Sports.

We've been up to our necks in soccer and football these days.  

After years of sitting on the sidelines I decided it was time to get my foot in the door and start coaching these fellas.  I always wanted to coach soccer but never did, always thinking that someone else would do a better job (it was a dumb assumption...most years I was kicking myself for not doing it).  This was my year.  I did it.  And I've LOVED it!  I've loved getting involved in a game that was such a major part of my life.  Besides Church, there was always soccer.

Brigham's football do.

Since I started coaching, I've had gobs of nostalgia.  I realized that I am who I am partly because of this sport, because of the time, years, spent in the game. 

I learned to win well and lose well.  

I learned how to deal with heartache (boy, there was some of that).  

I learned how important my Faith was to me, because there were times when I had to choose my beliefs over my sport.

I learned respect.

I learned that I could do HARD things.  Really hard things.

I learned how to be part of a team and have life-long friends because of it.

I learned to play through pain.

I learned the sweetness of victory.

And...

I (accidently) said my first and only swear word ever...and was dog-piled by laughing teammates because of it.

Now, it's MY kids' turn.

I watched the last fifteen minutes of football camp Friday night.  The boys were running sprinting drills.  All were finished.  Except one.  A big fella.  Linebacker.  All of a sudden most of the boys ran back to this guy, running alongside of him, giving him high-fives, cheering him on.  It was awesome.  THAT'S what makes sports cool.  Those are the lessons I'm grateful my kids are learning and taking part in.  Sure, there can be a lot of crap in sports, a lot of politics, etc.  But, if you can rise above the garbage, it's so worth it.    

The CUTEST boundary I've ever seen.  The kids set this up before our backyard soccer game tonight.

I love sports.  I love what sports gave to me (and my husband, for that matter.  He's learned the same things).  I love what sports are doing for my kids.  Who knows, maybe they'll never fall in love with a sport, like Ben and I did.  But for now, we're living it up and enjoying the ride (hah, because you and I both know that some days, sports+kids=LIVING in your car)!