I know it is "just a game"
and I know some parents place way too much importance on the "game", or should I say on "winning or loosing" the game!
However, for us, it has been so much more than "just a game"
For us, it has never been about winning or loosing...
but all about committing to "something", making friends, having fun, learning to lead and trying your best.
It has been about bonding as a family and supporting one another and in this season, like so many before it...
those life lessons are in full evidence.
The season started with Caleb who had decided, last year, to take a break from soccer. When he made the decision to come back this year, it was like he had never left those fields. He, like his siblings, seems to have a true feel for the game and just loves to play.
He ended up on a team that was young, one that had not had much guidance in their time together.
At the start of the season, it was much like watching the "Bad News Bears" but Caleb, along with his teammates and their amazing (Scottish) coach, never gave up.
Even after only winning one game the entire season, this tenacious team was determined to go out looking like champs...
and that is exactly what they did!
The team that showed up for the end of the season tournament was not the same team that had started the season.
They did not win...
but they should have!
If there had been a trophy for "Most Improved" or "Most Determined" or "Best Attitude"...
This team would have won it...
and even though my sweet Caleb had to watch as his little sister's team (the one she was asked to "guest play" on), went on to win the top spot in their division...
he was so happy for her and still so proud of the game that his team had brought to the table that day!
Lizzie and Em have not had a winning season this year (on their regular team) but again, they have worked hard as a team and individually and have never given up.
Em has wanted to play goalie ever since she has known what a goalie is and this year...
she finally got her wish and she is rocking it!
Her brothers have been so encouraging and have taken to training their little sister in the art of taking dives and saving goals!
They are bonding and Em is learning that big brothers do actually serve a purpose!
*snicker*
Lizzie is always such an inspiration out there.
I honestly have 3 or 4 people at every single game from our team and/or the opposing team that will come up to us after the game to tell Lizzie what an awesome player she is and how much fun it is to watch her!
When I tell them the whole story, the 18 clubfoot casts, the brace and the hand surgeries...
they are in awe!
She is one tough cookie but...
as tough as she is on the outside, she is still emotionally needy and sometimes fragile and soccer has helped to boost her self confidence and helps her to push beyond her hands and feet.
She is my "Mighty Mouse" and this was the face I saw as she spotted me on the sidelines taking pics...
She ran to me with her huge Lizzie smile...
and jumped into my arms!
In that moment, I felt like a champ!
Lizzie has come such a long way and in that precious moment...
I knew just how far we had come!
Now Charlie also decided to take a break from soccer last year but was back at it this season with his school's rec team.
Charlie learned a bit about humility this season along with grace and patience and leadership.
It was a good way for Charlie to step back in and feel like he had never left.
He was leading and teaching and motivating and that was awesome!
Christian has only taken one season off in 11 years...
and it shows.
He was in 10th grade this year and playing varsity...
he started each game...
and played all game....
every game!
It has been awesome watching my kiddos bond over this game.
If they are not on the field playing, they are in the front yard practicing...
with each other!
Now Maggie and Lucy are not playing soccer...
yet
but they have learned a lot about supporting their siblings and cheering them on!
They love being out there and playing their own version of the game!
Lucy has also decided that she would now like to be a coach when she grows up and that girl has enough bossy in her that it just might work!
Maggie just wants to be a princess.
*grin*
That was the first time either one of them has ever expressed what they would like to be when they are grown. It was a question they did not even know how to answer a few months ago.
While it is hectic and keeps our family on the go, soccer has been a great source of fun and growth and bonding for our family!
It is familiar, just like this wonderful old soccer ball...
This was Caleb's soccer ball and up until recently, never left his side...
unless one of his siblings managed to wrangle it away as it seemed to be the soccer ball of choice around here!
It has now been retired and lives up in Caleb's room but it will serve as a reminder of this time in our lives, this time that will eventually pass as the kids get older and interested in other things...
this time that this soccer mom will hold in her heart forever...
forgetting the cold, the hot, the buggy, the early Saturday mornings and the weekend tournaments away...
and cherishing the time we had together...
supporting, encouraging and loving each other!
and I know some parents place way too much importance on the "game", or should I say on "winning or loosing" the game!
However, for us, it has been so much more than "just a game"
For us, it has never been about winning or loosing...
but all about committing to "something", making friends, having fun, learning to lead and trying your best.
It has been about bonding as a family and supporting one another and in this season, like so many before it...
those life lessons are in full evidence.
The season started with Caleb who had decided, last year, to take a break from soccer. When he made the decision to come back this year, it was like he had never left those fields. He, like his siblings, seems to have a true feel for the game and just loves to play.
He ended up on a team that was young, one that had not had much guidance in their time together.
At the start of the season, it was much like watching the "Bad News Bears" but Caleb, along with his teammates and their amazing (Scottish) coach, never gave up.
Even after only winning one game the entire season, this tenacious team was determined to go out looking like champs...
and that is exactly what they did!
