MS and Medals

As regular readers of this blog will know, Kevin's Heroes has participated in the Tri Cities Walk for MS since 2005.  Unfortunately, this year Bradyn and I had a conflict with the official MS Walk date. 

Instead of participating in the official walk on Sunday May 15, Bradyn and I walked the 5 km course on Saturday morning.  The wonderful part is that this year, Kevin did the walk with us.  Not only that, Bradyn’s friend Alexander and his parents, Terry and Raluca, also joined us.  The weather was a gorgeous 24 degrees and we had a lovely time visiting while enjoying the beautiful West Coast scenery.  There might also have been a trip to Rocky Point Ice Cream afterwards (for the kids!). 

On Sunday morning, Dallas and Ita represented Kevin’s Heroes at the official Tri Cities MS walk.  I won’t deny that I felt twinges of guilt upon waking Sunday morning because I was going to miss the walk.  However, those feelings were alleviated quite a bit by 10:30 am – more to come on that.  

I’ve seen a few photos of the walk on Facebook, and wish that Bradyn and I could have been there because I know the love and energy we would have felt.  Being at the walk always humbles me and reminds me just how lucky we are to have the opportunity to band together with a wonderful community brought together by the MS Society.  This year, Kevin’s Heroes raised $4,565, bringing our 12-year total to $72,134!!  Although we may not have been awarded the Tri Cities Walk Top Fundraising Team this year, I am so proud of our fundraising efforts.  Every dollar counts in the battle against MS and contributes towards the life-changing research and resources for Kevin and the hundreds of thousands of Canadians living with MS.  Thank you so much to Dallas, who is always the team’s top individual fundraiser, and who graciously stepped in as this year’s team captain in my absence.

The reason Bradyn and I completed our 5 km MS walk on Saturday is because on Sunday morning, Bradyn competed in the West Coast Combat Championship tournament in Maple Ridge.  This was Bradyn’s 4^th submission grappling tournament in the 11 months she has been training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), and her first as a yellow-white belt.  To date, Bradyn has had several hard-fought draws, but has never won a tournament fight.  In her very first match Sunday morning, Bradyn secured her first tournament win by armbar submission!  I can’t even express the pride and love I felt for our ‘little’ girl in that moment.  The ear-to-ear smile on Bradyn’s face was priceless.  All of her hard work and training paid off.  I didn’t think my heart could be any bigger.  I was wrong.  Although Bradyn had 2 losses and a draw after her win, the sportsmanship she displayed made me just as proud as I was about her win.  At the end of the round robin BJJ (Gi) Submission tournament, Bradyn was awarded the Gold medal for her division!  I literally thought my heart was exploding in my chest.  I still remember the ‘pop’ feeling and the adrenaline high.  Too much.  After the BJJ tournament, Bradyn fought best 2 out of 3 rounds with one other competitor for the No Gi Submission Grappling Competition.  The first 2 matches went to the 3 minute time-limit.  The 3^rd match ended in Bradyn tapping out to an armbar.  Bradyn received a Silver medal to add to her collection.  2 medals in one day!  Unbelievable!  Here are some photos of our amazing day on Sunday.

Love this photo.... little did we know she was warming up her spot while she was waiting for the tournament to begin.

At one point in her first match, you could distinctly hear Bradyn's opponent say "Oh no you don't" when she was trying to put a submission hold on him.  But she kept trying, until it worked for her.

Bradyn submitted him with an armbar!

Although the video of Bradyn's first official tournament win is too large to upload here, Kevin accidentally hit the stop recording button but quickly recovered to catch the ref announce Bradyn as the winner - just look at that smile!!

 Cheering on her team - with passion.

GOLD!!

No Gi competition.

Silver!

Total medal count to date = 3.  Next tournament is June 12.  

Do we dare think about a repeat?

The Best - and Worst - Mother's Day

aka Another Time I Missed a Major Event in Bradyn's Life

On Friday May 6, I took Bradyn to Jiu Jitsu class.  Coach Shawn asked if Bradyn was going to be doing her belt test the next day.  I said no, and that we were planning to do it in June.  After some back and forth, our conversation ended with Shawn strongly suggesting Bradyn come out to test for her first belt promotion the next day at 1:00.  At noon on Saturday, we were doing some last-minute prepping for Bradyn's test (we had the sheets that outlined everything she had to be able to do) and I was actually shocked at how strong she was when she was testing some moves out on me.  

Arriving at the gym with moments to spare (stupid May Day parade and traffic), Bradyn joined the other students that were going to be testing.  She also had a chance to ask Coach Shawn to show her the one move we weren't sure how to do, even after watching a You Tube video that morning.  It's funny now, but I remember the butterflies in MY stomach, just like at her first tournament.  

At the end of the 1 1/2 hour test, Bradyn felt confident that she had done well, and I heard Coach Don say that for those who did pass, they shouldn't expect to receive their belts 'soon'.  

On Mother's Day, I received some wonderful cards and gifts from Miss B and Kevin.

It was too small to actually fit on a wine bottle, but it did very nicely on my apple cider vinegar bottle.  :-)

Love.

Being Mother's Day and all, I decided to stay home that morning and chill.  (I had forgotten to book my spin bike on Saturday morning for Sunday's class and since I'd been to Jiu Jitsu Friday and Saturday, I didn't think I needed to make it a trifecta).  

Little did I know, Bradyn received her first belt promotion, to Yellow-White belt, after class that day.  BEST Mother's Day present ever, and I missed it.  

Just look at how happy she is!!

Bradyn loves this picture because her white belt falling off her neck looks like a snake. 

This one of my all-time favourite photos.  Bradyn is just so happy, and Don and Quinn have been amazing coaches to her over the last year.  Putting Bradyn in martial arts was the best decision we've made in terms of Bradyn's extra-curricular activities.  (Yes Kevin, you were right.)

Bradyn and Kevin had to stop at Safeway after class, and I had asked them to pick up some ginger root for me.  Kevin sent me this picture to make sure they had picked 'good' ones and I remember thinking "why is Bradyn holding them up so high?  haha - wouldn't that be funny if she got her new belt after all."  Little did I know, the photo indeed was deliberately taken above the waist.

I was in the kitchen when Bradyn and Kevin got home and I remember seeing her belt as soon as she came around the corner.  I immediately cried "NO, NO, NO!!!!!"  I was just so upset that I had missed her getting it.  Unfortunately, Bradyn thought I was upset that she got her belt, and started to cry.  I rushed to her, picked her up and sat down on the couch.  When we figured out why we were each crying, I assured Bradyn over and over that I was crazy proud of her and that I was just so disappointed that I had missed her first promotion.  I told Bradyn it was absolutely the best Mother's Day gift she could have given me, even if I hadn't been there.  Parenting fail for being upset, but I'm confident I was able to repair the damage.  Kevin also pointed out that there were 'bigger' belt promotions to come and that next time, I would know to go to every class after her test until she got her new belt.

The new Yellow-White belt set Bradyn up nicely for her next tournament on May 15.