Soccer Game #1

This Saturday we had the first games of the season. The boys were both really looking forward to it this season. It was so cute to see them all geared up and ready.

 The boys both played hard and had great first games.

There was a rough moment when I realized their games were going to overlap and I'd have to miss part of both of their games while I tried to balance them. It's days like that when I really miss having Phil around to help out with these every day things.
In the end, I couldn't be happier with the new organization we decided to go with for soccer. Josh played goalie for part of his game and blocked every shot!
I can't wait to see what else awaits us this season.

Soccer Clinic and Halfway Party

Saturday was a pretty busy day for us compared to normal. It started bright and early with a soccer clinic.
We switched organizations this season. We just couldn't afford what it was costing to go with the really popular one here so I started asking around. Low and behold there is a homeschool soccer organization called B.E.A.C.H. 
I was initially a little hesitant. After all, I don't want the boys completely sheltered from normal society. Our registration cost was half what it was with the other organization and from their website it seemed there is more an emphasis on helping develop the kids rather than just letting them play. So we tried it.

This Saturday was the clinic that starts off their soccer season.
Joshua is playing with a 5-7 year old boys team and Jeremiah is playing with the 4 year old soccer tots. They seem to really like it so far.

Hopefully they'll still like it when they have to get up and ready every Saturday morning!
Later the same day was the Halfway party for our squadron.

 It's technically more than halfway but it was nice to celebrate anyway!

So we should be on the downhill slope of this deployment... in theory.
Hope you all had a great weekend as well!

Growing

Sometimes I forget how much the boys have grown. Then I put in my memory card and pull up pictures like these:

Several people have commented to me about the boys height lately. I'm seeing it too, just not quite as much as everyone else, I'm sure.

Every now and then there's a moment where I look at them and realize that even though it's so easy to get wrapped up in the day in/day out details and frustrations of raising these two boys, they're growing up.
Pardon me while I go cry for a while...

Soccer Day 1

It's official. Spring is coming!

Tonight was our first soccer practice of the year. It was Jeremiah's first soccer practice ever! We've been looking forward to this day for a long time.

How cute is he!? You don't find much cuter!

Josh is super excited too. Our sunlight ran out before our practice time tonight but that just makes me anticipate spring all the more. It's definitely coming!

Last Soccer Game

Today was the last soccer game of the season. Josh has played so hard this Spring! I've have never seen him run so fast. Today was especially hot and humid after a really loud storm all night last night. The field was moist and the kids hot, but you could tell everyone involved were glad to enjoy this one last soccer game.

Josh making another goal

Josh's trophy for this year was really neat, actually

Josh and Soccer

This year has been so great for Josh. He's gotten even more coordinated and I'm so impressed with his endurance! This Saturday it was so cold I held Jeremiah through a majority of his little game. Josh said he wasn't that cold (probably from running around so much) but at least 3 of the other kids from his team gave up and wouldn't play anymore. Josh didn't give up, though! He just kept playing and even made another goal!
He's really starting to be able to keep up with the other kids and try hard to make a goal. He loves being around the other kids and getting to run around. I think he might be the fastest dribbler on our team, which is a pretty big deal since he was one of the slowest on our team last year.
Jeremiah is more then a little jealous and wants a team of his own, but that will have to wait a little bit, although I'm certain he'll do great when it's his time!
Phil wasn't able to come home this weekend so later in the day I was on the phone with him within earshot of Joshua. When I was telling him about his goal and him not giving up, I looked over and saw Josh smiling at me. He is so happy and proud of himself about it. Now I just need to teach him a little dance for when he scores a goal and we'll be set!

A Busy Weekend!

This weekend was one of studying and soccer, birthday parties and dedications... not to mention a huge flooring project underway! Josh LOVED soccer. We all had a great time at our little friend, Kaylee's, party. Jeremiah got the most excited when he got some help playing basketball. I have never seen a smile so big! The last coat of seal goes down on the floor tomorrow but we can't put furniture back until Wednesday. It should be another crazy week for us, but at least this project will be done! Hope you all had a great weekend as well!