Graduation

This weekend we celebrated as Colton completed his 13 year journey from Kindergarten to 12th grade.  I found myself lost in the memories of all the "firsts" and glared defiantely at all of the "lasts".  Actually, I was not defiant at all - I was a blubbering mess.... I cried at his last soccer game for both club and high school.  I bawled like a baby at his final school assembly.  I cried at the thought of anything that meant my son was leaving me.  I just knew that on graduation day, they would need to send security over to quiet my wailing as to not disturb the other graduates!  But....surprisingly, I held it together.... quite nicely I might add.  This sense of peace and pride overcome me as he strode confidently across the stage to receive his diploma.  It finally dawned on me, that I had done my job.  I had raised a young man that was successful, kind hearted, loving, funny and gifted in so many ways.  He made the job of mothering so easy that I truly need to thank him for being the most amazing son a mother could ever wish for.

Now I'm not going to lie - when he glanced up from the floor of the auditorium and we made eye contact and waived - my eyes welled up with tears.  Tears of joy - He looked so excited and proud of himself that I couldn't resist. After the ceremony was over - he walked up to his adoring fan club and his eyes met mine.... he grinned and said, "mom - do you want a picture?".  I smiled and said, "yes... yes I do!"  and dang it I sprung a small leak!

Here is a picture of the proud momma and my sweet boy...pay no attention to the tears in the eyes!


My friends who have had experience at letting their children fly from the nest say I'm in for many more treats.  I can't wait... if these first 18 years are any indication, then I am in for a jackpot!

Congrats Colton! 
You are loved beyond measure

Heaven......

I've been really lucky in my life..... I lived a long time before I lost something that I loved.  The first time I experienced loss was my precious dog Brandywine.  I got her for Christmas when I was 8 years old and it was love at first sight.  We were inseparable and I loved that dog with every once of my heart.  She lived for 16 years - long time for dogs.  When she died, I had never in my life felt hurt like I did that day.  The days that followed were a fog and eventually I began to smile again and my heart rebounded slowly.

I had another long span of time before I experienced another loss.  The next one was my precious grandmother - NaNa.  She was the end all, be all of grandmothers.  She died in 1998 when I was 32 years old.  I will never forget the day I went to her house to check on her because she was so so sick.  I said, "NaNa, we need to take you to the hospital" and she fought me tooth and nail but eventually we went.  Deep down inside, she knew she would never come home again..... and of course, she was right.  From there she was placed in Hospice care and her next stop was heaven.  NaNa and I were very close and I honestly didn't know how I would live without her in it.  She had always been there - in every facet of my life.  I didn't do anything without thinking "what would NaNa do or think?"  I idolized that woman and everything she stood for.  My heart broke again and I found everything to be so incredible hard.  I missed her voice, I missed her soft Rosy cheeks, I missed her fried chicken, pound cake and chicken salad.  I missed her smell.  But luckily, she visited me in my dreams - often... and I was so grateful.  I could feel her presence when I needed her the most.  She was still with me each step of the way, just in a different way.  Its been a long time since she got her wings and I miss her as much today as I did the day she died.
 

Six years later - my world came to a crashing halt when my favorite person on the planet - Judy Baby passed away.  I literally couldn't breath..... I couldn't move and I couldn't stop crying.  He was my everything.... He and I had a unique relationship that everyone envied... No one understood how we could be so close.  I loved him with every ounce of my being and he loved me back.  He taught me unconditional love and because of him I am able to see the best in everything and everyone.  My heart will never heal from that loss.  Sometimes I worry that I haven't truly dealt with it - I can't delete his name from my cell phone - cant delete him from my D3 travel list - I drive by the house like a stalker...... yet I can't bear go to the cemetery and visit him.  I miss he and NaNa every....single...day..... and I still fight the urge to pick up the phone and call him when something wonderful happens or when I need an encouraging word. 

