Goodbye Wonder Woman

We've had this van for about 9 years.  When we bought this car I didn't think it would make it home from Colorado Springs, but she proved me wrong!  This car went from a hump of junk--to Wonder Woman!  She worked her heart out for us.  But, she finally wore out.  The brakes went out and it was going to cost thousands to get it fixed.  I always thought this car was ugly on the outside, but honestly, I loved the way she drove.  When we sold her to the junk yard her left blinker didn't work.  The passenger door had duct tape and an eraser to ensure the car would sense the door closed when it was closed.  The passenger sliding door didn't lock, the back hatch didn't unlock the right headlight was connected to the car with duct tape and when it was cold the heater never hated up...oh, and of course the brakes had to be on the floor to work--eventually.  However, it was hard to say goodbye.  Thanks Wonder Woman for all you did for us!!  We'll  never forget you. 

 

What a Season!!

We began not knowing if there would be a football season this year, to making it to the State Class A championship game!  The big bummer was that they wouldn't let them play in Lincoln at the UNL campus and they had to play at Westside which I thought was completely unfair! (Lincoln closed down sports after their teams were eliminated due to Covid spikes.)  The game wasn't the best game of the season, but it felt good to make it to State.  They lost, but to me second place was nothing to be ashamed of.  I feel like if they would have played in Lincoln the outcome could have been different.  I am proud of my boys and their season.                                    

A few friends snuck in at the end of the game to show their support.  It was so thoughtful.  

Kyle accepting his metal at the end of the game.

                                             Kory accepting his metal at the end of the game.  

A big hug from Dad, post game.  Kyle was pretty sad, but some encouraging words from Dad is just what he needed.  

Kory was also emotional.  He didn't play in the varsity games, but him and Kyle really enjoyed playing together and this was their last game playing together.  

                                                                    A memorable hug

I love that Kyle isn't afraid to show his emotions.  He is one of the most excited kids you'll meet when he is excited and he'll 'ugly cry' when he's sad.  Emotions make us human and I'm glad he enjoys the moment when he can and feels the pain when it's real.  I think that is healthy.  

I'll also admit it isn't easy to not be able to take his pain away!  When kids are young you can give them a hug and usually make the pain go away. But this type of pain is different.  You just have to be there and feel the pain with them.  So very hard.  

But, I'll never forget the moment when Kyle looked over and saw Makai crying because he was so sad.  Kyle took Makai in his arms and expressed to him that this was just a game.  That things were going to be okay.  This was the moment I saw Kyle smile for the first time.  The moment he tried to take the pain away from Makai.  

I just love watching Kyle with Monty.  At the end he want back for more encouraging words.  I'm sure there is a life lesson in this.  Everyone supporting everyone and together we felt uplifted.  

                                                                       Family shot!!

Friends shot.  These guys snuck into the game at the end just to see these boys.  Now that is loyalty.  This meant a lot to the boys.  

Some friends from Elkhorn Ridge Middle School.  First time we've lived anywhere long enough to have gone through several years of school with the same friends.  Haha.  I had two of these boys in study hall, so I even felt a connection to them. 

More Ridge Friends

Kyle and Bunz with the runner up trophy.  These two have been friends since middle school.  In middle school Kyle was taller than Bunz.  During High School things changed, but their friendship stayed the same and their love for football remained.  

After the game the boys enjoyed some BUNT cakes a family in our ward dropped off.  This was a great way to end the night.  They felt very loved.  

The following day the McKay's came by with dinner to celebrate together. And some amazing root beer from Columbus.  It's amazing!!  Nice to have a friend who has tried root beer from every state and knows the best kind.  We enjoyed their visit--it was an awesome conversation and the food was enjoyed. Makai was pretty funny during dinner.  He even explained why he thought the refs were paid off!  Haha.  Rob shared a story about him losing the track state championship when he was in high school by one point.  It was a point he should have earned the team if he'd of worked a little harder.  His coach talked to him on the bus ride home and kindly reminded him that he hadn't worked as hard as he could have worked and yes...second place wasn't his best.  But he told him to remember that moment and from that day forward to always work his hardest.  It was a great story.  Makai even rated it at the top of all Rob stories.  Their visit was good for the boys. Monty spent the day at the hospital, so he missed it, but he was with us in spirit.  

At the end of the year awards ceremony Kyle was voted co-lifter of the year.  He loves the weight room and works hard when he is in there.  Kory said he voted for him.  

The Game!

