Life

Ok so on Monday July 21st my friend Maren passed away, it was totally unexpected and a complete shock. I remember every time I saw Maren she would always compliment me, whether it was about my outfit, hair, or my smile it was always a nice comment that made me smile. She was one of my friends that is always there to cheer me up and make sure I think highly of myself. When I heard the news I was at FHE and frankly I was in shock thinking this could not be happening, it really made me think about my life. 

I try to live my life to the fullest, I set goals and doing everything in my power to reach them but also make sure that I am smiling while doing it. Losing a friend makes you take inventory of your life and what you have made of it so far. While I don't know what is in store for me in the future I do know that so far, even when things get really rough, I have loved every minute of my life and would not change it for the world All I can do is take one day at a time, one trial at a time and try to remain positive the whole time, knowing good and well that this to will pass. 

I have so many amazing people in my life that even when something like this happens we all ban together and it through it. To all my amazing friends and family I hope you know how much I love and appreciate every single one of you. I also hope that you know that you are always in my prayers and that if you were to ever need anything I would be there for you in a heart beat. Without your amazing influence in my life I would not be the person I am today, and for that I am truly grateful. 

I will never forget you Maren and I can't wait to see you again :) 

Love always,

Ames 

My year in review

OK so this year has been a roller coaster for me, at this time last year I switched gyms and coaches, a very difficult decision for me but definitely a good one. So I wanted to review what has happened as far as my tumbling goes. 

In August of 2007 I was named to the World Championship Women's Tumbling Team as the alternate, it was the right decision by the committee, but was still hard to take at first but with my very supportive coach he said you are going and that's final!! :) So I went to Lake Placid with the team and trained for a week and then we went to Quebec for World Championships. Everything the girls tumbling team I did, the only two things I did not do was compete and get to be on the podium listening to our national anthem with a gold medal around my neck. I have never been so proud to be a member of a team as I did when I watched them up on the podium however it was heart breaking, know I had worked just as hard as they did for that medal and I wouldn't get one. This experience was really rewarding, it made me appreciate who I am as a person instead of a competitive athlete, I was there for my teammates every step of the way. If they had a bad day I was right there encouraging them to keep pushing and to not give up. I believe any real competitive athlete would have been wishing one of the girls would get hurt so I could compete, I didn't think that once. I knew that I was the alternate and I believe that was what I was meant to do, those girls needed me on the sidelines cheering and believing in them. That experience changed my life and some people ask would you changes things if you could go back and I say no way. 

So this year was my year to continue to get better and prove to myself I was a good tumbler no matter who was my coach. I have had amazing coaches throughout my years of tumbling however I think I have always depended on them to make me great, but now I know I am the one who makes me great and no coach can change that, they can only help me improve on that. 

So the year I might have finished last at every competition but it was a great season. At the end of the season I got a couple of things I have been working for my whole life. 

First I got a $2000 scholarship from my region, that was amazing, Patti the head of Region 3 told the audience I give so much heart and dedication to this sport, I know I do that but for others to realize that meant a lot to me. 

After that competition I went to Nationals in Houston, this meet had so many good things about it I will have to make a list.

• I got free tickets to an Astros game and they were in a suite!! 
• I got 4Th place
• I did a new pass
• I got a scholarship for $1000 from USA Gymnastics
• Last but not least the World Championships Women's Tumbling Team was named athletes of the year- remember how I said I didn't get a medal or  get to stand on the stand. Well when Ann Sims, the head of USA Trampoline & Tumbling, handed me my certificate she said I have a surprise for you... she pulled out the same medal the girls got at World Championships!! I cried it was the best moment, it made me realize how much everyone appreciated what I did for the team in Quebec!!

So as you can see it was an awesome year for me, I didn't win but I don't need to, the pure realization that people appreciate me as a person and understand and support my goals will always be enough for me to be proud of what I did. 

Ok so thats it, I will put some pictures up, hope you enjoy them as much as I do! :) 

JO Nationals

Most of you know I coach trampoline and tumbling well the athletes I coach had their nationals in Kansas City, MO from June 30th thru July 6th. We had a lot of fun and it was a very successful trip, the results include two NATIONAL CHAMPIONS, one silver medalist, one 4th - 5th & 6th place. They only gave out awards to the top six so that was awesome that we had some top six finishes, but most of our athletes finished in the top ten so that was awesome. 

Ok so when I was not coaching I took at level 1 judging course so I can judge the elite after I am retired from competitive tumbling! (plus I will make more money, which is always a bonus) I also judged the entire JO Nationals, it was a great experience and I learned a lot and I think that a lot of people learned a lot about me. :) 

Also while we were up there they did the Olympic Trial for Trampoline, did you know that Trampoline is an Olympic sport?? Well USA qualified a man and a woman to the Olympics this year, this is the first time we have qualified a man to the Olympics. As you might have guessed these trampolinists are my friends so it was exciting but very nerve racking to watch the trials. Chris Estrada and Erin Blanchard will be representing USA at the Olympics and you better believe I will be glued to the television watching them. :) 

Ok so I think thats it for my trip, I will post some pictures and I hope you enjoy. :) 

I have more pictures so I will do a blog part 2 and put them up there! :) 

Oh and I have already figured this is going to be addicting!!

Love ya,

Ames

Here goes...

OK so... I am bad at writing in my journal but love being on the computer, playing on facebook, so I decided I would try this blogging thing out. :) (I would like to thank Dave & Brooke for putting theirs up, because I love to read about their stories, I figure you know what I have an interesting life so lets write about it). 

So that is the introduction and now I will write another blog and add pictures, if I can figure out how :) 

Hope everyone enjoys! 

Ames

he he... I wish I was super girl! :)!!