The point of all of this is that as we get older, death becomes part of your life.  recently I lost two very dear friends within two week....both to cancer...... My friend Diane - I met her when I was 18 years old at American Airlines.  We traveled together, laughed together and cried together.  She died of pancreatic cancer last month.  She had a smile that was so radiant and an energy that you noticed as soon as you walked in a room.  My friend and soccer husband Jon passed away from Brain cancer.  I helped Jon die too....and it made me think back to my NaNa when we helped her die...... I knew what was coming with Jon and I knew what signs to look for.... He and I spent a lot of time talking about his death and he gave me the ultimate compliment by asking me to write and delivery his eulogy.  I asked me to do it because he said I was the strongest person he knew and that I could deliver it without crying.  I thought he was crazy.... but a strange thing happened.... His funeral was in the same chapel as both of my grandparents... and as I waited for my turn to speak, I was nervous and worried... but then as I got up to go to the podium, my NaNa and Judy Baby took me by the arm and guided me up there and held me through it.  I could honestly feel their love and presence.. I spoke from my heart and found myself thinking I hope NaNa and Judy Baby are proud.... they were..... and I knew it.... Here is Jon's Eulogy....

Hi everyone,

What an honor it is to stand before you today to talk about the amazing life of Jon Nunley.  Jon and I talked a lot about this very day and when he asked me to speak at his funeral – I had some serious reservations.  In fact, I told him he was absolutely nuts.  He told me that I was the strongest person he knew and that I could get through it without tears.  Well…. I’m not so sure that is the case.  You will have to forgive me if I spring a leak…..However, as I look out at all of you, I feel an incredible sense of peace knowing that Jon is no longer in pain and is here with us and smiling.  I don’t know about you, but I can feel his warm embrace.

Finding the right words to use to talk about Jon and his legacy was no easy task.  He was such an amazing person and utterly unique.  In fact, Janette mentioned just the other day that Jon was one of a kind… And I think all of us in this room would agree with Janette…. Boy – Jon was one of a kind….

One of a kind son

One of a kind brother

One of a kind husband

One of a kind father

One of a kind Uncle

And one of a kind friend……..

I’ll never forget the first time I met Jon….It was about 9 years ago…. And little did I know at that moment in time the impact Jon would have on my life.  He sauntered up with this adorable red-headed boy to a gaggle of soccer moms (we were diligently working on our tans)  We all saw him coming and couldn’t help but think he had just parked his yacht at the pier and walked over.  He had his collar flipped up – his trademark sunglasses and then flashed this smile and innocently said – I noticed that you all were practicing – do you mind if my son kicks the ball around.  Well if you know anything about Jon, you know that long before he took that walk up to the gaggle of soccer moms that he made look so innocent– he had done his research.  It wouldn’t surprise me if he had been watching us for months – I can see him climbing a tree with binoculars to make sure that this was the right place for Colin.  Jon always did his research and nothing was by accident with him…. One of a kind…..

Over the years, Jon became my “soccer husband” – we laughed, we cried, we gossiped, we fought… but there wasn’t a day that went by that we didn’t talk on the phone at least twice a day.  We always had to talk about soccer practice or the last soccer game… who had a good game, who stepped up…. It was like our very own sports center!  Only no camera or lights, no sponsors and no commercials!  We also talked about more than soccer – we talked a lot about his family, his friends, his hopes and his dreams.  I will get to that in a few minutes.  But first I want to share one of my very favorite Jon stories. 

If any of you know about club soccer then you know that we hold try outs every July and usually the month of June is the month that you worry.  Worry who is leaving, who is staying, who isn’t going to be asked back… well it was during this time that Jon came up to me after practice and said, “Jennifer, I need to talk to you” and he put his arms around me and went on “some of the parents and I have been talking and well…… (I’m thinking they are leaving!  And about to freak out!) Instead he says….. “we have all decided that you have gotten a little thick in the middle and your legs have lost their definition.  You really need to get back on an exercise program and lose a few pounds!”  So I’m looking at him thinking – did I just hear that.  Part of me wants to hit him…. the other part thinks, wow he loves me enough to tell me that…. So naturally I thanked him for telling me and went home and hit my husband for not telling me!  Jon also made sure that my eye brows and chin hairs were plucked.  He was like my personal groomer!  So in honor of you today Jon, I plucked……. Did I mention that Jon was one of a kind?

