Just a Few Shorts Days...

Tim turns 16 in just a few short days.  It doesn't seem as important nowadays like it was when Scot and I were 16.  Either way we are looking forward to celebrating this milestone moment with our boy at Angus Barn.  A steak house that Tim has wanted to go to for years but couldn't because he had to stay in a weight division for sparring.  We are so glad that he's not doing that sport anymore and doing a sport where he can eat.  

It's been a year full of changes but it's been really good and might I say even great.  We love where we are as a family and where Tim is at at this point in time in his life.  Such an amazing young man with such an amazing future.

Pop and Mikes Visit...

We got word that Pop's visit with his brother Mike went so incredibly well yesterday and that they are going to make a point of getting them together more often since it was so good for them.  We love those two guys so very much.  Getting old just plain sucks.  I wish that we could have our loved ones with us always but unfortunately we can't.  What we can do though is make the end of their lives the best days of their life.  Yesterday was definitely one of those best day moments.  Here's a pic of them together.

Pop (Frank) and his brother Mike Neal.

Barbells and Sprinkles Spring Open 5/4/2024 Meet Results....

Tim did an amazing job.  He had another Meet experience going up against someone in his weight division and beat him outright in both Snatch and C&J.  Tim came away from the day with 68kgSnatch/90kgC&J/158kgTotal.  In pounds that's 149.9#Snatch/198.4#C&J/348.3#Total.  He had a great time.  They didn't give the youth any medals at this Meet.  Tim didn't care about the medal but there were other youth there that it would have been good to give out medals to encourage them.  After all they need to be lifting up this next generation of lifters and encouraging them as much as possible.  It was a well put together Meet though and Tim and his teammate had a great time.  They were there to get more experience and they did.  Here are some pics that I got of Tim lifting.

68kg Snatch

Progression of C&J lift starting with this pic.

90kg C&J

Barbell's and Sprinkles Meet...

 

Tim is excitedly getting ready for this Meet today.  He laughs at the name of the place every time it's mentioned.  We don't pick the names though.  We just go to compete and gain experience.  Tim loves what he doing and he's gaining more ground in this sport every day.  We will post results of the Meet later.  

Transformation...

I love butterflies.  I always have.  Watching caterpillars go from cute fuzziness to the cocoon to a butterfly is something everyone should experience watching at some point in their lives.  When Tim was around 5 or 6 years old we ordered a butterfly kit.  We got to watch the larvae turn into caterpillars and caterpillars turn into butterflies.  It shows us just how uniquely intrigue they are and it also shows us how uniquely intrigue we are as well.  If God can make something so incredibly beautiful like a butterfly how much more incredibly beautiful are we to Him?!?!  

I love the saying in the picture above.  Our past is a part of our transformation just like the butterflies past is a part of its transformation.  Transformation is a beautiful thing.  It may not be fun going through it but when it's done it's beautiful.  

A week from tomorrow Tim will be 16.  Looking back at his beginnings to now all I can think is WOW what a transformation!!!  He has transformed into such an amazing young man who loves life and loves his family.  He's so grateful for all the support that he has from those he loves in his life and there's nothing that he wouldn't do for any of them.  We named him Timothy after Timothy in the Bible.  Timothy in the Bible represents the kind of man that we have desired for our son to grow up to be and he is growing up to be quite a man.  We couldn't be more proud of the transformation that has taken place in him especially this last year.  With all he's gone through God has brought him through it all.  He came through and on the other side a much better and stronger Tim.  He knows what he wants and doesn't want out of life and he's moving full speed ahead into all that God has for him on the journey that he's on now.  He's so transformed from what he was and yet God is still transforming him.  God's not done with him yet.  It is so exciting to get to have a front row seat to see how God transforms our son in the days, weeks, months and years to come.  May he grow to be all that God wants him to be.  May he never waver in trusting God for everything in his life.  May God always be his first thought.  And may he always allow his past to transform him into all that God wants him to be just as the butterfly allows his past to transform him.  Looking ahead always and not behind!  Moving forward with God!  Always hold on to God for everything!  

