End Of The Soccer Season

I cannot begin to express how proud I am of Team Golden Eagles. Seriously ~ these girls are phenomenal. Their teamwork this season has been absolutely amazing. None of our girls had ever played U10 soccer before, yet they were placed in the toughest bracket in the U10 tournament because they had such an amazing regular season (2nd place).

There were a lot of hiccups getting to the tournament (which I stated in my last couple of posts). There was rain, rain and more rain that kept the tournament from being played the weekend it was supposed to be played. And busy schedules and field availability made it difficult to reschedule everything.

The Y decided to do an abbreviated tournament for U10 ~ the girls had to play one game and if they won that game, they would move on to the final. Originally, they were supposed to play 3 games and whomever won the most games would have moved on to the final. The abbreviated tournament was held on a Thursday night instead of on a weekend. We will probably always wonder would have happened if the girls had been able to play a full tournament on the correct days, but we won't ever wonder about how amazing the girls did play in the abbreviated one.

On a side note, I also had a hiccup with getting my professional photo of Briana from the Y. After several inquiries (over several weeks) as to when I would receive my photo with no response, I finally had to track it down through the company that took it. I found out from them that the Y had the photo sitting in the front office (with other photos I am sure) for weeks. No notification at all - from anyone. (It is so frustrating when people don't do their jobs ~ grrrr.) 

The picture at least turned out super cute...

Now back to the tournament.

 Our starters were all ready to go that evening...

And then we saw the competition.

The opposing team was comprised of girls that had played U10 last year and were also about a foot taller than our girls. We started hearing through the grapevine that these girls hadn't lost any of their games during the regular season (they play for the east side of the county; we are northwest) and they also always won by lots of points. No pressure.

You can see how tall they were...

 We were also a bit concerned because our ref was the same age and size as the girls on our team...

He actually did a really good job calling the game.

Briana was our throw in girl and goal kicker...

Our girls played strong and aggressively. There was one girl on the other team that looked about 14 (her mom assured everyone she was only 10) and she had a big kick. She was really good and she was the only one to score the two goals against us. Our defense was amazing that night.

We actually had possession of the ball more than the other team. All of our girls were all over that field and in total control. Briana was on fire with her footwork and was able to weave around the other team with ease. Her ball control is really amazing (and I swear I'm not just saying that as a bragging mom ;) ).

We had so many close calls to making a goal. Bri had one attempt that almost went in but it just went outside the goal. So, so close, but we just couldn't score.

And even though we lost, the girls only let the other team score 2 goals. No other team had done that.

When the whistle blew, you couldn't tell who had won because we were so proud of the heart and determination our girls had put into that game. They looked amazing.

Coach praised them during a pep talk after the game...

Go Golden Eagles!!!!

Let's loosen up a little...

Three nights later, we had our end of the season soccer dinner. The Y had provided medals for our girls getting second place in the regular season. And Coach Javier provided trophies...

Briana excited about her trophy...

Her trophy says "Now you see it, now you don't" and "I tried to go easy, I promise."

The first line is in regards to how Briana can get the ball around her competitors quickly and with ease. And the second line is actually pretty funny. In one of the games during the regular season, our girls were scoring a lot of points against a weaker team. To show sportsmanship, the coach asked the girls to hold back just a bit to not run up the score. It wasn't easy because the girls on our team are naturally aggressive, but they did try to hold back. And Briana expressed that sentiment to the coach after the game. :)

Here are our amazing girls...

I cannot wait for Bri to get back on the field in the spring. We had such a rough start to the season with academy not working out (though we learned from it), but then we fell right back into place with the rec team. It really was a wonderful ending to an amazing fall season.

It's Been A While (Another Challenging Week)

The rain we had been having in GA continued to fall the whole weekend before last and Bri's two day soccer tournament had to be postponed. That caused a bit of stress because no one had any idea as to when it was going to be rescheduled. Doug was going to be out of town all week last week (except for Friday) and Briana had a 5K scheduled for the following Saturday, so waiting to hear news about the rescheduled games was a bit nerve wracking. It worked out in the end with some changes to the tournament.