As I was getting ready for this day – I tried to remember everything about Jon.  It brought a lot of smiles thinking about how much he loved a well manicured lawn, how much he loved the aviation industry and of course his adoration for his family.  Back in January while Jon was in the hospital with pneumonia, he knew that this day would come sooner than he wished.  In fact, five years ago, when he was diagnosed with cancer, he called to tell me and the first thing I asked was how is Janette?  He said, “I haven’t told her yet”.  I said Why not Jon?  He said because I can’t bring myself to say the words because once they come out of my mouth her world will never be the same.  He also fretted about telling his parents, sisters and brothers and most of all his children.  Once you are diagnosed with Cancer, there is no turning back.  You have to change courses and fight.  And boy did he fight the good fight.  Even after the brain cancer was diagnosed last August, he was brave….and valiant.  As the cancer battled his body and mind, Jon fought to hold on to his pride.  Yes, he had moments when he was so sad that he couldn’t give Janette the forever he promised her – sad that he wouldn’t live to walk Abby down the aisle on her wedding day and sad that he wouldn’t be here to see Colin become a father.   But he finally realized that he would be there for all of those things, just in a different way.  He will have the best seat in the house looking down and watching over all of you. 

Going back to our visit in January – We talked about dying and what messages he wanted to say to his family.  He wanted to be sure that Abby, Colin and Janette heard these words:

For my darling daughter Abbey – Words cannot express how proud I am of you.  You are an over achiever just like your mother.  You are compassionate and kind – beautiful from the inside out.  A heart made of gold.  It gives me such comfort to know that you will achieve anything in life you set your mind too.  You are a strong yet gentle; brilliant but full of common sense and these qualities my precious girl will serve you well in life.  Abby, I remember when you called your daddy to tell him you had made Lieutenant for the drill team.  Do you remember that day?  Well what you didn’t see over the phone was your daddy literally jumping up and down – running all over the parking lot saying Abby just made officer!!  His hands were on his cheeks and he was crying tears of joy and pride.  I had never seen him so happy as he was in that moment!  You made him so proud……

For Colin – my amazing son – you are passionate and fiercely loyal like me.  Nothing would make me happier than to see you become a better father, husband and friend than I was.  Push yourself farther than you think you should…. Never settle for average.  Because you are anything but average.  You have so much talent.  While my health failed, you stepped up and became the man of the family and I couldn’t be more proud and grateful.  I know I am leaving your mom and sister in good hands.  Colin, do you remember when we clinched D1 last month – I think we all knew it would be your daddy’s last soccer game.  I cannot even begin to tell you how much joy you brought to him through the game of soccer.  He is and always will be your biggest fan and to see you and your team finally make it to D1 brought him so much happiness and peace.   I can promise you that he will be at every game in the best seat in the house. 

And now for Janette…… For my beautiful wife Janette…. From the moment I first laid eyes on you all those years ago…… you have been the love of my life.  I shake my head in disbelief that you are my wife because you are so incredible.  How on earth did I get so lucky?  You work harder than any person I know.  You love deeply and compassionately more than any person I know – you are the best mother hands down.  You simply amaze me.  You amaze me every single day with your fortitude and never wavering love.  I know I promised you that we would grow old together and I’m sorry that I didn’t hold up my end of the bargain… but I wouldn’t trade these 23 years for a single second.  After he said these words to me Janette – I sat there in silence and in awe.  Then he went on to say with a smile I had never seen before and a peace that only comes from true love– you know what….scratch all of that…. She is so much more than all of that…… She is my North, South, East and West….. She is my everything……..and then tears streamed down his cheeks……Jon really loved you in a one of a kind way….

As I wrap up today – Please know that it is ok to be sad that Jon isn’t with us physically any longer… but we should rejoice that he is in a much better place – waiting on all of us because I believe we will all be together again one day.  In honor of Jon – I challenge you all to do something in his memory – Go to a soccer game,  go to an air show, mow your lawn…. And love like there is no tomorrow.  Be one of a kind…. Just like Jon…

I told you earlier that Jon and I spoke every day… we would always end our calls with an “I love you”… He would always get the last word and say “ I love you more.. or I love you the most”.. I n ever got to have the last word….. Well today, I get the last word…. May you rest in peace my precious – one of a kind friend….. I love you the most!!!!!

