Soccer Memories

So, while I'm on the subject of soccer, I was sitting on the sidelines thinking of all the soccer games Brad and I have gone to in the last 21 years. Yes, it's been that long. Aaron started as a wee-little one (grant it.....he had more fun blasting ghosts!) ((another story!!)) Tyler, Jacque and Aly have all played this sport. What is it about soccer and sitting out in the sun that makes it so exciting?

I'll tell you what. It's watching your child progress and learn that sometimes you play a sport because you LOVE to play a sport, not just to win. My, when we started, as many know, it's "bumble-bee ball". As they get older, you watch them learn positions, play, pass, do fancy footwork (where Tyler was the king!) and then, they start playing Co-ed. Now, if you have a boy playing co-ed, it's still a rough and tumble game. Hard knocks, slide tackles, elbows and lots of shoving is just another part of the game.

HOWEVER

When you have a girl playing co-ed, and especially when they are older, it's a little tricky. You want them to compete, play well and go "all out", but on the other hand, when you see an illegal slide tackle or a deliberate shove and it's knocking your daughter down, it's a little harder to hold your peace, stay in your seats and NOT over-react. Jacque plays on an adult Co-ed team. The rule is that 3 girls have to be on the field at all times. This is a VERY rough game, especially amongst those testosterone filled guys who are sometimes much more aggressive than you would expect. After all, it is JUST a game, right?? We don't have any pictures of those games....I guess it's against some un-seen rules that parents cannot make a big deal out of their daughter playing with adults. NOT cool.

However, Aly still allows us to take pictures and cheer her on. Today was a tough game. She played against the team she was on last year that was undefeated, which they still are....undefeated. Tough game, but they at least scored and did a decent job of keeping the score low.

She has grown up loving soccer...everything about it (well, except losing...but she is better about that over the years too!) So, I thought I would look up past years and watch her grow up....

We still enjoy watching those soccer games. Last night, Brad and I went to Jacque's game and about froze. It was a night game, and we were glad we had our jackets. "Championship Games" start next week for her. That should be fun. Today, we were at Aly's game, with our trusty umbrella and sweltering in the sun. Funny weather we have! With Aly playing the next season at Highland, we are gearing up for some more games, and a little cooler weather. All in the life of a soccer -crazy family!!

PS: Dani....I KNOW you read this......you were AWESOME!!! (For readers that don't know, she is the goalie and also Aly's best friend.) She probably blocked over 20 shots....not sissy shots either. Great job!!

This is what Dani did the WHOLE game!! Look at the determination in her face!