The Most Beautiful Game

If you would've asked me in high school what I thought the worst sport was I would've said SOCCER. How in the world could somebody like such a dumb sport? All you do is run around and kick a ball. Lame.

Until I met Travis, well more like several years after I met Travis. After being surrounded by soccer and living and breathing soccer for the past 3 years my perspective has totally changed. I love soccer. I love everything about it. I love the skill that is involved. I love how you only need a ball and a few cones--sometimes not even a ball; a taped up t-shirt will do. I love how it brings all nationalities together despite the language barrier. And yes, even now I love the running.

This past Sunday Travis, his interns Luke and Logan, and his partner Paul had the opportunity to host a soccer match between their U15 and U18 boys' teams and adult leaders in our community as a fundraiser for the Urban Eagles. The leaders team included local church leaders, teachers, coaches, Urban Eagles volunteers, and a police officer. It was such a neat way to bring the community together, enjoying one another's company, and playing the Great Game. The final score was 2-1 with the boys winning over the adults! Everyone did an awesome job and thankfully there were no injuries--when you get older that's the first thing you worry about. It was amazing to see the participation in the leaders of our community. They were such good sports and played their hearts out. What I loved most was seeing all the nationalities and all ages coming together, to play, to watch, to just enjoy an evening together.

Pre-game prayer

Coach Logan opening the evening and introducing the teams. The U15 and U18 Urban Eagles boys are behind him.

And the leaders of our community, including Laura, one of my volunteers and only woman out there playing. She did awesome!!!
Way to go Laura!!!

Just a few of our wonderful fans. Look at those boys, totally engaged in what's going on out on the field!

At the beginning of the second half "Chavez", "Loganski", and "Lukano" (not pictured) made their appearance. 

It didn't take long for "Chavez" to receive a yellow card ;)

I think I've mentioned before that Travis will wear his mullet any opportunity he can. This was one of those opportunities he didn't want to miss out on. Seen here with "Lukano" and "Loganski".
Never a dull moment with these guys. 

I love this community so much. I'm blessed by these kids every day and knowing we have adults who love and care for these kids too just brings me so much joy. Soccer is just the tool but the community that has formed because of the Great Game is what keeps us together. 

Ramblings

A lot has happened over the last week and it's been difficult for me to find time and sit down to document it all...eh, who am I kidding?! I have all the time in the world now that I'm just watching the clock, waiting for Juice Drop to arrive. Let's just be honest, I've been lazy and haven't had the will to get on here and post anything. Now that I'm ready, I have too many pictures to add to just one post so I may have to break it up a bit and add pictures here and there over the next few weeks, or until Juice Drop arrives and she takes up this entire blog because her cuteness is too much to contain!

Anyway, Travis' birthday weekend was awesome--despite a few mishaps! We enjoyed a Friday night out at the Bonefish Grill (a new place for us). We try to enjoy date nights free from baby talk but alas, with the only thing on our minds lately being Juice Drop it's kind of difficult to talk about anything else. Saturday was great. Emily and her roommate and bestie, Sammie went with us to Strike City (an entire bar and grill devoted to The Ohio State Buckeyes!) and watched the Buckeyes whoop up on some University of Miami tail. Sunday night was supposed to be thee birthday dinner where I was supposed to be the best wife in the world and take him to enjoy his favorite meal: pad thai. As we pull into Thai Taste we noticed it was kind of empty and there on the door read "Closed Sundays". So what does one do when your birthday dinner is pretty much ruined? You head to McAllister's and ponder your options over a tall glass of Arnold Palmer (well, at least Travis does; I get a lemonade). He finally decided he wanted Donatos Pizza (a place new to the Charlotte area but nostalgic to us Ohio folk). As we head to Donatos we pass a restaurant that catches Travis' eye. He's all about the appearance of places so when he saw wooden slats across the entire front of the restaurant he had to stop and see what they were serving. (In the end, I don't think it really mattered what they were serving, he just liked the feel of the place!) Leroy Fox ended up being an amazing restaurant featuring world famous fried chicken and delicious southern sides (no where in the north can you find fried zucchini fries!) We had an wonderful time eating and enjoying one another's company--and guess what?! No baby talk! Monday was Travis' actual birthday and we were really hoping Juice Drop would make her debut, but as you can clearly see, she did not. I made him his favorite french toast breakfast and, we enjoyed the afternoon walking around the park, but not before heading to Chick-fil-a for Travis' favorite dessert: a peach shake...and what do you know? the ice cream machine is down! Mishap #2. So what's close but no cigar to Chick-fil-a's peach shake? The Cookout. 'Nuf said. The evening ended with a labor day dinner with some dear friends complete with a dance lesson from Miss Pat and Azavion (the wobble) and mint oreo chocolate cupcakes for the Birthday Boy! Like I said, a few mishaps and nothing too exciting, but Birthday Boy says it was an amazing weekend and he feels very loved...success!