_______
I can't wait to get to heaven....... because I know that I have an army of angels waiting for me!

Proud Mother

As a parent, you have many times that you want to burst with pride.  I find myself in that spot almost every single day!  Recently, Colton received his very first college scholarship.  He entered an essay contest and was competing against many seniors.  I was surprised and elated when we got word that he in fact won!
I know that this will be the first of many, but there is just something about your first!

(Pictured from left to right:  Alex Schindler, Rachel (girl winner), David Hoffmann (Colton's coach) me, Colton, Jack and Scott Kerlin)

NOVEMBER 2011

I wanted to share with you his essay... And before you all comment, I helped him with punctuation and a few transitions, but this was HIS story.....

November 7, 2011

To:          Alex Schindler – American Eagles Soccer Club

From:    Colton Huie

Re:         Scholarship Application

Dear Scholarship Committee,

Like most kids, I was exposed to several different sports and activities as a young child.  My parents were convinced that I was to be a baseball player.  After all, that was their favorite sport!  In fact, my great-grandfather played for the New York Yankees in the 1937 World Series as a pitcher.  His teammates included Lou Gehrig and Joe Dimaggio.  My parents to this day, say I can pitch a left-handed curve ball like no other and that if any of the High School coaches saw it they would drool.  They had visions of box seats at the World Series and my picture on the Wheaties box!  I had a different passion and that was SOCCER.  In my book, Baseball was boring and had no action.  I just didn’t see what my parents saw in baseball.  So at the ripe old age of 8, I traded my baseball bat and glove for a full time pair of cleats and shin guards.  I have never looked back and neither have my parents.  Well, after they completed their 12 step program to give up baseball!  Don’t get me wrong, my parents supported me whole-heartedly in anything I did.  In fact, they cheered for me after every goal I scored.  My mom acted as team mom for every team and is still acting as manager for my club team.  I am so grateful for their support. 

From the ages of 4 years old thru 9 years old, I played for the recreational soccer team the Gators as a forward.  During our final season as a recreational team, we won the TOC championship and in the same season we won the National Indoor Championship title.  In fact, during the finals of the TOC, we found ourselves tied at the end of OT.  We had to go into kicks from the mark to determine the winner.  I was the last one to kick and if mine went in, we would win.  No pressure right????  I would be lying if I told you I wasn’t nervous.  My stomach was full of butterflies and I remember as I took the walk up to the mark, I knew my teammates were counting on me.  I took the shot and it went in… The next few minutes were something I will never forget.  My teammates, family and coach cheering, jumping up and down!  We had just one the TOC!  My mom was crying, she said they were happy tears and that she never doubted me for a second!  The reason I tell this story is that moment gave me the confidence to handle any stressful situation.  All I have to do is focus and believe that anything is possible.  I know that even in life, I have the same support and love around me and that gives me the confidence to soar. 

The next step for our group of boys was to begin to try and find a club that fit our needs.  We found our home with the DFW Tornados/American Eagles and have never looked back.  Yes, we have had fair share of wins and losses and ups and downs, but we have also been able to hold our heads high because we have always had strong ethics and high integrity - something that was expected of us all by our parents, coaches and club.  I’ve learned that at the end of the day, your life is not to be measured by your win/loss record but rather how you handle yourself in between.  When we lost – I knew there would be another game and I chose not to let a loss or bad game weigh heavy on my heart.  I am forever grateful to the DFW Tornados/American Eagles for blessing me with two amazing coaches – Victor Medina and David Hoffmann.  These coaches couldn’t be more different, however they are very much alike in one key area…. they both believe that respecting each other and acting with high morals/integrity is very important.  I have learned so much from both men and they will always hold a special place in my heart.  They have helped mold me into the man I am becoming.