Some good news about last week was that the sun finally came back out on Tuesday. I am someone that usually loves a good rainy day, but it had rained for way too long and I was over it...

I ended up seeing an orthopedist on Wednesday for my lower back issues and was told to set up physical therapy. I start that this week. My other minor medical issue is still plaguing me as well, so it is hard to feel super upbeat when I don't feel well and can't seem to get well quick enough.

The one very bright spot of last week was the rescheduled soccer tournament (it was Thursday night). I'll do a separate post on it, but the girls played amazing. They didn't win their game, but they played their hearts out and looked like pros out there. It was amazing to watch...

And Bri did run her 5K this past Saturday (I'll do a post on that as well). Even though the weather was chilly and sunny that morning, it didn't end up being such a bright spot. Briana decided not to take the 5K very seriously and ended up being one of the last kids to finish. Yes ~ I'm happy she finished. But when a boy with a hurt foot (in a boot) crosses the finish line before your soccer playing, runs like the wind, 60 pounds soaking wet daughter, you know she ain't taking things seriously.

Here is the pack before the run...

Sometimes, I just don't know what I am going to do with her. And as with every child (hopefully), there are peaks and valleys in behavior. We are kind of in a valley right now. Bri's a really good kid overall, but she is stubborn and unmotivated and/or forgetful at times (when she has to do something she isn't "in" to). Trying to get her to do things that she isn't interested in (like homework) is like pulling teeth. And believe me, she loses items and privileges because of it. But, sometimes even that doesn't always modify her behavior. 

So, last week was still a bit of a challenge. And watching all the coverage on the Paris rampage over the weekend unfortunately added to that challenge.

Thanksgiving is next week, so I have to get on top of the way I'm feeling soon. I am hosting dinner at my house. I had a good day yesterday, and today, it isn't all that great. Praying that the rest of the week improves. Wish me luck on my PT. I'm kind of nervous about it.

First Week Of November (And Keeping It Real)

Well, here I am blogging again. Soccer ended up being canceled today because of all the rain. Now we have to try and make some tournament games up.

That is all it seems to do around here anymore ~ rain. I'm so ready for some sun and cooler weather.  

Some bright spots during our rainy week...

Bri had a student holiday on Tuesday from school (voting day), so we asked bestie Taylor to come over and hang out that afternoon...

I had lunch with two of my girlfriends this past week ~ one on Wednesday and one on Thursday. It's always good to have girl time... 

 Wednesday evening was the last soccer practice of the season (we were rained out of our Monday practice)...

The girls were practicing hard for the tournament...

Briana practicing her corner kick...

Love all these girls (and the wonderful coaches)...

Briana actually asked me to take a picture of her on Thursday. She liked her two long ponytails...

To be honest though, I've been struggling with some stuff lately. My back aches (I see an orthopedist on Wed). I have some other (minor) medical issues that popped up recently that I'm dealing with now as well. Some medical issues are plaguing my family too. Doug is super busy with work. I'm really missing my friend Carole ~ Thanksgiving was her favorite time of year. Of course, this Christmas will be very difficult without her here.

Briana got a couple of projects assigned last week that are due after Thanksgiving. As much as I wish she could do projects completely on her own, she is still only 9 and needs some minor advice and guidance at times. She has already had 3 projects that she has had to turn in and it's only November.

I hate to complain about things going on in my life because there are so many other people that are dealing with issues that are much bigger than mine. But, all this stuff clumped together is kind of bumming me out. I guess you can't help how you feel sometimes. I truly think the sun needs to come out soon (literally and figuratively).

Luckily, I have a constant companion that tries to lift my spirits...

I try to put on a smile for the world and I blog mostly about the good things in my life, but life can't always be perfect. I like keeping it real ~ and this is where I like to do it.

A friend of mine just made the statement to me "this too shall pass." I'm trying to hang on to that.

