Wednesday, September 30, 2009

From Football to Cross Country



Connor was counting down the days until football started. It would be his third year playing tackle football with the Lone Peak Knights Youth Football program. He LOVES to play football. So you can imagine that it was a HUGE dissapointment when we found out that he could not get on a team here in Tennessee. This news was heart breaking for him. He was too late to join the school team and there is not a rec team for his age.





At our church he met a boy who runs cross country and told Connor that he checked with the coach and Connor could still join the team if he wanted to. Connor decided he would give it a shot. At this age anyone can be on the team if they are willing to put in the time and effort of the practises. He was not a runner before and now he is going to practise everyday and running 2-3 miles and doing all kinds of drills to build strength and stamina in the hot humid afternoons. It is really hard!! He went to a meet after only running with the team for a few days. I am not sure that he loves it...but he sets goals for himself to improve. First it was just to do it, then not to walk at all, now it is to beat his time. I am so proud of this boy! He made me think...there are times in life where things don't go they way you planned or you don't get to do the things you really wanted to do. You have two choices--you can dwell on your lose, or get out and do something else. Life is dissapointing sometimes, but we can choose to be happy anyway. I love it when my children are good examples for me! I feel lucky to be this young man's Mother.



These are shots from one of Connor's meets at the beautiful Chickamauga Dam




Coleman in front of an awesome tree trunk


7 comments:

kaleyq said...

Way to go Connor! What a great example for us all. We'll be rooting for you out here in the west! :)

Brittany said...

Connor is such a great guy! I'm proud of him too. Cross country sounds SO HARD!! I'm excited for him to accomplish such a challenging sport though. He'll be in great shape for football next year too!

stephanie said...

Way to make lemonade out of lemons, Connor. Thanks for your great example---and good luck with cross country!

Mindy said...

I am so proud of Connor! It makes me miss him like crazy to read about him. He looks so grown up and good looking in the first picture. I can't wait to have him home again this summer. :)

Erin said...

What a mature guy. He is so good at self improvement, sticking with something without giving up, and having a good attitude. Can I say OUTSTANDING MISSIONARY in the making? Seriously, he is so neat!

Anonymous said...

Connor. . . Connor. What a guy! You remind me of your mother. She always had a "can-do" personality! I see her wonderful genes are being passed down!! Good luck, buddy, on all your track meets.

Grandpa

Jan S said...

Those were fun shots of Connor - I miss him so much. I'm so glad he is running and getting into good shape. Way to go, Con!XO Grandma

 
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