Little Warriors

Our 3 Little Warriors tested for their next ranks in Tae Kwon Do class tonight. They all did great.

Jersey #3 earned his yellow belt.

Jersey #2 earned her blue stripe.

Jersey #1 earned her first red stripe.

We treated them to new uniforms just in time for their test. They were out-growing their old uniforms. Plus, there were some cool color options available.

Jersey #2 took a hit to the middle of her chest during a sparring match that caused The Referee and I to both gasp. She said it hurt. But, she is doing well. I have to keep reminding myself that her cardiologist assured us her sternum is as strong as it is ever going to be. She is cleared to participate in Tae Kwon Do, as well as any other sport or activity. Since Tae Kwon Do is such a big family tradition for The Referee's family, we do not want her to miss out on it. But, such injuries worry us anyway.


Here is a photo of the proud Daddy, who also happens to be their instructor...

Black Belt

The Referee tested his very first student for the rank of Black belt in Tae Kwon Do, tonight. It was awesome!

She was awesome...

I am so very proud of both of them...

Tae Kwon Do was such a big part of The Referee's childhood. His Uncle ran a TKD school, and allowed The Referee to attend for free. He trained up to the rank of 2nd degree black belt. Then, he went off to college and moved out of town. 12 years passed before he returned to the martial art. He was never drawn to a new school, for some reason.

Then, one Sunday afternoon, The Referee got caught up in some light saber battles with a few of the kids and teens at church. He was having so much fun, that he asked if they would be interested in learning some REAL fighting techniques. That is when he admitted that he was martial arts trained, and could technically train others. The idea was a hit. After receiving permission from the church congregation, he started up a Tae Kwon Do class, using the church fellowhip hall as his Dojang. He specifically set up his class to be for self-defense, fellowship, and fitness. Class opens and ends in prayer. He did not join any official martial arts federation, so that there is no governing body, above our church. At first, I questioned if it was allowed to not be members of an organization, and would the ranks be legitimate. It turns out, that yes, it is. The Referee has sought counsel with his Uncle and a couple other Black belts who own(ed) martial arts schools, and all tell him he is on the right track with the way he runs his class.

That was 4 years ago. The class began with church members, and then opened up to the homeschooling community. The training is free. Students only have to pay for their testing materials and uniforms. They meet one evening a week and workout. Our older 3 kids are part of the class now too. It is really neat to see the fathers who come and workout with their kids. There have been quite a few occasions where the kids will eventually out-rank their Dads, because Dads often miss classes due to working late or business travel. It is harder to get the Moms to participate, me included. I have not yet jumped into that class, but I am happy to go each week and cheer them on. It is fun. It is really neat to see the progression of skill. It has been amazing to see this fine young lady train for her black belt. She started with the original class, 4 years ago. She took breaks for health and injuries. The Referee took a break. The class took breaks around the church schedule. But, in spite of those random breaks, she was able to go from no martial arts training 4-years ago, to earning a Black belt in Tae Kwon Do tonight. Impressive!

BLUE

Jersey #1 earned her blue belt in Tae Kwon Do this week. I am a proud Mama!

The Referee is rather proud too, especially considering he is her instructor...

She worked hard to prepare. Then, she had to perform all of her skills for that rank, in front of the class. (There were other students testing that same night).

At the end of the test, her green belt (with its 1 blue stripe) was replaced with a new blue belt.

Jersey #1 is usually a rather sensitive child who does not seek danger or harm. Tae Kwon Do is really helping her to toughen up a little. At home, she was telling me how she was hurt during the sparring round. I praised her for being so tough to handle it, and still stay focused on doing her best. She shared that she really wanted to cry, but she fought back the tears during class. She then started crying at home, telling us that she is not really tough.

I had to hold back my desire to laugh. She was giving an honest account about herself not liking being hurt. She was saying it in a very dramatic way, which just enhanced her point. It is true that she is not rough-n-tumble, naturally.

At the same time, I see how strong and confident she is becoming. I see her efforts to succeed. She is learning to overcome some weaknesses in order to achieve her goals. It was so easy to hug her and comfort her, and encourage her that she really is growing tough.

And she's got the blue belt to prove it!

Tae Kwon Do

Check out my Ninja family....

Last night was a big night in Tae Kwon Do class. Jersey #1 tested for the rank of 7th GUP, which is a blue stripe on her belt. Jersey #2 tested for 6th GUP, which is a green belt. They both did GREAT!

The Referee is their instructor. He is a 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He is continuing a family legacy. He was trained in Tae Kwon Do throughout his childhood, by his Uncle. In his family, there is also an Aunt, another Uncle, and one of the Referee's brothers who are all black belts in Tae Kwon Do. I'm pretty sure other family members have earned various lower ranks through the years/decades.

The Referee started up a Tae Kwon Do class at our church a few years ago. Our children were way too young to participate at the time. The class was inspired by his other hobby, Star Wars. When the next series of Star Wars movies were in theaters, the teens of our church would hold lightsaber battles on the grass lawn after service. The Referee loved to join in. Apparently, there is no age too old to battle with lightsabers! As he showed the teens various fighting moves with a lightsaber, he started thinking they might like to learn some real fighting moves...which brought to mind the idea of starting up a Tae Kwon Do class.

This year, our older children have joined his class, one-by-one, as they have gained age and interest. Even though The Referee was enjoying teaching the class before, he is REALLY fired up about his class now that his own children are taking part in it. He is also starting to consider training for his next rank. It is fun to see this level of excitement return in his life.

Even though I am not a martial artist myself, Tae Kwon Do holds a special place in my heart. The Referee and I started dating around the time he was getting serious about training for his blackbelt. He eventually invited me to visit his class and watch while he trained. His Uncle later told me that he knew that I was the one his nephew would marry, when the Referee first brought me to class....because that was the first time he had opened up that part of his life to anyone else.

Now, he is sharing that part of his life with his children!