Do not dwell

Stolen from the Mormon Channel... I like it.

I know I have written about tumbling quite a bit as of late, but I promise I will try to make it something you can relate with today. At least I will try.

Since my defeat at nationals (and no, I'm not saying I was defeated in the sense that I did terrible and I feel like a failure, I was defeated in the sense that I knew I was better than what my performance showed.) I have gotten a new perspective on things. See, when I first saw my ranking among the best athletes in the nation I was quite disappointed. I was mad at the judges, I was jealous of those select few with the opportunity to stand atop the podium and receive huge shiny medals, I was angry with the girls that I believed should have scored lower than I did, but most of all I was angry with myself. I was fuming on the inside and began to deteriorate and downgrade myself with thoughts about giving up because I might not be the golden girl, and thoughts that I might not ever be good enough. I was destroying my confidence and soon realized that it had to stop. In my anger I decided to put on a happy face and follow the advice from Shawn to enjoy the rest of the trip. I put on a smile and decided that it wouldn't make any sense to let this ruin my trip so I didn't let it and I must say It became one of the most fun trips I have ever been on.
When I got home I had a moment of defeat, but I soon had to make a decision. I could either cry and whine about it, or I could turn my defeat into hard work and my hard work into success. I realized that the attitude I bring to the table will be the most important ingredient in my final product and that if I wanted to make something of myself I had to start now. I knew I had the support from many of those around me and that no matter what I was a daughter of God and that if I made the right decisions I would be okay.
I made the decision then and there that I would punch this with everything I had. I made a vow that I would listen to my coaches and do my everything to accomplish what they tell me to do. No matter how terrified I might be. I made the decision that I would train harder than I ever had before.
I have had two days of training since I have made this decision. I have improved my attitude and my effort to listen to my coaches. I have put on tramp shoes once again and called out for help. I even got up early this morning to run with my brother. The results have been great and it has only been two days. The support I have received from Steph and Kodee have helped me regain my confidence and their support helps me push myself to my limits every time I punch off that mat. I love you two and am so thankful for you help! please don't stop what you are doing. You guys rock.

Now I share this with you mostly because it all that has run through my mind over the last few days, but I also share it for another reason. I share this with you as a proof that your attitude determines your outcome. You can make an excuse for everything. There is always going to be something that hurts or something that doesn't feel right, but if you give in to those excuses you will never become what you want to become. Some people have it handed to them with raw talent and never have to work hard, Some people just have the ability to do what the judges what to see. I on the other hand, don't have that raw talent, but I do have a determined attitude. I heard a quote a long time ago that said...

"Hard work        

       beats talent      

      when talent doesn't            

work hard."

I intend to be that hard work. What are you going to work hard at?

Feel my Sunlight

p.s. Today Kodee and I legitly convinced one of our girls that Kodee's real name is Friday. I didn't think she really believed us but at the end of class she came up to me and said "Friday said I could have three treats." I almost died.

Nationals Nationals Nationals

Nationals 2011~ San Antonio, Texas

Nationals 2012~ Long Beach, California

Today is Monday. I leave for my third US National Championships on Tuesday. I leave for Kansas City, Missouri TOMORROW! AHHHHHHHHHHH That is about all that has ran through my head all day. This will be a different nationals seems how I am going all by myself in the sense that neither of my parents are coming along. It will be weird to not have Shawn, Kenzi, Cid, Britt, or Brinna since they have been to every nationals I have been to. It will be different but it is going to rock. We have our last chance workout tonight and then we zip up our bags and hop on an airplane to take over Kansas City.

I may not be where I wanted to be when I imagined nationals at the beginning of the year. But I did learn something from this year of struggling in the gym. I learned that my place on the awards stand doesn't define who I am. Chances are I may not even make it to the podium {I never have at a national championships. I'm competing against 50 people for crying out loud!} I learned that competitive power tumbling is a part of my life to give me experience. I know that sounds like a lame excuse that someone who doesn't win a lot would say, but I truly believe it. Tumbling has brought me some of my strongest friendships, some of my greatest roll models, some of my hardest struggles, some of my sweetest moments. Tumbling has brought me a job that beats the work most of my friends get paid for. Tumbling has brought me growth. (not literally ha!} It has taught me how to trust in others, and how to trust in myself. Tumbling has taken me to places I would have never gone otherwise. Tumbling has allowed me to meet some incredibly awesome people who have taught me great things both pertaining to tumbling, and not. Tumbling has brought me some cool missionary experiences and has given me a chance to share my testimony through example to many who are not of my faith. Now when I get on that airplane and when I enter that arena. I hope to be able to tumble for those reasons, and not for a ranking. Because to me, those are the things that matter most.

