Perryville Soccer Tournament - Day 2!

OMG...what a day! Matthew's team had their first game at 10:30 against Fredericktown...they were unbeaten. The coach switched up the players and Matthew played a fullback position (after about 4 years of soccer I'm STILL learning positions!). The game was so exciting...it ended in a tie...0-0. After the game, we had to wait until the Sikeston vs. Perryville game was over to see if we got to advance. I think I mentioned yesterday that eligibility to advance to the playoffs is based on points. We ended regular play with 11 points (we got 3 this morning for the tie). Coach finally came back from checking and we were IN...playing for 3rd against Raiders United (I'm not sure where they were from)!!!

The boys were excited. We left for a quick, light lunch (Matthew told us this evening that his coach told them that if you want to eat a lot...go play golf!) and came back for the game at 1:00. Rob's parents joined us for lunch and then for the game.

The game started and it was just as exciting as ever. The game, once again, ended in a tie, 0-0! They then played 2 - 5 min. periods...after that the game was still tied. Then they had what I think was called a kickoff...5 players from each team got to kick against the goalie from the opposing team (I felt so sorry for the goalies!) Matthew was first and he kicked it right into the arms of the goalie! No score...back & forth...the opposing team got 2 in...they won. What a bummer! Our boys were disappointed...but they shouldn't have been...they played awesome this whole tournament...and the teams were so evenly matched as far as skill level. So, we got 4th! Not bad out of 8 teams!!! We were so proud of Matthew! It's been a great weekend...looking forward to Sikeston next weekend!

Perryville Soccer Tournament-Day 1!

What an amazing day! We headed up to Perryville today for Matthew's 1st soccer tournament. Their first game was at 9:15. Matthew was a starter in the center postion...his coach told him he had the best kick and he wanted him in that position. (Please forgive...I'm just a very proud soccer mom today!!!) Within about 5 minutes, with the help of several teammates, Matthew scored the first goal against the Perrville team!!! It took a while for the boys to "gel" together...and they still need some work...but all in all they did great. They ended up winning game 1 with a score of 2-1 (total points=8...you get 6 points for winning and 1 point for each goal scored up to 3).

It was then time for a break...we didn't have to be back at the soccer park until 12:45. We headed to Rhodes for a break and then went to the tractor store (Rob's big idea!), and then went to the park for a while so the boys could play.

We got back in plenty of time. Game 2 was against Sikeston. Matthew played the center position again. Before the half (they play 2 - 25 minute halves) Sikeston had scored 1 goal. After the half, the ball was down in scoring position almost the entire time for our team, but they couldn't seem to score. Sikeston ended up winning 1-0. So, we ended the day with total points of 8.

Tomorrow, Matthew plays at 10:30 and then at 1:00, for either 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. It was such a beautiful day...hope tomorrow is the same. Matthew had a great day...he was so excited about his new jersey!

Check back in tomorrow night...I'll have an update on how the day goes!

What's Been Going on Around HERE?

Well, lots of stuff! I haven't blogged in almost 2 weeks, and I, once again, had to go grab my calendar. In short, this is what we've been up too:

~ Soccer, soccer & MORE Soccer! Matthew has 2 practices during the week and one on Sunday. He plays in his first tournament this weekend in Perryville. He's excited!

~ Birthday celebrations! Our good friends, the Franklin's, had a party for their son, Carson, who turned 7! And, our nephew, Joshua, turned 12!

~ A trip to the Dentist! Jacob & Matthew both had dentist appointments that just went perfectly! Next spring, we'll be talking to an orthodontist about a palette expander for Matthew. Not looking forward to that for him, but, it's the perfect time to start.

~ Scrapbook Night w/Friends! Always fun for me to get to do this!

~ Scrapbook SHOPPING trip! This past Sunday was a little getaway for me...all day...just the girls...great times.

~ Mudpuppies at the Conservation Center! This week Jacob and I went to a program called "Missouri's Magical Trees". We learned all about the changing leaves and we went on a nature hike and looked at all the different types of leaves. It was a gorgeous morning for that.

~ Parent/Teacher Conferences! We attended those this week for both Matthew & Jacob. All GREAT reports from their teachers...that is such a blessing to have 2 boys that (right now!) LOVE school! We couldn't ask for any better teachers...they are amazing.

~ 4-Wheeler Helmets! Took this boys this past weekend and bought them official helmets for their 4-wheelers. They always wore helmets (don't freak out anyone!) but they probably weren't the safest on their little heads. We're all set now...check out the photos!

~ Rob! Still working a BUNCH...but the Lord is so great to provide work for him even in the midst of economically hard times.

That's about it in a nutshell! Wanted to say a huge "Happy Birthday" to my sister, Elizabeth, whose birthday is TODAY!

Prayer Request: Please keep my friend, Christy, in your prayers this evening and in the next few weeks. She delivered her 4th baby today by C-Section and he died within a couple of hours. It was completely expected, but it doesn't hurt any less. Please pray that God would comfort her and her family (they have 3 girls) and that she may recover quickly from her C-Section.

Bible Study, Barnes & Noble & Soccer

This gorgeous day today started off by taking Matthew to school and then heading to Bible study. It took me the longest time to decide if I wanted to spend one of my mornings off at church participating in a Bible study. After all of the excuses that I had made about not wanting to go...I still felt God leading me there. This has been the third week there and I am so glad I decided to go. I am not a big "sharer", but I am so thankful that some women are. Without going in to detail, I have just been so greatly encouraged by what other moms/women have had to say about what God has done in their lives, whether it be big or small.

After Bible study, Jacob and I headed to get lunch for Rob. He was so completely busy that he had to eat "on the run" so we didn't get to stay and eat with him. (P.S. His boss called him today and told him what an incredible job he had been doing lately...working so much and not complaining...having lots of responsibility and just getting the job done...it's nice for him to hear that every once in a while...his boss is not one to say that too often!) We headed to Barnes & Noble. Jacob had gotten a gift card from his Aunt Magdalene & Uncle Mark & cousins Zachary & Joshua. It was finally time for him to get to spend it! He chose a book about how a seed grows in to a pumpkin for himself, a book about the 1st Thanksgiving for Matthew (I didn't even have to encourage that...he just said that he wanted to buy Matthew a book...Yeah, Jacob!!!), and then a stuffed Donald Duck! He thought that his Mickey Mouse needed a friend!

We got a call this evening from the Soccer All-Star coach. Matthew made it to the All-Star Team!!! I can't tell you how big the smile was on Matthew's face when we told him. He has just really improved this year and has really liked the game. We are so proud of him...looks like we'll be at the soccer fields for three more weekends starting at the end of October. He'll have tournaments in Cape, Sikeston & Perryville. Congrats, Matthew!

Please remember my friend, Linda, and her family, as they have the funeral for her brother-in-law tomorrow who died recently of cancer.

~Becky

Where's John McCain, Mommy?

This morning Jacob & I walked Matthew to his classroom. On the way back down the hall, heading to Jacob's room downstairs, we were admiring the artwork of the 3rd graders. On the opposite wall there were individual portraits of the Presidents. Jacob said, "Mommy, look, all of the Presidents." Then he said, as Mr. Perr (one of the 3rd grade teachers) was standing right in the doorway of his classroom, "Where's John McCain, Mommy?" Mr. Perr & I got a little chuckle out of that!

This isn't exactly "tomorrow" but...

here are a few photos taken last Saturday at Busch Stadium!