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Congrats

First I want to apologize for not being able to make it to this HUGE day in all of your journeys. Second and most importantly I want to send my congratulations to the newest members of a very important and elite family. This marks a great achievement in your journey whilst also marking the beginning of a new and very exciting chapter of your story! Make it a great one and I hope to see you all soon so that I may properly congratulate you in person.Hope you are blessed,Thornton-Jack
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The Washington Trial Association or WTA is a local organization which promotes hiking and protecting the wilderness areas which surround us here in the PNW. My family has supported the group for a long time with donations and taking part in the yearly Hike-A-Thon that takes place each August. 3820647032?profile=originalFor my black belt community service project, Rosie and I took part in one of the weekend work parties. The WTA has regular work parties that rebuild trails which are in need of repair or build out new trial

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Books

They say knowledge is power and that words are powerful...I had put down five goals in a previous post and one of them is to read a new book.  I love working out and keeping physically fit, I also enjoy engaging my mind and imagination!  Any book suggestions for October?

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Words

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A couple years ago, Master Strongheart posted blog's called Five Words Friday.  I loved it!  It forced me to think about goals, write them out and then successfully complete them.  I feel that putting opinion and goals out loud/ sharing them holds me accountable and upon completion makes me feel good.  With that being said, what are your 5 goals for October?

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My Final and Most Important Heroes

My final two heroes are my Mom and my Dad.  As routine as it may seem for a person to say that their parents are their heroes, I don't think there is anything average about my parents.
 
I admire my Dad for his strong work ethic, his desire to help others, his teachings to me that all people are equal and that I should never 'judge a book by it's cover'.  I admire him for turning his health around late in his life after a cancer diagnosis--for doing what most people never do and working hard to ch
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Jido Merly's Heroes

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                                                                                  Living Heroes

Mommo & Daddo:

My In-laws have welcomed me into their family with absolute love and joy. Their kindness, warmth, and support are such a blessing.  They are such genuine, fun, and caring individuals. Having them as family really is a gift!

Papa & Pops:

I feel so lucky to have these two in my life! They are incredibly supportive, encouraging, and inspire me to follow my dreams.

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Jido Merly's Journey to Black Belt

My Black Belt Journey

When I first started martial art3820646783?profile=originals I had no idea how much I was going to love it, and what an amazing impact it would have on my life. It is so incredible to be a part of a community in which we learn and grow both physically and mentally. I learn something new every day and I am so excited to continue my learning. I can’t wait to start learning black belt material and to learn more about instruction.

I was pretty athletic in my youth; dance, volleyball, basketball, ultimate f

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Living Heroes

5 Living Heroes
Avery Smith

Bill Harris: At Islander Middle School, Bill could be found walking through the halls picking up trash and making sure no one ran too fast. Bill also worked with the busses so that everyone could get to school on time. He was always nice and would ask how our days went and how the school year was going. His kindness to everyone that he met makes him an everyday hero.

Bill Nye: Bill Nye the Science Guy doesn’t just do shows for young kids, he explains how science can

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Third hero --Gail Cribbs

My third hero is my sister in law Janeel. She had been the primary caregiver for my brother, keeping him home doing everything for him until last year. In reality the sacrifices she made personally to keep him at home were above and beyond. Her love and dedication and strength are amazing, and a true tribute to the strength of love.

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Final hero's

My final hero is a group of people that I look at and realize have common traits. These people are: Jan E, Linda w and Jane C. These women have all lost their partners, the love of their life to a horrible disease cancer. The grace, strength and resolve that all three of these women had during the illness' leaves me in awe. The strength to continue with life after losing their partners is something that I look to as a source of strength and inspiration and something that let's me put life strugg

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Hero

One of my favorite hero's is my son Steve. Steve was one of those kids that seemed to fight growing up, you know the kind, bright, but bored, he was always testing the limits and did not seem to get the messages.

Today he is one of the most focused, driven, responsible and generous people I know. He is so very patient with his children and step children (which he has 3), is always there to help a friend and/or family. I look at all that he takes on his shoulders and the strength and focus that

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Heroes

My patients and their familiesI see a whole host of heroes in my job everyday. I feel lucky about that. Having a front row seat on life is not something that everyone is fortunate enough to experience, and I feel lucky to experience it everyday. I can't mention names or exact situations without breaking a number of privacy laws, so I broadly tribute the lovely and brave patients and their families that stick with me even after they are gone.They face the most dire of circumstances with hope.They
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Focus and Martial Arts

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Focus and TKD

I am always being asked how I got started with TKD and each time I have to laugh when explaining it. You see, I never in a million years thought it was something I would like or even try. If my son had not applied the magical little boy peer pressure, I would proba

bly never had taken that first class. But one day I found myself out on the mat during a family class and when it was over, I realized I had enjoyed myself.

But the reason I have kept with it is the more interesting point.

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Back-to-school-safety-safety.jpgWith back to school coming up quickly, I believe it is a great time to refresh or address safety tips and plans with the kids.  So, I am going to post about several of the things I try to cover with the kids I teach each year.   

"In 2010, one-fifth (19%) of all children 5-9 who were killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians."  Source:  Traffic safety facts:  Pedestrians, NHTSA 2012

Here are some ideas, and please chime in with more.   Do the walk to the bus, or school with your kid at least

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Our After School Program is a intentionally designed, experiential learning program focused on:

1.  Athletics/fitness:   More than the valuable skills of Korean martial arts --   we teach yoga, flexibility, parkour, tricking, and build all round speed, agility, and strength through our classes, games, and activities.   

2.  Scholarship:   We build a positive system to reinforce the importance of education, life long education.   In addition to teaching homework and study skills, we encourage a

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