Welcome Home

Yesterday my plan to welcome Caitlin home from school and her AMAZING soccer national games...well....the weather didn't help!! But, I managed to get a yard sign (didn't take pic) and balloons posted at the turn off for home, and then I had gotten pom poms in all her soccer teams she had played on throughout the years (minus pink and black which Party City didn't have) and we headed over to my parents house. Luckily her friend Pam and soon to be mother-in-law Audrey were able to make it so it wasn't just us...We lined the long driveway and with pom poms and posters...cheered her home. She has a lot to be happy about and proud of....she has had an amazing soccer "career" and ended with a big bang!! We are very proud of her and Angel is very glad she is home for a bit. The last pic is one I LOVE of her when she scored the second goal during nationals!!

You're Always #1 with Me!!

Well......the Concordia Cavaliers appeared in the National Championship Final today and after a well fought fight, came up short to take second place in the NAIA Finals. This was their first loss (0-3) of their ENTIRE season so obviously it was tough to swallow....also to include tough for Caitlin as it was her last soccer game after so many years of playing the game. While they may disappointed, I am so proud of their record and the team for an incredible season and for getting to the FINALS...it was an exciting week to get here today and we enjoyed watching every second of it (on the computer and today big screen!). Click to see the REVIEW and STATS of today's game. Caitlin also (like so many throughout her soccer years) received several recognitions to include the Scholar Athlete Award and her name can be seen listed HERE...she also got on the 2008 NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship All-Tournament Team and also an Honorable Mention for the 2008 NAIA Women's Soccer All-America Teams. She has served her team so well especially as Captain these past two years and even voted the Character Award this year. So.....I know today was tough, but what a way to end the soccer story....an undefeated season and playing in the National FINAL....we are so proud of you Caitlin...Here we were cheering you on....

All decorated for the big game

I think an award for getting to the finals......

This is when they are getting the second place trophy and the coach hands it to Caitlin and another captain (poor Caitlin is wiping away tears..)..but if you listen you can hear my dad yell "Hold it HIGH!!" They deserve it!!

And...I believe getting something for the All-American Team (I could be wrong, but we loved hearing her name!!)

So, while I know it has to be very bittersweet for Caitlin right now ending this soccer season...I too have been reflecting on all the seasons I have watched her play. From the Pink Dragons, to Lightning, to her select teams, CK High School, and now Concordia...we have seen many a soccer game. I always thought she was "one of the best"...but then I am bias I guess. But her beautiful corner kicks and crosses from the side will be remembered and missed by many that watched her play. I will miss watching that blond pony tail bob behind her as she runs, the beautiful way she encouraged her team and the excitement she gave us watching in all the games. I will miss yelling "Go CV" and bundling up to bear the cold fall games....but I am so thankful I was able to be a part of it and one of her biggest fans...I am so thankful she found such a huge passion and lived it to its fullest and I look forward to her sharing it and teaching her nieces and nephews the way of the game!!! Love you lots sis and Congrats for today and for all your soccer achievements....no matter what the scoreboards show....you are always #1 with me!!!

HERE WE COME!!!!

It's Official...The Concordia Cavaliers WON the semifinals today and advanced to the NATIONALS FINALS!!! We were ready to cheer them on today with blue and white decorations, and lots of fans....within the first 12 minutes we scored!!! (this was the #1 ranked team so we were all so excited....then if we could just hold on)....then CAITLIN (yes my sister) had a GORGEOUS goal to give them a 2-0 lead (I believe only her second goal of the season). And to top it off in the last SECOND of the game, we scored again to win 3-0. CHECK HERE for the review. Thanks to all the fans that came and helped us cheer her on, it was lots of fun. If you want to come over tomorrow for the FINAL GAME, it starts at 3 pm!!! Go CAVS and GO CAITLIN.

Calling all FANS!!!

