Miller Family

Last fall Hudson brought home a wrestling registration form from kindergarten.  Being that Jaron never wrestled and no one in my family was a wrestler, it wasn't a sport I took much thought of.  I tossed the paper and went about my business cleaning the kitchen.  Three days later Hudson asked me if I saw that wrestling paper.  As is usual with anytime my kids ask me about something I have thrown away, I fill with pretense and try to act nonchalant.

 "Oh yeah...I saw that..."

With all the eagerness of innocence he replied, "Well, did you sign me up?"

My response, "uh...."  and I'm thinking in my head,  Dang it.  I don't want to commit to that.  How to let him down easy...

After looking in his wide little eyes I said, "Fine.  I'll go to the parent meeting and see if it is workable for our family."  It turned out it was not workable.  South Fremont was too expensive, practice times were too late at night and they wanted more of a time commitment than I was willing to give.  After mentioning all of this to Lisa Marie, she suggested that I put him in Sugar City wrestling in the Spring.  It was quite a bit less, better practice times, and more relaxed as far as time expectations.  So We let Hudson give it a try.  He went to one practice then his first tournament at Bonneville High School.  Two matches, double elimination.  We were done by 11 am.

Yesterday we attended his second tournament.  We showed up at 8 am for weigh ins.  By noon he still hadn't wrestled once.  We were all frustrated and tired of waiting.  I finally talked to some of the ladies in charge of running the computer program (new software to keep track of scoring and matching partners) and they explained that technically Hudson had won once because of a forfeit.  They asked that we keep waiting and his turn would be up very soon.  As I was walking away they thanked me for being nice.  I'm guessing they had already heard from a lot of angry parents.  That felt good.

When I explained to Hudson that they had given him a turn, but he won because the other kid didn't show up, he jumped up and down with excitement.  So funny!  I guess the idea of winning is more compelling than actually participating in the sport at this age.

One of the more positive aspects of this tournament was that Jason and Amber were there with Carson and so were Don and Millie with Logan.  So Savannah and Hudson both had friends to play with during the long waiting spells.  Ralph and Regena also came to watch Hudson and Carson wrestle.  They were able to see Carson, but ended up leaving before Hudson ever had a chance.  We understood.  It really meant a lot that they came, though!

Another hour or longer after I talked to the ladies in charge, Jaron noticed that some of the kids who were in Hudson's weight class were being called up for a 2nd and 3rd match and Hudson still hadn't had one chance to wrestle.  So I went back and politely explained that we had to leave and were really disappointed because Hudson hadn't got on the mat once.  By this time it was 2:00 pm.   Janelle (who is over the Sugar City wrestlers) pulled some strings and got Hudson in match right then.  He was pinned in less than 30 seconds but with the previous forfeit/win, he came in 3rd and got a medal.  His day was made!  Hudson is such a light weight and has very little experience (no technique) so he doesn't win matches (maybe a few in practice every so often), but regardless, he loves it.  He leaves with a smile and wants to go again.  So I guess that's all that counts, right?

Jaron on the other hand...wanted to go snowmobiling, but at my request, he sacrificed his plans to come and be with the kids and I.  He was extremely frustrated with how unorganized and time wasting the day played out to be...and to top it off, we had to go to Winco-a less favorite place of his.  But he was a good sport.  The day overall turned out to be pleasant spent together as a family and I can't help but be grateful for a husband who is present and giving.  I quite enjoy having him by my side.