Round two

You can probably tell that these pictures are in no particular order, but I tried to put him getting his actual belt at the end so it wouldn't be so confusing. So after the morning session Jaden had a two hour break, which he spent practicing his forms. We all went to watch the afternoon session which was their time to show off their mad ninja skills. It started with a review of all their forms from purple belt on, then progressed to some sweet moves with the staff and scythes. After that it was time to suit up. Sparring time. It was a mad house. I don't know if the picture I put up is even Jaden. They sparred student on student, student on teacher, student on two teachers, and most of these were all going on at the same time on the same floor. I felt like I was on the edge of a massive battlefield. After all the adrenaline it was time to break the boards. I really should of taken a picture of the pile of boards Jaden came home with. Let's just say we won't run out of firewood anytime soon. ( I'm not an unsentimental mom, there is just no way we can keep it all in his room). I believe they broke boards five different ways, kicks, running kicks, with an elbow, and a palm, and some other cool ways I can't remember right now. After the board breaking the candidates each got up and read one of the 6 essays they had written for the occasion. Jaden read his essay on "How Martial Arts has Changed My Life" He did a fantastic job. Eye contact and everything. After he sat down is when things got interesting. They have the students kneel to prepare to receive their belts. I look over and Jaden looks like he is about to cry. Jeremy tells me maybe it's just an emotional moment for him. I wasn't buying that. He's holding it in, but it's getting worse whatever it is. He makes it through his turn and the rest of the belts being awarded. He's shaking and biting his lip and his eyes are watering. Jeremy went let me go on the floor to see what is wrong. When the final applause starts, I'm across the floor running. His instructors meet me there and are loosening up his belt. He tells me he just feels weird, by the time I get his bag into the house he's throwing up in the hall. That continues for three hours (luckily he made it to the restroom after that). Dehydration shows it's ugly face. Finally we get enough liquids in him and he is able to function enough to celebrate at Roadhouse Grill with us. It was an amazing day. I am so proud of Jaden and what he has been able to accomplish. The sky is really the limit for this amazing young man. I am so glad I get to be here to watch his future unfold.

There was tension in the air...

On that dark morning two weeks ago. Jaden and I woke up at 5 am to get him ready for the hardest challenge he has undertaken in his short life. The physical endurance portion of his black belt test. I have no photographic evidence at this time because parents were not allowed at this grueling 4 hour test, probably because I would have beat them up for working my baby so hard. Jaden had been nervous for months to the point of making himself sick over this portion of the test, but he also had spent a lot of time preparing on his own, so I knew they couldn't throw anything at him that he could not handle. I was actually excited for him to have proof of what he was actually capable of. He did not disappoint. Jaden showed up at ABK four hours later all smiles. They ran approximately 10 miles total, carried rocks, 1000 pus-ups, leg throws, and sit-ups. They ran stairs, did frog jumps, and multiple forms. Needless to say he was exhausted. The mantra was one more, and he succeeded. We are all so proud of him and not one of us had any doubt that he could accomplish this.

Welcome Jaxson Austin King

This weekend we had the honor of meeting our new nephew/cousin Jaxson. He is adorable. This first picture may confuse you but he is a boy. His big sister was adamant that he share her blanket while he was napping. How sweet is that. I just love that new baby smell. Thanks so much guys for sharing your new treasure with us. The only problem is that my babies keep on saying, "Look how cute he is mom, don't you want one of those?" ...