See you on the Flipside!



Feel my Sunlight



p.s. Who do you know that is pro at packing a weeks worth of things in a carry on bag? That's right! ME!!!

p.s.s. I will try to post updates as often as I can this week so check back often.

p.s.s.s. I compete at 10 am on the 4th of July. So while you are all at your parades of red, white, and blue think about me!

Almost going to go insane

Well my friends, It has been four days since I last wrote. I know you have all been sitting at your computers waiting in suspense for me to post. Now where to start?

Lets start with the fact that we are almost done with this school year, when I say almost I mean I am almost going to go insane. I am ready for The Color Run, and mission farewells. I am oh so ready for EFY, 4th year hike, trek, girls camp and the US Power Tumbling National Championships. I am ready for summer training and I am ready to have the opportunity to sleep. These final weeks in school are just painfull. I can hardly focus on anything. Sorry Teachers.

This weekend starts the Elite Challenge. The Elite Challenge is well, just that, an elite challenge. My fab coach, Steph, is competing and is going to do fantastic! Texas had better watch out. We love you Steph! Good Luck!

On that note can anyone guess what next weekend is? That's right! Regional Championships! Whoo! Flipside is going to Vegas! This will be our final step on our road to Kansas City Missouri for National Championships this July. Ahhh! Oh and if anyone would like to help support our team in fundraising for National Championships click HERE. {And no, I am not going to Morp, incase you were wondering, I will be in Vegas.}

I was going to post a cool video here, but I guess it will have to wait until later. I'm at school you see, and at school the fantastic thing called YouTube doesn't exist.

So my mind is pretty much stuck on tumbling right now and I'm pretty sure it isn't coming out. So I will end here. Enjoy this picture of my team being super awesome at City Creek. I am the one on the far left. Admire my perfect handstand.







Feel my Sunlight




p.s. Congrats to all of you out there going on missions or getting married! There are lots of you and I am excited. Congrats! I love you all.

Happy weekend

This picture basically sums up my weekend in a nutshell.

Good morning! I hope you all had a fantastic week. I know I did. This weekend was my sixth state championships and my thirty sixth meet ever. It was a good meet. I had a few mistakes in my passes due to the fact that I have been out on injury for the past little bit and haven't been able to train as much as I would have liked. But regardless of that I managed to qualify for National Championships that will take place this summer. It was close and I only qualified by four tenths of a point, but I did it. I am so grateful that I have this opportunity and that I was able to make it regardless of injury. Now I'm sure you are all wondering why there is an empty container of grapefruit juice in the picture. Imagine me walking around a large arena in a leotard with that jug in my hand. I drank every drop of that stuff and it was great! This was my little sister, Mikall's, first state championships and she did fantastic! She is so stinkin cute in her little leo. Love you Miki! And thanks to Skyler an my parents for enduring the entire thing in those uncomfortable chairs. You guys rock!

 I had a blast hanging out with my comp friends that I have met over the years. We always have such a good time together even though we are competitors and it seems as if we should be enemies. But I really am thankful for the friends I have made through tumbling and the way we have stuck together through the past couple of years only seeing each other a few times a year. You guys are the greatest! I'd also like to send a shout out to my coaches for all they have done for me thought the years. I don't know if you could ever know the impact you have had on my life. You have taught me so much and I don't know where I would be without you. And lastly, I'd like to thank all of my team mates. Not just the ones who I call team now, but to everyone I have ever called team. I don't know if I would be in this sport if I didn't have a team to rely on. You have gotten me through the toughest of times, as well as the greatest of times. I love being able to be a part of this team. I love you all and I hope you know that. To all of you who are no longer a part of the team, please don't be a stranger! I miss you all and love every chance I get to talking to you. Thanks for letting me call you team.

Now the scriptures in the picture refer to this morning. It is only 11:34 and I have already been to two meetings. I went to mission prep this morning at 7:00 and it was great. I am so excited to serve a mission in a few years and I can't wait to put on that name tag and share the light of Christ with the world. The spirit was so strong this morning and I knew it was where I was supposed to be. I encourage all of you thinking about going on missions to attend missionary prep. After missionary prep I drove myself over to the church for my six month interview with the bishop. That was good and I'd just like to tell my bishop how thankful I am for all he is doing for the youth. It is great.

I'd also like to say break a leg to my sister, Danielle, who starts her performances as Adelaide in her schools production of Guys and Dolls this week. You have worked hard and you will do great! Love you!

