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.