The next chapter in my soccer career began when I entered high school.  Up until this point, I had only one soccer coach in my life. I found myself having to prove myself to a new coach that knew nothing about me.  I was a 14 year old competing for a spot on the varsity team.  I was told the chances of me making the varsity team were slim to none.  That only motivated me to be better.  When it came time to announce the teams, my name was on the varsity list.  The coach pulled me aside and said, “Colton you have made the varsity squad, but I want to make it clear, you will not see the field much”.  I was ok with that because I knew in my heart that I WOULD see the field.  The high school team played in several pre-season tournaments.  The coach told me that he had plenty of forwards so during a tournament, the coach put me in as a defender.  He put me up against the top scoring forward in our district.  I knew this was my chance to shine and I did just that.  I shut down this player and he did not score a goal while I was defending him.  After that, I was a started in every game.  After the end of the season, I was again pulled into the coach’s office and was told that as a Freshman, I made 1^st team All District.  To make it even more special, he told me that I was one of only 3 Freshman in the district to be given that honor.  I called home immediately to tell my mother, who again cried tears of joy.  During our soccer banquet, I was given the award for Mr. 110%.  This award is special because it is something that your peers determine.  This award is given to the person that works the hardest and never complains.  I felt like that was the ultimate compliment to be given such an award during my freshman year.  I credit this back to my club coaches who expected 110% at every practice and game.

During my freshman year, I was also introduced to our new club coach, David Hoffmann.  Again, I found myself having to earn my spot.  Coach Hoffmann only knew me as a forward, however at this point, I was truly relishing my position as a defender.  My mother invited Coach Hoffmann to a high school game and he got to see first-hand my performance as a defender.  The next practice, he moved me to defender and I have never looked back.  Under the guidance of Coach Hoffmann, our team has risen from the mid-pack of D3 to the Top of D2 (standings as of Fall 2011).  It is funny, even after all these years of soccer, I have never grown tired of practices, games or tournaments.  I continue to be inspired by my coaches and teammates.

Who would have thought that a sport could have taught me so much and added so much to my life.  Soccer has shown me that I must be responsible for my actions on and off the pitch.  I had to learn how to balance my priorities – My God, family, school work and soccer.  I am proud to say that I have been successful in managing my priorities so that in each area I can stand proud and tall and know that I have acted with integrity and pride.  My actions are such that God would be proud, my family is so very important to me and I know they are proud. I am on the honor roll at school and take many Pre-AP classes and in soccer I know that my teammates can count on me.  I am known as the Perry Como of defense.  That means that I am calm, cool and collected in any situation and that I get the job done…

It may sound cliché, but soccer has taught me many valuable life lessons:

Responsibility

Accountability

Sportsmanship

Importance of team work

Respect

High morals

How to handle stressful situations

Endurance

Integrity

Community involvement

As I look forward to beginning my college career, I’m excited about starting another chapter in my life.  This scholarship would help me so much in that my parents have spent thousands of dollars on my club soccer dues.  It would mean the world to me to help offset any cost of college and I know they would be so proud and appreciative if I was lucky enough to be chosen for this honor.

I hope that you will consider me for the honor of this scholarship.  If chosen, you can count on me to carry on the Mr. 110% in every area of my collegiate career.  I will strive to make a difference in the lives of others by leading by example, maintaining a strong balanced approach to life and through my continued community involvement.  Every morning I am told – Make good choices, make good grades and makes someone’s day along the way.  I can assure you that if given this prestigious scholarship, I will continue to cascade what I have learned into the lives of others. 

Thank you for your consideration.  I would be forever grateful. 

Kindest Regards,

Colton Huie

Did I mention that I was one proud Momma......

Kendall Greatest Hits - Volume I Child -v- Woman

As any parent knows - your children give you so much to laugh about over the years and you might think.... I will NEVER forget this... it is entirely too funny to forget.  Well, as the sands of the hourglass continue fall, so does our ability to recall anything and everything.  So for prosperity sake - I want to document all the hilarious things my children do that make me giggle - specifically Kendall for this first edition.....This may parlay into more than one greatest hit....

Kendall has always done things on her terms.  She came into the world on her terms (thats another story) and continues to live her life the same way.  Gotta love that about her.  She has always known which buttons to push, when to push them and exactly what combination will cause me to launch into orbit.  She is powerful like that and even my super momma powers can't stop her!

