BOOM! BOOM! POW!

Well, I haven't blogged in almost a month. Who would have thought I would be worse at blogging in the summer than during the school year. Let's see.....

I had one of the best birthday's ever this year. I literally celebrated for a week: dinner w/ my parents, lunch & shopping w/ grandma, dinner & a romantic evening with Michael, my best friends from college spending the day with me, a road trip to Charleston w/Michael & a 4th of July/bday party with my closest friends. One of my favorite things about birthdays is not celebrating me, but spending time with friends and family. The Lord really reminded me this year how blessed I am to have such wonderful friends & family! I love them so much! Here are a few pics from all the festivities...

Dinner at Pewter Rose w/ my Carolina Girls :)

Michael & I in Charleston - he packed a picknick lunch for us.Setting off fireworks on the 4th over the lake.

Kendra made me the most delicious rasberry chocolate cake ever for my bday

Watching the fireworks...

Since the 4th of July & my bday the rest of my life has been consumed by swimming. My swimmers just had their state championship meet last weekend. We swam so well!! It was such an answer to prayer. We were somewhere around 90% best times for the meet, had numerous top 8 & 16 finishes, and finished 14th as a team overall at the meet. 14th may not sound that great, but I couldn't be happier. We are a very small team, about 35 swimmers age 14 & under (15 qualified for the meet, 11 swam at the meet), and there were over 35 teams represented at the meet, many of whom are double or triple our size (or more). However, the most important thing to me was the attitude of our swimmers. They were positive all week long, worked hard, stayed motivated & motivated one another. To me, that is way more important than just swimming fast, and the Lord was so kind to answer my prayers in this area in particular. GO ATOM! WE GOT THAT BOOM! BOOM! POW!

Sophia had an incredible meet, starting with a 14 second drop in the 400 IM & a 5th place finish!

Finally, Michael & I went to Florida for 3.5 days to see his family. We had a great time eating, shopping, seeing his friends from home & going to the beach. I was able to meet his dad & younger brother for the first time. So I have officially survived meeting the parents :) I leave for Orlando on Monday for my last swim meet of the season! It should be a blast, but I will be glad to be able to spend some quality time at home when all this traveling is done!

Three Little Birdies On My Doorstep...

Summer is in full swing, and I am determined to take advantage of every minute of it. Here are some pics chronicling what I have been up to so far.

#1. My aunt & cousin came to visit for a few days. It was great to see them. I haven't seen my cousin Zach in over 10 years....that just seems ridiculous to me. We didn't do a ton, but honestly, one of my favorite things is hanging out w/ family. I appreciate it now more than ever. Speaking of family - we got great news on mom's results from the lumpectomy. She is completely cancer free & will not need any radiation or additional treatment. Praise God!

#2. My parents took me do dinner @ Red Rocks in Birkdale for my bday dinner. It was delish!

#3. Pops in the park is awesome!

#4. I swam in my first long course meet ever since my senior year in high school (9 years ago). I won 3 medals. My swimmers won many more.#5. My swimmers are also extra awesome b/c they surprised me after practice today w/ a bday cake & when I walked out to my car, they had decorated the whole thing. I love those kids!

#6. I went down to SC w/ K Star to get fireworks for my 4th of July/Bday Party. They are awesome! And I found some ridiculously large sparklers....my fav! I promise Kristy, I will save 2 and we will light them together. Wish you could be there Saturday!