Jordan's 18th Birthday

On 28th Sep we celebrated Jordan's 18th birthday. I can't believe it has been 18 years since he was born into our family. I was reminiscing with him that his first word was 'ball'...anything round was a ball when he was little, so it is fitting that he is still obsessed with sport and balls.

We asked Jordan what we could do to celebrate his birthday for him and he said he just wanted to go to dinner with the family. He joked that none of his friends would be interested in the travel out to our house! Anyway, we had a nice night and now have to practice letting go...so hard to do after hanging onto them tightly for 18 years. We love you Jordy and are excited for what lies ahead for you!
At the restaurant...

Back home to open presents...

Another Grand Final!

It has been a busy few weeks for Jordan. His team made it to the Grand Final in Sydney against Sydney University at the end of September and his team (West Harbour Pirates) won. It was a great match and a convincing win 35-12. To make it even more exciting, Mitchell and Bailey were asked to be the ball boys for the game. They were excited to get their free "Pirates" uniforms. Below are some pictures of the game. Sorry the quality is so bad. Jordan is no. 7!

The ball boys...

Jordan making a tackle...

Jordan pushing at the back.

Jordan passing the ball...

Mitchell running the ball on the field and Jordan in the distance!
After the final whistle...

Another season over!

Jordan off to Japan!

For those of you I haven't already bragged to, I am so excited for Jordan having the opportunity to take part in the Junior school rugby world championships. His team was selected as the Australian representatives to play against teams from other rugby nations around the world. The tournament takes place in Japan and he flew out today. He will be away for 15 days and I am sure he will have an amazing experience. It makes all those evening trips to training a little bit easier to endure when the boys efforts are rewarded! Go Jordy!!

Erin

Erin has been a regular visitor to our home since July when Jordan and she started dating. She is a lovely girl. I just don't feel ready for girlfriends yet....does that ever change???

Another rugby post

I have been missing on blogger because my life is rugby 4 nights a week, YM the other night and rugby all day Saturday. I sometimes get frustrated with the amount of time it takes up, but it keeps the boys busy and happy. It is during this time of the year that all work to our house stops and I live in my car.

Ok, so it is another rugby post, but that is what we do!

It is almost the end of the season, with our last game tomorrow. Bailey is the last man standing for the first time in our family and he is excited to have all eyes on him. He is playing in his Grand Final tomorrow against a tough Windsor team and because all of his brothers have been eliminated from their competitions we all get to be there to watch him. Go Bailey!!

Mitchell and Josh had great years too. Mitchell's team was eliminated in the semi finals but he has been training with the Penrith Panthers junior development squad this year after being selected by them last year and Joshua was the steam roller for his team, playing first division in the toughest rugby league comp in Australia.

I can't remember if I told you all that Jordan started playing in the men's rugby competition at the start of this season. He and Andrew played on the same team for half of their games this season. It was strange to see! Jordan played in the men's second side and played off the bench in the first side (Andrew's team). Jordan played really well all season and was the goal kicker for his team as well as the top try scorer. I keep telling Andrew that he has someone to carry on the family name now and he can retire??? We'll wait and see!

This was a recent photo taken of Jordan in our local newspaper. He got a bit of stick from his mates over the "teen sensation" comment. I was proud of him though!

Jordan's Year 10 Formal

Jordan celebrated the end of Year 10 last November, at his formal. A lot of students leave school at this time to pursue careers in a trade. Jordan will be staying on to finish his final two years and hopes to eventually study Physiotherapy.

Jordan with his cousin, Eloise who went down with me to get some photos.

The 'all important' wheels for the night.

Flying High

For those of you who don't know yet, Jordan is going over to Utah from 12 - 28July. We have finally been convinced to let him go alone as a Christmas/birthday present. He is so excited. I wish I was coming too, but hopefully we will make it over for Christmas as a family. Jordan didn't want to wait that long. He also wanted to experience Utah in the Summer and catch up with some friends who will be out of school.

I hope you will all look out for my 'little' boy for me!

An invitation to presentation night.

At the end of last term, we were invited to see Jordan receive his award for getting first in his year for 'Sports Science and human movement.' Ok, Ok... it is still a sports subject, but an academic award. It was kind of foreign territory for us to be in with the academics. We had to remind our selves not to cheer, whoop and whistle.

We just nodded, clapped and remained dignified. Good job Jordie!

All things that move

My boys are so happy to be able to get their hands on things that move. The people who owned the land before us left a run down, old truck behind. It has become Jordan's pride and joy. He has been able to get it going and is becoming quite the mechanic.
I did resent having to put 'actual money' into the thing the other day when I had to buy some new tubes/pipes of some sort which Jordan needed, but after more consideration decided it is good for him to be doing something productive and having fun learning a new skill.
I had a giggle when Jordan asked me how much it would cost to have it repainted.
Jordan took me fo a drive in it the other day down the back of the property and we had a laugh about just how bad it is. It can go in first or second gear. Third, fourth and fifth are aspirations at the moment. I am sure he can do it. He is so much like Andrew when it comes to making things 'go.'
All of a sudden, sitting in the passenger seat I felt really old.

Jordan's beast


The boys have been wanting me to see their tracks they have made for the motorbikes too. I ventured down yesterday and had another chuckle as Jordan showed me how they had planted plants around the edge of the track. (Transplanted from another part of the garden.) He went on to explain that he had planted them in a 'horse-shoe design' to make it look good. I have a brown thumb so it is reassuring that Jordan likes to garden. There is plenty to be done.

So that is where all the gardening tools went.

Part of their home made motorbike track. (Complete with garden feature)

More of the track in a horse shoe design.

I just find the whole thing quite humourous. It keeps surprising me that they are just such stereotypical boys. Dirt, rock, motors, digging, and the need for a bit of praise from their Mum. I love it.