A whirlwind week

So after Hyrum's team won the district and regional championship, they went on to the state quarter finals held at James Madison University here in Harrisonburg, which they won handily. (The fatheads from the previous post were from that game.)

Then they went on to the state semi-finals in Richmond. I stayed at home and listened to the second half on the radio in the kitchen. (Michael was already at a conference in Richmond and was able to attend the game with his parents, who had driven up from Atlanta the previous weekend. They sure have driven this route a lot to support Hyrum!) I was pacing and couldn't concentrate on anything but the game with my heart pounding and prayers in my mind. For someone who isn't a huge sports follower like me, it was kind of comical.

Hyrum's team won the semi-final by one point, 70-69, where they were behind until the last two minutes of the game (the final shot was made in the last ten seconds by a freshman--crazy!). It was weird that I found myself with tears in my eyes, all by myself with Robbie in our kitchen when the game was finished.

And then it snowed on Wednesday. A lot. (See previous snow post.)

Michael had had another orthodontic conference scheduled in Atlanta for several months previously and was very dismayed to learn it was going to be the same weekend of the state championship final in Richmond.

Not to be deterred, Michael drove up at 3am from Atlanta Saturday morning along with Caleb and Shannyn and their two kids to make it to Hyrum's game in Richmond.

And then he turned around and drove right back to Atlanta, arriving around 2am that night.

Is that brotherly love or what? For me and my family, it would have been, "Oh, we so wish we could make it!" but in the Weiler family, it's "We are going to make it!" Pretty funny.

Fortunately, before leaving at 3am, Tabitha and Tommy hosted Michael for a lovely dinner and hang out with (the awake half) of the kiddos. Tabitha was even going to try to come up with Michael, as was L'Anita, but it didn't work out. (Even considering doing that would have not even been on my radar had I been in their shoes--amazing folks, those Weilers.)

Uncle Michael with Adam and Hannah.

Going along with the "We're coming come hell or high water" theme, Michael's brother, David, flew out from Portland, Oregon with their youngest daughter to Philadelphia, picked up their grandpa in Gettysburg, and then drove all the way down to Richmond for the game. David, Caleb, and Michael--three of the six brothers isn't too shabby.

We all met up (or reconnoitered, as my mom would say) at Chick-fil-A. Then I drove down the road to the house of my very generous friend, Joy, who kindly watched Robbie during the state championship game, while everyone else headed to the Siegel Center in Richmond.

Clara did well during the game thanks to Uncle Caleb (and Patches, who somehow snuck his way in).

Aunt Melody took care of Kate during the game.

Shan and Jane--Michael said the kids were great car-riders for that long eight-hour drive, twice in one day.

It was great being there--I was touched by how many people from our ward came out to support Hyrum, too, driving two hours to Richmond to be there. I don't know how Michael stayed awake for 25 hours straight.

Coming out after half-time. The opposing team, from Brunswick, won the game by quite a bit (sorry, I can't remember the final score). Obviously, Hyrum and his team were very very disappointed, but I think they did awesome considering they were playing a team who had (1) won the state tournament the last two years and gone to states for the last seven; (2) a coach who as a former NBA player and whose two sons on the team were 6'5" and 6'7"; and (3) a group of huge guys who looked ready to play college division 1 ball.

Some of the gang after the game.

Michael and Grandpa Weiler.

The two oldest Weiler kids and cutie-patootie Kate.

Hyrum was a great sport to take pics after the game.

Fortunately, adoring nieces and nephews and family members who love you no matter what helped to soften the blow. A little.

And we recently learned that Hyrum was voted first team, all-state. Apparently there are only like 7 players in the whole state who are selected?

Just more bragging rights for his family. Not that we brag or anything.