Begrudgingly, I brought Finn to his first Karate Tournament on Sunday. Jim brings him to karate. Jim signed him up for the tournament (per his teacher's urging) and Jim was supposed to take him to the tournament.
Now, don't go thinking I'm terrible because I didn't want anything to do with it. I don't like the unknown. I don't like crowds. I didn't think Finn had practiced his moves enough. I was worried about Finn's overall attitude and willingness to participate (history has taught me that!). I don't like figuring details out and we were given NO details about this tournament. I'd never been to Maple Grove High School before...oh...and when we pulled up, there was a huge church service going on, so there was mass chaos. ARGH!
But Jim woke up with the dry heaves, so I said, "I guess I'm taking Finn?" Like...stop puking, get out of bed and PLEASE take him! But, no, Jim was too sick so I took him.
The funny thing was that Finn was amped to go and was SO excited. Who is this and what have you done with my son? In my anxiety ridden haze, I must have asked Finn a thousand questions like, "do you think we should go in this door? Do you see anybody from your Dojo? Where do you think we should go now? There are a lot of people down there, should we go see if that is registeration? He was like, "um, I'm nine, mom!" But it kept me moving instead of hiding in a corner somewhere.
We eventually found Master Chris (the leader of his Dojo) who apparently RUNS THE WHOLE DARN TOURNAMENT! And we were able to register and get some more information. And find somebody to tie Finn's belt (his momma ain't got a clue!) and asked a teacher to show him his second one-step because he wasn't 100% sure. Jim wisely suggested leaving plenty early so we could figure things out and not be rushed. THANK GOD THAT WE DID!
We found Finn's mat five minutes before his time slot...and Finn just "did" it. He listened to instructions. Went where he was supposed to go. Was patient. I mean, seriously, that alone made tears come to my eyes. Then it was his turn. And he freaking ROCKED IT! I mean, boom. He was so confident and accurate. Even the other parents were impressed. Here is his demonstration (hard to hear him but it was SUPER loud in there):
https://photos.app.goo.gl/D4OwjAWwVSw5G0r82
And he got SECOND place! (out of three, but still!!) He was SO PROUD OF HIMSELF!!! And that feeling stayed with him almost all day. Honestly, it was one of the highlights of my life to experience that with him. God had a plan...I need to learn to trust a little more. I really truly feel like karate might be Finn's "thing." He has come so far in two months and I can't wait to see where he goes.
He is wearing his white belt for the tournament although he is now a gold belt (you test at the level you were at when registering because he hasn't learned his gold belt one-steps, yet). We have his gold belt meeting today with Master Chris. We will order Finn's sparring gear at this meeting, which he is really excited to get.
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