Taking the Dive!

I love this dive!
It is so precious to watch as our kids learn new sports.
This year was Chelsea's first year to do swim team!
She was so determined!
In order to be on swim team, you have to be able to swim the length of the pool.
Chelsea, who could not swim, came to me and said,
"Mom, I want to be on swim team!"
I told her, that she had to be able to swim the length of the pool. I tole her I would get her some lessons, and then next year she could be on swim team!
"No, I want to be on swim team this year!"

I told her we had a week to get her ready!
So we went to the pool and I stood a 1/4 of the way down the lane, and asked her to swim to me!
She could not do it!
She tried 4 times, and just couldn't do it!
I told her, that she had to try, if she couldn't get across one way or another, she would not be able to be on the team.
She asked if she could use the restroom...
and when she came back, she DID IT!
I stood in the same spot, and as she got close I would step back...she made it all the way across!
Later I asked her how?
She said, "Mom, I wanted to be on the team so bad, so I went to the restroom and prayed, and asked the Lord to give me the strength to make it across the pool. Then I just swam, and when I didn't think I could do it, I just told myself, go a little more!"

What a great lesson I learned, from my 7 year old!

I then prayed that the coach would allow her to be on the team. She could get across the pool, without touching, but it was not pretty!

She made it!
Her whole season was tough!
The first practice she came home, and I asked "How did practice go?"
She said, "After, 3 laps, I had a headache and so I sat out!"
I told her if she was going to be on the team, she needed to practice like all the other girls!
After that she never sat out again!

Above, is the sweetest picture of her, as she cheers her sister on!
She never missed one of her races, even if she had one close, she made sure she was at the end of the lane to cheer Brooke on!

Brooke, was so supportive, she always had Chelsea sit with her an her friends!

At Conference, Brooke told Chelsea that if she could swim her 25 free without doggy paddling, she would give her $5 , and if she could swim her 50 free without doggy, she would give her $10!
I couldn't believe how much this helped Chelsea improve.
She swam her whole 25, and looked amazing!
On her 50, she doggy paddled twice, but what an amazing improvement!

The younger 3 love to sit and watch their BIG sisters!
They cheer for Brooke, Chlesea, and Jacque for 80 races, even though the girls are only in 4 each!

I love the way Swim Team is set up. I can have all my kids swim, and they will be in meets together!
It turns into a FANTASTIC family bonding experience!
I just hope they all want to do it!
So far, Brooke and Chelsea, LOVE IT!