Best Brothers Ever

 This weekend was Kyndal Faith's final club volleyball tournament, the Oklahoma Regionals.  Kyndal invited Jeffrey and Chet Lee and their families, along with her brothers, and I loved seeing this crowd supporting her!!

*That afternoon, JoBug commented, "Best brothers ever!!" to my post about this, and I texted the guys that it took me a minute to realize she meant Tman, Jace, and Kyndal. lol

This was Tulsa tournament #5, which means Tulsa trips are happening for me 7 out of the 8 weekends of April and May for various events, assuming we do something for Karli's birthday that last weekend.  It's comically absurd, but I'm not sad about it. lol  I often wish Tulsa and OKC were closer -- not because I mind the road trip (which will be a regular part of my life wherever I live)... but so that my exceptional friends could have more time with my beloved niece and nephews, and our families could interact a bit more often... one of many thoughts that regularly remind me how great Heaven will be (where we're all in one place and there's no disconnection or threat of loss).  ❤

Jace Michael and T-man woke up at 5:30 to drive down for the 8am game!  WHY must their weekend games be so early!?

Quick pic with K-Faith between games!  

JEM and Ellie and Jace playing catch behind our seats (the ball is hidden by Ellie's princess dress). =)

Parrish crew!

T-man and Kyndal - she was so happy to see him!!

At Jace's request, we made a CFA breakfast run while Kyndal's team was reffing.  I'm hoping T's annoyance with my picture taking will fade over time. lol  And he's probably hoping my love of photos will fade -- spoiler alert: it will not!

I love that the families line up for high fives at the end of games.  I got in on a few of them this weekend!

Friday night included a late carbs-and-cheese dinner with Rach and Kyndal at The Brook South!

After Saturday's games, we had a late lunch at Los Cabos... Rachael had made awesome chalkboards and gift bags for all of the girls, so she gave those out to the team, and Mom and I sat at the end with Coach Erin and her stepson, Will... who was Mom's best buddy all through lunch.  (They both offered each other part of their kid's meal food, and he's showing her Steve, the giraffe, in that bottom pic). lol

After our late lunch and hotel stop, Mom and I met the Wilson fam for Braum's... Tate had Rocky Road and Parker had chocolate, and the adults had lovely conversation. lol  For real, though, I would listen to Mom's and Chet's childhood stories all day!

Two of my favorite people on earth, and their relationship makes me happy!

This was a fun game where Kyndal got several great serves in a row!  There were two times this weekend where her team won the first game by a wide margin, then the other team won the next two... but you learn things from losing, too, as I've reminded Rachael and Mom when they get extra competitive. lol

Day 2 was short and sweet... an 8am 3-game set that they lost, then they reffed and went home!  Rach ran into Allie (her former CHA classmate) and Gentry (Allie's daughter with Jace on the left)... and Jace spent part of the morning chatting with Emma's dad (pictured right).

One last VB pic with Kyndal Faith... thankfully, she wasn't too upset about their loss in that final game, as she was tired and sore and ready to say goodbye to this season.

Mamaw with J and K before we all made the road trip home... or in my case, straight to the theater to see The Fall Guy, which was cheesy and fun!!

• Shoutout to Kyndal Faith for making it through a very intense first season of club on the Charge 10-year-olds team... she practiced well, played with heart, and learned to lead and encourage her teammates!!
• Shoutout to Mom and Dad for paying the insane fees for the club team and the various hotel stays and tournaments!
• Shoutout to Rachael for attending every practice (1.5 hours 2x a week) and game, and holding in the competitive rage! lol
• Shoutout to Tman and Jace for making the Tulsa trip so early... and to J for staying all weekend in spite of his near-immediate regret for that decision. lol
• And shoutout to Chettles and Jeffrey Edward for being excellent friends who consistently show up when it matters with fun-loving, supportive energy!  ...Best brothers ever. ;-)

❤