Friday Night Lights

If you had told me five years ago my boy would be in the stands watching a football game instead of playing in it, I would have laughed in your face. From the age of four, Evan has lived, breathed, and loved football. He watches it. He records a podcast about it. He studies it. He debates it. But he doesn’t play it. He watched one movie about CTE. And just liked that he put his helmet away and never looked back. I’m still trying to recover from the decision. It’s funny how life’s paths divert and take you places you never imagined. 

We have our own version of Friday night’s lights - on Saturday nights. 

Evan played in his first state league game with his new team this weekend. He fouled the forward in the box causing a penalty kick and we lost 2-3. It was heartbreaking. (Although I’ll give the offense credit for losing, too. They missed two PKs.) We play again this weekend; I hope he has a chance to redeem himself. 

Happy Birthday, Keagan

My baby boy is 15 today! Most people know Keagan as the “athletic kid.” There’s no doubt he has a competitive spirit and loves to win. The inner circle knows him as the “funny kid.” No one can make me laugh harder. But I hope everyone recognizes his compassion for others. 

When you let a through ball get by you, he will be the first one to pat your back and encourage you to keep your head up. When his teacher loses her best friend, he will be at her room every day before school to check on her. When the autistic kid gets scared when the school loses power, Keagan will be the one to sit on the floor with him and talk him through his fear of the dark. When Keagan’s pulled from the game or injured on the sidelines, he won’t mope (for long anyway); he will cheer for his teammates (and maybe even holler a few tidbits of coaching advice.) 😂 He’s a far better person than I am; I’m so proud to call him mine. 

We started celebrating at 0545 with a slice of lemon cake from Starbucks. His favorite!

We had his favorite New York style barbecue chicken pizza for dinner and cheesecake for dessert. 

Then we opened gifts. Besides the knee injury and the obvious discomfort, I think he had a pretty good day. Next up is the driving permit test! 

Happy birthday, Keagan! 

Kickin’ It

Evan’s travel soccer season got started today with a friendly and a win of 10-0. He had two assists! Evan played CB, full back, left wing, and CDM. He was all over the place. 

I pray he stays healthy, finds joy in playing again, and  becomes friends with his teammates. (I’d like to win, too.) Here’s to a great season on the road to state!

Parking Pass

Who knew this could bring such joy and relief to a family?!?! 

Evan was one of the first in line, as honor society students get first dibs on parking passes. And because we know how coveted these things are, I made sure the paperwork was done and the cash was on hand to purchase today. Even Evan checked and double checked that he had everything before he left for school this morning. 

Freedom!!!

Here We Go Again

I feel like my boys are cursed! After yesterday’s game, we spent several hours at the ER - AGAIN - for a knee injury. This time it was the right knee. A player from the opposing team slide tackled from the back and went straight for Keagan’s knee. He fell to the ground writhing in pain; at that point I knew it was bad. The X-ray showed a possible problem with one of the tendons. Only a MRI can tell us for sure. We follow up with another ortho appointment this week. I’m praying it is only a sprain and it will heal quickly. But he’s out of play for at least four weeks. 

First Day of School

It’s the first day of school for the boys and the third day in third grade for me. Both boys are in high school and I’m only 29 years old. 😂 Really, I can’t believe I’m this old. In my mind they are still this age. 

The students were released at 11:00 today after a short meet and greet with each teacher. After school, the boys met Evan’s friends (the varsity basketball team) at Waffle House for breakfast. They had quite the experience. Evan became upset when his biscuts and gravy were delayed getting out of the kitchen. Evan had to say something to the waitress, and Keagan got super embarrassed. The waitress got attitude and Evan left stomping mad mumbling, “It doesn’t matter if you have the job of the president or a waitressing job at Waffle House, you should put your best effort into your work. She wasn’t even trying.” He decided to leave, walked to the front cashier to pay, and the waitress asked for his ticket. Unfamiliar with “tickets” and procedures for paying for food at a diner, he had thrown it away. She made him dig it out of the trash. He dug it out, paid. and left. He wasn’t even on 24 yet when his friends called and told him the waitress was demanding an apology for attempting to steal food. She even threatened to email the highschool basketball coach! 

Evan said to me later tonight, “I knew we should have gone to Huddle House!”

Back at It

Soccer season is in full swing. On Saturday’s game, Keagan’s team scrimmaged a fellow club team and won 4-0. Keagan played the entire game and played very well. After the game, he told me this was the best team he has ever played with. He was so excited! 

Eighteen hours later the boys were back at it with a friendly with an ECNL team. They lost, but I was impressed with how well we stayed with the faster, quicker, more skilled team. Keagan played the entire game and then got in the car and said, “I hate feeling like I’m playing soccer in a 40year old’s body! My knees! Ankles! Everything hurts!” 

Poor guy! Both boys got Wes’s ankles and knees. He may be hurting, but I’m very hopeful that this team will do great things this season!