Soccer Update ~ Heading Toward The Tournament

I cannot believe tournament weekend is upon us. The forecast calls for rain all day tomorrow. We play Sunday too, but it is going to be drying out and colder. As of right now, we are supposed to play rain or shine. But if it is storming, I don't know about that. We'll have to see.

Two weekends ago, Gramma and Papa came to watch Bri play on a Saturday - we were at the field at 8:30AM.

Some warm up...

Bri looked awesome that day. She made a number of attempts on goal. Either she slightly missed the goal or the goalie would get it, but she was playing hard.

She was "on" that day...

She is also our "throw in" and "corner kick" girl...

Bri did make one beautiful goal that day and she was so stinkin' excited...

The Golden Eagles won that game 4-2...

Proud Gramma and Papa...

Doug and I had some errands to run that afternoon, so my parents took Bri out to lunch and spent the afternoon with her...

The next day, we had a make up game Sunday evening. We also had committed to a Halloween party that evening, but we couldn't miss the game. So, we went for about an hour to see everyone but then had to go. We were sad we had to cut out early...

 But to make up for it, the Golden Eagles were on fire that night. The girls played a-maz-ing.

Bri, Maddie and Ella are our starters...

The girls (the whole team) were beasts that night! LOL! Our team won 8-0.

The following weekend, we had a rematch against the team that beat us 2-1 a few weekends before (the Ravens). That was the game we were down 4 girls and the opposing team was super tough, but the girls still held their own.

 This game was on a rainy Sunday evening, so that made things a bit interesting...

The girls played super, super hard, and the Golden Eagles ended up in a tie with the Ravens 2-2. 

 With that tie, we ended up in 2nd place for the season. Just one point behind the top team. I am so, so, so very proud of our girls!!! (Just to point out though, we had less goals made against us ~ just saying. ;D  )...

 

So, wish us luck in the tournament this weekend. We are in the toughest bracket (so we've been told). It is going to be a tough couple of days ~ especially if it is raining and/or cold.

 Go Team Golden Eagles!!!

Red Ribbon Week

 Last week was "Red Ribbon Week" (say no to drugs) at Bri's school. Each day had a theme, and if you know Miss B (and her mom), you know she participated each and every day.

Monday was camouflage day...

 

It was also the day Briana turned in her "ABC Book" book report to school...

Tuesday was Disney day...

Wednesday was red clothing day...

She paired her red shirt with her super groovy leather jacket...

Thursday, it was crazy sock day. Bri wore two pairs of socks (and shorts ~ in October ~ how crazy is our weather?)...

Posing with her gift from Gramma...

Friday was favorite team day...

While Bri was participating in red ribbon week, I was dealing with my lower back issues. I got an MRI on Tuesday...

After waiting a few days, I found out that I indeed have a bulging disc. In fact, I have three bulging discs. My chiropractor says I am an overachiever - heh. So, I just made an appointment to see an orthopedist. Going to see what I need to do - probably some PT. Luckily, I am able to walk and not in pain all the time, but I am always on pins and needles as to when I might pinch my back and have a bad day. Good times.

The weather in GA has been so rainy. Rain, rain and more rain. I actually love rainy days, but I am even sick of not seeing the sun now. It's been kind of depressing. It makes you want to sleep all day...

I managed to snap a picture of my favorite tree at the neighborhood playground last week. It is a beautiful gold color in the autumn...

I managed to snap a quick picture of it on one of the rare sunny afternoons we had last week (this week has been super rainy too). To be honest, the leaf color in Georgia has not been all that impressive this year. There is some, but because of all the rain and wind, the color just isn't what it should be and a lot of the leaves are getting blown down before they get a chance to change. Next week should be peak color week ~ we'll see. It's kind of a bummer.

Speaking of playgrounds, our neighborhood playground is being completely redone and Bri is so excited about it. She can't wait for it to be ready. Lots of cool stuff looks like it's coming in.

Of course, last week was also all about Halloween (as you saw in my last post). I'm still trying to come down from my Halloween high. ;)