So there is my weekend for ya. I hope you all had weekends that were just as good. Thanks to everyone who reads this blog, This blog would be nowhere if it weren't for you. Love you all!




Feel my Sunlight



p.s. My next stop in this journey to National Championships is Vegas, for Regional Championships. T-26 days! Let's do this Flipside!

p.s.s. My friends and I started a new blog where we pretend we are poets. It is called The Backyard Poetry Society. Feel free to check it out! www.thebackyardpoetrysociety.blogspot.com

Your Royal Highness

I have exactly 5 minutes to write this post. Ready GO!

These are some my kids. I love them so very much. The other day they all showed up in pink and black. It was crazy. They also decided that I am the queen and that they are my princesses {and prince!} and they called me "Your Royal highness" for the rest of class. I can't get over how much I adore them. #bestjobever!


I will add to this later.


Feel my Sunlight

1st day of spring

Happy 1st day of spring! Hope everyone had a fantastic day! {Now mother nature... it is officially "spring" now, therefore, you no longer have permission to use the snow machines. So please continue with the rain and maybe bring us some sunshine.}

Today one of my five year olds got very excited when she found out that I was a "REAL LIVE TEENAGER!" {her words, not mine}. I thought it was cute. Then she said to her sister almost giggling "she can drive!" gah! I love my kids.

Today my entire team decided to pretend we're British... including my coach. We spent the entire two and a half hours perfecting our hopeless accents. It was fun and I don't think I've laughed that hard in a while. I love you guys!

Note to the wise: clean your room. There is a possibility the bishopric could come over and want to see all your medals, and your hanging bed. I was not so fortunate to have receive this memo and greatly regret it. Consider this your only warning. 

Well, it's a short post today. I guess this is the second one of the day so that makes up for it right?




Feel my Sunlight



p.s. I'm bad at waking up on time. Anyone else have this issue?

"Nobody cares what you do Vick"

As I sat in a certain class (you know the class where the teacher quit 3 weeks into school, so now we have a new "sub/teacher") We have been talking aobut goals, and future careers. It made me think. I have wanted to be the same thing since 2nd grade. I have written the same thing down on every paper that every school counselor has ever given me. Well guess what! I already am that thing. But it made me realize just how much further I could go with this job. It also made me question wether or not I really want to do this for the rest of my life. Don't get me wrong, I love it a lot more than my other job. I do love it a lot, but the thought of work in an hour makes me cringe. Mostly because I'd rather sit home and blog. Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for both of my jobs, but I favor one more than the other. But this class, and all this talk of work scares me. Because I don't know exactly what I want to do with my future. And every teacher, and every school counselor wants to tell you what you can and can't do according to the end of levels you got when you where in kindergarten (okay this is a little extreem, but not far from the truth) So I just put something that sounds inteligent down so they will stop questioning me, and move on. Because in reality, what counselor is going to come to you in 7 years and say "why aren't you doing the same thing that you said you wanted to do in 7th grade?!" NONE! "Nobody cares what you do Vick" {name that movie!} So there is my rant about work, and now I am headed to work...then I'm headed to my other work. OH JOY! {sarcasm intended.}

Feel my Sunlight


p.s. That quote was from Stick It. Teri, I sure hope you got that! :)

p.s.s Who else is super ready for the weekend? I seriously am so excited for conference.

Coach Ashlie

This post goes out to a great coach.

This coach has pushed me hard, and never let me take the easy way out.

This coach taught me that I will fix it, and I will never go back.

This coach taught me that great success doesn't aways involve tumbling.

This coach left on her mission today.

ASHLIE! I love you so much! You have been one of the greatest coaches that I have ever had. You have pushed me harder, and gotten me further. You helped me get over fears, and helped me overcome obsticles. You have fixed my bad habbits, and taught me new skills. You have taught me to work hard. You have taught me that it doesn't matter if it felt funny, you go for it! You taught me to pray before I compete. You taught me to trust. You taught me that sometimes the most success we will have in our lives, doesn't involve tumbling. We love you so much Ashlie. We believe you will make a great missionary. 18 months will fly bye. We will be right here waiting for you when you get back with a few new tricks to show you. Your testimony has strengthened mine. We will always have your voice playing in our heads as we tumble. Good luck! We are praying for you! Love you!
-Whit


"Lift and finish!"



After Ashlie's Mission Farewell talk on Sunday.





Ashlie's last night in the gym. Her last night as coach for the next 18 months. Like my leo?? Ashlie gave it to me.