Kendall was about 4 years old and we were having one of our "moments".  I had officially had it with something she was doing and I decided that I was going to take control of this situation and for once use my super momma powers to conquer her evil empire...... I'll let you decide who won this one...

Me:  Child!!!  If you don't stop that I'm gonna drop kick you thru the goal posts of life!

Kendall:  (Hands on hips- Head cocked- index finger waving in the hair) Woman!  don't call me child!!

Me:  (completely shocked and almost speechless) I came back with the best line ever.....Don't call me woman!  (that outta show her)

Kendall:  I won't call you woman if you don't call me child - my name is Kendall Diane Huie the first one!! 

Well heck... what do I say to that... All I could do is laugh... Jack is watching this from a far, laughing so hard he can hardly see straight... Here is how it went down in the official scorebook...

Momma - 0
Kendall - 100

Dang it.. there is always next time.... and I can assure next time has come and gone many, many times and I am STILL waiting on my first victory.

Gotta love me some Kendall

Spring has sprung!!!

That can only mean one thing!  My spring has sprung.... I'm destined for a few months of staring out the window wishing I was frolicking in the sunshine!  There is just something about sunshine that warms you from the inside out....

The scent of freshness is intoxicating and sends me into a total and complete tailspin!  I want it... I want sunshine and spring time NOW!! 

Ok - enough of the flowery and spring time stuff...err I mean bluff... lets get real.... spring time means only one thing.... (insert scary music)

We are that much closer to swimsuit season!  (insert scream here)  yes... I'm starting to hyperventilate - I use the excuse of needing sunshine - but in reality I need the sunshine to tan the fat that became VERY white during the winter months.  Everyone knows that tan fat is so much prettier than white fat!   I rest my case

I'm also realizing that I'm winding down in the years left in my ability to rock a bikini...  yes.. I said ROCK people!  All you young-ins that are reading this.... forget about your biological clock ticking... you need to worry about your bikini clock.... It ticks much faster... Which leads me back to a story I want to share and I hope the parties don't mind...

Ok - so back in the day (pre-baby = pre-stretch marks) I went swimsuit shopping with my mother and my Aunt Peggy.  We all scoured the racks in hopes of finding the perfect suit.... We all piled into one BIG dressing room with high hopes and dreams that we would rock the swimsuit.  There were tops, bottoms, boobs, jiggly middles and lots giggles scattered throughout the dressing room.  I remember laughing hysterically at my mother and Aunt.... I actually had the nerve to point and giggle...they glared at me as if to say "oh no you dent" All they said is "YOUR TIME IS COMING"... Of course I was young and thought my abs, legs and boobs would look like they did FOREVER!  I mean, come on!  No one told me that when I had kids, my boobs would meet a new friend called gravity and my tummy would have this magical train track appear under your belly button!!!  What the hell!! 


Now when I go into a dressing room to try on a swimsuit, I am transported back to that day, but the laughter I hear is my own - Laughing at how white fat looks so bad and laughing at how I laughed at them so long ago and now I am laughing at myself..

I guess its a good thing to laugh at yourself...

Lesson
1.  Tan fat looks much better than white fat (refer to picture above)
2.  You have a bikini clock like it or not
3.  NEVER point and laugh in the dressing room......

Love / Hate

Ok, I've lived my life now for XX years (I won't bore you with the details of how old I am... I'll let you just think I'm 28 again...)... and what I have noticed is this......
You either love me, or you hate me... there is no in between.  Both sides are equally passionate about the love or the hate. 

I have met people in the work place, soccer world and the grocery store who for whatever reason, instantly hate me with a passion.... No matter how hard I try to "kill 'em with kindness" or try to trap them with sugar, it does NOT work.  For years, I have fretted over this, prayed about it and tried unsuccessfully to fix those relationships. 

So, as part of the new me..... I've decided to let them all go.  They do not deserve the privilege of my friendship and therefore shall not have it. Here is my message to you....

I have decided to focus on the people that do love me with all their might... and I must say, this has been a freeing moment for me!  How exilerating to use the energy that was once reserved for fixing relationships to be used on the people that have loved me as much as I have loved them.

