Everything is bigger in . . . Indiana??

This past weekend, Joel's traveling basketball team was in a Super Regional AYBT tournament in West Lafayette, IN. I had never been to the Purdue campus before, so I was a bit excited.

The campus itself is nice enough. The roads are a bit confusing and they were having way too much construction going on. Especially around Mackey Arena. I hope they have that ready by winter!

Anyway, Joel's team was completely outmatched in all of their games. All of the teams, except one, appeared to have the human growth hormone prescription: Most of their players (5th and 6th graders mind you) were as tall as Brian! Yep, we played the steriod teams :-}

Notice how tall the kid in black is compared to Joel! Yikes!!

Despite that, the boys had alot of fun. It is not about winning ~ it is about having the right character and a love for the game. They took that lesson on the chin there. This all reminds me of Romans 5:3-4: Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

In the big picture, this really wasn't suffering. But the boys handled themselves wonderfully! It was a great character builder. As a mom, I loved it!! (But it would have been nice to have 1 close game!)

The boys having fun!


The team with Coach Randle. He is a assistant pastor at a church in Peoria. This team he puts together are all made up of Christian kids. They are all super nice kids!!


Joel getting ready to block out the free throw shooter. Again, look at the size of these kids. And this team was the shortest we played. There must be something in the water in Indiana!!


We promised Joel a blooming onion from Outback Steakhouse. Loved it!!


Next tournament is Nationals ~ hope we get taller between now and then!

Kendra

My future Tiger Woods x 3

I'm ready to retire. Granted, I don't know what I would be retiring from, but yesterday I saw my progeny aspiring to be the next, best golfers.

Not really. But I can dream, can't I.

We went to the local park district golf learning center for the 1st time ever. It is actually a great place for novices to learn and practice their skills. They were very excited to go.

17 years ago Brian asked me to go golfing (real golfing!) on a date. I had never golfed before, but my boyfriend wanted to go. I didn't want to embarrass myself. We were dating, you see. So, I bought some clubs (used), took 8 weeks of lessons, went on our golfing dates, and never beat him on the links (guys like to win, you know, egos!). Maybe that is why he married me!! After we were engaged, I don't think we ever went on a date to the links again. In fact, I haven't been golfing since ~ well, now since yesterday, that is.

Brian teaching the boys how to correctly stand and swing.


I taught Marilyn. Keep that back leg down, girl!!


Joel looking very good. Had a little trouble keeping his hips straight.


Noah hitting one out of the practice bunker.


Marilyn in the bunker.


My boys ~ putting together. Ah!


Marilyn enjoyed the ball cleaner the most. She cleaned all our balls.


After the driving range and putting greens, we went on the 9 hole, pitch-and-putt course. Brian scored a 32 (all 3's and 4's for him), Noah and I had 48s, Joel a 49, and Marilyn, well, we don't know her score. She had a few really good holes, but she didn't care to keep track of her hits. Like I said, she enjoyed the ball cleaner the most. She had fun, though. I think she is going to stick with being a softball pitcher.

3 hours later, with our clubs in tow, we are heading to our van. A little tired and sunburnt, but anxious to try it again.

It was a really good family activity and it didn't cost too much. We would have spent more at a movie theater! That is sad. And, it was exercise too ~ Bonus!


Just call me "Mrs. triple-bogey",
Kendra