Thankful Thursday: AR State Special Olympics

I haven't done a Thankful Thursday in a few weeks...

I'm slacking, I know!

Today I am Thankful for: 

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

My oldest brother has Down Syndrome. He has competed in Special Olympics since he was in elementary school. I am SO thankful that Special Olympics was created for people with special needs. There are events for EVERYONE, no matter what the handicap. 

We were blessed to be able to travel to Searcy this past weekend to watch Joshua compete in the State Special Olympics at Harding University.

Joshua used to do more running events, but over time he got hooked on power-lifting. 

My dad even got certified as his coach and they go to the gym just about every day.

Article in Bryant Daily

(that's my Dad spotting Joshua)

Joshua got to compete in the bench press and the dead lift. It is AMAZING to see people who are physically and/or mentally disabled get up there and perform. There was a man (who could BARELY walk, y'all!) that shuffled up behind the bar and then dead-lifted 300 lbs. THREE HUNDRED POUNDS! Isn't that insane?! I can't remember Joshua's final bench press weight, but his final dead lift was 205. TWO HUNDRED AND FIVE POUNDS. 

Did I mention that he is 5'0'' and about 125lbs? 

HE IS SO STRONG.

It is just amazing. 

It puts so much in perspective. If you ever have a chance to attend any type of Special Olympics event, you really should. It's life-changing. It shows you that you can do anything you put your mind to, no matter your physical or mental limitations. And if you aren't sure if you can, you must at least TRY.

There is no such thing as failure in Special Olympics. There are no losers. 

The motto for Special Olympics is:

"Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be faithful in my attempt."

Pretty good advice for anyone, don't you think?

Here's some pictures...

my favorite picture. Look at that face!!

my 2nd favorite. He's smiling bc he knows he has it! :)

3 gold medals (Bench, Dead-lift, Combo)

Needless to say, we are super proud of him!

-Holly

Thankful Thursdays

Today I am thankful for...

1) Smoothies. Oh my word. I love this smoothie place in town. It's called Inta Juice. We went by yesterday AND I stopped by before my class today! I will NOT go tomorrow.....well probably not...maybe not....crap. I may end up going by again tomorrow. I'm so excited that I may have found a just-as-yummy alternative to Starbucks! Plus, it's not as expensive AND it's healthier! Go me! :)


2) Sunshine. Yesterday was not too warm and beautiful. Today was the same! The sun was out, white fluffy clouds were out, it was great! Marley and I went on a long walk today and by the time we got back he was worn out...aka he's still napping. Is there anything better than a warm, clear, sunny day? (Answer: NO.)

I want this! :)

3) My mom. She's always there to talk to if I need her. Even if it's just a text. She's always has good advice and is encouraging and supportive!

AMEN!

4) Long-overdue catch-ups with good friends. (self-explanatory)

duh.

5) On Demand. Thanks, cable company! I love that I can catch up on shows I have missed whenever I want! Plus it is nice that when Aaron and I are having a lazy night, we can just search our On Demand and look up episodes of shows that we like! Currently we are HOOKED on The Big Bang Theory. It's hilarious and witty with just the right amount of sarcasm! Loveee it!

Be thankful today!
Holly

Thankful Thursdays

Today I am thankful for:


1) My BIG brother, Joshua Garland. Yesterday was his 26th birthday. He's always encouraging, loving, and praying for others. He's also got a mind like a steel trap. If I am ever telling a story or trying to remember something, I can usually just call up "Fred" (his nickname in our family) and 9 times out of 10 he will know EXACTLY what I am trying to remember! I could go on and on, but everyone who knows me knows about my love for my big brother.

WHAT a CUTIE!

2) I am thankful for WEDDINGS! Weddings = friend time for me and my friends since we live all over the  South! It is about to get really busy around the Nicholson house! We have TWO showers this weekend, one next weekend (April 7th), a wedding after that weekend (April 14th) AND another wedding after THAT (April 21st)! Busy, busy!!! I get to see some of them this weekend actually and I cannot wait. I need me some friend time, BAD.

3) I am thankful for patience. I have really been trying to work on my patience lately. If I think of something, then I want it immediately. God has given me more opportunities to be patient lately and I am very thankful for that! :)

4) I am thankful for bubble baths! I was having a stressful day yesterday and I decided to take a bubble bath. I soaked and cleared my mind and focused on all the positive things going on in my life right now...ahhhh. 

It's funny how a bubble bath can change your perspective!

SO.MUCH.BETTER.

Have a lovely day!

Holly

Thankful Thursdays

I like to remind myself how blessed and lucky I am on a regular basis to, you know, keep things in perspective.


Sometimes I hear people gripe and complain about how life is unfair and I admit, I've been there a lot and it probably won't be the last time either.


BUT...


Today I am THANKFUL.


I am thankful for my sweet, sweet, sweet husband. He took care of me when I was sick a few weeks ago, and I had the pleasure of taking care of him while he was sick over the weekend. I say pleasure because it felt good to take care of him. He does a lot for me.


I am thankful for my family. I had to make a brief (less than 24 hrs) trek to Central AR earlier this week and was so appreciative of my parents letting me stay the night at their house. My brothers are usually pretty excited to see me, so that makes trips special too. :) Oh and the fact that they are letting me tag along to the beach with them for Spring Break next week while my husband is working is nice too. ;)


I am thankful for my mom. She has raised me right (how country does that sound?!) and I hope that if the Lord ever blesses us with a daughter that I will be half as good of a mom to her as my mom is to me. Just sayin'...


I am thankful to Julee Turner at Metropolis Salon. I was in desperate need of a haircut. DESPERATE. It was bad. Let's just say there was enough hair on the floor at the end of my appointment to make another full head of hair...basically...there was a lot! (BUT there was also a girl who came in after me who hadn't had her hair done since JULY, so that made my OCTOBER self look not quite so bad!)


I am also thankful for Sonic, because this Diet Vanilla Coke in my hand is JUST what I needed to perk up my mood on this cloudy afternoon.


I am thankful that I woke up this morning. I am thankful that I am healthy. So many people have illnesses and are on medication and you never know what day God has willed to be your last.

Lastly, I am thankful...

THAT IT IS ALMOST THE WEEKEND!!!!!

Hallelujah. Amen.

-Holly