About-Face

Funny, but not-so-funny story...

As previously posted, The Prairie Kid is in soccer. I started playing soccer when I was in 2nd grade and played through the beginning of high school. Soccer in our family became an obsession growing up; we were on the field year-round (yep, indoor in the winter) and played competetive soccer for many years. No doubt, my dad would have loved to see us head to college on a soccer scholarship.

I stood on the sidelines Monday evening hollering for my son to get after the ball. He had shared with me before the game that he was afraid to get kicked. He stayed back and watched the mobs of little feet desperately trying to make contact with the ball. I coached from the sidelines.

After the game we hung out for awhile and then, (sigh), we got in the car. I think the first words out of my mouth were "You've got to get brave and go after the ball! You need to get that ball away from the other team!"

"But I'm scared!"

"You've got to get over that!"

And then, I remembered. That horrible feeling of getting "the lecture" in the car after the game. And I stopped. I turned around and said, "I'm sorry. Sometimes moms and dads get too excited about their kid's sports and I just want you to have fun. You did a great job and you scored a goal! Way to go! I love you, Buddy."

Whew...that was close.

And later, I called up my sister and laughed, "I've turned into our father!" I am thankful for the support and time my dad ALWAYS gave to our sports. However, sometimes as parents we all-too-quickly have unreasonable expectations or goals for our kids and don't always think about the purpose and affect. I am thankful that God reminded me how that felt and that He allowed me to change course and head on a different path with my son.

I still hollered from the sidelines at the next game...but this time it was more like "WAY TO GO! GREAT JOB!" And we laughed and enjoyed our little ones as they buzzed around the field like a herd of bumble bees.

Eeeewwww!

There are Cat Face Spiders on our deck. Thank God I've been told they're not poisonous or I wouldn't be so okay with them hanging around our house, literally. They are a strange and creepy creature.

Here is the back...


And here is the belly. This one was actually working on eating a fly when we took this picture...

Strikers

The Prairie Kid is playing soccer! We're excited...this is his first organized sport (other than summer units at the rec). He is playing on a K-2nd grade team. They have games twice a week for about 5 weeks. He's played the same team both games so far and I think they lost the first and they tied the 2nd game 8 to 8. He scored a goal in each game.

The Prairie Daddy's aunt and cousins were in town and they joined his mom at the first game

I was proud of my little striker

Out My Office Window

The other day I had visitors out my office window. We enjoyed watching them long enough to take their pictures and then scared them off since they were eating the church bushes.

This mama must be giving her kid ALL of her nutrition because she is too skinny... : (

Celebrating 10 Years

We celebrated our 10 year anniversary on September 1st. We went to Jackson for a nice 2 1/2 day getaway. The weather was beautiful and it was a great time to relax and celebrate in the midst of our crazy-busy lives.

We stayed at the Snow King Resort Hotel at the base of the ski hill. Here we are before heading out for a special dinner.

We enjoyed a sunset drive after dinner

And before we headed home we decided to try out the alpine slide on the ski hill...here is the view of our resort on the way up the mountain on the chair lift

A quick pic before embarking on our "sleds"

We left the top at the same time. I was so slow that The Prairie Daddy had time to put his sled away and get ready to take my picture before I arrived...

I feel extremely blessed to say that I am more in love with my husband now than I even was on our wedding day. Prairie Daddy, thank you for being such a wonderful partner.

Bart

The Prairie Kid wanted to go riding a few weeks ago. It worked out on a Saturday that I had time to take him down to the barn. It was good because I was really able to work with him on what the tack was called, how to hold it, grooming, etc. We have a pony/horse cross named "Bart." He is no Jed but he is a good size for The Prairie Kid albeit stubborn.

On our way through the pens to the horses we stopped to say "hi" to the bum calves in the pen. They were hoping to find a bottle of milk in The Prairie Kid's back pocket. : )

Coaxing Bart out of the corral

My kiddo looked so small in the middle of all of these guys...

The others were eager to greet Bart and The Prairie Kid when we got back

Well done, Kiddo

First Day of First Grade