State Champion

Darling Kiddo had her school fine arts and academic tournament last week. This year she was old enough to compete in the speech portion of the competition.  You have to know my sweet girl to understand how strange it seems that my darling kiddo would want to compete in the speech competition.  She rarely says much.  She is extremely quiet in most all social situations and doesn't really enjoy standing out, but she loves to win and she can memorize anything!  So.. I pushed her a bit to sign up to participate in the speech portion.  She was hesitant because she doesn't like to do anything that she isn't going to "win" and she wasn't feeling confident about sticking herself out there and performing BUT she was blessed to have a great coach at school who worked well with her, encouraged her, and guided her. She has worked hard in the last few months and when she performed her speech for me the first time, I couldn't believe how good it was. (I know that I am her mom and I hadn't seen many speeches before but it was really good.)  It seems the judges agreed with me because my girl won state champion.   Her score was the highest one in her category.  She was very proud of her accomplishment and thought maybe she might do it again next year.  We are proud of her and love that there is so much at her small school to encourage her to find and develop the many talents that God has given her.  She also entered some photography pieces and received a blue for them.  It was fun to be able to participate for the first time, but if I could I would stop these moments and savor them just a little longer because she is growing up way too fast I tell you.  I just told her today that I wish it was summer so she could be home with us today.  I miss her terribly when she is at school.  She smiled (and rolled her eyes at the same time)!  Gotta love a teenager.