Karate Tournament

Today Dominic and I traveled with Gabriel to Hutchinson, MN so that Gabriel could participate in his first karate tournament! He has been taking Shotokan Karate classes through our local community services program.  It was a fun and fairy inexpensive way for him to try out a new "sport" to see if he likes it.

He started this fall (I think??) and he has really progressed. He recently got his orange belt and we are so proud of him!

He participated in individual kata and team kata. (an exercise consisting of a sequence of the specific movements of a martial art, used in training and designed to show skill in technique)

He did SO good! He was nervous about it and wasn't sure initially if he even wanted to go. But I reminded him that no matter what his score/ranking we would be proud of him and that I thought he was brave for being willing to even try something new like this.

Basically it is a elimination type event. He was paired against another child his age range and ranking and then 2 perform at the same time. One person wins and then the winner/loser goes against other people until the all have placed.

In the individual kata he got 3rd place! I thought he did great and he was excited to get a medal!

Then he and 2 other people from his class performed in the team kata. This is where they all do the same kata together.

They did really good too!

They won their 1st round, and then their 2nd and then their 3rd and finally won the last round for 1st place!!  It was really exciting and fun to watch and Gabriel was so proud of himself!!

And VERY excited to have a 1st place medal!! He said that he had a great day. After he was done we found some little Mexican restaurant downtown for a late lunch that Gabriel thought was fancy because they played music and had silverware wrapped up in a napkin! ;)

It's the little things right?!  Congrats Gabriel on your awesome performance today. We are so very proud of you!!

Updates

It seems like I never post here any more.  I apologize to those of you still sticking with me! :) I thought I would give a few updates of what have been happening in the Smith home lately.

Isaac is on his way right now with our church's youth group to see Chris Tomlin in concert in Minneapolis. I am jealous. :)  He got his "official" driver's license in February and has been driving himself to school every day. It is nice. What's even nicer are those nights when I need to wrap something up at the office and he can run over and pick up Elijah and Karlena for me.

Gabriel is doing great in school and is still taking Shotokan karate through Marshall Community Services until mid-May. Recently he tested and received his orange belt! He is learning a lot and we are really proud of him! (Will post a picture after Tuesday when he has his gi on again) A few weeks ago Gabriel has his school concert and he had the part of a general. I was able to find this costume for him at our local Goodwill for less than $18 total!!

Elijah will be 4 in just over a month. I can hardly believe that. He is just getting so big and so much more grown up. He is ready for it to be nice outside so that he can ride his bike! I think we are all ready for it to be nice outside again!

Karlena is changing and growing more every day. She is getting so tall! When I was going to start this post I hear her yelling..."mama, I'm stuck, help me!" And I found this....

She likes to follow the kitties everywhere they go and got stuck under the chair! :)

I found some more clearance paint at Menards and started painting Karlena's room.  I did an accent wall in dark brown and the other 3 walls will be a tan (with no yellow undertones) :) Here is a sneak peak....

I LOVE it. The room does look a bit smaller now...but I don't mind. I like how it looks....they are very similar colors to what we had in her old room in Beresford....I guess it is nostalgia - but now all the walls will be fresh and clean again. And I have a ton of paint left over again....so may have to use that for something else!

 I wrote a post about getting organized over at my other blog. I am even giving away a copy of the e-book I got to review - go check it out and enter before Thursday!!

The business is going great - busy and more busy. Dominic and I both are working at finding the right balance between work time and family time....but we are both so grateful for this amazing opportunity to work together and thank God for how He has blessed this so far.

Speaking of Dominic, it has been almost 10 months since his accident. He still walks with a pronounced limp and lots of pain every day. While he tries to remain positive about everything....it is frustrating and painful and frustrating. :(  He sees the surgeon in July...we have been talking about what options he might have....possibly removing all the hardware they put in to hold his heel together. The pain he has is exactly where the plate and screws are - not the heel....he is still so young and we feel like this can't be the best it can get. Please pray with us for clear answers!

We recently bought an elliptical machine. It is the one thing that the PT's encouraged him to use for exercise to work his foot with the least amount of impact. We knew it would be cheaper, and easier in the long run, for the whole family to have a machine at home instead of paying for gym memberships.  We are loving (and hating) it....but it is already getting well used. We are going to be one healthy family! :)

Wow - is anyone still with me?! This has gotten to be a long post! I guess that is what happens when you post once every 3 months huh?!  I hope you have a wonderful week and I will try to be back sooner than later!

