Sunday morning at the Farm

This was the view that greeted me when I walked out on the front porch at the farm on Sunday morning. I had to go grab my camera.

I love this place!!

Soccer 2010 has begun

Saturday was our first day of games for soccer season 2010. Kyle is the only one playing right now, and I was very thankful that I didn't have to sit outside in 100+ degree heat most of the day. The two hours we were there were more than enough. We came away sunburned, and feeling very dehydrated.

Kyle's team kept things exciting. They went down 1-0 early in the game, and had their first goal called back for off-sides. They finally scored, then we had to take a delayed time-out on the field for an injury. One of Kyle's teammates had to be taken to the hospital for stitches - 10 to be exact, right above his eye. He and another teammate both tried to head the ball at the same time, and only ended up hitting each other.

Barry and Kyle took the ref course last week, and are now both certified refs. Barry was called on to be the AR (assistant ref), and did a great job. He was actually the one who made the off-sides call, but I was proud of him for being honest. And it turned out ok, because Kyle's team won the game, 2-1, so I guess the honesty paid off in the end!

Kyle is not thrilled with the color of their uniforms, but they certainly stand out!


Kyle had a few run-ins during the game... several opposing players tried to take him out. He even got slide-tackled from behind, but he jumped right back up and kept on going.

He is looking forward to a fun season, and we are looking forward to cooler weather!

Trying hard not to sound like a cry-baby here...

Today is my first official day back to work (although I have been helping out with schedule pick-up since this past Wednesday). I'm excited to see old friends, meet the new teachers, and see the students (well, most of them).  My heart always goes out to the new 7th graders and the new students to the area. They always seem so lost and scared the first few days, but before you know it they will know the place like the back of their hand, and will have made lots of new friends.

I'm sad, though, to see summer "gone"... although the thermometer outside is screaming, "Summer is in FULL FORCE!!"  This has been a short summer, and not like one we have ever had before. I spent my summer in a car, driving my daughter to college classes almost every day. I only went swimming once... I used to LIVE in the pool. No family came from out of town to visit, and we didn't get to go anywhere, either. I didn't even spend any time at the farm (my parent's), which meant no late night front-porch swing talks, trying to catch lightening bugs, and going out to eat with my sisters. We didn't even grill -out... our grill died and we just never did replace it.

I'm thankful for the opportunities that this summer did bring: Time in the car to talk to my oldest (even if I was yelling some of those times because I was trying to teach her to drive... and I was either scared for my life, or just plain frustrated); YW Camp and the Spirit felt there; My attempts at my first garden; New furniture for my bedroom, which was built by my Dad, and finished by my son. We had movie dates, lots of ice cream, and a few just plain ole lazy days. I got a bit more of the bonus room put together, and even crafted a tiny bit. Oh... and I could grocery shop in the middle of the day on a weekday!! Do you realize what a luxary that is???

While I hate to see it all come to an end, I am looking forward to Fall and all it brings - cooler weather, family reunion, football games and soccer games. Oh, and Fall Break, too!!