I'm not sure why this period of my life seems so much busier than any other time. I mean I've been consistently really behind on my blog for the first time in 16 years! And, I just feel behind and constantly trying to catch up on things that I need to get done. Maybe it will subside in a few months when Austen gets his license and I'm not constantly on the road driving everyone everywhere from 3pm until sometimes 10:30pm. Or maybe it's when I don't have to take Sadie to all her rehab or doctors appointments that take a good 3 hours or so out of my day. Or maybe it's when I don't have to routinely wash the mounds of laundry that piles up from uniforms and my kids thinking that they can wear something for an hour then throw it in the laundry. Or perhaps it's when I'm not planning events or parties or managing something for Austen's high school or club soccer team. Or when I don't have to volunteer for a 4-hour shift at a swim meet for Peyton or collect money for gifts for her cheer coaches. Or when I'm not Hailey's Girl Scout Treasurer anymore, collecting money, writing checks and managing the money. Or when I'm not chairing any more elementary school committees like the Room Parents (who need constant reminding to get their forms in).
I am happy that I did get our spring break finally planned along with two excursions as well as a ski trip coordinated in January (although still need to book restaurants, rent skis and the car!). I also pre-planned Peyton's 13th birthday (She's going to be sooo excited! No I didn't manage to get her Taylor Swift tickets! What a debacle that was!) And, I'm working on a Sweet 16 surprise for Austen. Throw in Xmas shopping, my Dad's knee replacement surgery and just managing my kids' crazy schedules and maybe I'll come up for air in February. But lately, I do try to really be in the moment. I didn't videotape many moments that I thought about pulling out my phone for but decided against it because I wanted to really be present in those moments. They are, however, recorded in my mind!
Well, it's time. I've got to go and get to all of the other things on my to do list before picking up my Dad from the hospital where he is being discharged today after knee replacement surgery. Hopefully next time, it won't be so long since I've written!
I've been waiting to post a wrap up of Austen's sophomore soccer season. After major injuries to two key starting teammates, we weren't sure how far the boys would go in the playoffs. But, they were all grit and heart, and advanced to the State's Super Sectional (the top 8 teams in the state) and just finally ended their season last week. It was the first time the team had been to the Super Sectionals in 8 years, and believe me, no one thought at the beginning of the season that this was the team to do it. But they did.
What a great, long and very busy season it was too! Austen learned so much this season including how to be a better defender and play against kids who were much bigger and stronger than him. It was definitely challenging for him as he played a position that was more defensive than offensive (what he prefers), and had to often mark notably the best player on the other team as his position matched up against where most teams put their strongest offensive player.
During playoffs, he scored a goal in the first game helping them secure a 3-1 win. The second playoff game to win regionals was going to be a bit more tough as they were the #4 seed, playing the #5 seed. And, it was. At the end of regulation they were tied and had to go into overtime. They were still scoreless after two overtime periods so were forced into doing penalty kicks(PKS). Not a good way to win or lose. Austen had told me the day before that they had been practicing PKs at practice routinely and because of the injuries on the team, he had moved up from the #6 to the #5 spot. (The top 5 are really the important ones.) The coach had asked him at the beginning of the season how comfortable he was taking PKs because it's a lot of pressure for a sophomore. Austen assured him that he takes them routinely for his club (and always has) so he was up for the challenge. But when they called him to be the #5 kicker during the playoffs and he had to make it to help his team advance, let's just say there were a whole lot more nerves in the stands and on the field than usual. I'm used to watching Austen take PKs. I've seen him take a lot whether it's been in a shoot out or an earned PK in the game. He's very consistent but man was I nervous. I really wanted to throw up so I could only imagine his nerves on the field (even though he always tell me he doesn't get nervous taking PKs). I just didn't want him to let the Seniors down. Our goalie came up big with a save and Austen sunk his PK deep in the corner to give his team the win. Whoever was up there looking out for this kid, thank you! PKs can really go either way but seeing his euphoria as his team collapsed on him and their goalie was probably one of the moments he and I will always remember (Tom was shuttling the girls to practices/swim meets). Afterwards, Austen did say that was the most nervous he's ever been taking PKs and he doesn't get nervous for them.
The next two games, they avenged their early season loss to their rivals and secured a 2-0 win, and then Austen played a great game, holding off one of their stars to help his team win the Sectional Final 1-0. On to Super Sectionals to play the #1 seeded team in their bracket. It wasn't their best game but they fought hard and wouldn't go away. They just ran out of time and ended their season with a 3-4 loss to the eventual State Champs.
Austen started in 23 of 23 games and played a lot of minutes in every game, averaging at least 70 of 80 minutes as a sophomore. His team ended with a final state ranking of #6 in the state. Not bad for a sophomore getting that much time and experience playing. What a great season and a great privilege to play with some great teammates as a sophomore. He's already looking toward how he can make an even bigger impact next year when he's an upperclassman! Go Red Devils!
Great highlight video of Austen's last game to the eventual State Champs. Our #18 gets a lot of highlight time.
Final game in action
Sectional champs - only 3 sophomore varsity players with their freshman Coach Ferraro
It's been a whirlwind of practices and games, competitions and meets the last few months but we found time to celebrate Halloween. Hailey declared early on that she was wearing the same costume as last year (Peyton's old costume) which made it easy for us. Peyton sent me her costume components on Amazon so all I had to do was click a button and order some not very expensive costume (Hawaiian shirt and sunglasses).
Our fox!
We started off the day with Hailey coming home for lunch and getting dressed in her costume so she could go back to school and participate in her school's Halloween parade where parents could come and watch. But, she didn't really want me to come so wouldn't even let me get a good shot of her at the parade (she's so adamant about not wanting me to volunteer at school or come to any of her school things. I walk her to the corner every day to meet her friends to walk to school and she doesn't want me to do that either anymore.) She definitely is the more independent one which should make things easier as she gets older - maybe?! Anyway, some friends got some shots of her and I managed to get a few side profile shots of her in during the parade.
After school, she rushed home to eat a quick snack and take off for her friend's neighborhood Halloween parade and do a little trick or treating with friends around her neighborhood. Tom took her and chaperoned from afar since I was getting Peyton off to her own trick or treating extravaganza and had to hand out candy at our own house. At 5pm, Tom returned with Hailey and sat out front with a friend to hand out candy while Hailey and her friend canvassed our street for more loot. I had to run to pick up Austen at soccer practice so I needed a reliever.
I think Hailey was done by 6:45pm. Peyton was at her friend's house by 7pm, and had a nice dinner there, and finally home by 9pm. It was a busy day that went so fast. Next year, I'm thinking Hailey is off trick or treating by herself with her friends as she'll be 10, and it will be Peyton's last year for dressing up. After that, she can hand out the candy!
