State - Soccer and XC

I have only 2 girls left at home in school.

Yet, somehow, those 2 girls keep me busier than when I had all 6 in school.
Recently,we made 2 trips up north in less than a week for:
State Playoffs in Girls Soccer
and
State Cross Country meet.
Very different outcomes.

Jessica played in the soccer playoffs - 2nd round.
Bonneville vs. Pine View
Warming up...
Although Jess saved countless goals
from being scored on us
they still managed to slip a few in.
We were unable to score on them
It was a rather brutal game as we were defeated 6-0.
Jess did an amazing job as keeper. No one could have done better!

Next, Rachel ran in the State XC meet.
Pre-race jitters
PV Varsity girls - at the start line

Mid -race concentration & determination

Post race happiness!
L to R: Kaylee, Rachel

Kaylee finished 1st and Rachel 2nd for PV. Overall, Rachel took 29th in the race with a time of just over 20 min, and still had plenty of energy left.
PV girls placed 10th!! And PV boys took 1st! An exciting day.

On a philosophical note, you know what I like about team sports?
It's the word TEAM.
It's great to see your kids "get it".
To put the team interests over the interest of the individual is something we try to teach our children from day one - TEAM WORK
But, I also LOVE how the TEAM can develop the character and talents of the individual.
So, as I said before, "very different outcomes", YET, they were very similar outcomes.
My girls are better individuals (and so are their older siblings) from being a TEAM PLAYER on a TEAM and working toward a common goal with that TEAM.

So, while I take a breather, and feel blessed that it's over for a bit and life can slow down, I know it's temporary. There will be TEAM sports in the future - cuz it's a great thing to be a TEAM PLAYER.

September begins and ends with Soccer

September sees our family in full-swing soccer mode.

August was spent in training, try-outs and pre-season. October will see us in end of season and state play-offs, but September is all out soccer.

Which means:
5 hours 2-3 times a week at the soccer fields - just watching and cheering
Eating out of a cooler or the concession stand 2-3 times a week.
Juggling rides and cars with the newly returned missionary.
Hot, sweaty and dusty skin - cuz it just won't cool down this year!!
Sore backs and tushies from all that sitting.
Doing the girls chores for them since practices last until 5:30 each day.
Hoarse voices from all that cheering (and yes, I admit it, yelling at the referees!)
Incredibly horrible smells emanating from both girls soccer cleats and socks!!
Inspecting all of Jessica's injuries and hoping she doesn't get more.
Searching the sports page each morning after a game.
Encouraging Rachel to play harder and meaner (but she won't unless she gets mad).
Playing photographer for each game.
Getting home late after games.
Disappointment after the losses.
And REJOICING after the wins!!

This MIGHT be our last year of soccer.
Jess graduates and Rachel wants to focus on running (another page on that later...).
I think I MIGHT miss it!!

Reserved Seats

It's here!

Soccer season!
And we have our "reserved" seats!!
Hahaha! Not really, but since we have to be there for the JV game, we always have our pick of seats for the varsity game.
Yep - 2 games 2 times a week.
That's 5-6 hours twice a week of watching soccer

And I LOVE it!!

It's starting out to be a tough season.
JV is doing great - winning their games.
All wins this season so far!!
Rachel is a starter this year. Yay!
She has really improved this year, but still not getting enough playing time.
Too many other girls play her position and coach wants to give them a chance.

Varsity is having a harder time.
We lost 5 amazing seniors this past year and they are still trying to pull things together. But things look promising!
So far, 3 wins, 1 loss in double overtime.
Jessica is playing keeper again and was hurt this last game.
Even though she's covered in protective gear, she still got trampled and sprained her thumb. In case you didn't know, goalies REALLY need their thumbs!!
But she had to be tough and play through it.
Game before that, her sub got a concussion.
So, Jess has to play whether she's hurt or not.
Jess and her amazing coach after a win.
He's checking on her hand that got munched during the second half.

Rachel and the Six Minute Mile

It's always a delightful surprise when your children discover
something that they excel at, both to them and to you.

