Honoring My Girls for Their Athletic Achievements #PlayLikeAGirl

I am honoring my girls athletic achievements that I am most proud of as part of a sponsored conversation for Verizon’s #FiOSFootballGirl campaign. #PlayLikeAGirl

My kids were driving me crazy…it was pouring down rain outside and as with any homeschooling family, my house was in utter disarray with tunnels and tents everywhere. Crafts and toys in places that you only see in the privacy of your bathroom. I thought I might lose it this day. No my kids weren’t being naughty at all, but the physical energy they had was, to say the least…a ball of fire!!

My husband and I decided that they needed more physical activity. I wasn’t really too keen on getting our kids into team Sports as our big kids did this, loved this and were very successful but I knew what a time commitment it would take.

After much prayer we decided to sign them up for some sports activities anyway..not the littlest, she was only 6 but the other two..for sure. We signed my son up for Soccer and my daughter went into Basketball.

It all seemed so harmless at the time….LOL

Secretly though…I didn’t want a daughter that played sports and was athletic..I wanted a little girl that wore dresses all the time and cooked and baked with me in the kitchen.

Well…

My son liked Soccer and played for a couple of years…but my daughter….she LOVED Basketball!!

She loved the competitive aspect, she loved the exercise and she loved the team work. I should have known. Long before this Basketball thing came along my sweet little girl would stand at the edge of our driveway and if any big kids walked by she would say..

“Hey, what are you looking at? Get out of here!” I’d have to run out to the end of the driveway and make her apologize and talk with her about loving our neighbors. So her love for sports should really not have come as much of a surprise.

Even though she could be so competitive my husband and I had always agreed that we would never ever let her be under a coach that was abusive, that we would pull her if competition and winning became more important than the development of the heart and skills. We have been totally blessed with a wonderful Coach that learned to know just what would make her heart sing for the game of Basketball. He learned what she needed and helped her to compete to her fullest potential…and so she stayed in Basketball and thrived.

By 5th Grade our Coach was suggesting that we consider getting our daughter into a Select Basketball league. We had never even heard of such a thing. What?! and pay money too!? What was this world coming to! LOL With my daughter’s begging and with God’s approval we signed her up.

That was my girl in 6th/7th Grade…. She just kept growing and improving and loving that Basketball…

Her physical abilities and the amazing way she was created to soar down the court ahead of everyone and jump higher than any other player was totally awe inspiring. Who is this girl God has given us and how does she play Basketball so well!?

I never in a million years would have guessed that we would live the life of “Basketball” LOL I always hated sports and never imagined that I could enjoy watching my daughters play so much! Yep I said daughter’s with an “s”. Our youngest daughter followed in her footsteps..not to be outdone by her older brothers or sisters…

Let me tell you…she is a pistol! She is AMAZING! She is in 7th grade now and has moves that are unbelievable…

Sometimes we grow tired and wonder if all of this Basketball stuff is worth our time, effort and finances. So we pray AGAIN and God says yep…this is what I have for your girls right now..so we keep going..

This past season my older daughter and her team were league champions…again..

In a couple of weeks she will have Basketball try outs for High School..she is only a Freshman, but I already know that the Varsity Coach has his eye on her…

You know it’s not that my daughter’s are amazing players, or have amazing Basketball achievments…no it’s their hearts that make me sing, make me smile, humble me. They have a right heart toward God and man and that’s what makes my heart sing. They are leaders in their church, community and school and I could not be prouder and wouldn’t change it for the world.

They still love to be girlie girls when they are not playing ball…but cooking…well maybe not so much! LOL

How about you? Do you have a daughter that has some amazing achievements? This is such a cute video…does this remind you of someone you know?

Well ..

Verizon FiOS gives your family the connection and speed you need to play with the big boys. Share your proudest moment of your daughter’s athletic achievements at www.verizon.com/playlikeagirl. You could be chosen to win a grand prize valued at $5,000!

• One (1) Grand Prize consisting of the following will be awarded to the Winner.
• Samsung Galaxy NX 20.3MP Camera with 18-55 Lens (ARV $1,699)
• Microsoft Surface Pro 2 – 128 GB (ARV $1,000)
• Type Cover 2 for Surface Pro 2 (ARV $130)
• HEX Surface Sleeve (ARV $40)
• Surface Mini Display Port HD AV Adapter (AVR $40)
• Monster iSport Victory In-Ear Headphones (AVR $150)
• Apple iPod Nano (ARV $150)
• Amazon Gift Card for Sports Equipment purchase (ARV $1,800)

The total approximate retail value of the Grand Prize is $5,010.00. All Grand Prize details, including specific product models and features, will be determined by Sponsor in its discretion.

Verizon FiOS gives your family the connection and speed you need to play with the big boys. Share your proudest moment of your daughter’s athletic achievements at www.verizon.com/playlikeagirl. You could be chosen to win a grand prize valued at $5,000!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Verizon. The opinions and text are all mine.