Camping with Daddy & Soccer Success

First, I just have to thank our friends & family who have been praying for our little soccer player... Anna is on an Upward soccer team at church for the first time this year. She really wanted to sign up, but we were hesitant because trying new things is tough for her. The skill assessment/tryout a couple of weeks ago didn't go well - she was so nervous & pretty miserable. Our first practice last week went much better, she participated & actually stayed happy about 75% of the time. But she also got some wake up calls as to what soccer is all about (competing, occasionally getting kicked or hit with the ball, etc), so we didn't know how this week would go. Tonight at practice though we saw God's hand on her... she stayed happy & had a great attitude for the whole hour! This is huge for Anna. She can be very sensitive, so to get hurt & get right back out there is such an accomplishment for her. We couldn't have been prouder!

In other news around our house, the girls had a ball camping with Tom this past weekend. He & a dozen other daddies & TWENTY kids (6 & under!) went for an overnight campout. He said that the girls were great & they had lots of fun stories. My favorites... when Tom checked on the girls after putting them in the tent for bed with strict "no talking" instructions, he heard Anna & her little friend Abby having a loud snoring contest. They were snorting & giggling - but not talking. :) I was also so glad to hear that Maelyn was a good camper - no getting lost in the woods - although Tom lost track of her while setting up the tent. She turned out to have climbed back in the open van after Tom had a brief panic. She's our brave girl, so we were so glad that was the only mischief she got into! I also cracked up to hear that on Saturday Tom & our neighbor, Mike, were ready to head home without taking the girls fishing... of course the girls begged so they conspired to just let them drop their lines in, thinking they could trick our smart fisherwomen! After they fished for a minute Anna said, "Daddy, this is just not right! You are supposed to have hooks, & bobbers, & meat!" Her one fishing experience a year ago made an impression I guess.

I'm so thankful that my girls have such an awesome Daddy who wants to make great memories with them, even though it involved lots of work on his part. I'm also so grateful that we are surrounded by so many awesome families at our church & our neighborhood so that our girls will grow up with great role models of the kind of men that make wonderful husbands & fathers.

Maelyn was probably in heaven - being outside with snacks & unlimited juice boxes!

Anna, our sweet neighbor friend - Abby, & Savannah

Tom said the girls had a great time hiking... Mae actually liked this pack, I'm not sure what this face was about!