Several months back, Rachel asked if she could do winter conditioning with the high school track team.
She wanted to stay in shape for soccer during their off-season.
So, she started running.
She'd never done this before with the exception of a few grade school races.
Weeks, then months go by.
Track season is gearing up and the coach wants her to participate.
Hmmm....she already has club soccer going. I am thinking that this might be too much for her.
But, she REALLY likes it.
And, come to find out (from one of the boys that run with her) she's "REALLY fast"!
So, I relent and sign her up.
Her first track meet, she blows everyone away in the 2 mile by doing this amazing sprint in the final lap. "Where did THAT(energy for a sprint) come from?" was eveyone's thought.
Her time was (i think) 13:40.
Coach was VERY happy.
The following Monday, he gave her the 'Most Athletic' award at practice.
Rachel was definitely hooked.
The next few track meets come and Rachel is also doing the mile run. She gets 6:07, then 6:05 or thereabouts. The wind and the weather are against her. She wants to break that 6 minute mile, but it is elusive.
Coach is pushing her - having her run with the fastest girl on the team.
THEN....
this past Friday we had another meet.
Perfect day, perfect weather.
Rachel runs the 1 mile (or 1600 meters) and has a great run!!
Her time??
5 minutes and 58 seconds!!!
SHE DID IT!!
Man, was she pleased!
Her next goal?
To be in the 555 club (5 minutes, 55 seconds).
GO RONI! YOU CAN DO IT!

Strikers!!

Club Soccer season officially opened this past weekend. Rachel (#16) is playing with the Strikers FC this spring and the season opened with a big tournament in Mesquite, NV on President's Day weekend. We are a young and a new team, being formed just this year with girls ages 13-15. Out of 9 teams, we placed 8th. I know, doesn't sound too impressive, but we are coming along. The girls are learning each others playing styles and strengths. Rachel usually plays mid-field or forward. Games started at 5pm and ended at 10:30pm Nevada time - which is an hour later for Utah. Rachel was playing past her bedtime!!! It was even later on Saturday night!

Beginning the game with prayer - which I think is cool!

Rachel does funny things with her fingers when she's got the ball!

Throw-in with the sun setting in the background.

Concentration.

It was a fun 2 nights - even though it was brrrrr...cold!

Pageants, Soccer, Visitors & a Boot!

Who has time to make New Year's Resolutions? So far, we are up to our ears in projects and activities without trying to accomplish any new goals. Here's just a few:

Jessica is involved in the Miss Washington City scholarship pageant. This past month she had been going to workshops and getting ready for it.
(If you want to come and support her - it's February 6 at 7pm at the Pine View HS theater.)
Here she is trying on her evening gown. She is also going to wear this to Jr. Prom this weekend. The guy who asked her (Kendall Wilkey) is also Jr. Prom King - crazy, huh?

Let me tell you - it is one MAJOR wake-up when you see you "little" girl looking like this!!! Dan - you'd better get the guns out! When in the heck did she grow up??

Along with club soccer, Rachel is also doing indoor soccer this winter. They play against boys and girls teams. It's been really good for her skills and helping her to be tougher!

Pictures are a little fuzzy cuz they were taken through glass.

We recently had a visit from my nephew and his wife; Jim & Celese, and children. I wish I'd taken more photos, but kids move fast and don't want to sit still while I figure out why my camera has a double screen. This little guy has the sweetest smile in the world, plus two adorable sisters. I hope they come visit again soon!

Lastly, update on my broken toe: after waiting 3 weeks (ya, I'm slow) for it to feel better, I went to the doctor for x-rays again. Turns out it wasn't healing cuz it was a compression fracture and it needed to be immobilized. So, here is my boot. Let me tell you, I have never been so happy to wear something so ugly!! I can walk around now without pain!! I can GO places... shopping, the movie, walks around the neighborhood! Yippee! I am MOBILE again!!

Not to worry, I still continue to crochet and I WILL get to those NY resolutions - as soon as the pageant is over!