T’s USAT National Ranking

This is T’s National Ranking as of the latest update:
We are so proud of all of T’s accomplishments this year so far. We are unsure if we will actually be going to USAT Nationals this year. We know we will be going to AAU Nationals though. In the end it may not be worth it to go to USAT Nationals this year. T’s time may be better spent in training getting ready for his first year as a Cadet for 2020 rather than spending the expense to go to USAT Nationals this year. We are in this for the long haul and so we are trying to make the best decisions for T in this sport. It’s hard to know what to do and what not to do. At the end of the day we just want what’s best for T. We don’t want to regret not having done tournaments we should have done. Making the right decisions is not easy when it comes to this sport. He loves what he’s doing so we will continue to move forward whatever that moving forward may look like. 

Memorial Day

Just wanted to take a moment to honor all those who have served and are serving in our armed services. They sacrifice so much and get so little in return. May the memories of those who have lost their lives for our freedom always be honored and respected. And may those who have served and are still serving that are alive be honored today as well for all they have done and are doing for our country. We are truly a blessed nation. 

TKD Meets Minecraft

T made a TKD Sparring Minecraft Skin. He wouldn’t have TKD on the mind or anything...LOL! 

Another training update

Yesterday afternoon through today there’s been a big change in T. All of a sudden he’s working even harder than he ever has. He’s really, and I mean, really listening. He’s making improvements. Old habits take a bit to break though but he’s recognizing what those bad habits are and doing his best to fix them. He’s looking faster. This is a huge step in the right direction.  Looking forward to seeing him continue training like this on a consistent basis.  He’ll be able to make all kinds of strides if he does. Here’s to praying he keeps it up. 

Here’s a pic from one of his recent tournaments:

Training So Far This Week

Training is going good. T is still learning to listen more and do what his coach wants. Sometimes he has to actually take T’s leg and physically show him what he wants from him. I have to keep reminding myself he’s only 11 years old and that he just sometimes doesn’t get it or it doesn’t make sense to him what it is his coach is wanting but he will get it. It takes time and lots and lots of training. Breaking bad habits is not easy and T has a lot of bad habits from how he was taught in the beginning. Each time his coach points out a new bad habit my eyes are opened more to just how much wrong his was taught before he came to this coach. It’s a battle his coach has with several of the students. The saying, “old habits die hard” is so true. I see it being played out on a daily basis as T is training to replace bad habits with good habits. One day the new, better, habits will become muscle memory and they will take the place of the old bad habits. I can’t wait for that day to happen because at that point everything will come together for T and he will be a force to be reckoned with. It will be such a sight to behold. Scot and I are looking forward to that day. He has come so far though in just a years time. When we look forward and think about where he will be this time next year it is mind blowing to think about. Scot and I are patiently waiting with expectancy for when T has his really big aha moment because once that switch is turned on there will be no stopping what he will be able to do in this sport. He has had a few small aha moments already and we’ve seen the change it has made but oh when the big aha moment happens, watch out, because an explosion is going to happen. 

Here’s a pic of him stretching after his warm up this morning:

Training in Matthews

T has had three weekends in a row of tournaments and this weekend, next week, and next weekend he’ll be working hard training with his team and doing private training with his coach. After this week T will have a two week training camp in June with the team and maybe a few extra days with his coach to get some last minute private time in before Nationals. For those of you who follow our blog and pray I ask that you pray for us to be able to find someone to coach T at USAT Nationals. The person we had in mind to do it has decided not to go this year. His coach here can’t attend because he’s going to be coaching our team at AAU Nationals which happens the same week as USAT Nationals. T likes to compete at both National events. We travel straight from one to the other. It’s why we have to have another coach to be able to coach T at USAT Nationals. So please just keep us in your prayers that God guides us to an available coach for T for USAT Nationals. Thank you. 

T Made a New Friend

T made a new friend a couple of weeks ago that was visiting our Dojang from Korea. His name is 저희 아들은 se hyun jeong. He didn’t speak much English but his forms where incredibly sharp. T hopes to visit Korea someday and see the Dojang that 저희 아들은 se hyun jeong trains at.

Some Pics of T fighting at Spar Wars

More Pics of the Tornado Disaster

As we drove around and saw all the damage done by the F2 tornado that ripped through the Wendell/Zebulon areas we found out that it was actually 1/4 of a mile from our home. We were really blessed that it didn’t hit us. But as we were driving around we saw tons of tree damage but little actual home damage. We were relieved to see that. But the tree damage is something else. It’s a mess everywhere. Sad part is we know all too well that if it’s not sitting on an actual structure on your land home owners won’t lift a hand to help in the cleanup. Here’s more pics:

Training in Matthews Time Again

T and I leave on Friday for Matthews and won't return home until the 25th or 26th.  Time to get some more training time in so that he can hopefully compete at the Empire State Championship 4.0 even and NJ Championship 10.0 event.  NJ 10.0 event is an event that earns the gold medalist 100 points + strength factor points.  So if 60 kids sign up (it more than likely won't be near that many) in T's division it could earn the gold medalist 160 points and of course it trickles down depending on where the opponents land in the rankings from the event.  Even the kid who gets last place stands a good chance at earning some really good ranking points at this event.  It's worth it for T to compete at it.  But for now we are concentrating on training and getting better.  Focusing on fixing what needs fixing and then hopefully doing battle at the tournaments and seeing how he does.  Nationals is just around the corner.  The 10.0 event will be T's last event before Nationals.  Life sure is crazy busy but it's a good busy.

I'm thankful today for all the moments we have had with our son.  The good and the bad.  You never know when it will be your last shared moment and we make it a point to cherish all the moments we have together.  We are never promised tomorrow.  So live for today and make sure you make it count and make sure those you love know that you love them.  Until next time.....