#familyiseverything

Loyalty....

 

100% True!!!  Through the years I have seen this first hand more times than I care to even admit I have but I have.  Having people in your life who are only loyal to their need of you and when they don't need you they drop you sucks.  Our own son had to experience this last year.  We all did as a family with people that were supposed to be our friends but as soon as things shifted in our lives they dropped us because their need of us was no longer there.  

There are tons of folks today that are fickle.  Nothing even close to the sort of folks we grew up with back in the day that always had your back and didn't just use you and drop you just because you shifted in what you were going to be doing with your life.  As long as folks today have need of you they are your best friend but as soon as that need is gone so is the friendship.  We didn't have to be going the same direction in life for our friends to stay our friends when we were growing up.  I still have friendships with folks I grew up with.  We all were taught what being a real friend is all about and we took that seriously not flippantly.  

More folks today could use a good dose of old school teaching on how to be real friends with folks.  Having real relationships in your life are more important than fickle fly by night ones.  No matter the ups and downs of life be on the look out for those that are true and real and not fake to your face and use or abuse you.  Sometimes they are like a wolf in sheeps clothing and are hard to spot but if you watch carefully you'll be able to see the wolf behind the sheep mask they wear.  Plus pay close attention to what others may say or what their body language may say and you'll be able to tell.  Walk carefully as you navigate those would be friends and look to God to show you who they really are.  

Yes we got hurt but had we been looking at things with our God eyes we would have been able to see the ugly people they really were and that they were only out for themselves and didn't care who else got hurt along the way.  I'm sure they are still using people and those folks are none the wiser because they believe the lies that are being told to them.  They are buying into it and being used like we were and they too will get hurt in the end and there's nothing we can do to stop it.  Folks won't have ears to hear if they already believe lies as truth.  It's just how it is.  We just have to not be that person and walk on and move forward despite it all.  

We also have to be on our guard because the devil moves around like a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour and he uses would be friends to do his dirty work so be VERY CAREFUL who you consider your friend(s)!!!  You'd be surprised how many folks really aren't your friends and are just using you and when they are done using you they will toss you aside like a bag of trash.  If it can happen to us it can happen to anyone.  BE ON YOUR GUARD!!!    

Surround Yourself...

We tell Tim this saying a lot.  We share it with him every time that we see it on social media too.  The people that we surround our lives with are important to our growth as a person.  You surround yourself with winners and you will be a winner.  You surround yourself with those that love God and you will grow in your walk with God.  You surround yourself with people that push you in a forward direction then you will continue to move forward and up the ladder to success.  They will help you raise your game whether it be in sports or work or life.  Don't just run with people to be running with a pack but make sure that you are attaching yourself to those who are going somewhere in life and are making a difference.  Make sure that you aren't a problem on society but that you are helping be part of the solution to making society a better place for everyone.  One wrong choice in life can crush your life.  Keeping your eyes on the prize always!  Making choices that lead to advancement!  That's what really matters!  Leave a legacy for your loved ones!  Make them proud!!!

Switching to Creapure....

Creatine is a great supplement for weightlifters.  Tim has been on it for a while now but not this brand.  Now that there is a brand that is associated with USA Weightlifting that they are endorsing Tim can't wait to order some.  

Creapure® is the brand name for pure creatine monohydrate produced by Alzchem Trostberg GmbH in Germany. We guarantee high-quality products, such as Creapure®, which is exclusively produced at our specially-designed production facility in Trostberg.

Creapure® is the most widely studied form of creatine and is proven to be safe and effective. When purchasing Creapure® supplements, you can be assured that you are using one of the best and most reliable products on the market.

Creapure® is vegan and exclusively manufactured by chemical synthesis. Raw materials and intermediates are not derived from animal or herbal products resulting in no traces that may have originated from animal or herbal byproducts.