Well, if you want to see a good game....tune in this Friday and watch CAITLIN and the CU CAVALIERS in the SEMIFINALS of the Women's Soccer National Championship. Yes....they won the Quarterfinals today! After another GREAT but nail biter game....we were up 1-0 until the last 5 minutes of the game...when it got tied up. But in the first 92 seconds of sudden death overtime...we scored and took the WIN.....still UNDEFEATED for the year!! Caitlin had a great game, despite the two small injuries and the UNDESERVED yellow card....ridiculous. We are so excited as we were not expected to win this game, we never beat this team before. Check out the STATS and REVIEW!! So.....I hope all the fans are cheering and watching if you can when they play on Friday at 2 PST...wish we could be in FL watching (we did check airfares, but too expensive for all of us to go)....so if you are a local and would like to watch the game WITH US....we can cheer them on here!! Go to the NAIA site if you want to watch it LIVE. GO CAVS GO....good luck....we love you Caitlin!!

GO CAVS GO

Today Game #2 for the NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship was between CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY (of which my sister Caitlin is the Senior team captain) and Berry College from GA. So since we couldn't be in Daytona with her, we paid to watch the game live on the computer....so Angel and I got in our Concordia attire, made a poster (of which Angel colored), made some popcorn and got some bubbly cider ready.....and it wouldn't be complete with a CU and GO Caitlin CHEER (see video below)....

...then it was a NAIL BITER of a game...Angel watched in earnest (and some confusion as to why we were watching a soccer game on the computer and why we were screaming for Caitlin)...Thanks Theresa for watching with me....

(Caitlin shooting a beautiful corner kick!)

Every time we yelled...Emma cried..and poor babies naps kept getting postponed because the game ended up going into double OVERTIME....with a tie game of 1-1 and if no one scored it would have gone to a shoot out (yuck!)....but (this is where I really get to brag).....with 90 seconds left in the last overtime....CAITLIN....yes my sister, CAITLIN #6...did one of her beautiful crosses to the goal...and her teammate knocked it in!! The CAVS advance to the quarterfinals and we continue to cheer them on....even if it is from a distance!! GO CAVS GO. Anyone interested in watching the next game with us....it is 8 AM our time Wednesday morning!!

(the concordia Men's team also won their NAIA game in a shoot out and will advance too)

Off to Nationals in Daytona

Last weekend, we went down to Portland to watch my sister Caitlin play soccer for the first game off the National Tournament. It was a great game and she even had one shot on goal and three assists. They won 5-1 and get to head to Daytona, FL today to continue on their chance to win nationals. It was a little bittersweet because after about 10 years of watching her play soccer, this could have been the last time as she graduates in May. But we are hoping one day maybe she can coach her nieces. We stayed the night so we could have some time visiting and catching up with her and enjoyed hearing her give her testimony at church the net day for Christ the King. Way to go Caitlin and good luck in FL...wish we could be there!! Here are the STATS from the game and definitely READ THIS for the write up and a great pic and comment about Caitlin. And....if you are interested in following them in Nationals you can go to this NAIA site for game times and HERE to pay a fee to watch which games you want to on the computer.

(the slide show has some cute pics of the game)

CCC CHAMPIONS

Congrats to my sister Caitlin who not only scored last night but helped her team become the CCC champions...again. Click HERE for a great write up and a very nice comment about Caitlin. We hope we can see your first national game soon!! We love you!

Portland Trip - Game Two

We let the kiddies sleep in as long as they could this morning and enjoyed a leisurely morning. My mom went to a conference for the day and my poor dad ended up having to take his car to the shop to get the shocks replaced. So we hung out at the hotel room visiting with Caitlin. Angelica was very silly and excited to play with Aunt Caitlin. Then when dad returned we went and hung out at Caitlin's apartment and then picked mom and headed to the game. It was a very cold game so we all tried to bundle up as much as possible. They won 3-0 and it was a very good game. We were sad to say goodbye to Caitlin but it was already 730 and we had a three hour drive ahead. It was a fun soccer watching trip and the girlies were AWESOME. Unfortunately last night they both had bad colds and so today we are trying to feel better....nothing like suctioning runny noses all day long and not being able to sleep!!