Hiiiii-YA!!

Bryce has been anxiously waiting until he turned 7 and could start Tae-Kwon-Do. He has watched his cousin, Michael, graduate to his next belt and has watched him break a board, etc. and couldn't wait until he could do it too.

Bryce turned 7 last October, but we waited a little while past that for certain reasons, but he finally started last month. I took him to orientation and at the same time, had his first class. Even though he couldn't wait to start, when it was actually time to go, he suddenly got nervous and wasn't sure if he wanted to do it. I told him to give it a chance (because once he got there and did it, I knew he would love it). So we got there and he was given his little outfit to change into. Mr. Morris could tell that Bryce was a little nervous, so while the others were changing, he spent the time just talking to Bryce and I could see Bryce relaxing, and before you knew it, he thought Mr. Morris was one cool dude and thinks he's awesome. I snapped this picture as Mr. Morris was chatting with Bryce.
Steve (Mr. Morris) and I went to school together all through elementary and high school. Steve was in the grade just below me, but we have been friends throughout. It seemed unreal to me that he was going to be teaching my son Tae-Kwon-Do. I remember when Steve first started taking Tae-Kwon-Do with his first teacher in Hobe Sound in the Winn Dixie plaza. He started taking it with another good friend of mine, Shawn Ebanks, but Shawn didn't stick with it, while Steve has taken it all they way through. I went and watched them a couple times when they were first starting out. So I felt one of those full circle moments when I was watching Steve teach my oldest son what I watched him start all those years ago.

Steve is now a black belt, a few times over I think, and he and his wife, Bre, have started this incredible ministry called Kids Kickin' for Christ. You don't just learn Tae-Kwon-D, but before graduating to the next belt, or getting a stripe on your belt, you have to learn Bible verses by memory, have good character traits, keep a good attitude, do your chores at home, keep up your grades at school, etc. You have a sheet that you have to get signed by both your parents and your teacher that you have kept up to a certain performance at both home and school. You have to live Christian values. It is really great for the kids. Not only do they learn self control and self defense but it is an excellent exercise for your body, and you have to maintain a good attitude, and are taught about the Bible and God as part of the class. Mr. Morris gives them a little sermonette after the classes at times. Bryce just loves it!

Bryce is listening intently to whatever Mr. Morris is saying. I love this picture of Bryce. As those of you that know me really well, you will notice that he is sitting just like I always do when I am on the floor (Connor does it as well), and he was really into what Mr. Morris was saying.

We are now home and Bryce has his first belt. He didn't want to take his outfit off for a long time. He still likes to run and get it and put it on when anyone new comes to our house. He is really happy and proud of what he is doing.

Here is a video of him on his first day.