Portland Timbers

RJ's soccer program had an event at opening night for the Portland Timbers Soccer. We had a blast! There was a sculpture outside the boys enjoyed. Notice Jack in the nose. Ah there is something witty to say.

The mascot walks around with a chainsaw "revving" up the crowd.

Soccer Tourney

RJ is # 21...notice you only really ever see pictures of him running

Before Game One

The Champions!

GO BLUE SHARKS!!!!!!!!!!

RJ was in his first soccer tournament this weekend. He played two games on his birthday. One at 10:30a and another at 4:30p. They won both games, playing really well. The final game was today at 4:30 and it was a hard game. The boys played well and were very aggressive with the ball. Their team won and took first place!

RJ played defender all weekend and loved it! He is now called the Brick Wall by the parents for not letting anything by him. He used his whole body and charged every ball that came his way. He has found his place on the team for his big kicks. He was awesome. I am so proud! He was really anxious for the game but settled down and played hard. He just wants to play his position well and knows that is what helps the team. He isn't about how many goals he scores, he doesn't care if he scores at all, he is cheering on his team as hard as the parents.

He is such a great kid! What an amazing thing to witness. I just love my guy!

Blue Rockets!

Okay, now I get to brag as a coach! The Blue Rockets came together and played like a team that I have never seen before in my life! They were passing, they were defending and they were going after the ball! There were some beautiful plays and the kids were all smiling! Mind you it was about 42 out, raining in sheets and the kids were down right water logged...but they won! I am on cloud nine right now! The taste of victory after a long struggle is much sweeter then winning all on its own. They were amazing out there. They were executing everything they have been taught and I was crying with joy as I watched them beaming with pride and cheering for themselves. You couldn't see the tears for all the rain dripping off the bill of my hat but I was a proud Mama! What a long hard road, with the most amazing reward of seeing them play hard. Next year, I will invest in better rain gear;)

Bragging Rights!

RJ's team won on Saturday! The first half of the game RJ's group won 3-2. RJ scored two of the goals! The other goal was a great pass to a player infront of the goal where it sailed in. A beautiful play....if I do say so myself.

I am so proud of RJ. He is a natural:) Which is quite a lot considering Phillip nor I played. I was so excited for the kids...they have worked so hard and come so far. My boy, close to a hat trick!

Just needed to brag on him a bit. What can I say, coach or not, I am a mama first.

Soccer Mom

We are halfway through the season and the kids are taking off! Today's game they played hard and it was one of the best games they have played. I am so proud of all of them! It has been a tough season, don't get me wrong. We are a really young team, half I would say have not played before. But the kids are putting up with my drills and making huge strides each practice. The most joy I have is watching them play and having a great time.

Coaching is a great way to spend time with RJ. Not sure that I am really born for coaching in this era but I do what I can. I have found that my natural talent is as a yeller...go figure. I just make sure that I am only yelling good clear instructions...you know, "run, face the ball, run". Usually I am just yelling RUN. Phillip keeps telling me I need to stop yelling since the kids don't listen. Someday one of us will learn, either I will stop or the kids will start listening;) Place your bets now...

Here are photos of RJ playing with his friends. There is a team photo and one of me in my prime:) Needless to say, practice two nights a week and games on Saturdays makes for busy times at the Erwin house, I will update soon on RJ's birthday and other events in our lives...promise!

Soccer Mama

Okay, so I am officially a soccer mom. I am coaching RJ and his second grade group of crazy boys! What a busy bunch. I will have pictures soon, promise...They are so silly! Most of the time it is really hard to get them to focus. I am working on it;) First game was Saturday and they were great! The game started at 9am so it was a little early for most of the team. They handn't gotten their dose of cartoons in so they were slow for the first half. Things picked up and they really played well the second half. I am glad this year because the boys are not crying, begging me to let them rest on the sidelines! Big improvement when they actually play! One of the asst coaches compairs it to hearding cats, pretty accurate...
See you all soon!