Wow!  If I'd only been this smart years ago!  I would have less grey hair! To all of those that love me just the way I am......

To all those that don't

I love the new me!!!  In my new Tee...... Tee-Hee!

I do love Soccer!

Those that know me, know that I have fallen in love with the sport of soccer.  Yes, I fought it tooth and nail because soccer was not a sport in Texas.  I mean come on, in Texas the sports go in this order - Football, football, football, baseball, basketball, golf, tennis and then way at the end of the list after badmitten was soccer.

As I parent, I was determined that Colton was going to be a baseball meca.  He is left handed, can throw the heck out of the baseball, can knock it out of the park plus he had the genes from a professional baseball player.  His biological great-grandfather played baseball for the New York Yankees with Lou Gehrig and Joe Demaggio.  For you trivia buffs that will check this out, he played in the 1937 World Series.  I have signed bats and baseballs to go along with it. 

During the off season of baseball one year, Colton wanted to play soccer.  I can't even remember how it happened, but we signed him up.  Little did we know that this small act would change our lives FOREVER.

It didn't take long for Colton to assess that Baseball was a slow moving game.  He didn't enjoy sitting in the dugout waiting for his turn to bat.  Soccer, unlike baseball, has very little slow time and when you did get to sit and rest you welcomed the chance to catch your breath.  Colton decided that baseball was not for him when he was 8 years old and told us that he wanted to only play soccer.  Jack and I both were devastated.  What?  There goes all our hopes and dreams about having a left handed pitcher in the major leagues - season tickets and all that goes a long with it.... so we did what any parent would do........ we begged him not to give up baseball..... Just Kidding... We embraced the sport our son picked.

Colton is a natural - in all the years he has played soccer, he has never tired from it or grown bored.  He has excelled under his coaches and has made Jack and I extremely proud.  At the age of 10 his team - The Gators - won the Tournament of Champions and the National Indoor title.  From there he began his select soccer career with the DFW Tornados.  They have had their ups and downs, but are currently in the middle of a HUGE upswing!  I couldn't be more proud for him and his teammates.  Here is a photo from their most recent tournament in Germantown Tennessee.


Then came High School Soccer with the Richland Rebels.  Here is has earned the nick-names Beast and Precious.  He has also won the hearts of the varsity girls team - or so I have been told. When he touches the ball, the girls all squeal and cheer - GO PRECIOUS!  I of course swell with pride and love every single second.  Some of the parents look at me like I'm crazy when I yell - Come on Doodle Bug - Lets go Sugar sweets!  They all say, Colton is gonna kill you.... but you know what..he has never said a word.  He knows that it comes with the territory, plus he is secure enough in his play and manhood that it doesn't bother him.  If someone on the field makes fun of him for being called Precious, then he can look at them and say, you just got school by Precious!  Not that he would - he never talks back - just proves his ability with his feet - not his mouth. 

Here is Colton in his Letterjacket that he earned as a Freshman! 


This year his High School team is off to a great start.  There is an undeniable chemistry and commradory that oozes from the field.  Its like one giant ooey,gooey chocolate chip cookie.  Sweet, wonderful and addicting! 

Some have desribed Colton as the Perry Como of the soccer field.  Another used the word elegant.  I don't know how I would describe it except that I am one proud mother and I am addicted to watching him play soccer.

Actually, I'm just addicted to Soccer now... I manage Colton's select team - DFW Tornados.  I also do whatever is needed for his High School team.. Mostly I just spread sunshine and love to all the boys on both the Select team and High School team.  I also just got my Referee badge so I can start referring with Colton (per HIS request)..... yes people, he likes spending time with his mother....what a gift.

The part of soccer that I treasure are the friendships that I have formed over the years. One of my very best friendships was born from soccer.  I have made some new ones since High School and I will always treasure them. 

What a gift soccer has been to my life....I look back at how devestated we were when he gave up baseball and I laugh.... I think about how different my world would be and I think......... I do love me some soccer..
I love this boy....... check out the muscles in those legs!!!  ooohhh--la-la!!