Frog Lake Ribbit Ribbit

Off for the long weekend with kids and John - two cancelled trips earlier this summer mean this is our first car camping trip and it is the last weekend of the summer. So glad to have a little time with just our family. Will miss all of you! See you next week!

Busy… or soon to be

Busy… or soon to be from CGN Sarah

So as most of you probably know, I play soccer along with my martial arts. I really love being out on the field but I’m worried about being too busy. I’m going into 7^th grade next week which is going to add a whole new level to my already busy schedule with all of the home work I will be getting. And the beginning of the school year means the beginning of soccer games, tournaments, and piano which means practicing half an hour daily. It also means the beginning of the hardest part of the test and the demo prep on Saturdays (which just so happens to be the days I have soccer games and special training). With all of this going on I doubt it will leave much time for me to spend with my family and friends. I am thankful that my loved ones understand that sometimes I have to sacrifice some of their time, but I’m excited for the test to be over so that I can finally spend some more time with them.

CGN Sarah

Back to Work : (

I know when I complain about going back to work most people roll their eyes and usually say something like "it must be rough" very sarcastically. Believe me, there is no one who knows how lucky I am more than I. I get to play outside all summer and get paid for it. I've got a beautiful supportive wife, and two great kids. My job is amazing, rewarding and fun. As much as I love my job, I hate to see summer end. Summer is my time. There is so much to do, see and experience outdoors. The last few years I have really enjoyed sharing some of those experiences with my Aim High family.
Every year a couple of weeks before school starts I start to fell a high level of anxiety. LAst night I couldn't sleep and we don't even have kids this week. I don't know how Jessica puts up with me. This year may be a little worse than others because I'm teaching something new. I worry about if I'm ready. I wonder what the kids are like. I also try to think of ways to change or improve my lessons. There are a lot of what I like to call "file cabinet teachers". Those are the guys that have no worries because all they have to do is open the file cabinet and dust off old lessons. I taught the same subject for ten years and I don't think I taught the same lesson twice. Everything can be tweaked or improved. I hope that this is what sets me apart from others. I may be a little too self-conscious but I think it is what drives me to always do my best in everything I do - even Martial Arts

John

Self Reflection

We had some drama in our extended family this weekend and it has caused me to do some self reflection in the last 24 hours. In particular, evaluating the decisions we make as parents, and the kinds of lessons we want to teach our children. When we miss step, and we see it, how do we go about correcting it? I think being assertive is very important. I want my kids to be able to say what they need and at the same time be able to accept that they might not get it. As martial artists, I think they are better equipped to handle issues, emotional and physical. They understand pain, discipline, commitment. I know they are able to generalize this into their everyday lives. I'm really grateful for Aim High today. ~ Jessica

Inspiration

Inspiration...

This is the basis for my DTD project. At class Wednesday night, I announced that I would like to have all the candidates write letters to next year's testers about, well, everything. Everything you've thought or felt during the long journey. Not just all the good things or all the bad things either. I think the idea went over pretty well. By September 12, I'm hoping to have everyone's letter so that I can bind them for the testers of 2012. After class, KJN told me that I might have just started a testing tradition! I guess my project stemmed from the things I am most passionate about: writing, martial arts and teamwork. I hope everybody enjoys working on their letter, this is a chance to really speak to next year's testers and INSPIRE them to continue. Be creative and have fun with it. :)

My Wednesday

I had a great day yesterday. In the morning I went with the kids to the Columbia River. We met some family members with a boat and the kids were able to inner-tube, ride around and practice skiing. Me personally, I had my own mission. I brought my kayak and tackled the mighty Columbia in the same way Lewis and Clark did over 200 years ago. I wasn't sure what to expect when I started out. What I encountered was an incredibly large body of water that rocked like the ocean with boats and barges all around me. I was scared at first but once I told myself to stay calm, breathe and paddle through it there was no problem. Actually it was very exhilarating. There were times when the nose of my kayak would go up in the air and I would land back down with such force that water would splash all around me and get in my face. It took me almost an hour to get from the parking lot to government island and I have blisters on my hands, but it was worth it.

After that great morning and afternoon we went to Aim High where Jessica lead an amazing family class; as usual and we had the best black belt class that I can remember.

Great day even though today I'm a little tired and sore

John

time is now...

as my htc team is gearing up to take on the hood-to-coast tomorrow for the first time... motivational quotes have been texted all morning long to the team... along with some quotes being posted on their fb status's...  i thought i would share a couple, as we are coming near to our black belt journey.

"No matter how significant you are, it is only because of what you are a part of...."

“Do the things you used to talk about doing but never did. Stop rushing. Don't be intimidated to say it like it is. Stop apologizing all the time. Learn to say no, so your yes has some oomph. Spend time with the friends who lift you up, & cut loose the ones who bring you down. Stop giving your power away. Be more concerned with being interested than being interesting. Be old enough to appreciate your freedom, & young enough to enjoy it. Finally know who you are. ”