Laptop Television Mom

Shawn Johnson Day (the VIDEO)

Check out this link to find television coverage of Shawn Johnson Day.  (Click on the left-hand side of the page.)  The news story also tells us that Shawn has signed Adidas as a major sponsor.  The same company who signed David Beckham?  Wow.

This Iowa girl is proud of Shawn, another Iowa girl!

Shawn Johnson Day in Iowa

Today is Shawn Johnson Day in Iowa!

Iowa Governor Chet Culver will host an event at the Iowa State Historical Building this afternoon to celebrate and honor the world gymnastics champion hailing from West Des Moines, Iowa!  The event is free and open to the public, details can be found here.

Shawn Johnson on Ellen (The VIDEO)

In case you missed it, here is Shawn's appearance on Ellen last week.  She was adorable and represented the state of Iowa and the sport of gymnastics well.

Shawn Johnson on Ellen

I know I am looking like a stalker, but I just heard that Shawn Johnson will be on Ellen on Monday, October 8.  The show teaser called her "the next Mary Lou Retton." I'll post video clips when they are available.

-- LTV

Person of the Week: Shawn Johnson (THE VIDEO)

I promised I would post the news clip of Shawn Johnson being named ABC World News Person of the Week, and here it is:

Person of the Week: Shawn Johnson

Last Friday, I was finishing up my work for the weekend (laptop television, of course) and saw a preview for ABC World News Person of the Week. Yes, Shawn Johnson of West Des Moines, Iowa received this honor because "at just 15, this gymnast has been named 'the one to watch' at the 2008 Olympics."

ABC viewers are asking editors to upload the video, I will echo that request and will post the video as soon as it's available.

(AP photo)

Shawn Johnson Wins the World Championships

My hometown girl, Shawn Johnson, won the World Gymnastics Championships in Germany last week. 

Here are the headlines I keep reading over and over again:

Shawn Johnson Shines at World Championships Again
Shawn Johnson to Return Home After Win
Shawn Johnson Wins Gold Again
Johnson in Spotlight as US women dominate worlds

Congratulations, Shawn!  Head back to Valley High School (my alma mater) and continue to be a top-notch student. And then prepare to take it all in Beijing!

Shawn Johnson Takes Nationals

Today was a dream come true for this 3X year old woman. I trekked down to San Jose, CA to watch the Visa US Gymnastics Championships with my daughter and dear friend Michelle. 

I have been a gymnastics fan since I was 5 years old, and today was the first time I have been this level of gymnastics in-person.  Simply put, it took my breath away. Here are highlights from this fantastic evening:

-- Seeing my hometown girl, Shawn Johnson, win the title. (Seriously, she is amazing and fearless, and my money is on Beijing 2008!)
-- Watching Nastia Liukin perform with grace and elegance, even with bad ankles.
-- Admiring Alicia Sacramone's maturity and power on the floor and beam.
-- Discovering new talent, feeling hopeful for the 2008 Summer Olympics
-- Hearing my 2-year-old say "Mommy, that girl is on the balance beam!"
-- Remembering why I love this sport so much.

Shawn Johnson

It was more like "laundry television" rather than "laptop television", but it was pure joy on a Saturday afternoon.  I watched the American Cup gymnastics championship, and enjoyed seeing a new Sweetheart hit the gymnastics scene in the US.  No, excuse me, the world.

An energetic and extremely talented 15-year-old girl (from my hometown of West Des Moines, Iowa), won the Cup during her first appearance in a Senior-level competition.  Shawn Johnson is prime for a spot on the Olympic team next year in Beijing, and I am happy to head up her (unofficial) California Fan Club! 

What a fantastic opportunity for the US gymnastics scene, and what an *amazing* opportunity to highlight Shawn Johnson, her coaches and the state of Iowa in the world of gymnastics.

Of course, I would be remiss if I did not give a shout-out to American Jonathan Horton, who proudly won back-to-back American Cup championships.