Raising Teenagers

Yesterday we traveled about 4 hours (each way) for Noah's state cup soccer game. The boys lost a heart breaker as they really out played the other team but gave up a penalty kick to an inadvertent handball in the box and one bad play by the keeper. No real earned goals... Noah scored the only goal for our team and played well but was very upset when he missed a shot with about a minute left. Poor timing and communication left him in a bad position to make the shot which could have tied things up and sent them into overtime.

Noah has played with many of those boys for so many years and the possibility that he may move on to new things next year makes it a bit sad. He was so hoping to go out with a real run at the state championship. I am a proud Momma though. He plays up an age group (and always has) and he has worked hard over the years to become an excellent player. I am not sure what the future holds for him, but I know that he has learned to work hard and get along with all sorts of people. He has learned how to lead over the past couple of years. He has learned how to not only dream, but to do the things necessary to succeed. Whether in soccer or education or work or .... life; he will be able to apply those same things. The teenage years are an amazing time to watch your kids. I have been honored to be apart of the lives of 2 incredible teenagers so far.

Kayla is on the verge of college and truly beginning her adult life. She is focused and intelligent and caring and wants to use the giant brain God gave her to help people through some form of medical research. She knows and loves God, makes great choices even in the little things and treats others with respect. I would love to think that there is a magic formula we used on these first 2 that will work on the next 2. I suppose to an extent there is. Pray for them, listen to them, pray for them, talk to them, pray for them, listen to them...

That's my plan and I am sticking to it.