Joshy's 25!!!!

My oldest son Josh (aka Joshy) turned 25 on August 1st. This sounds so ridiculous to me...my first born is now 25? In honor of my Joshy let me tell you a little bit about him:

When Josh was born he was HUGE!! I have to be honest and tell you I was a little upset that he was SO BIG! I wanted a newborn for my first baby. But out pops Joshy looking like a 6 month old already. He weighed almost 9 pounds and had a full head of curly black hair (I had to give him a haircut the day I brought him home.) He didn't have the wobbly little newborn head and was as strong as an ox. He'd lift his head up curiously looking through the clear hospital baby bin, checking out all the puny babies surrounding him. He seemed to know that he was already stronger and more coordinated...starting life out ahead of the pack.

Josh excelled at every sport- soccer, football, baseball, and track. Wait a minute...I have to add basketball to the list! The one time he decided to try out for basketball in Jr. High School, even though he'd never played before...he made it! To top it off, he helped his team make school history by beating a rival private school which they'd never done before. They pulled off the huge upset in the final seconds of the game when Josh stoled the ball, passed it to his teammate who threw it up for 3 points at the buzzer to beat the then undefeated team by 1 point. The following year, they did not invite our Jr. High to their tournament.

Josh had an easy going, whatever attitude about his ability. He never was one to show off or talk himself up. He just knew that once he stepped onto the field, track, or court...his abilities would speak for himself. Coaches loved him. They all tried to get Josh on their teams and all star teams. One year during baseball season, Josh was a pitcher. We had gone away on vacation during a holiday break and I decided to work with him on his pitching. He threw sidearm. It was incredibly fast and accurate, but I was worried that he'd blow his arm out throwing that way, so I tried to break his habit. We worked and worked at it, until he no longer pitched sidearm. Well, when we got back, his pitches weren't as fast anymore and the coaches asked me, "What'd you do?" OOPS! Well, the team then got the BEST and FASTEST center fielder they'd ever seen. The coach knew that anything hit into the outfield would be caught. Not to mention his incredible bat speed where he hit homerun after homerun! He was a superstar! One All Star game, Josh was flying all around the field catching the right and left fielders balls as well as his own. I was so embarrassed, wondering what he was doing. It wasn't until after the game that he told me, "Mom, the coach told me he wanted to win and that it was a big game so I needed to catch ALL the balls I could get to even if it went to right and left field." Well there you have it. I bet the coach had no idea that with Josh's speed...there was no where on that field that he couldn't get too. THEY WON OF COURSE!

In track he broke the Frosh/Soph school record in the 400 meter. He was placed on the Varsity team as a freshman after an incredible "heart" performance in his very first meet. He was running the anchor leg (4th) on the Freshman relay team. His team was so far behind it looked hopeless by the time he received the baton. Then he did the impossible. He needed to catch the leader who was already 200+ meters ahead of him. He took off and slowly began to catch him. By the time they reached the final 50 meters, Josh and the leader were now neck in neck. The crowd was screaming. His coaches and team mates were running alongside yelling and cheering. No one could believe that he'd actually caught the leader and had a chance to win. As they reached the finish line, Josh pulled ahead and the other boy's legs gave out and he fell from trying to hold him off. Josh crossed the finish line...victorious.

His sophomore year, he and his relay teammates traveled to compete against the best of the best in Texas in the 4x400m relay teams. They were also invited to the top in the nation, elite, Arcadia Invitational Night meet and went on to win CIF and compete in the state meet. He showed not only his natural talent & speed but also his heart.

BEST OF THE BEST AT THE TEXAS MEET

During his freshman football season, the coaches decided to move him from running back to wide receiver. He looked more like a wide receiver and the coaches thought they could utilize his speed better at that position. He also played corner on defense. After the summer passing league, Josh no longer was enjoying football because he didn't like playing wide receiver and he was ready to quit. He knew he was a running back. He loved that position and had played it his whole life. The coaches talked to him and agreed to rotate him in at running back and start him at corner. In the very first game against San Clemente, Josh didn't get one single carry in the first half of the game, they used another running back instead. Our team was down at the half, 21-0. During the second half kick off, Josh caught the ball and ran it back for a 98 yard touchdown. The next offensive play they put him in at running back. On the first handoff, they pitched it to him. He hit the corner and was gone...80 yard touchdown! He proceeded to score two more additional touchdowns and we won! He set a freshman rushing record with over 1,000+ yards rushing. His senior football season was filled with disappointment when he tore his MCL on the very first kick off return against San Clemente. His team ended up having a great season, and he learned the important role of being a supportive teammate on the sidelines. Trying to lift others up even though he was unable to be on the field to help them.

