How are you influencing your kids?

This past weekend I spent two 12 hour days at the NAIT pool. Both of my kids were swimming in regionals. The top 6 competitors made the finals then the top 2 from the final go to provincials next weekend. Neither Jordan nor Shelby made it to any finals in their solo races. But I was very proud of them for both besting their times by 5 to 10 seconds in every race they swam. Shelbys relay team finished 5th and I was so proud of her for not giving up. She wanted to swim breaststroke but was put in the backstroke position. Not her strongest stroke, but she tried hard nontheless and didn't quit. Jordan got gold in two relays, the IM in which he swam the final leg which was freestyle, and then the freestyle relay on Sunday. Something about being in that energy charged atmosphere really got them going. They were both going around to all their teammates and competitiors wishing them luck and congrats. I asked them on Sunday nite how they enjoyed themselves? They were both positive even though totally pooped out. Up until this weekend, both of them were thinking of not going back into swimming next year. But now both are rethinking it. Jordan has to put in even more practises this week to get ready for provincials. Sadly he'll miss both his Kung Fu classes this week. But he is working hard to help his teammates and improve even more. Jordan is benefitting so much from his Kung Fu. Not only is it a great outlet for all his energy. But the respect and discipline he is learning is really helping him focus. He got excited a few times this weekend. But all I had to do was make eye contact and move my hands and mouth the three rules of concentration and he would come back down and center right away. I know how much Kung Fu is helping me grow as a person and change from a lifestyle of lazing around being a couch potatoe. Its awesome to see the changes it is having on Jordan as well. He inspires me in so many ways, and I don't hesitate to tell him so. Jordan says he watches how hard I work at my Kung Fu, and that inspires him. What may surprise him is that I watch him even more and that motivates me to work even harder. I love that we can work together and grow together. No amount of money can replace our love and the bound we are forming.