1,201 Miles

Bobby and Andrew made their annual trip back to Independence, KS 2 weeks ago. For Matthew and I, it was our first time back in 3 1/2 years. Andrew's wrestling started in Independence when the Hogge family had 3 boys wrestling and encouraged us to let Andrew try a practice. (At that age Andrew was just as energetic and on the go as Matthew is now, if not more.) So, we decided to give it a try. He LOVED it. And still does. He started practicing when he was 4, and went to his first tournament when he was 5. After 2 years with that club, we moved back to Louisiana and were so happy to find a jr wrestling club in Sulphur. Bobby promised Andrew that we would take him back to the tournament in Independence each year. Andrew did not do as well as he hoped this year. Every kid in his bracket was a state finalist in Kansas last year. Tough kids. Andrew took 4th in a four man round robin, but gained a lot of experience against the tougher wrestlers. Before we left the tournament Andrew wrestled an exhibition match against one of his friends. This kid took 2nd in a heavier weight bracket than Andrew's, but Andrew was able to beat him, almost getting a pin but the buzzer went off. It gave Andrew the boost of confidence he needed to come home with. His own wrestling season would start the next weekend in Lafayette. Andrew took 2nd there and has his eyes set on 1st this weekend. If we were still in Kansas Andrew would be practicing 6 hrs a week starting in November with 13 Saturdays in a row of all-day tournaments. Here he practices 2 hrs a week starting in January with 6 tournaments. Don't tell him, but I am actually relieved with the lighter schedule. :)

It was wonderful for me to be able to go with them this year. All the kids came with us. There are so many awesome people that we were able to see in the 48 hours we had to spend there. We stayed for sacrament meeting Sunday morning, but had to leave as soon as it was over. Some of the primary kids were actually upset with us for not letting the boys stay for primary. :) But the kids had school the next day, so we hit the road again, making it home about midnight.

So, Blessing #6. A trip of 1,201 miles without incidence. No breakdowns, flat tires, no one went to the ER :) We had a great time and returned home safely. Yeah!!!