Soccer Game #4

Last night was our last Monday night game and game #4. We played the Pirates and had a ref that was whistle happy. He was a great young guy, but worked very hard to teach these little guys the real rules. Everyone was so confused. I think by the end of the game they did understand that they could not kick it to themselves on an indirect kick. There were several highlights to the game...the first being that Clayton had a lot of loved ones there to watch. Thank you Papa, Cara, Carrie and Jackson for coming to watch. The second being that he scored 4 goals! The last highlight was that at one point Clayton was playing 1-on-3. The other two boys on Clayton's team had other things to tend to while on the field. One little boy was staring into the beautiful night sky admiring the almost full moon and the other was busy holding a conversation with his mommy. These moments are what makes 4-year old soccer so stinkin' cute! Please join us for any of these great, Saturday, soccer moments!

Footprints of Faith

Wow, I can't believe the Breast Cancer 3-Day is only 33 days away. My team tried their first 15 miles today....whew! Everyone is getting prepared with their second pair of shoes, 6 pairs of socks, sleeping mat, fanny packs and lots of Body Glide. The team continues to fundraise with several already meeting their goal of $2200.

This journey started for me almost 7 years ago. I wanted to do the walk and attempted to gather a team from the school where I was the social worker. It didn't work out that year and fell off my radar screen for a short while. I continued to see the commercials throughout the years and really wanted to do it. The fundraising seemed to hold me back every time. Last year one of my Bible study groups decided to do it and I was pumped. Well, wouldn't you know it.......I got pregnant and all plans went out the window. Cooper was just about 2 months old when the 3-Day happened last year. I did help the team with their garage sale and went along for the journey in a supportive sort of way.

November of last year I decided 2007 was my year. I talked about it with Ray and began to pray. I wanted to do it, I wanted it to be in line with God's will for me and I needed Ray on board. So prayer happened and in January of 2007 I jumped in with both feet. I wanted to start the year off right....make a commitment, challenge myself and complete a big task. My next plan of action was to find just one more person that would commit to raising $2200 and walk 60 miles and sleep in a tent. You better believe people were knocking on my door! No, not really so I began to think, pray and be aware of any challenge takers. My first approach was one sunny day in January in the Target parking lot and Stacey Ingram was my victim. :)

Stay tuned for the rest of the journey......

Dancing Bones

I am reading Dancing Bones by Patsy Clairmont for my Wednesday night Bible study. The book is about living lively in the valley. She uses Ezekiel 37:1-10 as the focus. She is so witty and makes some great illustrations. Here is my favorite:

"From the mountaintop I can see the eagle soar, but I've learned that in the valley I can hear a sparrow sing. On the mountain I see trees like canopies, but in the valley I can sit in their shade and eat of their fruit. On the mountain I see lakes like small mirrors, but in the valley I can touch the relections and ladle the water to my parched lips. On the summit I see people like walking sticks, but in the valley I can trace a child's face and dab away tears."

I am truly enjoying it right now.....pondering lots of thoughts that it brings. I will keep you posted. Also, if you get a chance please pray about me passing this book on to someone ( I have them in mind already) that I think would be changed with these words.

Soccer Fun

We had game number three last night. It was a nice change from the heat and sweat of Saturday mornings. They don't keep score of the games so I just keep track of Clayton's goals. I do know we lost the first game on the 8th of September....it was very obvious. Our little guy did not score and was very disappointed. Last Saturday I think we probably won and Clayton scored 6 goals. Last night might have been a tie and Clayton scored 2 goals. He gets so excited when he scores and usually runs to the middle of the field and does a forward roll. We are using soccer for lots of life lessons such as sportsmanship, losing, fairness and encouragement of others. He really does well with dribbling the ball and maneuvering around others. The pics that are posted are from the first game. Coop is loving the games, too. He enjoys sitting in his stroller and watching all of the action.

Long Overdue

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit at the end of August. We have not seen them since 4th of July. They brought Danielle with them and the long weekend visit was tons of fun (as always). We introduced Danielle to Webkinz (thank you, Ingrams, for introducing us) and she loved it. We went to the Wylie Flower Shop and Grandma bought her a black cat and Clayton came home with a new bulldog. They enjoyed being with the boys and seeing how much Coop has changed. Grandpa compared Coop's walk to Foster Brooks. For those of you that don't know who that is.....basically he thinks Coop walks like he has had one too many. :)

Lots of Catching Up

I know it has been a while since I have shared all of our busyness. I will catch you all up with this blog and post a picture blog later today or tomorrow. Well, since I last blogged here is what we have been up to:

• First of all, Happy Birthday today to my mom. We will be celebrating with her next weekend. Hope you have a fabulous day! We Love you bunches.
• We got Landon off to college with just a few tears. He is busy with ROTC and he is a member of the Saddle Tramps. The Saddle Tramps are an all male organization that support all athletics at Tech. He is having a blast and we hope to see him tonight in Denison at my dad's house.
• Clayton has started soccer. GO TIGERS!!! He had his first game last Saturday and they played great. He has his pictures and a game this afternoon. The other team last week were a little more advanced than we were, but we had a great time. I hope to get a post on the blog with pics and narrative this weekend.
• Cooper is up to all kinds of stuff. He is pointing with his pointer at anything and everything and then gives you a very long narrative about whatever it is that he sees. He climbs anything he can get his knee on and then has a blast falling off. Thank goodness no trips to the ER just yet. He is so quick I usually get to him during the fall. We are discussing his first hair cut which needs to take place very soon. Don't worry, just a trim.....the curls are staying!
• Ray has been busy at work and lovin' it. He just had a small group launch that 104 people attended. Way to go! Connection at any church is big, but when you are a large, growing church it is incredibly important. He has a tough job and a true calling. You are awesome at what you do, honey. Keep up the great work!
• I will try to sum me up quickly. I have been busy with my 3-Day Breast Cancer walk. I have about 6 more weeks to keep training and fundraising. We (as a team) have had 2 fundraisers that have given us a total of $2900. That is huge! We did a skate party and a garage sale. I have been playing with the boys, keeping up with 2 Bible studies, hanging out with friends and loving everything about my life! I do truly feel blessed everyday.

That is the Miranda family in a brief nutshell. I really am going to try and keep up to date on the blog because we do have fun things to share just about everyday. August was incredibly busy for us and now I feel back in the routine. Hope everyone is enjoying the slow cool down in weather and taking advantage of the outdoors.

Until we meet again........