Final Soccer Game

So we had our last soccer game tonight. Sadly, we lost our playoff game so the season came to a close. The bugs and the heat/humidity got really uncomfortable at the end of the season, but I'm still sad it's over.  I am so glad Miguel encouraged me to play. I had a great time and have become more confident in my soccer playing abilities - though they are still limited. Our Monday night soccer games were a good way to socialize too. Because of this new experience I think I'm willing to explore other beginner sports leagues. I'm thinking about maybe checking out tennis. We'll see if I'm brave enough to play a sport without Miguel there by my side... =) 

I finally remembered to bring a camera to the game tonight, however, most of the pictures turned out really blurry. But below are a few of members of our team and some mediocre game shots. 

Elizabeth, me, Madison 

I guess the league didn't print many number options when three of our teammates had the number 6.

I like this because everything is blurry besides Mig

One of our star players, Brian.

Abu, a fill in player, and Justin.

YIKES! Help me!

Okay, time to be candid. In the past 10 months I have gained 20 pounds. 20 pounds! Holy Cow! This has happened because, #1 I have low thyroid and haven't been taking my meds (easy fix - thank God), and #2 because I don't handle change very well and this has been my body's reaction to all the stress. After looking at pictures of me from the past couple of months and being terrified, I have FINALLY decided to do something about it. So for the first time in months, I went to the gym today. UGH! I am soooo out of shape! I refuse to be discouraged though! It may be slow going, but I can do this! I have a week to get my heart rate back in shape, at least back in shape some what. I have a week because next Monday Miguel and I have our first soccer game. Yes, soccer game. I have n.e.v.e.r played soccer before. Not even when I was six or seven. Miguel plays a lot and is really good at it, so I've fooled around with him over the past couple of years kicking the ball, learning to dribble and stuff. That's about all my exposure to playing soccer though. The team we're playing with is a group of his co-workers and the few I've seen play before are really good and take it pretty seriously, so needless to say I'm pretty intimidated. I'm nervous but hoping that this league will help push me to be healthier and get in better shape. A goal to work toward is always pretty helpful. (I can also use all the prayers and encouragement you could send along my way!) 

oh lord. 

Since I've never played before I had to go purchase new shoes, socks, and shin guards. Savannah doesn't have a Dick's Sporting Goods, Sports Authority, or anything like that, so it was challenging to find cleats. There is one store that carries them and it's a small sports store in the Savannah Mall. Everyone and their brother was there shopping yesterday and they only had three employees working, one of which decided it was a good time to go on break. Once we finally got help we learned that the only women's soccer shoes they carried were not available in my size. Luckily, I was able to fit into little girl's size 6! Phew! This was much better anyways, because they are cuter than the only women's option which were all white with bright blue accents - so they'll basically be a muddy color after you wear them once. The ones I ended up with are black with pink. Yay for pink! 

Emma and I headed to the park today to try them out! I was honestly surprised how much easier it is to kick the ball with proper soccer shoes than it is with tennis shoes. They're so light and you can just feel the connection to the ball easier. I made the mistake of going at noon and after I had been at the gym, so I got out of breath really fast. But Emma and I still had fun kicking the ball around. You know it's hot when Emma stops running around and goes to sit down under a table. So we left after that.

I'll write about my first soccer experience after next Monday night's game. Ahh! Cross your fingers for me and say a prayer for me to get back into shape!

It's good to be a dog

Cheerleading, Nail Trimming, and Cake Baking

Dad's soccer team is in the playoffs!  Mom has been taking me the past three nights to watch dad play.  I'm a very good cheerleader.

 

 Last night Dad's team went into an hour-long over time and they lost in PKs. It was a really fun game to watch! Although, I only got to see the first half because I caused a racket and was asked to leave =( There were other dogs there and I just wanted to play. So I loudly told them so. No one else appreciated this.