Creatine – the body’s own dietary supplement

Creatine, which occurs naturally in the body, plays a crucial role in the body’s energy metabolism. If energy is needed, ATP (adenosine triphosphate = energy currency of the cell) is converted to ADP (adenosine diphosphate). Eventually, the body turns ADP back into ATP using energy derived from food, but this takes time, and muscle cells can store only enough ATP to allow a few seconds of high-intensity work. Therefore, creatine supplementation is substantial to ensure high levels of phosphocreatine.

Everybody needs creatine every day

Adults have around 80–130 g of creatine in their bodies. Every day about 1–2 % of this creatine is broken down and excreted, so it has to be replenished. The human body naturally produces some creatine. Intake of significant amounts of creatine from food is only possible by eating meat and meat products. However, cooking and food preparation can result in creatine loss in food. Given your daily requirement of creatine, consumption of meat and synthesis of creatine by your own body may only provide maintenance levels of creatine. The body’s need for creatine to maximize your creatine levels may be significantly greater and that is why a Creapure® creatine supplement may be right for you.

How much do I need?

Take 3–5 grams of Creapure® creatine monohydrate daily to replace what your body uses every day. You can personalize the rate within the range provided based on your size, muscle mass and activity level. Creapure® can be used at any time of day, but you may benefit from taking the product immediately after exercise or in the morning. A loading phase is not required.

Who benefits?

Creatine isn’t just for Bodybuilders and Fitness Athletes. It is the perfect supplement for all sports that require repeated bursts of maximum power – such as Soccer, Basketball, Football, Baseball, Hockey, Swimming, Track and Field, and many more. To consistently perform at your highest level, you need a sufficient amount of creatine in your body.  

As we age, we can also benefit from taking Creapure®. In combination with moderate resistance training, Creapure® helps to stop the age related loss of muscle mass, strength and improves mental activity.

Did you know several scientific studies indicate that creatine has even more beneficial effects, which have been shown in the following categories: Brain function, sleep (better quality of sleep and decreased sleep demand), antioxidative property, bone health.

Vegetarians and Vegans show lower muscle creatine stores compared to people who eat meat.

Why choose Creapure®

• Creapure® is on the Cologne List® and is tested for banned substances regularly. By using only products of the Cologne List®, athletes reduce the risk of unintentionally becoming the victims of doping.
• Creapure® is vegan and kosher as well as halal certified.
• Creapure® production uses Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) is a management system, widely used to identify, assess and control health risks in food production.
• Alzchem Trostberg GmbH, the producer of Creapure®, is certified for these ISO-Norms: Quality management: ISO 9001, Enviromental management: ISO 14001, Energy management: ISO 50001

• The production of Creapure® is IFS FOOD certified, a quality standard recognized by the “Global Food Safety Initiative”

  
  

  Here's the link for where I got all of this information: https://www.creapure.com/en/creapure/what-creapure

Our Boy Tucker...

We've had Tucker on the same dog food since he was a puppy.  We chose it because of his allergy to too much chicken in some of the dog foods.  His last batch had unprocessed bones in it and made him really bad sick.  Almost $400 later in vet bills and special dog food to get him lined out we are now on a journey to find him a new dog food.  We think we've found the one that we will go with.  It's called Taste of the Wild.  It can only be gotten on Chewy.  It's one that my sister in law uses on her picky dog and Tucker seems to love it.  We are just glad that we figured out what was making him sick and that he is feeling much better now.

We are going to give this new food a few days to be sure that this is the one we will be switching to.  You hate to have to switch them when you have found something they love but I don't know that I will ever trust the brand we were using again.  We were using Nature's Recipe and for 6/7 years it has been an awesome food but after all we've been through I'm hesitant on letting him eat it anymore.  Crossing fingers🤞that he will keep loving this food.  

Pop Walking...

The last time we remember Pop walking was at Christmas and yesterday he walked for the first time since that time.  I was so exciting to see on video.  I have a couple of pics that I will share here though of him with his walker.  One is of him walking and the other is after he sat down from his walk.

This was a huge accomplishment for Pop after all he's been through these last months.  We love seeing him doing so much better.  We want to have him with us as long as we can.  We love him so much.