Josh has had his share of ups and downs, as we all have, and yet, he continues to hit life running. He's learned to weather life's storms, to keep pushing forward and to never give up on a dream. I know that all of his past experiences and the lesson he's learned growing up playing sports has served to show him that no matter what happens...don't quit, the breakthrough is coming.

Josh's birth changed my life! I was blessed with a healthy boy who I love with all my heart (more than I ever thought possible.) As he grew, I wanted him to know that no matter what kind of frustration, anger, disappointment or hurt, he experienced, I would ALWAYS be there for him with unconditional love and encouragement.

I am so proud of Josh for his quiet determination. His perseverance and will to continue to go after what he wants in life. I can't wait to see all that he achieves in his life! The Lord truly blessed me and gave me an amazing gift...my Joshy!

HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY JOSH! I love you with all my heart and I am so grateful to call you my son!!!

Joshy Turns 24 Today!

 

I called my oldest son, Josh this morning to sing Happy Birthday to him. After I finished the song it hit me...24...my son is TWENTY-FOUR! When I was 21 I gave birth to the biggest baby, with a full head of dark, curly, black hair. He weighed almost 9 lbs. and didn't exactly look like a newborn...he looked like a little man. The family all showed up to see my little bundle of joy. While peering through the glass window at the hospital, he lifted his head up to look around...he was a strong, curious boy.

Once I was able to take him home, he was very vocal and had colic. I walked the floor with him for hours upon hours trying to keep him happy. He definitely had a set of lungs on him. I thought, "Uh oh, I think he's going to be a loud mouth like his mommy." He definitely grew out of that phase. Now it's hard to get him to talk~lol!

One of Joshy's favorite toys had a string attached that you pulled and it would land on an animal and make the sound of that particular animal. I was always so proud of my little man and everywhere we went I'd have him "show off," asking, "Joshy, what does the sheep say?" His big brown eyes would get bigger as he'd take air into his chubby cheeks and say, "Baa Baa Baa." We'd all clap for him as he'd beam with excitement. Then it was on to the next animal. 

He was quite the little artist too. While his grandparents were watching him, he snuck upstairs, grabbed some crayons and began drawing a wall mural with huge circles over the areas that he could reach. As they headed upstairs to find him...they saw him drawing, he'd slowly step back to admire his creation before coloring more. He was very proud of himself and his grandparents had a hard time getting mad at him because he was so pleased with his drawing.

Josh started playing soccer and baseball at the age of 5. He was faster, stronger and more co-ordinated than all the other kids...

This continued all the way up through high school. He was naturally gifted and talented in all he did. He never let it go to his head though and always remained quiet and humble about his extraordinary abilities. One day during his freshman football practice, one of his best friends Dom asked Josh to let him beat him just once in a race (Josh was always lengths in front of the other boys...no one ever came close to him.) Well Joshy, being the nice, humble kid that he is didn't even think twice about it, wanting his friend to feel good. As the coach blew the whistle for sprints, Josh slowed up and let Dom win. He didn't think anything of it until one of the coaches started to yell at him, "Don't you EVER hold back again and let anyone win or beat you, friend or not...do you hear me?!" That was the first and last time he ever purposely let someone win. Josh didn't like to get yelled at. At his freshman football banquet Josh won MVP and they dedicated a section of the highlight video to him titled, "Number 9 and the O Line." Needless to say, it's been a classic in this household as all the younger brothers watched it over and over again, so proud of their big brother. As a matter of fact...I think Adam was bragging and looking for it to show his friends at the last family get together.

Josh continued to excel in track and still holds a record at Edison for the fastest 400M for a Frosh/Soph. He made it to the State CIF Finals as a sophomore on the 4x400M relay team.

