This is so weird, we were a one vehicle family for a few years now, I think. The truck broke down, I don't remember when, but it was when Arizona Tournament was going on. On my hubbys birthday, he got up and went to town. I didn't even know he left, me and Rey, were being quiet so we don't wake him. Around noon time he comes through the front door and tells us, "C'mon, let's go get some lunch." Grandson and I looked at each other and noticed Grandpa was dressed like he was going to church. I wondered what was going on, I looked out the window and there was a brand new vehicle sitting out front. I told him, he just has to out-do me on birthdays. lol

The Church is having us decide whether the Church or Rey's Taekwondo is far more important. I didn't think that was a fair thing to say, it's not interferring with one or the other. The had to have an okay from the main office in SLC to see if Rey can get baptized.

I drove Rey all the way to Los Angeles for his International Taekwondo Festival. He came in First Place for Sparring. He was so nervous those orientals were going to get Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan on him, three minutes later he regained his composure and realized they are just like any other kids. He went to work. Poomsae, against orientals especially Koreans.. he doesn't have a chance, he'll always get second, and that's what he got Second Place.

The tournament was fun, and lot of things happening aside from sparring, there was the big ceremony, all the competitors lined up.  There were a lot of people there.  Then there was tag team both Juniors and Seniors, and Americans lost all of them.  I was upset.  Food was decent.  The boy on the second fight, we didn't know he was already Rey's friend on facebook.

While we were there, it wasn't the same without Grandpa.  He was quiet most of the time, so I knew he was missing Grandpa.  He didn't want to do anything fun, we went to China Town and the Observation.  I asked him if he wanted to go to other places he said "No".  I knew then he was missing his "Pops".

This weekend he will be going to New Mexico Games, and if he wins that, then he will go to National State Games in Hersey, PA. He is excited.

Wednesday, he is getting promoted to RED BELT.. things will be getting a bit more serious now.. no more beginner stuff, it's all about ADVANCE Senior Belts now.. no more little guy stuff.
At end of the month, he is going to the USA Taekwondo, Junior Olympic Championships in Dallas, Texas. He will be doing Sparring and Poomsae. He is, like always, aiming to win First Place. He has been fundraising, training, and training some more. He is an amazing boy of eight years old.
Rey has been growing so much, he doesn't need to watched closely when he goes to public bathrooms, he can go buy a newspaper in the store alone (I don't know why we don't subsribe anymore), he trains on his own, he teaches class at Taekwondo, he is a good role model for younger kids, he loves to help with cooking, he helps with more laundry work, he practically goes outside and does weeding on his own, he has more say in things, we ask for his opinions, oh! he is a whiz at math, he loves to read, he does so much now.. he is a BOY.

Above all his BIG boy activities, he is still a little guy at heart.

Since I last wrote, Rey went to Denver Tournament. He came out Grand Champion and was awarded with a real sword, a katana. He won six gold medals; Board Breaking (Tornado Swing, Hook kick sweep, Tornado head level), Poomsae (Taeguek Yook Jang), Weapons (Nunchucks), 3 different sparring division (First, his age/rank, one kick the boy left.  Second, two 8-9 year olds. he beat them both 16-3, 15-1. Third, he got challenged -demo- by a National Champ. He beat him 8-1).  The story goes, the first boy left after he got roundhoused, he looked at the ref, at his coach and walked off.  The other two, they were just too small for Rey, one boy got knocked over nine times, towards the end he looked like he couldn't breathe anymore.  The second boy, in the first round Rey knocked him out cold they had to call the medics, but he stayed to spar with Rey.  The challenge, Rey didn't want to fight him, he was 10 years old and he looked pretty husky and looked like he could do major damage, and he is a National Champ.  Rey told Grandpa he didn't think it was a good idea, but Grandpa said 'too late', Rey went up to the center, and BAM! the kid already got one point, just like that.  Grandpa said 'oops', then Rey did his Rey Business and went to work and won.

While he was up in Denver he got to meet one of his online friends, and he is a National Champ too.  His name is Joshua Kosloski.

On his Arizona Tournament, the truck broke down, they turned around and came home the next morning. What a disaster that turned out to be.   They rode the AMTRAK back to ABQ, got on the city bus to end of ABQ, and caught a cab back home.  Boy, it was a disaster.  It wasn't just that.. they whole thing was a mess, the whole thing.. it took my boys 3 days to get back in their schedule.

Now, with no vehicle, perhaps there will be no tourney in California now.. but you never know. 

The month Rey is born which is May, we make it feel like a BIRTHDAY month for him, we've always done that so it's just a thing now.  He went to the zoo, and family fun centers, movies, outings to his favorite restuarants, mostly chinese.

His parents.

On May 09, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. We, Jeff, Cornelia, and Rey, arrived at Hinkle Family Fun Center as planned. We waited for the parents, Ramon and Danielle, to arrive for Rey’s Birthday Celebration. They did not arrive and we went about the celebration.
Afterwards Rey went to his Martial Arts class, and we had his birthday dinner around 8:00 p.m at his favorite place Hong Kong. On the way home that night we saw Danielle coming to an intersection in our neighborhood. We honked and honked at her to let her know it was us, and we went back home.

Upon arrival, we saw the note left by Danielle (enclosed).   Jeff, informed Danielle they were suppose to meet us at the Hinkle Family Center as instructed through the attorneys, as proof he showed her the letter. Her response was “I didn’t know that.”
Along with Danielle, there was Rey’s little sister, Destiney, and his little 5 year old Aunt, Chanelle, Tanielle and Danielle’s mother, Virginia. We were told the father, Ramon, was at work in Texas.

They did not bring gifts or anything for Rey. Although, it was late we still let them visit with Rey. Jeff went to get dinner ready for the dogs in the kitchen he saw Rey on the phone. He told Danielle phone calls need to be on the intercom, she quickly closed the phone. He asked who it was, and she didn’t answer but Rey said it was “Ramon”.

The next day, Rey told us his father said “Happy Birthday. I’m going to try and get you back. I’m at work right now.”

Throughout the visit, Danielle, had a few interactions with Rey but most of the time she sat on the couch with her sister and texted on the phone. Her mother, Virginia, did all the talking for them, and visiting with Rey. Danielle did not say very much, and we gave her permission to give Rey photos of the family and relatives.

Rey mostly paid attention to the little girls, his sister and aunt, they played with him in his bedroom, the garage, dining room, and the living room. They left around 10:45 p.m.

After the visit, Virginia shooked our hands and thanked us for caring for Rey and helping him through his accomplishments. We walked them back to their vehicle where Rey gave everyone a hug before they left.