As I looked at the post from a year ago, I realized that life is still very much the same as it was, though the kids look so young. Soccer is a daily part of our lives (yes, all seven days of the week). We are wrapping up school soccer, though Stephen's travel team schedule is packed through the weekend before Thanksgiving.
Jack and Stephen are on the middle school team and have two games remaining. Should they win both or one against a specific rival, they will be the MS champions. (No playoffs at this level.) Jackson has scored a number of goals this season and has really stepped into a leadership position within the team. Stephen has been moved from defense to midfield and has brought some needed stability to the middle of the field. It has been fun to see the improvement and skill that has continued to develop over the past few months.
And speaking of improvement, Alex is a starter on the Varsity team and has made significant impacts on that team based on his increased speed and strength. While his team will not make a repeat undefeated run at the title, they have secured a playoff spot for a chance to defend their conference championship title. The other very exciting part of this team is that they are only losing one senior and the incoming freshman class (Jack's class) is a class that is stacked with talent and depth. So for the next two years, this team should do very well. (I can't believe that next year two of my boys will be in high school!!)
The past year has held a lot of exciting and life changing events. Here are a few:
- I had two back surgeries (December and January) and now I am pain free. Praise the Lord! I have even golfed a few times and began running this fall, all without back and nerve pain.
- We went to Disney!!
- The boys all played basketball and Aaron coached girls over the winter (yep-FOUR schedules to juggle). The teams saw great success, beating some rivals and going further in playoffs then ever before.
- Alex was the Homecoming rep for his class.
- He also asked a girl to the Homecoming Banquet (after first asking her dad for permission).
- Emma played spring soccer once again and was a leading scorer. After years of watching her brother's play and even practicing with them, she has a great understanding of the game that allows her to excel.
- Stephen's travel team made it to the final game in their spring tournament. And this fall they have had great success when their games haven't been rained out.
- We enjoyed a great summer vacation at the lake (despite major car issues), even enjoying a houseboat for a few days!
- Jackson was baptized over the summer.
- Alex led a portion of communion for our church's youth led service.
- And most recently we put an offer on a house and it was accepted. Of course there is still the process of inspections and appraisals, but if all goes well we should be into our new home in the beginning of December.
God is so amazingly gracious to us. We know we are blessed and we thank God for those blessings! Our desire is that in all of the blessings and in the hard times as well, God would be brought great glory.
Hopefully I can get back into a routine that includes writing and sharing on this blog. However, who knows, it could be another year...
