{Weekend Wrap-Up: NASCAR, Hockey & All the Fun in Between}

What a weekend! We packed a lot in, and I wanted to get it all down while it's still fresh because this one was full of fun, sunshine, and some really great memories.

Friday night kicked things off at the rink—Mason had a private lesson over at the Mansfield rink, and he had an absolute blast. It’s always great to see him working hard and having fun at the same time. He really enjoys getting that one-on-one instruction, and it’s clear that these extra sessions are helping him sharpen his game. He came off the ice sweaty, smiling, and already asking when the next one would be. That’s always a good sign!

Saturday was the big day at NASCAR! Mason was so excited, not just for the race itself, but because this year, he got to invite a couple of his friends to come along. My dad gets tickets every year, and this year he generously gifted us six—plenty of room to make it a crew event. We picked up Mason’s buddies in the morning and made our way to the track, ready for a full day of fun.

Before the race started, we explored everything the grounds had to offer: the game tents, giveaways, and all the merchandise trailers. The boys had a blast checking it all out—and a definite highlight was getting to take a picture with some of the Dallas Mavericks dancers! 

After that, we made our way to the infield for a bit to soak in the atmosphere before heading up to our seats. And let me just say—our seats this year were amazing. We had a table in front of us, plenty of room to spread out, and we were blessed with SHADE. That was a game-changer, especially compared to last year when we were roasting in the bleachers just two rows up from the track. Between the blazing sun and the heat coming off the cars, we practically melted. This year? Comfortable, cool(er), and with a perfect view of the action.

The race itself was exciting, with plenty of spinouts and minor collisions to keep everyone on their toes. The energy in the stands was electric, and the boys were completely into it. We ended up leaving with about 50 laps to go so we could beat the post-race traffic jam—and I think we timed it just right. All in all, it was such a fun day, and Mason was so happy to share it with his friends.

Sunday brought us back to the rink for Mason’s first game of the summer league season. This is a brand new team made up of a mix of players—some he's played with before, a few new kids who just aged up to JV, and a couple from the other JV team. With it being their first time playing together, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but they came out strong and played incredibly well. Even better—they pulled off a win! It was a great way to kick off the season, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how this new group develops over the summer. There’s something exciting about watching a fresh team find its rhythm and grow together.

As much as I love the game itself, I have to say—my favorite part comes after the final buzzer. Watching these kids gather at center ice to pray together is something that never fails to move me. It’s such a powerful reminder of what really matters. Win or lose, they take a moment to give all the glory to God, and it’s incredibly heart touching. Nate and I were both so touched this week to see just how many kids from the team joined in. Moments like that go far beyond the scoreboard—they speak to the character, faith, and unity these kids are building both on and off the ice.

After the game, we headed home to enjoy what was left of the weekend. Nate and I got outside to tackle a bit of yard work while Mason kept the hockey momentum going by practicing his shooting on the goal in the driveway. A little later, Mason decided he was seriously craving a Blizzard from Dairy Queen—so we made that happen! I asked Nate to drop me off at one of my favorite walking trails while they went into town for the ice cream run. I managed to squeeze in a solid two miles while they were gone, and then they picked me up on their way back. Since there was still a sliver of daylight left, I added another half mile before finally calling it a day.

And just like that, the weekend was over—busy, full, and completely worth it. I love weekends like this where we pack in fun, time outside, time together, and a little bit of everything in between. Here’s to a great start to the week and even more adventures ahead!