Jim brought Derek and his friend to a character and leadership conference this week. A bonus was that the conference was hosted by USAFA, therefore they’ve been able to spend time with Jake.

In addition to participating in some phenomenal sessions, Jake escorted the boys to some of his classes, brought them to his room,

and introduced them to lunch at Mitchell Hall.

Ruth had painted a picture for Jake and given it to him for Christmas. Jim’s heart was warmed to see that Jake had it proudly hanging at his desk.

Last night they had front row seats to the USAFA hockey game,

and today they’re skiing at Copper Mountain. A full, fun weekend!

Jake is learning about the many traditions at his school. One such tradition is celebrated by the seniors, called 100s Day. It not only marks 100 days until graduation, but also is the day they receive their post-graduation assignments.

How do the doolies (freshmen) fit in the picture? They are responsible for decorating the seniors’ rooms while the seniors are away for the weekend. And the more obnoxious the decorating, the better. Jake and his roommate decorated their squad commander’s room with a beach theme, pouring 300 pounds of sand into the room! Here’s a video of the squad comm walking in for the first time.

We are enjoying the unseasonably warm February weather. What a contrast to February 2011!

With some extra wood on hand, we decided to fire up the fire pit and roast some marshmallows. Everything is an athletic pursuit to some family members…

The sweet reward of toasted sugar.

Derek was loaded down with homework,

but he was able to take a break and join us at the fire pit.

This is definitely a favorite family tradition…and a bonus that we were able to enjoy it in February!

In a first for our family, someone is playing basketball.

Last Saturday was Derek’s and my first time watching Bubbie play, as it was the first Saturday with no wrestling. His brothers warmed him up before leaving for the game. Here’s what a footballer/wrestler looks like with a basketball:

Not only is this an initiation into basketball playing, but also coaching. Jim was invited by a friend of ours to help coach the team, and Jim readily accepted.

There were a few moments when I was reminded of Jeremy’s football training.

But it sure was fun to watch this kid hustle!

He walked off the court when the game was done with a red face and a big smile.

We went to Sectionals at Byron High School with high hopes that Derek might have a chance to advance to State next weekend. Because he had a bye the first round, he only had to win two matches in order to advance.

The place was packed!

Wrestlers from each school were announced as they marched into the gym.

We were so excited to have five wrestlers competing from WA!

Clearly, everyone is in the zone.

The National Anthem was sung.

The first round of wrestling finished, then the boys warmed up for the second round.

Derek wrestled his first match.

And pinned his guy!

First victory.

The team spent the night in Rockford, while Jim and I drove home with the kids. The next day, we were filled with anticipation, hoping and praying for one more victory for Big D. His first match was against the guy who placed first at State last year.

He tried with all his strength to prevail,

but his youth and minimal experience could not match his opponent.

Now the pressure was on. The next match would decide whether his wrestling season would continue or not. The momentum began going his way in the second period, but he ran out of time and was never able to come back. He was pinned in the third period. And that was the bitter end.

He approached the weekend with the primary goal of advancing to state, but his ultimate goal was to glorify God and make Him look great. We couldn’t ask for a better team and better coaches.

Have you ever seen such a handsome dinosaur?

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

Although Jeremy has played several games of basketball this season, I have yet to see him play due to weekly conflicts with wrestling tournaments. Jim is coaching his team, and thus is the one to stick with him. This also means that we don’t have any pictures of Jeremy playing basketball, since coaching and photographing do not exactly go hand-in-hand. While Jim and Jeremy are playing ball at church, I cheer Derek on in his wrestling pursuits, armed with a camera. Alas, we must endure more wrestling pictures on this blog.

It was a big day for WA as they wrestled in the regionals tournament last Saturday. They are a small, young team, but surely overcame many obstacles and made a significant impact in the region.

The coach had t-shirts made for these last remaining weeks of the season. The theme was based on the twelve Israelites who spied out the land of Canaan. Of the twelve, only two were convinced that God would fulfill His promise to deliver His children into the land. They were undaunted by the giants in the land because they trusted God.

The boys were encouraged to be like “the few” who didn’t retreat out of fear.

Derek’s first opponent was the guy he lost to in sectionals last year. He was ready for him, anticipating the moves he knew this kid was strong in.

His bloody nose, though a significant nuisance, did afford him a coaching break.

He ended up winning the match, and due to an upset on the other mat, faced a kid he had already beaten a couple times this season.

After yet another bloody nose break, he ended up prevailing against his opponent.

He experienced his first tournament win!

Not only Derek, but four others experienced success that day and will compete in the sectionals tournament next weekend.

Here’s most of the team, with beaming smiles:

Ruth arranged the Bananagram tiles to make a message for me before we began school yesterday. I love having a daughter.