4th of July...

This was our very first 4th of July at the new house! We have been looking forward to this day for two years now! This day didn't look quite the same as it has in years past, and we did opt to skip out on the parade this year, but it was sweet and special in a new and different way. 

We continue to push on, spending time with people who lift us up and give us affirmation that this season is blooming into something better for us all. These big holidays that we used to spend with friends who are no longer a part of this season, have proven to be a bit bittersweet, and I am finding that doing the things we always did, just doesn't have the same appeal. I do my very best not to fight this, but embrace it as healing and growth.

So, here's to changing things up, introducing new traditions, with new faces and breathing life into these different versions of ourselves that are emerging. 

This was the 4th of July that marked the beauty of change!

TJGT Elite, Plano

The day after we got home from Nationals in Florida, Roen had a big two-day tournament at Watters Creek. He was exhausted, but we are trying to squeeze in these elite tournaments whenever we are home. The course was pretty hard and neither day he played that great- shot an 82 on both days. Both boys actually play this course in another tournament pretty soon, so we will see how he does on his 3rd try!

Day 1: 82

Day 2: 82

He was playing with some pretty big boys, as you can see from the last picture. But he just chats away never letting it intimidate him!

UA National Photos...

I love that these tournaments provide photographers on the course! It makes for an easy way to sneak in a family picture and of course, some good golf swing shots! 

UA Top 5 Ceremony...

I felt like Roen's belt ceremony deserved it's very own post!

He had so many special people show up to watch him be awarded! Not only the two families we stayed with, but another good golf buddy from school and also a sweet boy he plays with in the Dallas tour. It was so neat to see so many fellow golfers showing up to help celebrate with him! 

UA Summer Nationals, Roen...

Roen played the next two days, starting on the Fazio course as well. His age groups had much shorter tees, which allowed Roen to take advantage of his distance abilities. Day two, he played the Champions course, which was the harder of the two. He ended up shooting 71 on day one and 70 on day two, with a total of 10 birdies, one eagle and putting him the red, with 3 under for his tournament. Had he not ran into trouble on Champion's hole 17 (same hole that he struggled with at Winter Nationals), he was sitting in the 3rd place. Out of 160 golfers, he ended up placing 5th, earning All-American status and bringing home one the coveted belts! Roen played some pretty amazing golf and I think we are all still on cloud 9!!

Remi and I had just enough time to sit down at Birdies for a little breakfast both mornings, while Roen warmed up! We are both suckers for those Nutella pancakes... Remi opts for extra Nutella on his! 

After Roen's first day, we all went downtown for dinner and margs where we met up with some more friends from back home! I am super duper proud of all these boys who qualified for this tournament! And no, I did not plan for us to all color coordinate on Roen's second day, but I can't say I hate it!

UA Summer Nationals, Remi...

Remi played the next two days at the the Fazio Course.

He played from tees at around 6,700 yd, and honestly struggled both days. I can't say I truly believe it was the distance that was the culprit, but really more of having to navigate so much trouble off the tees. He never could get in his groove, which is hard and beyond frustrating for him. It's also hard to watch, because without a caddy, he was on his own, to pull himself together mentally. But he pushed through and we all did our best to stay positive. 

He ended up shooting a 99 on day one and 90 on day two. These are scores he is most definitely embarrassed about, but I believe both boys are gaining so much more from these experiences than just a score. I do my best to be honest, because no matter what they score, the way they handle themselves and treat those around them says more about them as a golfer than their score ever will.

It's like I always say, if you don't know how to lose, you don't deserver to win... and I believe that wholeheartedly!  

After Remi's first round we had dinner at the marina and after his second round, we visited the downtown escape room, before ending the evening with a little pool time! We packed in all kinds of fun!