Soccer Weekend

This weekend Keagan and I are in Arlington with the high school team for the Ambush Tournament. Before Covid, the school team typically attended a tournament on the road, but this is our first since 2019.

We played Friday night at 9:30 and won 2-0. Keagan had the game of his life! He had three, maybe four, beautiful slide tackles that kept Briarcrest from scoring. Before kick off I overheard two parents say they wanted “to watch the player that just signed.” They wanted to know if was really that good. He definitely was Friday night. After being awake for almost 24 hours, we got back to the hotel and in bed by midnight, and we slept like rocks. 

We were up earlier than I wanted Saturday morning to play a team from Arkansas. We had a physical game and lots of hard fouls, some that weren’t even called. When Keagan went down with a cleat in his ankle, I saw visions of ankle braces dance in my head. But after a quick rest, he was back on the pitch. We won 2-1. 

Forget anything I ever said about school ball. Watching these boys play together that have been together since elementary school is special. This.Is.Everything. 

Signing Day

Thursday was Keagan’s signing day at the high school.

I’ve fretted over the details of this day for months, and I arrived to the school to find cardboard boxes, stained table cloths, and just disorganization all over the school stage. I was allowed 30 min to get it together. It wasn’t nearly enough time. Couple that with a cake disaster, and I was almost at my breaking point. 

We had three coaches talk briefly about Keagan as a player, and it was all wonderful. Such kind words and wonderful memories were shared! And then it was time for Keagan to speak. He had the most wonderful off the cuff speech! He explained that his seventh grade math teacher, a true friend who attended all of his games, once told him that she couldn’t wait to attend his signing day event. A few months later she unexpectedly passed away. The school handed out plastic bracelets in her memory, and Keagan has worn that teal bracelet every day since. I realized as he was sharing the story that the bracelet represented more than her memory. She breathed life to his dream, and by wearing the bracelet, he was reminded of his goal. 

And today his dream came true. I only wish Kenna was there to see it. 

These people have driven so many miles to watch the boys play soccer: North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee. Maybe Florida, too, but suffice it to say most of the Southeast. It was only appropriate for them to be there for today’s event. 

We are so thankful for the coaches that have poured into Keagan over the years. These guys from CSC are some of the best! They still attend his games and still cheer for him.

And the teachers. We have so many to thank - especially Ms Gant, who didn’t even have Keagan in her class but still supported him!

Keagan is counting down to August 11th! I can’t wait to see him take the field in purple. 

Culture Shock

I told Evan when he left for college that he could never  return home and remark on how I’ve aged. I told him this will happen. You’ll come home, see my wrinkles or maybe more gray hair, and think, “Gosh! When did Mom get old?” 

This weekend he came home and although he didn’t mention my age or gray hair or wrinkles, he did say, “This is culture shock! I’m coming home and my baby brother is in a foreign country with his girlfriend of four years, my mom is on her knees looking under furniture for her lost glasses, and my dad has Tucker Carlson blaring like we are in a nursing home. What has happened?” 

My response: “Time continues to pass when you are away. And it’s a good thing I looked under the couch because I finally found the Roomba.”

The Gang’s All Home

The gang is all home this weekend. Keagan got home from Jamaica with a nice tan, 

and he went straight to his room to decompress. He didn’t leave it until Sunday morning. 

Our house is cleaned of plastic, dust, and paint. The furniture has been moved back in the house; the art work is back on the walls. I have flat ceilings and I spent all afternoon yesterday on the couch gazing at them. 

I’ve decided the upstairs of the house will remain as is. I just can’t do that again - especially if I’m home. 

Saturday night we went to the NSC game, in the cold rain, without Keagan because as I said earlier, he was in his room avoiding people. 

The pool opens in one month! Come on, Summer!

What Was I Thinking?

While Keagan is hiking waterfalls, snorkeling, and boating around the Caribbean,

Wes and I are knee deep in home repair. The fallen tree was removed today, and the fence company came out for a quote for new panels. 

Then there’s the inside of the house.

This is not what  a spring break should look like. I want the beach! When that popcorn ceiling is smooth, I’ll be so glad I did this. Right now we are forced to live outside and eat take out for the next few days. Thank goodness the weather is perfect!

World Traveler

Keagan’s in Jamaica for spring break. This is the only picture I have received. 

If this doesn’t scream 18 year old boy! 

On the Field Again

Last year we attended the opening high school season tournament and it snowed on us. Today the weather was perfect! After yesterday’s intense wind storm with hurricane strength winds, power outages, and downed trees, we deserved a nice day. Here’s what our yard looks like. 

These guys play together during travel season, and they were reunited today on opposing teams at the tournament. 

Rossview beat USN; USN beat MLK; MLK beat RHS.