Special O 2014

We have had a big day. I'm sitting here trying to type this out and all I want to do is to take a nap. Except that it's 7:55.

At night.

We got up early this morning, and headed to the Arkansas Special Olympics Summer Games. It's about an hour and 15 minutes away and weigh-in for Joshua was at 8 a.m.

You are killing me, Special Olympics people.

I'm kidding. It was no big deal to get up at 5:50 am. Honestly, I was up wayyyyy before I heard the familiar sound of Joshua's razor. He had not shaved all week, in preparation for this day, so I knew it would take a while.

Er-reeeeeeeeeerrrrrr...errrrreeeerrrr...

It was such a great day...perfect weather...and it was great that several friends came out to support Joshua. We had all 3 boys with us, plus Faith. Holly and Aaron couldn't come. At the last minute, Morgan was able to drive up. We didn't tell Joshua, and when she walked in...his face LIT UP and he jumped up to go hug her.

It's all good now...Morgan's here.

He said that he "always wanted a sister."

Except that he DOES have a sister.

As you can imagine, that statement went over well with Holly.

Jim's parents came, and we always appreciate the efforts they make to support ALL of their grandchildren. One of Logan's friends (Blake) came to watch Joshua, and it was good to see him. One of our friends from church (Dan) came to watch, and it was good catching up with him. He comes nearly every year. One of Joshua's former teachers (Cindy S.) came to watch. And Marci, from Therapeutic Recreation, walked over to watch him make one of his lifts. She was at Special O with her family.

One of Joshua's friends from our former church, Sean Michel, came to watch. Joshua LOVED talking to him. Sean Michel plays and sings in a band, and travels all over the world sharing Jesus in places you and I would never go. He has a lonnnnnng black beard and lonnnnng black hair. All of the athletes were amazed by him. Several members of our families, along with several of our friends, sent messages to Joshua. We feel so blessed by all the ones who have walked along this life with us.

I also love that the police officers come out in droves. There were always several officers in the Powerlifting venue watching the athletes. Joshua thinks they are so cool. It's just great that they come out and cheer and take pictures...and the athletes get to see that most police officers are helpful and friendly.

Joshua won 3 Gold Medals for his efforts today. He weighed in at a whopping 118 lbs. He bench-pressed 145 lbs, dead-lifted 200 lbs...and won the combination round. He was thrilled.

It's so funny to watch him. He has a routine and a reason for everything he does. He brought his little back-pack, and had packed it all himself. He had his weight-lifting shoes in there, another t-shirt, his weight-belt, mouth spray, hankie, glass cleaner...I don't even know what else. He wore this Captain American shirt that Holly had gotten him...under his red weight-lifting suit. When he lifts, the straps of his suit are up on his shoulders, but as soon as the lift is complete...he takes the straps down. At his first bench-press, the helpers put these wooden blocks up on either side of the bench. It something they do for shorter people, or for people who need extra stability. Joshua was not a fan. He kept shaking his head "no," and when they finally called him up there...he said, "I don't need those."

And they moved them.

After his last lift, Joshua grabbed his bag and headed to the bathroom. Side note: He said the bathroom in the field-house  was "sad" because it didn't have any doors at all! Ha! He came back and had changed into his "Anytime Fitness" t-shirt. If he gets his picture made in that shirt, the guy who owns the "Anytime Fitness" gym here in our town will put Joshua's picture up on the wall. It's so funny that Joshua remembers to do that every year.

After the awards ceremony, we all went to lunch...and then everyone headed home. And I laid...I never know if it's laid or layed...but whichever one it is...I put my head down and, as my mother-in-law would say, I "slept a nap."

And when I woke up, it was time to plan dinner...because apparently we are 90 years old and must know in advance when our next meal is going to be. Joshua had chosen the restaurant, and he invited Faith and Holly and Aaron and Jenni. Morgan couldn't come, because she had gone to her home, and Jenni couldn't come because they couldn't work it out...but the rest of us went and had a great dinner. Joshua usually drinks water all the time, but tonight when the waitress asked what he wanted to drink, he proudly said, "SPRITE."

He was splurging, after all. :)

Such a fun day. So proud of my Joshua. I posted a bunch of photos on Facebook, and Instagram (martythemoose).

And there's 8 days until Logan's wedding. EEEK!

"...be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9