her last day will be next Saturday.  She is really, really sad.  It is hard for her to not be able to do what she really loves and be with her best friends.  I'm sure we will have a transition :(.  

Ainsley is, however, excited to play volleyball for her school in March and we are trying the Omni Fight Club kid class and trampoline this weekend.  There's lots of options out there and we're hoping she can find something she loves as much as gymnastics.

Sorry you can't hear the music....

She corrected a mistake on bars and actually changed her routine after this meet and it is now much more consistent, but she won't get to compete it...too bad you can't pick and choose your events!

I can't seem to get her beam to upload (which is a real bummer because it was a beautiful routine).  The file is too big, so I will see if I can compress it somehow.

The life lessons this sport has taught her has been priceless....from how  to deal with difficult coaches, to overcoming fear, to working through the pressures of competing to dealing with disappointment when things didn't go well to trusting God's plan when we moved gym's and dealing with the frustrations of a failing body and not being able to do what you love.  She has come away a more mature, better individual with a faith in God that I hope will stick with her always.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."