Tiger Tournament

That's what learning is, after all; not whether we lose the game, but how we lose and how we've changed because of it and what we take away from it that we never had before, to apply to other games. Losing, in a curious way, is winning.

RICHARD BACH, The Bridge Across Forever

The game started out with such promise...Braden drained a 3 and did the UK goggles down the court!

But tonight it was not our game to win.....

With tears in his eyes, Rollins dribbled down the court for the final seconds of the game tonight.

As the final buzzer rang....the boys....our Tigers.....who had given it all tonight...cried. This tournament was over.

They were heartbroken but with their little 8yr old hands in the air...they gave high fives to the winning team....and gathered together...and the tears juts kept falling......

 Our Tigers gave it their best and they have come so far this season...improving so much more than any of us expected! We are so proud of them.....

After some hugs.....a trophy......

and some Impellazaries Pizza...the loss seemed to not hurt quite so much.

It's hard to loose.....

 It just is.....but they have won so much on this Tiger journey...they have won skill, fun, friendship, and character.

Way to go Tigers!

Epilepsy Charity Home

Since Braden has Epilepsy and we love him like our own...it made perfect sense to support the Epilepsy Foundation of Kentucky for the Norton Commons Charity of Homes Event. Today we were on Wave 3 listens promoting the event. Doing good work in the world just feels so good. We all have our struggles...our good days and bad....but there is always time to help others....

 The house is beautiful and it's coming right along! I hope we raise a lot of money for the foundation!

It means so much to all of us....especially my Rollins...here is his homework from last week...check out #9:

9. What do you think will be the biggest difference between this school year and last school year?
Learning to be without my best friend. I will worry because he has seizures 

big heart

If you don't know Rollins Hardy...well, you are missing out...in my opinion. This little guy at 8 has so much love and kindness in his heart.He constantly makes me stop and shake my head in awe of his faithful love. Today on this first day of school he had a little homework...a little questionnaire to fill out.  Question #9:

What do you think will be the biggest difference between this school year and last year?

Rollins' answer: Learning to be without my best friend. I worry because he has seizures 

Unbelievable right? Faithful. Loving. Kind. He is one in a million, I tell you....one in a million!

 He loves Braden...in a big big way. They don't compete...or hold each other back. They love. They don't get in trouble or talk too much. They love. They are there for each other in a way may adults are still searching for. They love. They are lucky....and precious...so very precious.

 And I get this...I get this need to worry....and I get this need to cherish the love you have. I think that is why I understands Rollins and how he cares for Braden... and for him it's just like breathing....just second nature. I have been there.... when I was just his age. I had a buddy.... she was my tree climbing friend...my Strawberry Short Cake loving girl.....she was the best at hide and seek...and she could make me giggle until I thought  I might pee my pants...she was my friend, Sarah Beth... and I sure loved her.

She died...not long after this picture was taken...she was just playing one day..outside...and it was an aneurysm that took her. She was there and then she was gone...and I missed her for the longest time.  Time is short and life is precious and I don't want Rollins to worry but I am sure happy that he loves Braden in that big of a way that he does. It shows me it's real and I am so thankful for real friendships past...present...and future....

Back to School eve

 After the teacher breakfast at school...we started Back to school eve with our own breakfast at Verbenas!

 Jenna and I talked about our year...what we hoped for our littles....and how sad it is that Rollins & Braden will not be together this year. She especially feels better when Rollins is with Braden...just in case he ever has another seizure at school...it would just make her feel better to know that his seizure buddy was in the same room with him....just in case. I just can't imagine how she feels....I really can't....

 As we stood there in the alley..Jenna said.."It feels nice to just sit here and take a minute...before it all begins" ...and she was right.....it really did.....just to sit back and watch the kids laugh and play....

 We are all excited for a year of change....but a year of great growth and new adventures for our littles!

qualifications

It was swim team qualifications day so after basketball camp I took the boys to Olive Garden to get those carbs in!

It was a big night for the boys and the fab four was ready to go! BIG nights are better when you share them with your best friends...this I know for sure!

Riggs & Colin......

and Rollins & Braden.....

The night was emotional and exciting...only the top 14 swimmers in each event would move onto champions....and get to ride in that big party bus with the team! We were checking times...awaiting results....and cheering like it was the Olympics!

Riggs had an amazing night of swimming! He was on fire! He qualified in all five of his events and even took 10 seconds off his IM time! He secured his spot in the party bus....

Colin also had an amazing night......qualifying in his events and securing his spot in the party bus!

I was so proud of these two! At half time we went ahead and got root beer snow cones to celebrate!

Little brother struggled a little bit more tonight.....

HIs goggles came off in his first two races and his times were a little slower than usual...not good when you are trying to be in the top 14.....

after ever race I would try to get to him.... knowing he would be in tears but every time I got to him he was still wearing his sweet...I gave it my best smile....God, I love this little boy...

Braden had a tough night too...his little body was so tired from basketball and football camp...he would dive in and try so hard...but just loose steam in the end...

 He was able to come back at the end of the night and Breast stroke his way into Championships and secure his spot in the party bus!

Rollins had one more shot...we had been working on his butterfly so much...he does a little flutter kick and has a tendency to find himself with a DQ on this event...but he swam his heart out....won his heat....took 8 second off his best time......and did not get disqualified! We were so proud of him and he was so proud of himself!

But....sadly....it wasn't good enough to secure him a spot at Championships. My heart fell on the floor as I realized this. How was I supposed to tell him that gently that Riggs, Colin and Braden had made it and he had not. That even though he had worked just as hard....and given it his whole heart...that today his best wasn't good enough. Images of him standing in the Glen Oaks parking lot while the other three climbed aboard the party bus on Saturday brought tears to my eyes....I wasn't sure what to do....

But I did what I do....and I figured out the best way to present this to my sweet boy....we filled him up with love and told him we were so proud of him...how proud we were of all of them. I did a little investigating and discovered that Rolls was in fact on the alternate list....So we pumped him up about that and told him how exciting it was that only swimmers and alternates got to ride in the party bus to championships. He took it like a champ...and although he will be in his swimming gear...goggles at the ready on Saturday the chances of him swimming are slim to none. But he will be happy to be pulling away with his friends in the party bus and he will cheer for them...... and love them every step of the way....that is my Rollins...my sweet, precious, wonderful, Rollins. In my heart...he qualifies over and over again every day...

boys everywhere

Most days my yard looks like this.....

the more bikes in the yard....the more smiles from Riggs...he truly loves his friends. He just laughs and talks....

but he also listens.......

 They are happy to be anywhere...as long as they are together....

and sometimes...days turn into nights...and they all just love a sleep over...just knowing their time together will go on longer......

I can't always say yes....but most of the time I do......

 I love these boys...and am so happy for friendships....and I can see them strengthening in these summer days.

On the way home last night from dinner Riggs told me all his friends always say how nice I am....I am not sure why but they made me so happy...I was proud of that and so thankful he shared that with me. I want his friends to feel happy and welcome at our house...and I am so glad they do!

Memorial Day 2012

We dressed in Red, White, & Blue and headed to the pool this memorial day!

 It was a blast....we had a red, white and blue parade and all!

Later we headed to Bumpa and Grandpa's for a little family time!

The littles ended up having some back yard water fun!

We ended the night with  impromptu back yard smores with the Timmerings and thankful hearts for such a great day and for all the sacrifices made for the freedoms we have!