Don't Mess With These Kids

May 19, 2012 we spent the day in karate testing.  Tyler and Jillian were taking their last test in the Mini's.  They had gotten up to brown belt (highest belt for that class), it was time that they moved up to the Kids class.

It's been so amazing to see the change that has taken place in the two years since they started karate.  They had "come into their own."  Their teacher had talked to me about how they had turned into leaders for the younger kids.  They helped her a lot in class and she was going to miss them.  The feeling was mutual.

Jilli had become quite attached to KyoSaNim Sam.  Even since Jilli moved up, they try to spend a few minutes together each week.  KyoSaNim Sam will often stick her head into Tyler and Jilli's class to watch them and see how they are doing.  KyoSaNim's locker is FULL of all Jilli pictures that she has made for her.

I love the fact that these instructors are just as fired up about Jesus as they are about teaching kids karate.  It is such a special place...

Jilli breaking her board.

 Tyler breaking his board.  Sorry the picture is blurry and I didn't get the exact moment his foot connected with the board.  He did it so fast my camera couldn't keep up!

 Jilli receiving her new belt from KyoSaNim Sam.

 Tyler receiving his new belt from KyoSaNim Sam.

 The three kids that graduated into the Kids Class.

 This was by far Micah's best testing.  He was determined to pass to his green belt.  Why?  Because the green belt is the 'green light' to start sparing.  Basically he gets to put on all kinds of gear (along with the other kids) and they get to beat on each other (with rules of course).  What is cooler than that!
During this test Micah started feeling really sick.  He turned very pale, and started breathing kind of heavy.  But he muscled through it, he didn't quit, even when the instructors stopped the test to make sure he was alright, he said he was going to continue on.  We were (are) so proud of his perseverance through the test.

Here is Micah determined to break his board.  Look at his face!

He connected!!

 Micah getting his prized Green belt from his instructor, KyoSaNim Tia.

 He was SO HAPPY, he passed his test!

It was a day of moving forward.  It was a good day, a day to celebrate the accomplishments of our 3 blessings.