It's That Time Again

Oh, no.....

not, again.

Is it really???










Yep!














Time to get ready....

colorful jersey?

just as colorful socks? (really??)

shorts?

shin guards?

cleats?




Did anyone think of water?








We've practiced and scrimmaged each other.

We are all dressed up! Lined up! Zipped up! Taped up!

Ready and waiting!!!

And here comes the ball!!

We've waited all summer. We're ready to work hard

to taste victory!

LOL!!

October is soccer month in our area!! I have 3 kids playing this year, Anna, Chris, and Lydia, on two different teams!

Brian is co-coaching an 8 and under team that Chris and Lydia play on. So far they have really shown improvement! I really like soccer, so I'm so excited that they love playing and are really working hard this year. And we have a really sweet group of kids (and parents) on our team this year which makes it even more enjoyable!!


I have to share a story about Chris as the goalie! We played a tough team this week that was constantly shooting at the goal. Chris scares me because he comes soo far out of the goal. Anyway, for one attempt, there was a crowd of kids and I saw one the forwards kick hard right towards the goal. And at first I couldn't see Chris in the group of kiddies. It was then I saw him behind everyone catch the soccer ball right in his chest and bear hug it! He ran it towards the side of the goalie box and threw it to a team member to take down field!! He's really done well as a forward and goalie this year!

And yes, there was picture above of Lydia in goal. I don't think she likes the goal as much as Chris, but she has done very well in there, too!! She's also doing well as a forward and mid-fielder... I would love for her to score her 1st goal this year:)

Anna is playing on a 10 and under team. Thankfully she has a great coach who we attend church with and are friends with (that was a BIG answer to prayer since she couldn't be on her daddy's team any longer). Her team played well for their first game:) I loved how she really went after the ball and got it down field twice to attempt to score! That's my girl!

And yes, it means a month of late night dinners (planned ahead so we can actually eat something when we get home). And some other, awesome events we miss (always a bummer!). Some cool, damp nights. Grass cuttings dragged into the van. Stinky uniforms that need to be washed in 24 hours.

But we always have a good time!!

Are you ready for some....

SOCCER????

Yes, another soccer season has begun! And we are all excited about what the season holds!!

We had our first practice this week and it was great to see our little team forming:) We have a lot of returning teammates which was very fun! But we still have a very young team... so we'll see how the season goes!! We have a great coach and assistant coach,too!!

Here's to a new soccer season;)With three kids on ONE team... whoop, whoop!

And little man's crazy antics on the sideline!!

Lots of Soccer

'Tis the Season for Soccer:)

After the latest cancellations of soccer games we are now in full-blown soccer mode. For the next three weeks we have 3 nights of soccer games... yes, 3 nights a week:)

Thankfully the kids are still loving it;) And Daddy gets to cheer them on uniquely as their coach... (momma just yells from the sidelines)!!

This has been a "building" season for our team:/

 In a 6-9 yr old league, we have a very young team and many of them are also inexperienced players. Just take my two as an example... Anna is 8 but this is her first year! And Chris, he played last year but he's the youngest age possible being 6!!

We obviously have a challenging time trying to play teams with a majority of 9 yr olds who have been playing for 3 years!! Our team looks like kindergarteners compared to those boys;) LOL!!

But the kids have been great! Trying their hardest and really having a great attitude about each game!

It's been exciting as a bystander to see the kids improve and to see my own children become aggressive little players. Or  to see the team coming together to encourage one another and attempt to play together.

And maybe it's drawn my two eldest together in a special soccer teammate bond...

nope!

Just a few more weeks;) And they are already talking about next fall when Lydia can be on their team!! Three siblings on ONE team.... definitely convenient for this family:)

Our Little Soccer Players

Our nights are full of soccer lately! Iy's a little rushed getting out the door each night but the kids are LOVING soccer;)

It's been great seeing them run across the field in pursuit of the ball and aggressively get involved in the game. We still have plenty of learning to go... but it's been fun!

My active little Chris watching the ball and getting to it;)

And my surprising little Anna;) She seems soo bashful sometimes, but in the soccer field she is beginning to really come out;)

In fact, last night she was blocking a goal kick (i think that's what it's called) and she got the ball in her eye. HARD!! She immediately wanted to be off the field and took a little while to recover.

We were soo proud of her for jumping back into the game and dribbling the ball alone down field almost in range to score a goal:) It was very exciting!!

