Last week was a waiting week for my daughter.

Waiting for cheer tryouts on Monday.

Waiting for cheer tryouts on Tuesday.

Waiting for the last and final cheer tryout on Wednesday.

And then?

The waiting really began.

The 2018-2019 squad wouldn’t be announced until late Friday afternoon.  I watched her pace and try to distract herself and walk around and pace some more and drink a glass of water—all with eyes so full of anxious anticipation.

They say that waiting is the hardest part.

I think the hardest part is being a mother—watching a daughter waiting.  Preparing the chin-up speech if she didn’t make it.  Trying to form the right words.  Pacing and waiting right along with her.  Preparing your heart and your arms to provide a safe haven in case it was needed.

And then? 

It happened.  All that waiting.  All that pacing.  All that distracting and water drinking and nervous smiling was finally over.

Because, wonderfully, gloriously, amazingly, incredibly.

She made the team. 🙂

Want to see what I’ve been up to this week when I wasn’t watching someone else waiting?

Here are some of my favorite links.

This spring home tour.

I love all the fresh flowers.

See the rest of the tour here.

Love this post on how to fold towels.

It makes the linen closet so much cuter.

Here’s the towel folding link.

And this spring wreath.

Isn’t it pretty?

You can see the DIY here.

And these slipcovers.

Aren’t they so cute?

See the rest of the space here.

 

And in random news this week:

This Easter Egg wreath

These budget decorating tips

This Easter basket

What happy people have in their kitchens

This Scandinavian home tour (ps look how easy the art on the walls is)

These photo tips

The details in this farmhouse (I think I might DIY the shutters)

This bathroom

This flower DIY

And I literally cried at the end of this episode.  So sweet.

And one more for the road.

This is still one of my favorite outdoor dining posts ever.

See the rest of the entertaining ideas here.

Happy random Saturday to you. 🙂

Want to know how to decorate your home for free?
Click here to get my FIVE BEST secrets.

Comments

  1. Image for Lisa Johns Lisa Johns

    So glad to hear the great news!!!! The worst part of having our children grow up is seeing the anxiety and nervousness on their life changing moments. I always think of those kids who do not parents who love and support them but to yours, they are lucky kiddos! Many congrats, hours of practice, learning how to roll that hair for competitions! You know, hope Texas is as crazy about cheerleading as we are in Kentucky :)) I am sure she is thrilled. This reader is!

  2. Image for maureen mawby maureen mawby

    Congratulations to your daughter! What great life lessons she learned by the whole process! You have awesome kids!

  3. Image for Marjorie Marjorie

    So very happy for your daughter making cheerleader!! I went through this with my daughter in high school and college. I understand totally all the feelings you went through. The only year she would not have to try out was her senior year in college. I was so relieved and guess what??? She decided she did not want to cheer that year!! Westleigh may you have many happy years ahead cheering. Congratulations!!

  4. Image for Carrie Carrie

    yeah Westleigh!!! So proud of you!!! YAHOOOOOOO! Oh THANK you, Karianne for updating all of us (thinking and keeping her in our prayers this week of waiting)!!! I hope she has a blast learning new cheers and spreading joy~ just like her mom!!!

  5. Image for Marti Marti

    Yea Rah! So glad to hear of her success she will love the opportunity to represent her new school. I waited with my daughter for high school and college cheerleading....breathless and then years later the birth of her daughter....priceless. Times just keep getting better. Your girls are precious...congratulations!

  6. Image for Leslie Watkins Leslie Watkins

    Congratulations, Westleigh! So thankful you didn’t have to do the chin up, keep smiling song and dance. Thistlekeeping always makes my Saturday! Happy Weekend, friend.

  7. Image for Jeanette Jeanette

    Congratulations! I was thinking about her this morning and wondering if she made it. I’m so happy for her and I hope it turns out to be a really wonderful experience for her.

  8. Image for Margaret Margaret

    Yeah!! So excited for her! And for YOU! I was a cheer mom in my former life (LOL before I was married and a mom myself) and waiting to give the announcement was HARD!

    1. Image for Margaret Margaret

      I was a cheer sponsor in my former life, not a cheer mom. My daughter didn't want to cheer. One of these days, my fingers and my brain will actually be in sync!

  9. Image for Julie Briones Julie Briones

    Dealing with the waiting with my daughter now... only it's about giving birth to her second child. I thought it would be easier for her this time around. I understand... Hard to to watch, and hard to know what to say to point them to the One that is asking them to rest in Him. Sigh. You're doing great, sister!

  10. Image for Susan H. Susan H.

    Congratulations to your daughter! My daughter was a cheerleader too (although she didn't make it the first time). It's a lot of fun! I'm guessing Westleigh will be a flyer. Hold onto your hat!!

  11. Image for MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!) MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!)

    KariAnne, I always enjoy your posts! I thank you for always doing these for us! So happy that Westleigh made the Cheerleading Squad! So happy for her! Bless you all! Have a wonderful week!

  12. Image for Kathleen Kathleen

    So glad for good news for Westleigh! And yes, Texas does rate cheer highly ~ at least in my experience around Dallas and its surrounding areas! It's especially great to hear that she was successful, having just recently moved to their new school! Obviously she is quite skilled and talented! So, you can relax now mom ... at least until the next "waiting moments" come along!!! Hugs! ka

  13. Image for Jolyn Jolyn

    Oh, thank goodness and a hearty CONGRATS to you and your daughter! I wasn't around the computer this weekend, and read today's blog post before getting to Thislekeepin- I was on pins and needles, since you didn't mention it.... But, WHEW!!! YEA TEAM!!

  14. Image for Teresa Teresa

    I was a varsity cheer coach and tryouts were not only the most stressful time for the girls and their moms but for us as coaches. I had sons who played sports and loved the relationship with the girls I coached. Facebook has kept me connected to them and i’ve watched them become wives and parents. Wishing your daughter a great experience as a cheerleader and that she’ll create wonderful memories. You will be a great cheer mom I know.

  15. Image for Annie Annie

    Marianne, congratulation to your daughter!! I am late in replying, but thank you so much for sharing too... it is always such a big complement and I appreciate it!

Comments are closed.