Saturday, August 25, 2018

Birthday Besties - Jimmy and Sue

Jimmy and Sue have been celebrating their birthdays together for 17 years.  Jimmy's is August 22 and Sue's is August 23.  Past celebrations have included Twins games, a Vikings pre season game, movies, Chuck E Cheese, etc.  It so fun that they have this connection.

This year was no different.  Sue came over and we have Orange Chicken for Jimmy's big day and Pasta with Meatballs for Sues. Their favorite foods. With Brownies as the celebratory dessert.

This year they both got gear.  Jimmy got a new MAGA hat from Grandma and Grandpa and Sue got a Hopkins Football t-shirt. Again, perfect.

Updates on both...

Jimmy - holy cow, 17 has me sort of freaked out. There is a part of me that is worried that we only have another year with him before he's an official adult.  I know this is a bit silly since he's going to be a junior and actually has 2 more years before he actually leaves for college but it also means that, at this time next year, he could walk out and get a tattoo.  Not ready for that.  To be honest, I can't figure out if its my momma bear instinct that I want to keep him home as long as possible to keep him safe or if I'm a deranged control freak. Probably a bit off both.  But, he's a good good kid. He's leaning VERY Republican this year and starts nightly debates with me on almost every subject (abortion, immigration, racism, politics, economics, gun control - you name it). On one hand, he does his research, forms his own opinion and isnt swayed by what his friends think (most think he's crazy).   He's dead set on starting a Young Republicans club as his VERY liberal school and has joined YAF. He's also on Jennifer Zilinski's campaign team and is trying to figure out how she can beat Ilhan (spoiler alert, she can't and he knows it).  But, he's determined to try. He has a girlfriend (Melanie) who's awfully nice.  His "type" for sure, sporty (state golfer), nice and smart.  She had him all over MPLS this summer seeing the sights - the sculpture garden, top of Foshay, infinity bridge at the Walker, mini golfing, Minnehaha Falls, Lake Minnetonka, Lake Harriet, you name it, she's talked him into going. In return, he's made her watch High School Muscial and Camp Rock - his 2 favorite movies.  Pretty wholesome.  However, he doesnt talk politics with her (he "respects her too much to get into a full blown argument at this stage of the relationship")  On top of it all, football (his 1st love) has started and he's in hog heaven. The only downside is that he has a small stress fracture in his left hand due to a tough block. He can't have contact for 2 weeks and its killing him but .. considering the 1st game is still a week away, he'll probably be cleared to play.  All in all, this kid has the world by the tail and is grateful for it.

Sue - she's as busy as ever. She sold her house last year (owned it for 35 years) and moved into a hip new condo on Green Bay that overlooks the lake, is on the boardwalk and even has some Packers as neighbors.  She spends 4 months a year in Costa Rica and is becoming a surf competition regular and expert. This is on top of her volunteering at the preschool at her church AND her twice a year trip to Kenya to help at a school. Talk about having life by the tail.  She's very easy and chill to have around and the kids adore her.  (all her nieces and nephews adore her).  Her love of the Badgers and Packers hasn't wained and you can see her a few games each season.  Its so awesome that she's living her life to the fullest.

So...all is good here.  Blessed by family and friends and birthdays.  We love you Jimmy! We love you Sue!!

A BIG shout out and gratitude to Jimmy's birth parents and foster parents. He's kind, talented, thoughtful, smart, funny, engaging, maddening, passionate, dedicated, hard working, stubborn and has big big dreams (Secretary of State).  THANK YOU!!

Picture day, his FAVORITE day of the whole year

Last day of being 16

Opening cards.

Crazed

His card from Melanie

He got the cutest smile when he read "she sort of likes him"

He waited to open his present from Melanie until he was with us for the family dinner

Sweet girlfriend gift of a sweatshirt

Billy and Kay's gift

Madden 19

G & G;s gift

The anticipation

A new MAGA hat

God help us

He's excited 

Sigh

They forgot to tell me it was orange day on Sue's birthday

Birthday Besties

Shrimp Boil! No Manners Dinner

Sue's new shirt

Thursday, August 02, 2018

Hanmadong 2018 - Billy takes Gold and Silver



Once again, Billy and Tracy hit the road for a TKD tournament. This time was Colorado Springs for the Hanmadong.  It was the 10th year that the Hanmadong has taken place outside Korea and it draws and international crowd - Korea, China, Costa Rica - to name a few.

 
The intent of the Hanmadong is a bit different than Nationals. Nationals is all about high level competition and visibility to Olympic programming. The Hanmadong promotes the philosophy of TKD, both competitiveness but also the rigor, spirituality, community and practice of TKD. You see families competing together and ages 4-94.  In fact, the oldest competitor this year was 94 and an orange belt (which means she started TKD at 93!  Remind me to take up TKD at 93!)  She looked great!
 
Another difference is that it focuses on the "creative" parts of TKD so … board breaking, Demo, pomsea (forms) and weapons. (Nationals is only sparring and pomsea) Billy competed in weapons and Pomsea and did really well, taking home a Gold (in weapons) and Silver (in forms).  Not bad for his 1st time at the Hanmadong.
 
As a celebration of the athletes, they also hold an opening ceremony with a parade of athletes, honors and speeches by the Olympic TKD Committee and a performance by K Tigers - a Korean Demo group that is simply amazing.
 
The only downside of this tournament was that we didn't get to see any part of Colorado Springs because we were too busy with the tournament. I think we'll extend our trip next year and make it our family summer vacation.
 
Billy had fun competing and hanging out with his buddies (Zach, Adam, Noah, etc). Its such a great group of kids and parent and the coaches are the best. 
 
Overall WTA took home 8 medals on day 1 and 20 medals on day 2. Since day 2 is focused on weapons, its fair to say that WTA swept the weapons competition.  It was so fun to know that our organization is so skilled at weapons and has such great coaching (Master Lemon and Master Jones!!)
 
On Saturday night, they host a gala followed by an after party for the kids. Its really a crazy dance party and fun for the kids to hang out together, across teams.  In a very small world moment, Billy and I made friends at dinner with the founder of Old Chicago and a Korean journalist. It was so fun to talk to them, hear their connections to TKD and talk about the competition.  We made friends, go figure!
 
Here the highlights in pictures - Way to go Billy - so proud of you!   We love you to pieces....



Billy Pomsea - Silver medal, missed tying Gold by .1 of a pt.
Billy BoStaff - Gold medal, Zach got Silver and was thrilled
Billy Warm UPs -  Getting loosened up with the team
K Tigers - Seriously Goggle them, they are amazing
Athletes walk in - It felt like the Olympics!





Billys Pomsea Scores

Team Huddle

Go Team!

Day 2 medalists

Day 2 GOLD medalists

St Louis Park WTA huddle

 St Louis Park Medalists

Master Lemon and Ms Grayce

Post competition swim, pre after party

Exhausted after 2 fun days of hard work

Billy and Ms Grayce at the airport

Team warm ups for weapons

Hosted at the Colorado College Hockey Arena

This is a big deal

Day 1 waiting to compete

Day 1 scores

Day 1 final scores/places

Silver!

The podium for Silver

Billys looking good!

Adam and Billy chillin with the medal

94 yrs old!!

The Athletes

They even serve beer (which got me through the 2 hour opening ceremonies Friday night after being at the competition for 10 hours already...)

Crazy team antics

Day 1 medalists

Gold!

Weapons scores

Gold podium

Even standing on a step Zach is still taller than Billy

Zach and Billy Gold and Silver!

LOVE this kid...

Master Lemon and Ms Grayce took Silver in pairs pomsea. They were .1 off from tying the Gold medal team from China - well done!