Awesome Austin

 

Another one of our sons officially entered the soccer world, and we love it!

Austin, almost 5 years old, started his first season of soccer this year. He was born ready for it. Since he was a tiny baby, he’s watched his two older brothers play soccer and he’s been chomping at the bit to be on his own team. This new experience was made easier since Ian coached his team.

For his first time playing, he was really good! He was aggressive and energetic with the ball. His favorite position to play was goalie and he did a great job of stopping balls. He had lots of friends come out to watch him play. A very special visitor came to his final game, Great-Grandpa!

In the end, he had a lot of fun playing and we enjoyed cheering him on. He was so excited that for all his hard work, there was a trophy at the end of the season. I think it made him feel like an official big boy to have one for himself. Way to go Austin!!

Kids Triathlon 2013

 

For three years now, Jacob has enjoyed competing in the Kids Kiwanas Triathlon here in Pearland. This year, he was determined to train well and run hard. It was an exceptionally fun year to have his cousin, Aiden and his best friend, Robby, competing with him!

Since Nathan turned 7 this year, he was also eligible to compete! He’s watched Jacob run the course for a few years now and he’s been chomping at the bits to get out on it. We trained hard this summer and he was ready to go!

I’m so proud of all of my boys who competed today. They rocked it.

Hoops

 

We are in the midst of basketball season in the Jorgensen house. I love it. My big boys are being active, we get to watch games each week and the little ones get to cheer on their brothers. It’s fun to get out in our community and meet new people too. Since the boys are homeschooled, it’s a good opportunity for them to learn how to interact with all different kinds of boys, not just the homeschooled, church going kind.

This is Nathan’s first year and so far, he’s doing great! He tries hard and has the basic concept of the game. He’s even scored a basket already. We just need to work on his offensive game. He tends to be unsure of what he’s doing when he gets the ball.

This is Jacob’s second year playing. He understands the game much more this time. He too has already scored a basket and is good at engaging the ball. Of course, soccer is still his first love but it’s good that he is playing other team sports as well.

GO TEAM!!!!

Our Little Triathlete

 

Being a mother of 4 boys is such a privilege. I am over-the-moon thankful that God saw fit to make us an all boy family. Sure, it has its challenges. Yes, boys are often misunderstood. But there is joy, complete joy, in letting them be all that they are.

You’ll remember that last year Jacob competed in his first triathlon. Well he’s at it again this year. This time around was a little more challenging. Well, twice as challenging to be exact. Being grouped in with the 10 year olds, he swam 100 meters, biked 2 miles and ran 1/2 mile. But he proved to be a champ, distance didn’t mean a thing.

The swim was tough. Everyone got out of the water breathing hard.

Unfortunately, his helmet straps got tangled and he lost about 3 minutes trying to figure it out. He was happy once he got going.

 

By the way, Jacob’s wearing his first real Teva’s! His parents being from the hometown of Teva’s, we thought it was fitting that he should race in his first pair. I know the cool thing is to wear those funny looking toe shoes but I just couldn’t do it. They’re funny looking. Sorry.

Oh, and we lost Nathan during the race. That wasn’t fun. Then we found him, phewww.

Jacob and I agreed that the end was the best part of the whole race. I’m about to show you the event with lots of pictures

Jacob was on the last stretch of the run, just before you get to the finish line. The racers have to cross the bike path. Which means you have to stop if there are bikes racing. So Jacob and another 10 year old named, Jacob also, had to stop and wait to run. The volunteer standing by let them know when to go and it was almost as if she said “on your marks, get set, go” because those two Jacob’s knew they were going to have to race it out! (Jacob’s wearing the blue swim shorts)

The two boys were looking at each other the whole way. They were neck and neck.

One of them would pull ahead and then the other would push himself to match. It was a dead sprint to the finish.

They were so tired and they had already endured so much but here at the end, they gave it all they got. Finish strong we say!

Who was going to get there first? Who was going to win this all out battle? The suspense was so much fun. I’ve never seen Jacob push so hard for something. He’s my superhero. And then, just at the end, a few steps from the finish line…

 

Jacob pulls ahead to finish first! (and smiling).

I couldn’t be more proud of my hard working boy. He trained hard and tried hard. And as everyone in our family except Ian says, it’s about trying your best and having fun. Ian says, it’s all about winning!

So he celebrated with his friends who also competed.

And climbed to the top of a hill with his brother and had a little Rocky moment.

Not that he knows who Rocky is.

Kids Triathlon

My oldest boy...

 had the privilege of trying something new this weekend. A really good friend asked us if Jacob would be interested in training for and competing in a kids triathlon. Since he's competed in numerous team sports, I thought it would be a good experience for him to try an individual sport. So we agreed and started training.

In a triathlon there are three legs of the competition...swimming, biking and running.

In the kids version, 8 year olds swim one full length of the pool, bike 1 mile and run 1/4 mile.

The night before the race, he was the most nervous I had seen him in a long time. The fear of doing something new, even things he could do well, was playing with his mind. I reminded him of how well he's done in other areas and how he would know what to do when the time came.

The morning of the race, the hardest part was getting him accustomed to the routine of a triathlon. There was the signing in, getting marked, chipped and numbered...

Then we had to show him where he would find his bike and park it when he was done biking. He had to learn where the bike and run trail were since we would not be available to direct him where to go during the race and he would have to know that for himself.

Finally the race was about to begin and after he saw the first few heats of older boys and girls go, he couldn't wait for his turn. I prayed with him before he started and then it was his turn. I was so excited and nervous for him at the same time. And just like that, off went my baby.

He was amazing! He didn't come in first (or even close in his age bracket) but he sure tried his hardest. And that's what matters. This was just one of many proud moments with him. When it was all said and done, he even said he'd like to do it again next year! My boy is awesome.

Soccer Stars

One of the most rewarding and exciting parts of being a parent is watching my children develop and grow in their skills and gifting's. You see them as newborns, learning how to do basic tasks like eating and sleeping. Then as toddlers the world is open to them and everything is new. Walking, talking and playing are still something to be learned. Now that my babies are older, I have the privilege of watching them develop their skills in sports.

I never played, watched or took part in a soccer game but I am one PROUD soccer mom! In my opinion, it's the best sport for children. They get to learn teamwork, field strategies, it's full of non-stop activity and it's fun! I love bringing my kiddos outdoors, plopping down in the grass and watching them play a good game of soccer.

Jacob has always loved the game and actually, he's quite good at it. This year, is no exception. While I am proud that he is aggressive, quick and scores goals, my favorite part of soccer this year with him is his character development. He is HIGHLY competitive. Almost to a fault. But for his very first game he turned and said to me "Mom, I don't want to sin anymore. So I'm not going to be a sore loser. I will be happy whether we win or loose."

But this year, his favorite part of playing is getting to have his best friend on the team!

This year marks a first for Nathan. His first year to play a game he's watched literally since he was an infant. Although he was reluctant, he is proving to be a natural. Easily one of the best on the team. My favorite part of Nathan's game is seeing him selflessly run after each ball that goes out, in order to return it to the game. Even though he could just rest and not go after it. It's just who Nathan is, he thinks of others first.

I just love those little legs running =)

Go Nathan!

He's just like his dad, sticks his tongue out while competing.