Monday, April 18, 2016

MRL Weekend in Kansas

Soccer Soccer Soccer
Here are a few pictures of our soccer weekend in Overland Park, KS.
(Reagan in white.)
I love the stretch through the legs to steal the ball
Header while being pushed in the back.
I don't like to have negative comments about student athletes but this picture is one TINY example of the overly physical game the girls endured against the Michigan Jaguars. By the end of the game we had Maddie with a black eye, Reagan with a huge turf burn, Grace with a possible concussion, Lexi had been thrown around like a rag doll and several girls who had been flat out pushed around. Needless to say the ref needed some glasses. ;)

Reagan said, "I didn't know my leg could go that high!"
 EGA lost to Michigan Jaguars in the first game of the weekend, 1-0. So disappointing for them, as they know they can defeat this team. Our league is called the Midwest Regional League (MRL). As we go through the season, we earn 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie and 0 points for a loss. At the end of the season our point total is part of the determining factors to advance to the Regional Tournament in Colorado. This loss could end up being a bad deal for the team.

Game #2 of the weekend came the following morning against the National Champions, the Michigan Hawks. They beat us in the fall 2-1 so we knew we could compete with this powerhouse soccer team. The girls fought a tough battle for 70 minutes on the field and finished with a 1-1 tie. I am so proud of them. Now we need to win the rest of our games and for them to loose a league game this spring to help us reach the top spot of the region.
Reagan in black and gray stripes

I included this picture to show the organized chaos that occurs during a soccer game. Look at all these athletes in the box during a corner kick, there are bodies and legs going everywhere. It's a wonder there aren't more injuries.

Reagan's soccer team is full of incredibly talented little soccer players. These girls are smart, driven young ladies. Most of them have big plans for the future whether soccer continues for them or not. Watching 18 girls come together for a common purpose, knowing there is sacrifice and hard work required to reach the goal is a cool thing. Good job girls!

Gotta give a shout out to Uncle Rodger, Aunt Laura and Uncle John for making it down to the soccer fields to support their niece. It's so wonderful to have family and friends in so many of the locations Reags plays in. I can't wait to see my friend Marcy in Colorado. Yes, I'm praying the girls will play well enough to make it there.

Friday, April 15, 2016

(She) Takes My Breath Away

 Prom 2016
Everything about it was perfect, she said. 
Emma got the dress she so desperately wanted. (it has pockets)
Emma had her best friend of 11 years as a date.
Emma spent the day doing hair, make-up and nails with the girls.
Emma and crew got their picture spot. (seriously this is a source of HS drama)
Emma and crew enjoyed dinner together.
Emma and Colin got home at 4:30am. (Prom and Post-Prom)
Bella, Emma and Azaria
Cassidy and Emma
Christina and Emma


Colin and Emma
The Crew
 It may seem that this event was all about Emma but that's not the way I saw it. Emma and her date, Colin met in 1st grade when we lived in Grand Island. Through school and soccer events we became friends with Colin's parents. Even though we left GI eight years ago, we have blessed by our friendship with the Williams family. I saw the weekend as an opportunity to hang out with Tami and Steve. While Em and C were dancing the night away the rest of the two families were eating, playing games and catching up. Thanks Williams, we love your family.
My beautiful girls
 And this one is my favorite...