Update on the black belt

So, being the picture freak that I am,  I tend to only like to blog if I have a picture to go with it. Philip did indeed earn his black belt, but we had to wait awhile for his new uniform to come in, which it has, but now I need to get a black ribbon-thingy sewed around the collar, which I have yet to do.  Thus there is no picture of Philip with his new black belt uniform, thus there has been no blogging from me.  Thought I should at least give an update though on this topic as Philip really worked hard and did a great job with everything and did earn his black belt.  It was very exciting and I will post pictures of him in his new uniform soon.

What'da ya know I did have some pictures to post with this blog.  I kept everyone waiting for nothing!

Getting ready to run at 7 AM on Sunday - when they get to the top of Garin hill, that's where the "real" testing takes place.

Almost to the studio.

Everyone waited on the corner of Mission Blvd. near the karate studio to cheer the group on as they came down the street.  (As you can see Paul is very into cheering his brother on as he is glued to his video game! : )

Philip & his partner for the black belt test.  They seemed to be evenly matched in size! : )

                               And here he is with his new black belt!

"Almost" a black belt --- Look out Chuck Norris! ; )

Philip will be testing this weekend for his black belt.  He has a five hour test on Saturday, which includes a 3-5 mile run followed by carrying someone on his back up Garin hill (for those of you who may not know, Garin is a pretty steep hill, takes me about 10-15 minutes to walk it, moving at a pretty good clip).  From what I understand that's not even the difficult part of the test!  Apparently once they reach the top of the hill, they have all sorts of sprints and things they need to do.  The test is then continued the next day on Sunday morning.  He has a list of Korean words (karate moves) that he had to learn and he also had to write a short essay.  If he passes his evaluation he will be considered a junior black belt.  You cannot become a full fledged black belt until you are sixteen.  Once he earns his black belt he will be in a probationary period for six months.  All I have to say is I hope that the instructor busts out a scale to weigh the kids, because I don't want Philip's back getting jacked up from carrying someone that's too heavy up that hill!!  Philip said he got paired up with a kid that weighs 125 lbs for a wheel barrel race last Saturday. (Philip weighs about 75 lbs!)  Other than this I think he will do fine.

Here are some pix of him getting his black/red belt last month.

                    Paul and Sammy videotaping for me

Tae Kwon Do - Paul

Paul just evaluated for his red belt.  He did AWESOME!  It's a pretty grueling evaluation.  He performed six or so forms which can be anywhere from 16 - 35 movements each.  He had all sorts of kicks, punches, and jumps to remember and do.  He had to perform several "one steps" which are a series of self defense moves.   He spared two people at the same time.  He broke two boards - one with a side kick and one with a front kick.  The board breaking is pretty exciting to watch.  And finally he had to do as many front kicks and side kicks as he could in one minute and 30 push ups.  WHEW!  It's wearing me out just typing it all out here!  Great job Paulie!  We are SO proud of you.  Keep up the great work!

Here he is breaking the board with a front kick!  (Notice, the broken board.)

School Has Begun

Well it actually "began" two weeks ago.  But the first two weeks where both four day weeks so I think we can say that this past week has been the first "real" week of school.

A little drama and a miracle to start off with.  Most of you reading this know that we live in Hayward but our boys go to school in Castro Valley (CV) at Castro Valley Elementary School (CVE). Well for some reason CV is experiencing a surge in enrollment this year, especially in the 3rd grade - Paul's grade so, Paul did not get into CV for the first week of school.  God is truly amazing because after speaking to the lady in the district office who does the transfers I was pretty much resigned to the fact that Paul was going to have to go to school in Hayward this year.  She straight up said, "It's not looking good" (That Paul would get into any school in Castro Valley).  Then low and behold I get a call from the principal at CVE telling us that they are opening up a new 2nd/3rd grade combo class!  So, Philip and Paul are both at CVE where they have been since kindergarten.  Truly a miracle.  God is SO GOOD!

Here are some pix from the first day of school

                   Big 4th Grader - I can't believe it!

          And my big 3rd Grader - can't believe this either!

And last but certainly not least, my little devil - Sammy.  And believe you me I can believe this one as we are together 24/7!  ; )  Just kidding - Love you Sambo!