Running and dancing

Oh how I love these kiddos of mine!!

Waiting Here for You Lord....

This is one of my favorite songs, so I wanted to share it here with you!!

 As we wait in anticipation for the Easter celebration tomorrow - let us praise the One who conquered death.

My Gabriel

Poor Gabriel is really sick. He has Influenza B and it taking every bit of energy out of him it can. He has barely moved from the living room in 3 days, is still running a fever of 103 and since Tuesday afternoon has had 2 pancakes and about 20 grapes. I haven't see him this sick in a long time.

The worst part is that he was the "Star Student" for the week at school and each day they do something fun for that child. He has missed out on so much fun stuff. And today I have to stop and get his homework and he will probably have to work on it all weekend.

But as a part of the Star Student week we were asked to write a letter to Gabriel that his teacher could read to the class. That was supposed to be on Wednesday - which he missed. So I am posting it here and on my other blog so that we have "record" of it and can read it for years to come!

Dear Gabriel,

Congratulations!! You are the Star Student this week! I don’t know that there are enough words to describe just how proud of you that your dad and I are. We are so lucky to have you as a part of our family. After having Isaac we waited 7 long years to add you to our family and everyone was so excited when you were born! When you were 3 months old you got very, very sick and spent 9 days in the hospital. It was very scary for us, but you were strong and a fighter and when you got better we knew that God had something special planned for you in your life.

You are a wonderful brother and do such a great job helping to take care of Elijah and Karlena.  Elijah loves to be able to share a room with you and always wants to do what you are doing!  He thinks you are a pretty cool big brother!  You are always looking for ways that you can be helpful at home and we really appreciate that!  School has always been easy for you and we are thankful that you enjoy it and work hard to complete your homework. We know that you always try your best and we have always been proud of your efforts in school.

Gabriel, you are always finding ways to entertain us! You like to tell jokes and do magic tricks and recently you are learning karate and have really progressed quickly! It is amazing how fast you can learn something new and remember it! You are very smart!

When we went to California for a vacation you wanted to ride on the scary roller coaster Space Mountain at Disney World. Even though you were only 5 you were very brave and insisted on riding with the big boys. When we went to Florida a few years later you rode on every scary ride – even ones that mom wouldn’t go on! You have no fear Gabriel!

You have an enthusiasm for life and we love that about you! You are passionate and caring and are always looking for ways to do nice things for other people. When we moved from South Dakota to Minnesota you had a positive attitude and never complained. You saw the changes as an adventure and you have made Marshall your home.

You aren’t afraid to try new things like basketball and karate. And when you do try a new sport you always do well and practice so that your skills improve. You should be proud of all you have accomplished!

One of the best parts of my day is when I pick you up from school and get to ask how your day was, how lunch was and if you have any homework. Even though I always know the answer, I ask anyways and like to make you laugh.

Gabriel, I wish that I had time to share all of the fun stories that I remember about you. I want you to always remember that your dad and I love you very much and we are just so thankful that God gave us the honor of being your parents. We know that you will do great things when you grow up and we will be here to support you in any way we can as you learn and grow.

Thank you for being you Gabriel – we don’t ever want you to change because you are perfect just the way you are!  Love, Mom and Dad

Follow along with Bloglovin

Hello friends!

I know, I know....it has been a LONG time since I have posted here. I am so sorry. I need to get better about blogging and taking pictures of my family! One of these days I promise! ;)\

Anyway - as so many of you know already Google Reader is going away and so we will need to find alternate ways to "follow" the blogs we love.  I know some of you subscribe via email - and those should still be fine. 

But I am not sure how this change affects Google Friends Connect - so if you follow me that way please consider subscribing by e-mail or you can follow me with Bloglovin.

I am using Bloglovin to follow many of the blogs I currently follow. It is just a different platform - but you can organize the blogs you read into categories and I get an e-mail when ever there is a new post. I love it!

I am so grateful for each and every one of you that stops by to share life here so I'd love to keep you around even when the changes happen this summer!

And soon I will update on all that has been happening in our family recently!!

Happy Monday!

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You're Made for a God-Sized Dream - Giveaway!

Hey friends!! Happy Valentine's Day!

I wanted to invite you all to hop over to my other blog and enter this fun giveaway I am having to win one of three copies of Holley's new book that aren't even available to the public yet!!

I was able to get my hands on a few copies early and would love to share them with 3 of my readers!!  So click on this link and leave a comment - it's that easy! :)