Before Josh Downs deployed to Afghanistan in 2011, he got each of the kids a really cool gift.
Coley's gift was a membership at Higinbotham Martial Arts, which is just a couple miles from our house and something Cole had been wanting to do for a long time. (The video is pretty cool if you've got an extra few minutes to spare.)
So for almost a year now, he's been going three days a week, with a few small breaks for vacation and basketball season.
And just a couple days ago, he tested for his yellow belt. (I don't know if it's the instructor's requirements or the requirements of Brazilian Jiujtsu, but it takes a long time and a lot of effort to be ready and able to test for your next belt.)
Cole put a ton of work into it though, taking one-on-one lessons in addition to his regular classes in order to prepare for his presentation...
And after the presesntation, he had to wrestle (to submission) every single kid in the class.
I think it ended up being a total of eight or nine matches, with the first one being against the biggest kid in the class...
And even though he took the first match, he was so tired that I wasn't sure how he was going to keep going.
But he did.
And I think he went on to win over half of the matches. (I kind of lost count though because the whole thing was really stressing me out.)
Coley actually prayed that all of the girls in class would be sick that day (because he hates wrestling girls.)
And after about an hour of non-stop wrestling, he got his belt...
And his dad took him out to celebrate over burgers at Jasper's. (Us girls aren't allowed to go to Jasper's - apparently, it's a man thing.)
Congrats Coley.
Congrats Coley!
Posted by: Melinda T | January 17, 2013 at 12:22 PM
Congratulations Coley! Your hard work paid off!
Posted by: SusanC | January 17, 2013 at 12:23 PM
awww Congrats Coley!!! Too Cute that he prayed all the girls to be sick! Way to go Coley and awesome gift Josh!
Posted by: Shan | January 17, 2013 at 12:54 PM
That is really wonderful. Great job!
Posted by: shaina | January 17, 2013 at 01:27 PM
Congrats Cole! What a handsome young man - I love the determination on his face. Great job!
Posted by: Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita | January 17, 2013 at 02:13 PM
Congratulations Cole!! Way to go mom and dad too!
Posted by: Stacey | January 17, 2013 at 02:31 PM
What a strong man you got there. I got tired from just looking at the pictures. Way to go Coley!!
Posted by: Mannie | January 17, 2013 at 02:39 PM
Congratulations Cole!! That's quite an accomplishment, you should be proud of yourself!
And you should be prould of yourself too Karen for capturing such great photos of Coley's memorable day :)
Posted by: Mary Ann Jenkins | January 17, 2013 at 03:13 PM
Wow Karen...that was just as hard to watch as when I watched my niece and nephew go for their yellow belts too. Made me tear up to see Cole receiving his too. Great photos...tells the whole story...
Posted by: Julie in Aust. | January 17, 2013 at 05:28 PM
Congrats to Cole! Your photos were awesome & yes, brought a tear to my eye to see him get his belt.
Posted by: janet kemper | January 17, 2013 at 06:04 PM
Congrats on a tough job well done, Coley!! And loved watching the great video of that club. Amazing athletes!!!
p.s. Coley, I'm with you on not wanting to have to karate chop on girls...lol.
Posted by: kat-in-texas | January 17, 2013 at 06:13 PM
I'm tired just looking at the photos, I can't imagine how tired he was afterwards!! Congrats Cole!!
Posted by: Niki | January 18, 2013 at 04:22 AM
Special special times..and what a special photographer to get all these great shots.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Posted by: janel | January 18, 2013 at 07:26 AM
I had tears in my eyes as I was reading this post. Cole looked so exhausted at the end. What an accomplishement!
Posted by: Jennifer Rutz | January 18, 2013 at 10:24 AM
Congratulations, Coley! A job well done! I know your parents are so proud of you as you must be. It is a great achievement. Keep up the good work!
I love the look of determination and concentration on his face!
Posted by: Sylvia | January 18, 2013 at 10:30 AM
Why does this bring tears to my eyes?? Oh my gosh! Congratulations, Cole ... this is such an amazing accomplishment! (and I love that he doesn't like to wrestle girls.) :)
Posted by: Lacey | January 18, 2013 at 08:55 PM
I'm so glad to see I'm not the only one tearing up reading this. That kid...I tell ya. So proud of him for his perseverance, determination and accomplishment. CONGRATULATIONS, Cole!!! (I bet you were stressing!)
Posted by: Jules | January 19, 2013 at 09:32 AM
Wow! An hour! That's pretty amazing! Congrats to Cole!
Posted by: Kelli | January 19, 2013 at 07:56 PM
Congratulations Cole! His accomplishment brought tears to my eyes. I love the focus in his eyes! What a proud moment :)
Posted by: Aurora | January 22, 2013 at 04:50 PM
Congrats to Cole! My son has been training BJJ for almost 5 years and recently got his orange belt. People don't always get that it is different that a lot of other martial arts and it is a BIG deal to change belts! Cole should be very proud a yellow belt in a year is awesome. It is an awesome sport, I hope he will enjoy it for a long time!
Posted by: Lisa Damrosch | January 24, 2013 at 04:28 PM
I am tired just looking at these photos, I can't imagine how tired he later! !Congratulations to cole. !
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