Well it sure seems like a long time since I blogged. We have been incredibly busy just like everyone else. We did our standardized testing at the end of April. The kids did wonderful. I jogged completely around the lake with my jogging partner, which was a wonderful feeling! I need to wear a knee brace when I jog and I have to walk any incline up or down. Rexford turned 16 and Ethan just turned 15 yesterday. A friend and I organized a Ladies Brunch, which turned out very nicely. I had 2 co-op planning meetings and 2 co-op board meetings. We trained a TON for black belt testing. There were a couple days when I went to 3 classes. I stopped lifting weights these last 3 weeks; I will need to start that back up as soon as possible.
I wrote a short essay on the history of Taekwondo and what Taekwondo means to me. I will post it on my blog sometime soon along with Lilly’s and Rex’s. The links will be on the right of my blog under links. The history of Taekwondo was really interesting to me and I really enjoyed reading about it. It seemed more like I was learning the history of Korea. After learning some about the history of Taekwondo it has made me appreciate our Grand Master even more. I wonder what will happen to Taekwondo in the next couple of generations.
My mother came down last week for the black belt testing. Lilly, Rex and I tested for our bb on Friday. I hope Rexford can test next time for his. I had been so nervous for the last two weeks about testing; If I thought about it my heart would race. I was kind of concerned about how nervous I was:) One night Lilly and I both had nightmares about Taekwondo, different dreams of course. Friday when we got to the school and changed into our uniforms I noticed mine was really wrinkled! I called a friend from our church that was coming to watch the testing and asked her to bring her iron. You can’t have a wrinkled uniform, uneven belt or missing patch during testing or any other day for that matter but definitely not on testing day!!!! When we got out on the floor to warm up I felt so good and my nerves were so much better. I was surprised how calm I felt. I knew people were praying. I thought the group of people I was testing with was going to get called up first but we weren’t so we watched the higher belts test. One of our Grand Master’s sons tested for his fourth degree black belt and he was incredible to watch, after watching him I wondered if I practice the same martial art he does. I was a little worried that I was going to get stiff from sitting down and watching the higher belts test, but I didn’t thankfully. Well testing went very well. I remember wondering how Lilly was doing because out of the corner of my eye I thought her cheeks were really pink, so I didn’t fret over my every move which helped me because I was praying for Lilly. My board break didn’t go as planned, nor how I practiced. I did end up doing a power break but with a different kick. I woke up the next morning wondering why my left foot hurt. I told Rex about it and he asked me if I was trying to break with my left foot, I couldn’t recall and he didn’t watch me during testing because he was setting up his power break (which he did beautifully, breaking four concrete slabs with a palm heel) We were able to have the testing taped and watch it afterwards. I am not sure why but during the testing instead of doing a three sixty with my right foot I did a pathetic back kick with my left foot! I was also way too close to the boards! I really want to get two boards and do a three sixty back kick to see if I can do it. Lilly did super duper on everything. It was over as fast as lightning. I was glad to have family and friends there to support us. I am very happy! The best part of the night was when our Grand Master and the other Grand Masters came over and shook our hands with smiles on their faces, I know my grin was wide:) It was really an honor. All of black belts were so encouraging to us; I know it made me feel more confident and spurred me on.
On Saturday we went to our schools tournament and the kids did well. Danielle was too sick to compete; she was going to enter forms. She didn’t go to church on Sunday and neither did Geneva. They have sore throats:( I worked in concessions; I did get to watch Lilly compete. It was her first contact match since last year when she lost for the first time. She won on Saturday but almost got disqualified for pushing. Another lady came to give me a break from concessions to watch Ethan spar but I went to his ring and waited a long long time and so finally I had to leave and get back to concessions. I wished someone could have been there to help him during the rounds. Isaac’s mouth was cut open during his match, not seriously at all.
Maybe your wondering how my diet has been going? It has been going great, I have been so sick to my stomach from nerves I haven’t been able to eat much. Well that’s over and my appetite is back…lol:) I now have time to read a book loaned to me by our church’s librarian, Beloved Bride by Bill Potter. It’s letters of Stonewall Jackson to his wife.
