Because He Has Good Taste in Shoes

Keagan reffed his first soccer games today. He was a nervous wreck since all Evan could talk about was when he reffed his first game and parents yelled the F word throughout the game. To make matters worse, Keagan overheard his center ref say, "Well, damn! I gottta work with the newbie." As a newbie, he was shadowed by an experienced ref who handed out advice and pointers. After two games, he determined Keagan was ready to be on his own. 

One set of parents in the second game suggested Keagan was too young to have a job and should be at home "having fun." Clearly these parents do not understand teaching the value of a dollar or have a kid with a love for expensive shoes. I say let the kid work and pay for his own Addidas Tubulars. 

I'm not sure he will be buying any new shoes any time soon, though. The $54 he earned today was burning a hole in his pocket. After a long morning in the sun, he spent $4 on an Italian ice and then made plans to go to 

Game Stop. 

But first a nap was needed!

Labor Day Soccer Tourney

We introduced my 92 year old grandmother to Tennessee and soccer this weekend. She was lost watching the games, and the heat was nearly unbearable, but she cheered when we cheered and seemed to love the combined experience of soccer, soybean fields, and tobacco barns.

My aunt Suzanne was gracious to drive the eight hour drive and spend the holiday weekend in the sun so that Moo could see her great-grandson play. 

The boys dominated the first three games winning 2-0, 3-0, and 5-1. Unfortunately, we didn't win the final game. We lost the championship game in PKs and came home in second. 

Catchin' Up

When one boy plays a tourney out of town and the other boy remains behind, the late Sunday afternoons reunions are the best! They laugh, tell jokes, recap the weekend highlights, and then this. 

Sunday night they were up until 11:00 doing this! 

Best of friends. Family. Brothers.

Liberty Cup

Fall soccer is in full swing even though we are technically still in summer. We were assigned a new coach and have three new players on our team. All of this month Keagan has questioned his new coach's decisions. He's been frustrated and just not very happy with the team. Until this weekend. Winning seems to always change your perspective. 

Even with a rolled ankle, a swollen foot, and lots of discomfort, Keagan was able to contribute big plays this weekend. 

 He has the heart of a lion and epitomizes the meaning of team captain, the role his teammates chose for him. 

When soccer falls on a Sunday and we are not able to make it to church, we attend Soccer Church. One of the parents leads the devotion and the parents and kids pray together in between games. We have met in conference rooms, hotel lobbies, and empty soccer fields. This week's lesson covered our MVP - most valuable possession.

Love this team, these boys, the parents, and the coach is growing on us!

Eclipse of the Heart

We started our day with doughnuts to officially christen Keagan into teen hood. I'm still in a bit of shock that my baby is now a teenager.

Then it was time for the best part of any birthday: presents!

To top it off, Keagan got to celebrate his 13th birthday with the Great American Eclipse of 2017!

We spent our day hanging in the yard with my mom and my cousin's family awaiting totality.

We tried every trick we heard to view the various phases: colander, handtricks, pinhole projectors, and glasses. 

When the sun was three-quarters blocked, the cicadas started chirping and the frogs came out croaking - just like it was sunset!

The 360 degree sunrise/sunset was stunning!


The entire neighborhood cheered once we reached totality. It was spectacular! I totally understand the NPR reporter's use of the word giddy to explain the feeling of seeing a total eclipse. I first heard his report and thought he was ludicrous to suggest that the sun and moon could make me giddy, but I can concur that this is exactly how I felt.

The Great American Eclipse 2024? I'm there!

State League

The first state league game of the fall season kicked off today, and our boys won 4-0. This is going to be a great season. As Evan says, this team is for keeps! #NFC02Gold

Celebrating 13 Years

Today we are celebrating 13 years with the guy that can always make us laugh and put a smile on our faces. 13 years! Weren't we just celebrating Keagan's  third birthday with a "Pissin' Cup" theme? Ten years later and he is still the life of the party. He still likes fast cars. He still confuses the English language.

This year his birthday request of carrot cake was granted by Oma. (The cake arrived safely intact but was soon attacked and was not presentable for a birthday pic.) 

We celebrated with a couple of games of AirSoft with some of his best friends.

Oh, my heart! I love him so!