Soccer Rules!

A lot has been going on recently, and I haven't gotten around to blogging for a couple of weeks, so hopefully I will be able to crank out a few posts in the next couple of days to update you all!

We had a fun weekend ... Among many things, watching the USA vs Japan womens World Cup soccer final was by far the best. For those that don't know, I played soccer my whole life. From age 9-18, I spent nearly everyday kicking the ball around, had a permanent shinguard tan, and aspired to be the next Mia Hamm. It was my LIFE! I started playing premiere/club soccer when I was 10, went on to play varsity all 4 years of highschool, spent a good majority of my sophomore, junior and senior years traveling the states competively, and was recruited to play in college. I Loved the sport, and everything about it, but in the end really felt that spending over half of my life running myself ragged, was about all I could take. 4 more years in college seemed a bit too overkill and I didn't want to lose my love for the sport. Looking back, I KNOW it was the Lord. When I went to college and decided NOT to play, it was the first time since I was just little that I had FREE time, and could focus on OTHER things. I was able to find my love for music, and delve deeper into who the Lord was at bible college. It was refreshing. Never though, will I regret the time I put into soccer when I was growing up. I made some of the best friends I will ever have because of it, learned GREAT discipline, and have unbelievable memories of triumph and loss. It will always have a special place in my life.

Club soccer back in the day. When life was easy and I could run for hours on end and not get tired!

12 years ago my Idols at the time, Mia Hamm, Michelle Akers, and Tiffeny Milbrett stepped out onto the world cup stage and WON the title for the United States. I was 14 then, and it was one of the most thrilling things I have ever seen. Yesterday a new generation of US women took the stage to regain the title. This time I wasn't an awkward teen wearing my team jersey with a slumber party of girl friends by my side. Instead I watched it with my husband and baby girl. Never would I have imagined such a scene so many years ago. Sharing such a fun moment with the 2 loves of my life, and having my daughter fall asleep in my arms as I jumped up and down during the final nailbiting minutes. It was one of those "everything comes full circle" moments, and as I look back on the last 12 years I wouldn't change a thing about where the Lord has taken me, sick and all, it was all worth it! Maybe another 12 years from now Tatum will be huddled around a TV with a room full of her best friends, watching the US women compete for another title. ... You never know! (Unfortunatly the USA women lost after a double overtime and shootout, but I don't think we really need to expand on that ;)

Tatum was decked out for the game in her red, white and blue. Can't wait to see her play kick and chase someday. Lord willing!