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.