Jaxon's Karate Advancement

So it was a weekend full of Karate events. Not only did we have the tournament, but Jaxon took his belt test last Thursday and received his new belt on Monday. He is now a yellow belt and has informed me that he is already preparing for his next belt. Jaxon is a hard worker and is WAY into karate (or any sport for that matter).


Jaxon performing during his test. This is him doing his form.


Jaxon had to show different kinds strikes and blocks.


The changing of the belt. The first time he wears his new belt, his instructor (Mrs. Burton) puts it on him.


Once he has his new belt, his other instructor (Mr. Burton) takes his old belt, ties it, and then places it on Jaxon's head. Way to go Jax!

Karate Kids

If you could only hear Jeremy break into the song from Karate Kid when Daniel was in the Tournament...."Your the best, around! Nothin' is ever gonna keep you down..." He couldn't help it today as today was tournament day for my two Karate Kids. It was nerve racking but fun to watch them do their forms (a series of kicks, blocks and punches) and then sparring (when they beat each other up). Encouraging your kids to kick and hit other kids is not my usual form of practice, but I sure cheered them on today. Jaxon took first place in his group in both forms and sparring and McKay took third place in both forms and sparring in his group. We were super proud of them. They are "The best around!" So don't beat up on my kids, you might get more than you bargained for!
The above pictures: McKay doing his form called Won Hyo, McKay blocking a kick while punching the side of his opponent's head during sparring (McKay is on the left), McKay with his third place metals, Jaxon doing his form called KiCho, Jaxon throwing some punches in sparring (Jaxon is on the right), Jaxon holding up his first place trophies with pride.

* Do you remember watching the Karate Kid?
**Do you get nervous for your kids when they perform? I do!
***How do you post pictures throughout your blog instead of just at the top? Anyone have any pointers?

A Lesson From A Pair of Shoes

Kayden's shoes have a habit of coming up missing. Once, one shoe was missing for a month. We found it in the car buried under a seat. On Monday one shoe went missing, again. I put his shoes on to go shopping, dropped Jaxon off at a friend's house, then got to the store and one shoe was NO WHERE to be found. I couldn't figure it out. How could a shoe disappear? I searched the whole car. I searched my house (thinking perhaps I absent mindedly only put one shoe on him). I even offered my kids $5.00 if they found his shoe within five minutes (we were late getting somewhere). At the end of the five minutes, my wise son asked, "Mom did you pray to help you find the shoe?" I had told him no thinking I didn't want to burden the Lord with a shoe. Later that night, when I said my prayers, I remembered what McKay had said about praying to find the shoe. So I half heartedly added at the end of my prayer, "Oh, and help me find Kayden's shoe, if you want." So Tuesday rolls around and I took Jaxon to that same friend's house to play. As I pulled up to the curb, there was Kayden's shoe laying in the gutter. I jumped out of my car and was overjoyed to pick up Kayden's shoe from the gutter! I was excited to go home and tell McKay of my find and of my prayer the night before (even if it was half hearted). I thanked him for his example and told him how grateful I was that Heavenly Father answers our prayers, no matter how small. Oh me of little faith! It took a pair of shoes to remind me.

Just A Reminder

There are times that I need gentle reminding. Kayden did just that for me the other day while he was eating lunch. He fell asleep while eating his lunch. I looked over at him and he was O-U-T. He looked so peaceful and sweet. It was nice to see. Of course, he got plenty of rest so he could devour pizza later that night. I love rewarding moments like these.