The team that showed up for the end of the season tournament was not the same team that had started the season.
They did not win...
but they should have!
If there had been a trophy for "Most Improved" or "Most Determined" or "Best Attitude"...
This team would have won it...
and even though my sweet Caleb had to watch as his little sister's team (the one she was asked to "guest play" on), went on to win the top spot in their division...
he was so happy for her and still so proud of the game that his team had brought to the table that day!
Lizzie and Em have not had a winning season this year (on their regular team) but again, they have worked hard as a team and individually and have never given up.
Em has wanted to play goalie ever since she has known what a goalie is and this year...
she finally got her wish and she is rocking it!
Her brothers have been so encouraging and have taken to training their little sister in the art of taking dives and saving goals!
They are bonding and Em is learning that big brothers do actually serve a purpose!
*snicker*
Lizzie is always such an inspiration out there.
I honestly have 3 or 4 people at every single game from our team and/or the opposing team that will come up to us after the game to tell Lizzie what an awesome player she is and how much fun it is to watch her!
When I tell them the whole story, the 18 clubfoot casts, the brace and the hand surgeries...
they are in awe!
She is one tough cookie but...
as tough as she is on the outside, she is still emotionally needy and sometimes fragile and soccer has helped to boost her self confidence and helps her to push beyond her hands and feet.
She is my "Mighty Mouse" and this was the face I saw as she spotted me on the sidelines taking pics...
She ran to me with her huge Lizzie smile...
and jumped into my arms!
In that moment, I felt like a champ!
Lizzie has come such a long way and in that precious moment...
I knew just how far we had come!
Now Charlie also decided to take a break from soccer last year but was back at it this season with his school's rec team.
Charlie learned a bit about humility this season along with grace and patience and leadership.
It was a good way for Charlie to step back in and feel like he had never left.
He was leading and teaching and motivating and that was awesome!
Christian has only taken one season off in 11 years...
 |
| Yup, that is him in the air! |
and played all game....
every game!
It has been awesome watching my kiddos bond over this game.
If they are not on the field playing, they are in the front yard practicing...
with each other!
Now Maggie and Lucy are not playing soccer...
yet
but they have learned a lot about supporting their siblings and cheering them on!
They love being out there and playing their own version of the game!
Lucy has also decided that she would now like to be a coach when she grows up and that girl has enough bossy in her that it just might work!
Maggie just wants to be a princess.
*grin*
That was the first time either one of them has ever expressed what they would like to be when they are grown. It was a question they did not even know how to answer a few months ago.
While it is hectic and keeps our family on the go, soccer has been a great source of fun and growth and bonding for our family!
It is familiar, just like this wonderful old soccer ball...
This was Caleb's soccer ball and up until recently, never left his side...
unless one of his siblings managed to wrangle it away as it seemed to be the soccer ball of choice around here!
It has now been retired and lives up in Caleb's room but it will serve as a reminder of this time in our lives, this time that will eventually pass as the kids get older and interested in other things...
this time that this soccer mom will hold in her heart forever...
forgetting the cold, the hot, the buggy, the early Saturday mornings and the weekend tournaments away...
and cherishing the time we had together...
supporting, encouraging and loving each other!
So sweet! Loved this post!
ReplyDeleteWow. I love all the soccer pictures. Just like us. Everyone has a soccer ball at all times. Kicking in the house, or outside. It is fun watching them all play. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteSo many great shots! My neighbor once gave me great advice in that if you want to keep you children out of trouble keep them busy and put them in a sport. They say girls who are involved in a sport are less likely to engage in activities that could put her at risk. I agree it is so much more! Did you guys watch any of the World Cup?
ReplyDeleteWow! Just WOW! Quite possibly THE best blog post I've ever read! Oh Annie, you are so Blessed to have ALL of your beautiful children. Seriously, this post is what "being Family" is all about. And, what being a part of the Body of Christ is about. Each person has a function, as shown in the photos in this post. (Beautiful shots, by the way!) Your kids work hard and take their part seriously. They know how to work together, not just with their team mates, but with each person in their family. That will serve them well in the future. I see so much Love in these photos! The tender touches and embraces. The warm smiles shared with each other.
ReplyDeleteI know that it's not always easy. But, through soccer and the way you "play the game"...with Integrity and much Grace, whether you win or lose, your children are learning...and teaching others about how to really "Play the Game"/Live Life! From what I know, through reading your posts and looking at your photos, You and your family are ALL Winners!
So much needs to be learned to lead a successful life...to live for Him. And, your children are learning about real life out there on the soccer field and out there in the Orphan world! They are truly learning and teaching others about acceptance. About receiving others just as they are.
I give you and your Hubby an A+ in Parenting, Sweet Friend! Thank You, for sharing your life through your words, photos and Advocating for orphans. I feel so very Blessed to call you my Friend! Hugs, Jo