Olympic Fever

I love the Olympics. I love everything about it. I just think it's such an exciting time watching athletes who have worked their entire lives toward this goal. The Olympics makes me feel proud of my country. I feel all sorts of emotions, especially as I watch all of the back stories about how the athletes have gotten where they are. I get excited and nervous because I wish they could all realize the ultimate dream of bringing home the gold. But that's the glory of it, isn't it? Because only one can win. Only one can stand at the top of the podium with gold on their chest.

Watching the Olympics also makes me feel like a lazy slob who needs to get off the couch and do something important, or just something...But I digress...

I love both the summer and the winter games, though I do get a little more excited for the summer games, admittedly. I can't wait to watch the swimming, diving, track and field, volleyball, gymnastics, etc...I don't get overly jazzed about shooting and archery - not at all to diminish the skill and dedication of those athletes, it's just not as fun to watch - you understand...This year I will be especially attuned to the women's gymnastics. When Lee and I were first married, we lived in Dallas where I got a job part time as a gymnastics coach at WOGA, the gym where 2004 gold medalist Carly Patterson trained, and this year's Nastia Liukin. Nastia's mom and dad became very dear friends while we were there. I would meet with Anna, Nastia's mom, once a week for coffee and she would speak russian with me to help me practice. I learned so much working with them and really, truly loved that job. It was a great atmosphere to work in - very electric. Lee and I watched Nastia all those years ago as a little 11 year old and even then I knew she was destined to be great. She was so tiny but she could fly! It was exciting, and now I'm so proud of her and am rooting for her and her dad!

So, for the next two weeks, I will shamelessly be glued to the TV. In general, I try hard to keep the TV off most of the day. I don't like having it on for very long periods of time - I just can't stand the constant noise - but our TV will be on a lot over the next 17 days! Even Sloan is excited to watch the 'Lympics, though he has no idea what they are. But the bug has already bitten him. Good family fun!