This was by far the best game of the season.  The game against Kearny was a projected win as Elkhorn had already beat them earlier in the season, but the first win was won in overtime so it wasn't going to be easy.  The boys played a great game.  It was fun to see them out there together.  Kory is on scout team, so he just gets beat up all week and then goes to support the team.  I boys enjoy being together.  Some of my favorite moments are when I see them on the sidelines talking to each other.  I believe Elkhorn won 10-3.  This win will take them to the State Championship in a week.  This was a huge win for the Storm.  I believe tonight was the night that Kyle worked so hard to be able to play in.  After he hurt his knee a few games back I thought his season was over, but he didn't.  He was determined to play again.  And if Kyle puts his mind to something....  We'll he got himself better with lots of hard work and had the game of his life.  

A Great picture of Kory pre-game.  Did I mention it was freezing cold!  Not sure how he had nothing covering his legs, but what can I say...the kid is tough.  

Kyle mid-game.  Someone was injured so Kyle played every defensive series and some offensive.  He was fired up! Which was good because did I mention this game was freezing!  I mean, at the end I couldn't feel my toes!  Monty and I sat in the car for about 5 minutes before I could drive home because I couldn't feel my hands!  However, I wouldn't of missed it for anything! 

Kyle on one of his tackles!

Post game listening to coach. 

Seriously though...

The paper loved this picture of Kyle celebrating!  I love that he made the paper.  A friend of ours showed us the article.  Otherwise we wouldn't have seen it.  Thankful that they saw it and even gave us their copy.  

Kyle celebrating after an amazing play!  Love this kids passion!  

 

Basketball Season has Arrived!

Basketball season has arrived and with this kid there is no playing around.  When he gets on that court it is all business!  He worked hard all year and I must say he is a completely different kid when he was last year.  His basketball IQ has improved, his mental toughness has grown, and his love for the sport is more fierce.  He worked hard to get the number 24 in honor of his favorite player who died earlier this year, Kobe Bryant.  He watched film of Koby and is trying to develop many of the attitudes and philosophy of the game that Koby talked about.  This year he gets onto the court to play.  He worked hard to earn a spot on the A team.  He doesn't start on the A team, but when he gets in, he takes advantage of that time.  He's great on offense and defense.  He's a good team player and shares the ball with his teammates.  If he had life his way, he'd be playing basketball every second of the day.  This has been hard this year with a lot of the courts closed and the weather getting colder.  He loves school, but I think it is mostly because there is a court he can play on.  He never complains about practice and just tries his best.  We've also put him on a YMCA team.  He team is horrible, but he is still wanting to play for that team just to get the reps.  We'll see how the season goes.  I am really impressed with what I have seen thus far.  This is him after a game.  He wasn't happy with how he played, but he isn't crying or yelling.  He's just thinking about how to be better.  How to improve.  A growth mindset.  Another thing that happened to Trey this year is his hair got curly!!  With each passing month his hair gets curlier and curlier!  Lots of kids are getting perms, but Trey is just a natural.  I love his curly hair.   

I video every play Trey plays in, but sure didn't get a lot of still shots.  But every second of playtime is documented.  

 

Makai is One Cool Kid

Makai could hardly wait for Halloween this year.  He knew exactly what he wanted to be from the beginning of October.  He kept telling me that since it was his last year to dress up, he wanted to make it good.  He wanted to be an army guy.  He ended up going as an Air Force guy, but you know...wearing camo was going to be part of it.  We drove down to an army surplus store to see if we could find him an outfit, but found that he was pretty large, so we came home and had him try on Monty's old BDU's and Flight suit.  Makai fill them pretty well.  For the entire month of October and into November Makai wore these outfits anytime he could.  He looks pretty legit if you ask me.  He didn't go trick or treating, but did wear his costume to school for the last hour of the day enjoyed that.  On the way out, someone spotted him Jacket and asked him about it.  Makai is proud of Monty and his military service, so he enjoyed talking to the man.  

   

My mom asked for a picture of Makai when he was young and I was surprised when even I hardly recognized him.  He has grown up so much, but man has he always had personality.  

One thing Makai loves is his hair!  If he had it his way he'd never have a haircut!  The only reason he cut it this month was because I convinced him that an army guy needs to have short hair.  I do love his hair.  As it goes it gets curlier and curlier.  It is probably the thickest head of hair I've ever seen on a kid.  We enjoy it, but there comes a time when it needs to be cut--like when I can't keep my hands off it and start to do funny things with it.  

Makai tried sushi for the first time recently.  He was not excited, but ended up saying, "it wasn't too bad".  I'm always happy when my kids are willing to be adventurous.  Don't hate it, till you try it!!