The Wilson's

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

2013 Baseball Season

This years baseball season was quite disappointing for both of my kids, but for different reasons. Lucas began coach pitch this year and he was so excited. I was excited too because Micah took on the job as head coach of the team, and he did a great job. We don't have a lot of facilities here on base for baseball so we use soccer fields marked off with no fences. Luke had difficulty this year because again they do not keep score during games. I know this may seem like a good idea, but hey, my kid is super competitive and wants to win! They also do not encourage extra base hits. So, it doesn't matter how good of a hit you get they want you to only take one base, unless you hit last in which case you automatically get a home run. I know it's silly.
Tucker found baseball to be quite boring. At his first game, about 2 minutes into the first defensive inning he asked the coach if it was almost over. The coach happened to be a friend of mine who told him no, that they still had an hour to play. His response was, "It's so boring This is the longest hour ever!" Tucker did enjoy playing more when he played 1st base or pitcher. Over all, as a parent, the season wasn't that bad. It is hard to watch my kids play sports here when I know how much better they are in the states.

Parade day. Tucker's team was the River Bandits. Can you tell how cold it was?

Tucker waving to the crowd.

Luke's team was the Durham Bulls.

At the parade we ran into Lucas Rockey, he's Tuck's best friend in his class.

Tuck at his first at bat.

Running to first.

Excited to run to second!

Playing a little defense at first base.

Unfortunately, when it was time for Luke's game Micah asked me to help with batting lineups and such and I didn't get a single picture of Luke! I feel horrible, but I promise he played great. After every game Tucker's team received snacks from parents and that was, I believe, Tuck's favorite part. Micah decided this year he wasn't going to do that for his kids. Occasionally a parent would bring snacks on their own, and that was okay, but he had a different idea. He went out and bought a baseball for each kid on the team and after every game he handed out 2 game balls to the players that deserved them that day. (All the kids on the team signed the balls too.) He did this every game until every kid received one. At the end of the year the parents give some money and all the kids get a trophy. Micah and I got to pick the trophies this year since he was coach and we ordered gloves. These were another great idea from Micah. When the kids received their trophies they were able to put their game ball in the glove and display it. All the kids were pleased with their trophies.

Flat Stanley

Who is Flat Stanley you ask? He is a character in a book who is flattened by a bulletin board. He learns to make the best of his altered state and soon realizes all the fun things he can do. He learns he can enter locked rooms by sliding under the door, or be used as a kite. The most exciting part about being flat is that you can visit your friends by mail! I received a letter from my cousin Shannon in Bowling Green that asked if we would "host" Flat Stanley for a couple weeks and take pictures of him doing fun things.
When Flat Stanley arrived he needed clothes. (To be colored) It was very cold here and I suggested a nice warm jacket, hat and gloves and he insisted to be dressed Germany clothing. So, we colored him a lederhosen. Unfortunately we didn't take any fun trips while Stanley was here. I was pretty bummed not to be able to send a pic back to Bowling Green of Flat Stanley next to a castle. Instead he got to visit Lucas and Tucker's classes at school and meet all of their friends.

Stanley visiting Tucker's Sure Start Class.

Visiting Luke's 1st grade class.

Luke and Flat Stanley spent some quality time together playing video games too. It should be noted that this is not the Flat Stanley that Shannon sent and we colored wearing lederhosen. The day before spring break Luke brought home a Flat Stanley to color and show a good time during spring break. We didn't go anywhere for spring break, so this is the only picture we have of Luke's Flat Stanley.

East 2013

I've said it once and I'll say it again. Our spouses group is amazing! This years Easter celebration was wonderful. Kendra Diaz did majority of the work and this girl can throw a party! She truly should be a party planner. From the games she planned down to the adorable treats she made, the kids had a blast. Being away from family during holidays is difficult, but the one thing that makes it easier is friends that feel like family and know how to throw a party! This years celebration was at one of the parks on base housing. Here are a few photos of the festivities.

This is baby Jordyn. Her daddy and Micah came into the military at the same time. They were stationed with us in Dover and Luke was even in Jen and Josh's wedding. They PCS before us and are heading back to Dover. We are going to miss them so much!

Getting ready to play a game. Kendra is the blonde girl on the left who planned the party.

Tucker won! He crossed the finish line first with his egg still on his spoon.

It was a tight race.

Luke went a bit slower with his egg, but made it to the finish line.

Getting ready to hung eggs.

Getting directions for the hunt.

Tucker found one!

Both of the boys running for the same egg?

Luke found another one.

They had a great time eating snacks, hunting eggs and hanging out with so many friends we've met over the years.

The Easter Bunny finally made it!

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Micah Turns 31

I don't know about most people, but on New Years I tend to make "goals" and by my birthday in December (almost a full year has passed) I look back at the year to see what I have accomplished. I'm usually disappointed that I didn't accomplish more. Micah never talks about "goals" or "resolutions." He gives 100% to everything he does and accomplishes so much ALL THE TIME. I'm very proud of the man I married and everything he has done in the last year. I try not to brag too much, but here is what he has done in the last 12 months.

