What's COOKing: Chili 5K cook-off

For the second year in a row, Brent has run a large event at Ft Rucker called the Chili 5K cook-off. It is a fundraiser to raise money for local scholarships. 21 booths all competed to have the best chili....over 6,000 cups of chili were sold. It really consumes our lives for the weeks prior to the event. Thank goodness, the event ran smoothly and everyone had a great time. Along with good chili, there were tons of fun things to do with the kids. Bounce houses, fire truck rides, helicopters to climb in, and Warrant Officer Candidate School obstacle course.

It is so important to me to teach the boys to try to do things even if they are a little scared. Confidence is a key ingredient in life. The boys were so excited to do the obstacle course....but when they got on the first wall climb, were a bit nervous. First was Mitchell...he got on the wall, climbed a bit and then decided "no, I no want to do this." All the WOC guys and I cheered him on and he got the courage to do it. He climbed, cried a bit at the very top when he had to swing his leg over, but DID IT. The look on his face when he climbed down on the other side was priceless. He was so proud...I was proud...it was a proud moment.

It was then Davis' turn to attempt the wall climb. He was just as nervous once he got up fairly high. We all cheered him on, yelling in support, "come on Davis, you can do it...your almost there" and he did. He was determined. Once on the other side, he looked around at everyone, pulled his shirt down and walked to the next obstacle with his chest a little puffed out and head held high. It was a great moment.