Test

Brennon may have been the one that started the whole Taekwondo movement in our home, but Shelby is the one that has made the biggest improvement of them all.  Tonight was an amazing night for her.

A few days ago she told me that before she leaves her room each morning, she says her prayers, does 10 jumping jacks, holds her splits as long as she can stand, and does her White Belt Form (Key-Cho-Young) three times.  I was stunned.  I didn't know that she was doing that.  I knew that she was enjoying Taekwondo, but I didn't know that she was that into it.  Her practice has shown in the last few weeks.  Enough that I asked her to work with Tyson.  Yellow Belt testing is coming up on Saturday.  Not wanting to have a few in one class, with Tyson still in the younger class, I asked her to get him ready for the test.  She did not disappoint.

Tonight, after class, the teacher asked my kids to stay after with a few other students.  He had Caden and another boy doing their Form.  Caden rocked it, even throwing the other kids off because he was so fast and good.  He gave Caden a high-five and sent him for his shoes.  He then gave the other kids a chance to do it without Caden.  He made a few errors, but did much better without my speed-demon Caden.  Then it was Shelby and Brennon's turn.  They did it flawlessly, but Shelby was clearly trying her hardest to do it to perfection.  She was intense in her movements, punches, and YAH's.  It gave me SUCH pride to watch them perform.  And then it was time for Tyson...

While I felt pride in the work that he was able to showcase, I felt more pride for the person that taught him the moves.  My little Shelby has been working behind the scenes to make sure that Tyson knows his stuff.  She would work with him each day, critique him, and then expect him to show her his improvements.  The look on the teachers face was priceless when Tyson continued with each step, executing it to perfection.  As coach lowered to place his hands on his knees, he asked Tyson, "So, has your big brother been helping you?" I made sure to pipe up and say that it was all Shelby.  That girl glowed with pride from those words.  She can't take credit for all of it- after all, it was Tyson that was doing the moves perfectly- but it was her that helped him get to that point.

I can't wait for Saturday afternoon.  I can't wait to see each one of my kids bow before their instructor, arms outstretched, reaching for their next belt.  This is some pretty intense stuff that brings me to tears in pride.  If they keep up with their dedication, intensity, and confidence, my children have the potential to be great.  And I am not just saying that because I am their mother.  They really do look amazing.

Saturday will be their day to prove it.

HI-YAH!!!