Christmas Communion

Tonight was our church’s Christmas communion service. It was just the four of us this year because the girls had other plans. I was afraid we would miss it this year, so I’m glad it worked out for us to go. As traditions typically repeat, Keagan had to help his old pa again this year get the communion wafer out of its packaging. Those pesky things give old people such a hard time. 

After church, we opened presents. Evan requested a fishing pole and a Cowboys jersey. But he said the best gift he got was his air purifier for his dorm room. We realized he has stopped coughing after being home for a week, so maybe this will keep him from the constant, nagging cough he’s had since September. 

Keagan requested new cleats and a ManU jersey. The jersey is held up in the UK and will hopefully be here in January. His favorite gifts were his new joggers and his chain. Had I known he would love these joggers so much, I would have made sure we purchased one in every color. Unfortunately, they are sold out now. 

Tomorrow we take off on a jet plane to warm weather, sandy beaches, and adventure. I plan to eat, drink, and be merry with my some of my favorite people!

Champions

This weekend we played some more soccer. We were up earlier than a school day and we sat through some miserable weather, but I’d do it again to watch this guy. 

He can play defense in the cold. 

He can play offense in the pouring rain.

He can win championships.

Maybe it’s the new pink shoes? Nah, he could do it all in his duct taped shoes, too, 

Finals Week

This is Keagan’s junior year of high school, but only his first time to have a semester exam. His freshman  year school was closed for final exams, and last year nobody took exams due to equity concerns with virtual students. So he’s had to study this month. A lot. Especially algebra. After missing one half of algebra 1 due to school closures and 1/4 of geometry due to multiple quarantines, this year’s algebra class has caused us both an enormous amount of stress and angst. He’s gone to tutoring to fill skill gaps. He has an ACT class where he gets extra practice with math. He watches videos to try to learn how to solve inverses. It has been a struggle. 

On Tuesday, though, we learned he earned an 84 on the exam. This was big news for us and such a confidence booster for him. We celebrated Tuesday night - all six of us - with cookies. I may have also drank half a bottle of champagne. 

It was short-lived, though, because three more finals followed on Wednesday, and he had to hit the books again for AP Lang and US History. The countdown to winter break has begun!

Gang’s All Here

Evan is home! I’m so happy that we are all back under the same roof again. 

Indiana Was Good to Us

We were up so early today that the neighborhood Christmas lights were still shining brightly. We were on the turf for half an hour when the sun began to rise. 

We had a hard fought game against Michigan that ended in a 2-1 win! 

We would have loved to have hung around and soaked in the win a little longer, but the real feel was 24 degrees. Instead, the team captain gave it a strong, “1,2,3 Nashville” and we ran for the cars. It took me 2.5 hours to defrost. Keagan said this morning’s game reminded him that he has no desire to go to school in the north.

After playing all weekend in shoes that were duct taped together and after hearing the team make fun of his ripped shoes for weeks, Keagan came home to his early Christmas gift. 

This face means the shoes are perfect! 

Merry Christmas, Keagan! Let’s do this again in two weeks. 

Showcase Win

Keagan and I slept in this morning, we had brunch in Carmel, and played soccer late in the afternoon. 

Keagan’s pep talk before the game paid off. 

Or maybe it was the guest coach who sparked a fire in the boys when he said, “Let’s play some soccer, run your arse off, and give it your f’in all.”

We beat the team from Ohio 2-1. Keagan’s tackle led to the counter attack that scored our first goal. I don’t have that on film, but I have some strong defense. 

It’s early. But we are in pjs, under the covers, and watching football. The alarm goes off really early tomorrow morning. 

Road Trip

It’s showcase season - my favorite season! What could be better than travel, soccer, and a great road trip partner rolled into one? Our first tournament is at my favorite soccer venue and one of the best cities. I could live here minus that pesky thing called winter. We headed north and arrived in Indianapolis late Thursday night. Our first game was this morning against Louisville. 

We lost - lost big - but Keagan played great! Really.

After our game, we had hot beef sandwiches at Portillo’s and drove downtown for the Pacers / Heat game. 

We scored great seats for only $36! 

I think I have the numerous Indiana famous round-abouts mastered, but I still question the transportation director’s signage and designs for highway exits. We were in the car less than two minutes today when I almost missed the first turn, and I hear Keagan chuckle and murmur, “Here we go!” I’m glad I was able to keep the excitement of riding shot gun with me alive and well. 

We were in the thick of heavy downtown traffic, numerous road closures due to construction, and holiday themed horse drawn carriages when we were forced to turn right and happened upon this. 

Tonight I’m thankful for bad signage and wrong turns.