In other events, my nails have gotten really long and scratch mom and dad a lot. Especially when I torpedapuppy them. So mom bought this special nail clipper to trim my nails. It has three little lights that help identify where the safe cutting zone is. The product description says:

 "The patented QuickSensor Technology shows you where the sensitive nerve and blood vessels end, leaving your pet happy and pain-free. Just hold the claw against the sensor of the fixed blade at a 90° angle and a green light flashes when it's safe to clip. (source)" 

HAHA... yeah, just hold it at a 90° try that while I wiggle around Dad. So mom took me today to a groomer to get them done. They said I behaved very well! Yay for a good report card!

On an unrelated note, Mom baked a cake yesterday. It was her first time playing with fondant.

Strawberry cake

One of the cakes fell apart... boo.

Daddy's Biggest Fan!

On the way to Miguel's soccer game

Yay! I L.O.V.E it when daddy gets on the ground!!!

Watching Miguel Play

Rolling in the grass like Luke taught her... it's great to be a dog... rolling in grass beside smelly, soccer shoes = dog heaven!

Everyone else was running around and Emma didn't want to be left out, so Miguel ran her around a bit... so much puppy fun!

This is how Emma welcomes Miguel home... I believe she is thinking "If I stand on him he can never leave again!"

What I've Been Up To

Over Labor Day Miguel, Emma, and I went back home to Atlanta. It was Emma's first long car ride and she did really well! The first 30 mins she relentlessly spent attempting to climb in the front seat of the car to 'be with'. Pretty precious stuff actually. So the next hour or so she spent in Miguel's lap. We only had to take one pit stop/potty break! After that Emma got up the courage to face the backseat alone. She is so brave.

We spent the first night back home with my parents. Emma was so excited to see her Gramma, aunt, and uncle again! Unfortunately, Bailey had to spend time locked in the basement or wearing the muzzle of shame so as not to eat the puppy. But Luke and Emma were excited to be reunited. Luke was much more himself on his turf than when he came to visit us a couple of weeks prior. Emma and Luke had sooo much fun running around the house and being under together!

The next morning we took the dogs to the river. Luke and Bailey go there to run around free and sniff and explore, you know, do dog stuff.

Bailey loves the river so much and doesn't have to wear the muzzle of shame! Also, notice my mom sporting the UGA shirt for Miguel...

Emma continued her admoration for Luke and tried very hard to keep up with him and copy his every move. As a result, Emma now knows how to roll around in the grass... new favorite thing!

Saturday my mom babysat the grandpup so Miguel and I could go to the first Georgia Tech football game of the season (Thanks mom!). Go Jackets! They won!

What really makes tailgating and football fun for me getting dressed up and going all out in school spirit.

Buzz on my fingernail!

Koozie I made. If I have to cheer for an insect it's at least going to be made out of sequins!

Thats right, it's a GA Tech snuggie. Actually I'm really thankful my grandfather got me this and I brought it that morning. It was perfect weather but we got to campus really early in the morning to get a parking place and it was pretty chilly for the first two hours or so.

Tailgating is a science. We've almost perfected it:

1)You have to have your games like corn hole

(Miguel and I made corn hole boards last year and they have been a big hit for tailgating. Miguel and I are pretty good, but we only won one game!)

2) A cookout with brats and burgers

3) An effective way to save your parking spot for a mid-tailgate grocery run

(shout out to the campus cops who unknowingly let me borrow a cone)

4) and then of course a drinking game...

On your mark...

Get set...

GO!

...and that's how it's done people! (Miguel is the one in the pants... he won! yay!)

This past weekend Miguel started his outdoor soccer league and Emma and I went to cheer him on!

Emma got a little distracted after a while...

The past week has been hard on poor Emma. She's had worms (ewwwwww!) and a little stomach flu. We've been worried about her but it's been special because Emma turns into a little cuddle buddy when she doesn't feel well. Which I L.O.V.E! She's still small enough to fit well on a lap!