And THIS Momma needs to learn to be a little quieter!! I'm definitely the LOUD, soccer mom... Just trying to help my little soccer players... LOL!!

Coach Daddy

There's no doubt my kids (and I) are blessing with a great Daddy:)

I'm not sure what Daddys come home for their 30 minute lunch break and are willing to sword fight two little guys whelding their weapons:)

excuse the carport storage.... the shed is almost ready:)

And while Daddy is a super hero in their eyes:) He just added a new "title" this fall...

COACH!!!

Brian will be spending at least 2 nights a week coaching a team of 12 little guys/gals... 2 of those kiddos being his own:) And while it's not a very glorious sounding title... not like Superman...

... in our kids' eyes Coach Daddy might be equal to Superman.... maybe even be better!! They are very excited to have their Daddy as the coach!

And that is what makes our Daddy great! Willing to take one for the team:) Literally:)

I have to include a picture of Nate at practice. Lydia, Nate and I get to hang out, run around while the others practice and cheer for our favorite little players (and coach, too)!!!

 

The End of the Season

Although it was just about a month long, we have enjoyed spending our fall evenings at soccer.

Sure it meant sticking to a tighter schedule two days of the week, being super prepared for dinner when we returned home late and washing (and finding) random soccer gear throughout the week;)

But Chris has really enjoyed soccer and has already been making plans to participate next season, perferably with a sister on his team.

Tuesday night was the final night. Which means after the practice and game, it was time for trophies!!

Chris accepting his trophy from his coach

Here's to a great 1st soccer season and many more to come!!

The last shot is for Sweet Shot Tuesday and Happiness Project:)

Mom, I Don't Want You to be a Snake

We walked by a little, swampy stream after soccer practice last week. And Chris asked,"Mom, do you think there are snakes in there?"

It was a chilly night, so as we walked by I answered," Yep. But if I was a snake, I'd be looking for a place to hibernate!"

And then the conversation was quiet for a moment.

Chris answers back, "Mom, I don't want you be a snake... your a good mom!... I mean you do stuff that is mean sometimes, but I don't care. You're still a good mom!!"

The conversation was very sweet, revealing and convicting. I had just written about how I long to be a joyful, loving mother that week and then earlier in the day I had "lost it"... finding fault with everything and really showing an ugly attitude.

Sure, my simple requests of the children had been disregarded. Messes left in every room. Chores left undone. Whining instead of obedience. And a busier schedule due to soccer practice.

Not to mention... a meal to prepare and have ready when we returned from soccer practice. A van left half cleaned (because the little helpers got bored of the job!). A project that the kids had gotten into and I had to fix before I could complete it!!

But those are all excuses...

I have the ability (only through the Holy Spirit) to choose to be loving, gentle, kind and longsuffering.

I choose...  and too often I choose wrongly! And my kids know!!

I am thankful they know. They know I love the Lord and want to serve Him in every moment. And they know how often I fail.

But there is forgiveness.... forgiveness from the Lord and from each other!

And a chance to choose joy, gentleness, love and longsuffering the next time!!

It totally figures that these are part of the verses we are working on memorizing together... funny how that always works out :)

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud  or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.                                                                 1Corinthians 13: 4-7

Little Dribbler & Catching His Shadow

He's starting early:)

And ever since we've read, listened to and watched Peter Pan, Chris has been "playing" with his shadow.
It looks like he is trying to catch it in this pic....

during a game;)

More Wordless Wednesday at

NapTime MomTog,

5 Minutes for Mom,

Go Graham Go,

To Be Thode,
Mama to 4 Blessings, 

and any other linkys I find !!!

Just Random Thoughts

Sometimes I find it soo hard to blog...

it's not that I don't have anything to write.... it's just that sometimes I am process soo much and I"m not sure what to write. What to share, what to keep processing, what to keep to myself :/

A friend does a post called Mind Dump... LOL!!! So this is sort of one of those.... just getting out all those random thoughts!

* I sat with Anna Thursday while she read Ramona Quigley, Age 8. She is a great little reader. It was really sweet just spending a couple of moments with her while she read to me... giggling at the same stuff, helping her with a few really big words;)

*I've been reading a book about foster care... it's actually a review opportunity through SIMPLE. It gets into the nitty gritty of behaviors and emotional problems that foster children commonly have. But what has interest me the most are the parenting strategies to work with and demonstrate love to these children regardless of their problems... many are ones that I could use myself in working with my own kids during our "off" moments!