1. Graduated college. He took 21 hours in the spring in order to graduate with me. He also had a full time job and studied for his tech promotion while finishing school and helping out with our two kids.

2. He made Tech. Making Tech. is the most difficult promotion to achieve and he did it on his first try!

3. He made NCO of the quarter for his squadron.

4. Then he won it at the group and wing levels.

5. He put in a package to become an officer. He was not picked up, but the fact that he was able to put in a package makes me so proud!

6. He received an excellent on his PT test with a score higher than a 90%.

7. He received the Maintenance Support NCO of the year award.

8. He won the Chubby Bunny game at our squadron Christmas party and won a turkey fryer. I know this doesn't seem as prestigious as the other achievements, but an accomplishment is an accomplishment!

Micah has achieved so much in the past year and I wanted to make sure everyone knows how very proud of him I am! I couldn't have asked for a better husband, father and man in my life.

Micah with his birthday cake. (Notice the growth on his upper lip? Mustache March.)

Making his wish!

A Trip to Poland

Last spring I took a trip to Poland with our squadrons spouses group. In all 10 women went. It was the most overwhelming experience I have ever had. One store said they had over 70 patterns! The pattern I went looking for was one I have been collecting since I got to Germany. It doesn't have a name, but I pick up a piece here and a piece there from the BX every now and again. There were about 8 stores in Boleslawiec to shop at and only one had my pattern. I was so disappointed because they had my pattern but only about 3 pieces of it! I didn't know what to do! So I decided to pick up a few pieces of the traditional pattern and one other pattern that I thought I thought I could use as china. After a few months I realized that my taste had changed and I needed to make another trip.
Me and my sweet friend Tiffany Mitton decided to make it a girls weekend and headed back to Poland to pick up a few pieces. I decided I didn't need pieces that matched. I wanted a variety of designs, I mean why settle for one when you can have six! Why should I have to choose just one. I wanted 12 place settings and picked my six favorite patterns and got two of each. Here is what I ended up with.

All of the colorful pieces are for me. At the front of the table all of the blue pieces are items that Kenton asked me to pick up for him.

I mean can you imagine having to pick just one!

These are purchases from my original trip last year that mom and Kent want.

Another photo of what mom and Kent are getting.

When I got back from my trip with Tiffany I found out that my friend Summer Balcer was furious we had gone without her! She didn't think she would be able to go so we went ahead and went. When we returned she decided she couldn't live without making one more trip, so the weekend after I got back from Poland with Tiffany me and Summer and her friend Lindsay went. I purchased a few more items, and picked these plates and bowls for Kenton.

He loves his pottery and has asked when I'm going next because there are a few more things he'd like to have. I guess I'll see what I can do before we leave!

2013 USAFE Martial Arts Tournament

       We put Luke in Karate at the age of four because it was the only thing he was old enough to participate in here on base. From the beginning he loved it. On February 23, 2013 Luke participated in his last martial arts tournament here in Germany. The week leading up to the tournament he missed his last 3 classes before the tournament. We decided to take a family vacation to Edelweiss and figured he could practice his form while we were there.
       Luke wanted to combine two forms and add cartwheels which labeled his form Kata Tech 6 Combination Form. Leading up to the tournament Luke's instructors had given him little attention in preparing for the tournament because they didn't know he was competing. I really felt this was lousy because you have to register for these tournament and I couldn't figure out how he didn't know. Luke had received very little preparation going into our vacation.
       Once we reached Edelweiss, every night Luke would go into the hall with me or Micah and practice his forms. He would tell us what he wanted to add (tornado kick, cartwheel, etc.) and we would help him figure out the best place to insert the moves. You get better scores for difficulty adding other moves. Luke scored a 7.4, 7.5 and 7.6 for his form which tied him for second. (I know I'm his mom, but the 7.4 was a little low.) I took video this year and no pictures. The video won't upload properly. He had to participate in a tie breaker for second place. About 3/4 of the way through his form he began pausing while trying to remember moves. It was disappointing, but he took third and was happy with that.
       After forms comes sparring and Luke always does better in sparring. This year Luke's first match was again a kid from his class named Carlos. Luke has been sparring against him every week for about 6 months and usually wins, or so he says. This year he lost the first match. I was surprised he wasn't more disappointed with the loss but he took it well. He was happy with his one trophy.
       With us planning on taking Luke and Tucker back to Kentucky for the summer this was the last Karate event Luke would participate in here in Germany. We knew he wouldn't be able to achieve his brown belt before he left so we went ahead and let him drop the class. It's been an amazing experience for both him and us. We will miss it.
       Tucker began taking classes at age 3, which is the youngest you can be. He only lasted a month and a half the first time and then at five he thought he'd give it a try again. He was ready to quit after a month again. He gave it a try though. Here are a few pictures looking back over the past few years at Luke's journey. The pics were in order when I uploaded them. I don't know why the order got changed. If anyone knows how to fix that feel free to let me know.