Another Step toward the Goal

Well this has been a GREAT night. We all performed our patterns & combo's for passing scores to achieve our next rank. Taking another step closer to the ultimate goal with my family is the BEST feeling EVER!!

Before the testing began Emily Grace and her buddy Josie did some strategizing.

Then she & Dalton discussed the plan: Emily was first up.

Mrs Wiggins called her out and the show began:

Spin knifehand (such grace)

Side kick (very nice)

Next up was the three of us boys. Once again Mr Wiggins was kind enough to let us do our Yul-Gok pattern as a family unit. What a blessing!

Next came sparring and wouldn't you just know it, Mr Wiggins decides to spar with me. It was an honor to get to spar with a 5th degree BB that has the kind of skill Mr Wiggins has. Yes he schooled me, but not in a flashy showy kind of way, just enough to make me realize how far I have to go without completely destroying me. I appreciated the opportunity.

However, as everyone found out, David Blane isn't the only one who can levitate, check this out.

Even replayed the famous scene from Rocky:

Dalton in the Blue Uniform did well.

Tyler held his own against his opponent.

I am very proud of the whole gang for working hard, learning the patterns/combos, over coming the nerves and doing their very best to succeed.

And yes, as you can tell, Emily is having a ball.

Next up will be the fall tourney in October. Got get to work for that one, cuz we do not have a lot of time to prepare for this bad boy!

God Bless and hope all of you have a great weekend.

Testing Tonight

Tonight is the night to show what we learned the last 7 weeks. We have to demonstrate our patterns, striking combinations and then spar utilizing the striking skills that we learned thus far. These strikes include: spin side-kicks, spin heel-hook, knife hands, round kicks, side kicks, hook kicks, reverse punch & front punch. Fun stuff.

Me & the boys are testing for Blue belt tonight. We will be demonstrating the 38movements in the Yul-Gok pattern.

Emily Grace is testing for Orange belt. She has to demonstrate the 21 movements in the Dan-Gun pattern.

Will post pics & update after testing. Until then remember "You're born to win".

Not the usual week

TKD this week went really well for us. We all got better on our patterns and combinations. The morning practices have really helped me remember the patterns that we've learned so far. Emily Grace and I reviewed her Pattern (Dan-Gun) and it began to click for her. In fact, she was able to do 90% of it by herself for Mr Wiggins on Friday. Good job Emily!

Also, this was the week many of us remembered the events of 9/11/01. This week also was one marked by the loss of one of our favorite MMA fighters. Evan Tanner was a unique individual who was very much a free spirit. He touched many lives in and out of the ring/cage. He truly believed that everyone of us can make a difference in this world. He lived his life as if there would be no tomorrow and he went out as only Evan could. His life was inspiring for me and I'd like to share the following vids in honor of Evan.

The first two videos are a two part interview during which he shared some of his thoughts on life:





This video is one of the best tributes put together on his fighting career:


Evan Tanner 1971-2008
Rest in Peace

I hope you enjoyed these as much as I did!

Next Friday will be testing for new ranks. Us three boys are testing for Blue belts and Emily is testing for Orange. We gotta keep practing in preparation for that.

Sports Saturday with the young'ns

This post is not about TKD, cuz today was Sports Saturday for the Denson's. The three kids at home play sports in addition to doing TKD.

9am: Emily Grace was first up today. This is her first year to play soccer and she's a bit confused, but watching 4yos play soccer is always entertaining.........

I mean they are just so cute.

Mom & Dalton cheered Emily on:

9:15am- Tyler's flag football game started. His first year at trying football, so we had him start out in Flagfootball to learn the basics of passing, running catching and basics of game. He did really well, playing QB & DB. Fun stuff!

11:30am- Dalton's soccer game. This is Dalton's 4th year in soccer and he came out aggressive this year. I contribute this coming out to TaeKwonDo giving him the confidence to do so! Today he scored 2 goals and defended a direct shot on goal...WOOOOHOOOO!
Here's a Steal at mid-field:

And here is the breakway that led to his second goal. What a great day we had!

Man it's Early!

Dalton & I have decided that we are going to get up @ 6:30am and do every pattern we have learned up to this point. So last night I set the alarm, with every intention of getting up before Dalton to show my dedication.........well the alarm evidently did go off, and I must have then turned it off, because at 6:33am tap tap on the arm and there was Dalton fully dressed and whispering "Are we gonna do our patterns?" LOL, so much for being the leader. Good job Dalton!

We did all of our patterns and recited the meanings and you know, it felt great! What a way to start the day off. Now if we can only drag Tyler outta bed to join us?!

On a side note, my Parents celebrated 50 years of marriage Sunday together. My sister (Jill) & my wife (Diane) worked tirelessly on planning and setting everything up. The day went well & I want to thank them publicly for all of their efforts. My Mom asked for one thing....that I sing at their church. I said no, (yea right) so Sunday as I stood in front of her church going thru what can only be described as comical relief, I hope she enjoyed her request ;-)
Our Denson Family


Hope all has a blessed day!