* I've been using Nate's diaper changing times this month singing songs/reciting poems about body parts! For some reason he is drawn to it and stays a little more still... for a moment;) Anyway... it's a fun time for us and we're getting a little learning in:) If your Happy and You Know it song and 2 Little Eyes poem  are our favorites!

*Maybe because of these songs or because he's just a curious and attentive little guy, Nate found his belly button this week... and he likes to point it out to others...

 

* I bought some Food Lion semi-sweet chocolate chips the other day... our safe chocolate chips... only to bring them home and see that they have changed the recipe.... grrr!! They now contain milk products and are manufactured with peanuts! I mean really???? Do they NOT know that food allergies are on the rise :(

* My mom went to her grocery store (a different company!!) and they were in a new package that said, "New Recipe... now made with milk!" Again.... thanks!! 

* So now we're on the hunt for safe chocolate chips... we're really missing chocolate chip cookies :(  We'll be glad to take suggestions, if anyone has any.... we've checked Food Lion, Walmart, Kroger, Piggly Wiggly...  I'm NOT looking forward to having to order them... that could get really expensive, especially the way THIS crew eats cookies;)

* We've been using the crock pot this week to help with dinners after soccer practice. It's been nice having an almost finished hot meal waiting for us after soccer! I'll have to do some "homework" this weekend finding new recipes for us!

* We had planned to opt out of snacks for soccer!! With the food allergies it's just another hassle that we can just avoid! Anyway, one of the other teammates has food allergies, too, and so the other moms are going to try to bring one fruit item that would be "safe" for everyone.... YAY!!

*Nate's been trying to climb out of his crib.... we've already unbunked the bunk beds since I found him climbing up the side! We knew it was a matter of time.... so we'll be training a little boy how to stay in bed!! I really wanted him to stay in the crib a little longer... gives me extra shower and school time!

* We've had a totally change of heart about the location we are hoping to move. We thought the bigger city was the best fit for us... but after some conversations and hoping to stay a part of the community we're now looking into moving into a neighboring town/area. It's got lots of pluses, some minuses... just trying to process it right now... a little disappointed and a little relieved :/

* I've got some homeschooling paperwork to get done... I've been putting it off until we knew a little more about our location... but I really don't like having it left undone.

* I think my 1st Bible study with the homeschooling ladies is next week... I really, really, really want to go... not sure it's possible for Brian to bring all 4 kids by himself to the soccer game!! Taking the crew to the soccer field requires many hands and eyes... Nate is everywhere!

* I let Chris use a foam dart gun for one of his review tasks this week.... LOL!! It was a little crazy with darts flying everywhere and the girls begging for a turn.... reviewing his spelling words;)

* We used bottle of Sprite for a school assignment this week :)  The kids hid under the table because they thought it was going to explode.... ha haaaha!  

Hmmm, foam dart guns and Sprite.... what in the world are we studying??? I'll post our wrap-up sometime this weekend... hopefully!

He's #9

Chris finally started soccer on Tuesday night. He has been asking for almost 2 years to play... when he was a little, little guy and we've had to "wait" until he was old enough to play... or so we were told  (there are 4 yr olds on his team!).

But this has been the perfect timing though (for us)! 

I think he is mature enough to listen to instructions! And to pay attention.... 

usually:)

He also has "practiced" with us for years now and knows a little bit about kicking, getting the ball in the goal and not using hands.

And with how busy Brian has been the last 14 months! But now with only working at the college (and teaching a couple classes) he gets off of work in time for practice and to see the games... without soo much on him when he gets home:)

Since we are on a "beginning" team, 

the kids are going to be rotated through all the positions (simplified positions)... 

Chris liked being the goal keeper :)

I have to mention that we have the cutest little ball boy this year, too!!

I get the BEST job:) Keeping track of the ball boy, taking pictures of my soccer player and cheering him on! I didn't realize I'd be a loud "cheer-er"... I"m having to contain myself and stick with chasing after the babe:) And chatting with other parents!

Go, Go, #9!!

Another perk to a "small" town soccer club.... friends;)

Yay for soccer season!! My little soccer player! My big helpers;) And my zoom... LOL!!!

Entering the pic of Chris on his head in the middle of the game to here... (although it was hard to choose!)


and here;)