Fall Soccer 2012

Nathan's Fall soccer season has come to an end. He has really loved playing with this team.The boys are all so sweet and so are their parents.This was the group that Nathan and Wayne went with on their camping trip so he has really bonded with them. Last week's game was really exciting! First of all, let me begin by explaining that this group of boys are all pretty much beginners.We haven't won a game all season. In fact, we've only scored about 3 points total! But they don't care. They are all just having fun. Where a lot of the other kids are really going after the ball, our group isn't all that aggressive. It's almost like they are too nice to try to steal the ball from the other kids. So funny to watch! Anyway, Nathan usually does the same thing. But during our last game, he was trying so hard to be "aggressive." The beginning of the game started out rough. Both teams were huddled on the field with the referee, and all of a sudden, Nathan left the group and came to us crying. I had forgotten to put Nathan's shin guards on so the ref told him he couldn't play. He was so upset, and I felt horrible! Nathan was crying so hard, he could hardly catch his breath. His coach told us (and Nathan) not to worry, that he would switch out one of the other player's shin guards with Nathan. But Nathan was so upset that he wasn't understanding that he was still going to get to play. Wayne ended up having to take him to the car for a while to calm him down.When they finally came back, Nathan was happy again. Thank goodness!

 When it was time for Nathan to play, he was following the ball wherever it went, and was not scared to try to get the ball. Wayne and I were both surprised at how well he was playing. At one point, Nathan got the ball, and started kicking it down the field. One of the other players tried to get it from him, but Nathan actually kicked it around him and kept going! I never thought he would actually score a goal, I was just proud of the way he was kicking the ball so far down the field.Well, he got close to the goal and got into position to try to score. In a few previous games, he has tried to score but either the goalie has blocked it or he's kicked it out of bounds. So this time, he was right in front of the goal, he gave it a big kick. Wayne and I were squeezing each other's arms nervously watching the ball. The goalie tried to block it, but the ball went in! Nathan scored his first goal (and the team's 3rd point)! It was such a wonderful moment.Wayne and I both jumped up clapping (I might have knocked Charlotte down in the process). Everyone was cheering for him, and Nathan had the biggest smile on his face. All of the dad's came over to Wayne to give him high fives. I was so happy for Nathan that I felt like crying. After the game, Nathan's coach told him how proud he was of Nathan and all of the parents congratulated him. So as a reward, we went to Nathan's favorite place, Berry Luscious where Nathan got to get any kind of yogurt and toppings he wanted. 

These next pictures are of our last game. We'll take a little break until the spring and then definitely sign up again. At least Nathan will still get to see most of these kids in the meantime because they are part of the Adventure Guides group.

Coach Marc, Coach Darrell, Coach Trek

Travis, Pierce, Roman, Nathan, Blake, Kai, Jack, Dillon, Jordan, Ethan

After the game, we all went to The Purple Cow for milkshakes and trophies. Coach Darrell called each of the boys up one by one and complimented them on what their special qualities were. It was really nice because he was so sincere, and he made each of the boys feel very special. When it was Nathan's turn, Coach Darrell said that Nathan was the speediest and definitely the most improved player of the group. And he said that Nathan was always a pleasure to be around. The whole time his coach was talking, Nathan was beaming.