Josh making his move to pull ahead of Compton

State Qualifying 4x400M Relay Team

Josh continues to excel and overcome anything that is thrown in front of him. He is currently assisting the hairstylist who works on the set of  "True Blood." He recently went on set at Nickelodeon Studios to train under the stylists and eventually hopes to open his own shop. I know he will achieve his dreams because he wont stop until he does...not to mention, he gives the best dang haircuts around! SERIOUSLY!!

Joshy and little brother Jullien

Joshy & His Girlfriend Charmaine w/Little Brother Elijah

I'm so proud of my son and I'm grateful that Heavenly Father blessed my life with him. So on his special day, I want to say...I LOVE YOU JOSHY! HAPPY 24th BIRTHDAY SON!!

DO I or DON'T I???

I thought I would ask you guys what I should do...I exercised for the first time yesterday. I'm not talking about the "normal" exercising like doing 20 minutes on a stationary bike, lift a few weights, once you feel your muscles getting a little fatigued you stop. Oh no, this torture...I mean exercise was with a personal trainer mom whose son is on my son's team. For the past few days about 5 or 6 mom's have gotten their butt's out of their chairs and headed to the track. I watched (I was only wearing flip flops), while a few of the mom's shouted out, "Hey Lis, you need to bring your running shoes tomorrow!" I actually thought about it, they seemed to be jogging pretty slow. I started thinking, "I can do that, maybe I will bring shoes tomorrow." That was until they started on the lunges around the WHOLE track!

Now, I'm one of those people that know how to hide all my nasty, flabby "junk" in a pair of cute longer trendy shorts, pants or capri's. I didn't realize I had such a special talent at camouflage until a few of the ladies said, "You must work out, you look great." Ha Ha Ha Ha, if they only knew...I will not get in a bathing suit this year cuz my butt and legs look NASTY! So I proceeded to point out all my flaws to them. Next I realized that I was complaining so much, I HAD to work out with them, great...my mouth always gets me into trouble.

Yesterday, I went home and tried to come up with a good excuse to tell them...couldn't find one, put on my LONG sweats in 85 degree weather. I headed to the field, late to make sure I didn't have to work out the whole 2 hours. OH MY GOSH, I was dead, I couldn't even make it the four times around the track (1 mile), I had to start walking. I haven't really worked out in about 2 years and a lot of these moms work out everyday! My kids were yelling at me, "Cmon mom, your in last, stop being such a woosie!" I wanted to smack them down!LOL! Then the lunges, my thighs were screaming, "NO NO NO, What are you doing?" Then back to the running (1 mile), lunges, running (another mile), lunges, finally ending with the dreaded series of ab workouts!!!

I think the trainer wasn't too excited that I joined in with the other mom's. She was trying to motivate while I kept saying, "I haven't worked out in two years...must walk!" Then I dragged a few of the motivated mom's down to my level. I had a little crew of walkers, while only two mom's and the trainer continued jogging. Yep I'm a bad influence.

Today I could barely walk, I hurt EVERYWHERE...even my neck. To top it off, I'm supposed to do it again. I hate the way I look, but the thought of doing it again makes me want to puke! So, do I suck it up, and head to the field in my workout gear or sit down read a book, come up with a good excuse and rest my aching legs? Someone help me? I HATE TO EXCERCISE...I HATE MY FLABBY BODY!!! Quite the dilemma....

Southern California Track Championships

I wanted to share our exciting day with everyone...

Yesterday (6/1/08) Elijah competed in the Southern California Championship Track meet. The top four qualifiers in each county in Southern California competed. Previously, Elijah placed 1st in the 400 meters and 200 meters at the Orange County Championship meet.

His race consisted of two separate heats, with a total of 18 of the top athletes in So. Cal. Elijah's first event was the 400 Meter race. Three boys pulled out in front, Elijah used his strategy and speed to place 1st in the event by saving his energy for the last part of the race. In the 200 meter race, he placed third to take home 2 medals.

We are so proud of him!

Elijah (in the white cut off sleeves) 400 meter race


400m Finish Line


Receiving Medal



Going to receive medal for the 200 Meter (lined up in order of their final finish)


Receiving 200 meter medal


Proud Mommy



Proud Dad


Proud Papa