Mothering

I came across this page in a parenting magazine and I was convicted and reminded that these moments with my little guys are precious, few, and short.  Personally, I especially need to be mindful of this at times when I am tired and my patience is wearing thin.   I think this is geared more towards toddlers but for me I feel like it's a good reminder for parenting/mothering across the board.  I have put this on my dresser mirror where I will see it daily and be reminded of the precious gifts that God has entrusted to me - my angel babies, Philip, Paul, and Samuel.

Oregon or Bust

We made a last minute trip to Oregon.  Dave's Grandma Mary passed away on August 2nd.  She was such a unique, special, creative, inspirational and wise lady.  She will be dearly missed.  There was no memorial service for her, per her wishes, but we did end up getting together with some family  and reminisced and laughed about Grandma and all the memories we had of her.  That was really nice.  We got to spend time with Dave's Auntie Marie and Uncle Blake.  Uncle Blake took Philip and Paul crabbing and they had a ball!!  We also had the pleasure of meeting our nephew Andrew for the first time.  What an adorable little guy he is!!  And our dear little nieces Annalisa and Alyssa what a joy to see them as well, such dolls.  All the kids had fun running around and playing at Grandma's house.  And of course we were so happy to see Anna and Doug we miss those two so much!!  Good to see and catch up with them.

We made one final stop on the way out at the Dinosaur museum and that I think was the highlight of the trip for Sammy - he can't stop talking about those dinosaurs! 

Getting Uncle Blake hooked on video games

Watering with Auntie M

Cousins

Gonzalez & Matangelos

The boys and the T-Rex

 

There's no place like home.................

THEY'RE HOME!!  Philip & Paul arrived home today.  So nice to have them home safe and sound.  They had a great time at Grandma & Grandpa Evansons.  Sammy really missed his big brothers and sure was happy to see them.

Sammy, watching and waiting for his brothers..............

                 Here comes their plane

Happy reunion!! 

Going to get the luggage.

Which one is ours?????  Hope this doesn't fall.

Sammy's home "alone" but having fun too!

The "Bro-Bros" are away but Sammy's having his share of fun this summer too.  He got to experience his first concert.  We took him with us to see Sammy Hagar & the Scorpions!  What a fun show.  We made a t-shirt for him with glow-in-the-dark paint.  Dave drew a scorpion on the front - it looked great!  He misses his brothers but I think he's having fun being an "only child" for a few weeks! ; )

Pre-show, hangin' out in Arthur's truck

Gettin' ready to "Rock-On!"

Clatskanie, Oregon

Philip & Paul are at Grandma and Grandpa Evansons.  They are having a blast.  Here are some pictures to prove it. 

Leaving on a jet plane

So our older boys went on a plane by themselves for the first time.  I don't know who was more nervous - me or them!  Everything went very smoothly.  We got to the airport on time, everyone from the airline was super friendly and nice.  They even let me go onto the plane to meet the flight attendant (Sarah) and take a picture of her and the boys.  

All and all it was a very good experience.  The boys are at my parents right now getting spoiled rotten as we speak (or as you may be reading this : )

Here are some more pictures from the airport:

Sammy and his "bro-bros"

Flight Departing Gate A11

And of course, Sammy had to find something to climb on : )

Weekend with family

We went to Gridley for our annual visit with my cousin Michelle.  Our children were all born with in a few months of each other - so they get along great.  Since we are "city folk" - Philip and Paul have a great time on my cousin's huge piece of property out in the boonies.  This year they got to shoot bb guns, ride little dirt bikes and quads, see a movie on the barn and camp outside in the yard with their cousins.

Auntie Bonnie, Me, Auntie Bonnie (my Dad's sister), cousins Nancy, Michelle, and Jenny (in front)

Uncle Merle and Me

Paul

Philip

Sammy (2 1/2), Kennison (3), Paul (8), Ty (8), Philip (9), Samuel (9)

Michelle, me, and Nancy (Michelle's sister)

Santa Cruz Beach Babies

Philip, Sammy, and I went to the beach in Santa Cruz.  We met up with my dearest and oldest friend from high school who lives there.  We had a GREAT time.  The weather was perfect and the boys had a lot of fun!!

                                                     Collette & Me

Tough guys, hanging with our "cuz", and playing at the park

"Tough Guys" 

Philip and his tat.  That lasted about 1 day and then he wanted it removed, wishing he had put it on elsewhere ; )

And.........

Samuel, Daddy and the Hulk!

The boys and their cousin Tay-Tay

Playing at the park by Papa and Grandma's house.