Moving Forward - Andy's First Soccer Game

A view from the soccer fields.

The girls fort.

A brother showing his support.

 Andy had his first soccer game this afternoon. It was the first real game that either of my boys has had since moving down here. His team tied 2-2. (Although, in my opinion, they should have won the game. They were the more talented team, but they got careless and tired towards the end of the game and lost a 2-1 lead.)

Andy played the whole game. The first half he was a defender and the second half of the game he was a forward (a.k.a. striker). He did a very solid job. His team played a lot better than I thought they would although they clearly have some kinks to work out.

Watching Andy play was surreal. I couldn't help but think about the team that we left behind in Ohio. I miss those mama's and papa's who I sat alongside season after season. Most of us screaming cheering our kids on. The crowd was much more polite here in Las Cruces and I am hoping that it was just this particular game because I do not know if I can handle a golf clapping type crowd for these soccer games. There were some yellers to be sure - no one disrespectful - and I was definitely among those encouraging and calling out my son when he needed some constructive criticism.

As I sat on the sidelines of this game I just gave a small prayer of thanks to God for allowing me to have the time that I had in Ohio with my soccer family.  When we found out that Bob received a promotion and that we would moving down here the biggest loss that I felt (besides leaving my family) was the fact that my boys were going to be leaving behind their soccer teams. Josh had the best coach in the whole wide world. Andy, flourished under Josh's coach while they played for their middle school team. He also found a coach prior to joining the middle school team that was a good fit for him. It still makes me very sad to think of those we left behind. How they are moving on without us and are having successes of their own that we can no longer share in. The boys that made up those soccer teams became like family. Josh's best friend, Logan, played with him on the same team from the time they were 4 years old up until they were 12.

A sister in deep thought. 

To some this love may seem so silly, but to me soccer made/makes up a good chunk of our lives. Prior to Sarah's diagnosis I had 4 children playing on soccer teams. Each of my children had found coaches that were perfect matches for them. We played spring and fall ball and my boys played indoor soccer in the winter. We are a family that eats, breathes, and sleeps soccer. When Sarah was diagnosed there were some weeks when soccer was my only sunny spot. For 1 to 1 1/2 hours soccer took away all of my worry, doubts, stress, and fear. That time while my boys played was my break from reality. I could watch (particularly Josh's team) those boys play with an ease and a love of the game that took me away from my own problems. Those teams were a gift.

So, as I watched a new chapter in our lives unfold I could not help but give thanks for what came before. I am so thankful for the time that I had (and that my boys had with their prospective teams). Those teams were a gift to me. I have never been more thankful for them than I was today.

It was weird to see Andy in colors other than white/black/yellow. His uniform seemed so foreign to me. It will take a while, for sure, to get used to these new colors. But I am certain that over time these colors will become our new normal.

Miss you deeply, my soccer family. Thank you for the run that we had. Each of you has been a blessing that has forever changed not only my life, but the lives of my boys. We will always look back on our years of playing soccer in Ohio with love and pride. Those years are what gave my boys their foundation. It was what they will turn back to time and time again. I will never be able to thank you enough. Our family will take you with us where ever we are.

As we move forward I am optimistic about what the future holds for my boys and soccer. Josh begins his games next week and I am going to be a mess for his first game. I know that I will thankful to see him continuing his soccer journey, all the while ever so grateful for where he came from.

A tuckered out young man. 

Soledad Canyon Trail - A Glimpse of Heaven

It is days like today when I am more certain than ever that committing our family to moving around the country for Bob's employer is the only way to live. There is no doubt on days like today. No questioning or wondering. There is only gratitude. Gratitude that my family is so lucky to be able to experience the greatness of this country. To be able to see these amazing things that we never would have seen had we not taken this leap of faith.

The kids and I returned, fully prepared for the weather, to Soledad Canyon to explore its beauty. These pictures will do no justice to the immense beauty that I found there. I swear it was a spiritual experience for me. This wonderful beauty that God created took my breath away. I cannot wait to go back and explore it again with Bob in tow this time.

Take a look for yourself:

Mountain view on our way up to the trail.

Driving to the trail.

A view from the parking lot of the trail overlooking the city of Las Cruces. (We are really high up!)

From the trail - overlooking the city. 

The clouds seemed like you could touch them they were so close. 

I loved how this cloud was peaking out from behind the mountain. 

The kids climbed this part of the mountain to take a peak in a cave on the side of it. You can see Andy's head in his hoodie in the upper middle of the picture. Josh and Elizabeth are up there too somewhere. 

It was windy - Sarah took off her hat because she didn't want to look dorky like me. 

Taking a break in an arroyo.

Miss Lily loving life. 

Wonder what lives in those holes?

Elizabeth's magic wand.

My crew.

Back on the road driving home.