Brotherly Love

Keagan was injured in Monday night’s soccer game. He left the game on crutches after his kneecap popped and slid out of place. I ran onto the field to see to him because he was writhing on the pitch and in very obvious pain. Evan followed me down a few minutes later to check on him before Keagan was whisked away in the trainer’s cart. That night Evan drove Keagan’s truck back home and knowing Keagan wouldn’t be able to work this week and make any money to buy gas, he stopped at the gas station to fill up the truck. Tuesday I kept Keagan at home to help reduce the swelling. Evan made him breakfast and lunch. Wednesday he drove Keagan to school - even though Keagan’s injury doesn’t preclude him from driving. These guys are the best of friends! It’s been so good for both of them to be together this week. 

Evan will be back in three weeks for Easter. They are already planning more of this.

Time Flies

These two have been dating for two years, but I feel like Makinley has been apart of the family so much longer. I love this picture of these two; so much so it might be my favorite.

Easter break she will be home again. I can’t wait to cook her favorites - chicken pot pie for dinner, blueberry pie for dessert, and chocolate chip cookies for a late night snack while we watch the Mavs game. 

Spring Time in Paris

What a difference two days can make! The snow has melted, the daffodils are all in bloom, and the temperature feels more like it’s spring time. It’s perfect weather for watching soccer! The fam is in middle Tennessee house hunting, and they met us in Paris for Keagan’s high school soccer game. 

They experienced their first red card, saw yellow cards passed out like candy, and cheered along with us when we walked away with the 3-2 win.

The good news (for me any way - they might think differently) is this won’t be the last game they get to see. 

After living in different states for more than 25 years, we are all going to be together in The Volunteer State. I can’t wait for Saturday morning brunches in Nashville, listening to live music at all of the venues, and lazy weekends sitting pool side with these guys.

March Madness

Keagan and I have had the week off for spring break. We had lunch at a new downtown Italian market / restaurant, we had brunch at his favorite butcher shop, and we had kolaches from the local bakery. I cleaned, made the leader board at the gym, did our taxes, and read three books. Keagan played Fifa, played pick up games at the church gym, and went to soccer training. We watched premier league games and wished we were in Tampa for the SEC tourney. I got a sunburn Thursday sitting poolside and went to bed Friday night with snow falling. 

We cheered for the Vols Friday afternoon. Evan made it home for his spring break on Friday night, and we watched Vandy almost pull off the upset. 

This morning we awoke to this. 

We are hunkered down in the house avoiding the bitter cold and going to do what we know best: eat and watch sports. 

Go V🍊LS!

Evan and Mak were in the student ticket line at 6:30 this morning for the 4:00 tip off. Student tickets are free, but seating is not reserved. For the best seats, you must be first in line. 

By 1:30 the crowd had grown restless and started a food fight.

When the gates opened, it was pure chaos, but they got the coveted seats in the first section next to the tunnel. 

They celebrated in the stands with the players after the big win over Auburn, but Evan said the city could have burned and he would have never known. He was in bed at 7:30 and slept for 14 hours. 

He’s doing it all over again next Saturday when we host Arkansas.

Go Big 🍊!

R⚽️und R⚽️bin

It’s a knee miracle! Keagan felt his dislocated knee was healthy enough to return to play this weekend in the season opening jamboree. It was cold - so very cold - but our team looked good - so very good. There is so much talent - especially in the attacking third - when the starting eleven take the field. My guy is playing in the mid-field and got involved in the attack as well as the defense. He took this style of play right out of Evan’s playbook. 

Keagan played a rather conservative game, and understandably so, but he was instrumental playing the anchor in the midfield. The team had a great performance (three wins and a tie)! 

Antioch 2-0

Overton 1-0

Ravenwood 1-1

Cane Ridge 2-0

I told someone last week I was not looking forward to school ball, but let me amend my comment. This is going to be so much fun to watch! I cannot wait to see how these talented boys play this year. 

Go Hawks!

Weekend of Soccer

Spring soccer means ID camps. We have a list of schools we are hoping to tour and a list of camps Keagan hopes to attend. With two of our showcase tournaments canceled, we feel the pressure to get in front of as many coaches as possible. This weekend marked the first, of hopefully many stops. 

Keagan and I flew to Charlotte for an ID camp. We took the car rental to our first stop, Lenoir Rhyne. Keagan likes this school because it has all of the programs he’s interested in studying, has a soccer program, and 30% of the students are athletes.  The town is small, but it’s very close to the city. These are all pluses in his school selection criteria, but this ID camp is not until April.

Sunday he attended the Wingate ID camp. This town was even smaller than the one we visited on Saturday, but the campus was a little nicer.

He had a great showing until his knee cap popped out of place. We got a chance to spend the rest of camp in the sports medicine facility. Clearly this is not a great start to our big spring plans, but we are trying to roll with it and not give up hope. We have two weeks until the next planned camp.