Our July has been full of basketball. Three out of our fours kids played on spring/summer leagues through the YMCA and attended basketball camps. We spent the last two weekends in hot gyms with stinky kids losing a lot of games, but also winning a few and making some great memories. I am sad the season has come to an end. So as we round out the month of July I wanted to take a moment and recognize my husband.
I affectionately call my husband the servant leader of our home, the captain of our shipwreck, and the conductor of our crazy train. In addition to these roles, he’s also been a basketball coach for the better part of this past year. This first year of blending our family has brought many joys, and watching my husband coach our two 11 year old boys is near the top of my list.
Watching him pour his time, energy, and love into our boys and many others was awesome to witness. There were tough moments with kids and parents, but there were also sweet victories. We learned more about who we are as individuals, as a couple, and as a family. Coaching and youth sports is ripe with opportunities for growth – for kids and adults. I watched him grow as a husband, father, and servant leader in our community. I am so proud to be this coach’s wife.
I’m not sure what the future holds for our kids in terms of basketball. I’m pretty sure we don’t have any future NBA players in our crew, but I hope they continue to play in junior high and high school. There’s no place I’d rather be than cheering our kids on from the sidelines. I’m here for it!
I know our boys will remember this year. The year they out hustled teams to get the W and the year they lost by double digits and felt completely defeated. The year they played on the same team as brothers (the Dynamic Duo) and their dad/bonus dad had the opportunity to be their coach.
“I’ve always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come.”
Michael Jordan
Beautiful Chaos 
❤️❤️
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Thanks for sharing, Justine! What a fun season that was for your family. And I’m so proud of Ryan’s servant leadership! What a wonderful example for Dads of rejecting passivity and being active in their kids’ lives and development.
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I was able to attend a few games and enjoyed watching William and Brodie play. Although they were outsized and less talented then many of the players they competed against, very few outworked and out hustled them. I love that they listen to their coach to learn, I love that they are team players. I love that they ‘hate’ losing, and want to get better. I love that they have parents that support their desire to participate in sports.
Justine, you recently reminded me how much I loved to play basketball and complimented me on my abilities and knowledge of the game. Then you gently nudged me to share that with my grandkids that play basketball, to come over and spend time working with them. I did that last week with William and we had a blast. With a heat index of 100+, we spent an hour shooting a variety of shots and I worked him hard on shooting the ball faster by getting in position to shoot before he gets the ball. We played basketball games of Around the World and Golf and then we played 1 on 1. It was so much fun, but most importantly it was neat to see how much William enjoyed himself and soaking up everything I was telling and showing him. Afterwards, this 70 year old pooped Grandpa went home and took a nap and sat in the hot tub to recuperate. I plan to go to Justine’s more often and spend more time with the grandkids, not only teaching them some of the things that will help them play basketball, but most anything they want to learn.
Note: We only played 1 on 1 to 5, I was playing on fumes so I made the decision to call the game. I might have fibbed; telling William I thought he had enough because of the heat. Gotta go now, starting to lift weights and do sprints; I want to keep my undefeated 1 on 1 streak going.
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