The Albemarle Urban Eagles soccer season has officially begun! Along with Thursday evening soccer practices and Saturday morning games, we've added an evening for dinner, fellowship, and bible study. While it may seem like 18 boys in one tiny apartment is crazy, it's been a blast to have them all in our home learning about Jesus and His love for them. And yes, somehow we plan on continuing this Monday evening get together after Juice Drop arrives--she and I will hide out upstairs :) Praise God for an amazing start to the season! I can't wait to see all that God has in store for these boys.

Let's talk about naturally inducing labor...it's not working! I've been walking, doing prenatal pilates and yoga, house work, dancing the night away at a wedding this past weekend, amongst other things that can be left to the imagination :) Juice Drop must be comfy and cozy in there because nothing is persuading her to meet her Mama and Daddy. We try and tell her that inside of me she's not able to get all the cuddling and kisses she'll love once she's in our arms. We must have a stubborn one on our hands (hmm...sounds like her Mama and Daddy). I guess we still do have 9 days until the due date. I'll just keep doing what I've been doing and hope and pray she comes sooner rather than later! :)

Take a peek at what our past week looked like:

The Birthday Boy's cupcake...the progression of the next few pictures crack me up!

I do have to say that these cupcakes were to die for, and it was my first time making icing! I found the recipe here.

Monday evening bible study with the soccer boys...

 

 

 

 

 Boys first game...

Dancing the night away at our dear friends' wedding on Saturday night...

Our Sunday afternoon at the park...Bliss!

Enjoy your week!

A Season to Remember: Go Urban Eagles!

Anyone remember the movie The Big Green? Even though I hated wasn't a fan of soccer before I met Travis, that movie was one my favorites growing up. I loved the fact that a group of kids expected to do lousy and looked down upon ended up surprising everyone and taking the championship. It was your typical feel-good movie, and you walked away wishing you could be a part of a team just like that.

While the Albemarle Urban Eagles didn't win the championship our boys started the season off already the underdogs. They are a group of 12-15 year old kids from all different parts of the world from Burma to Liberia to Mexico and more, and while they may have played soccer all their lives in their neighborhoods, they had never played on a structured team. From the first time they stepped on the field that first game all the way to the last game you could see the joy in their faces and the passion in their play. They loved being out there and anyone who came to watch was blessed. They loved playing so much they'd be ready to go to the game 3 hours before game time--we're talking 7:30 am on a Saturday morning for a 10:45 game! They ended their season last night by placing 3rd in the tournament, and even with a loss, they left the field with heads held high and smiles on their faces. We are so proud of these boys and already can't wait for the fall season to begin!  

Congrats, Urban Eagles! You did a stellar job! 

Ready for the game!

Unity

Even with a loss at the end of the tournament there are smiles all around!

     

New Holiday Traditions

Merry Christmas from the Joneses!

We're trying something new this year: Christmas by ourselves! We won't be making the traditional trek back to Columbus for many different reasons. Am I sad? Yes! But am I excited to spend Christmas with my man alone for the first time ever? A million times Yes! One of the reasons why we won't be making our journey north is because of everything that is going on here in Charlotte. I'm sure most of you can relate to crazy Christmases, maybe even 3 or 4 in one day. What Travis and I need is a relaxing Christmas where we can focus and seek God's guidance in this next big step. Beginning in January we will transition into the role of being the point leaders of the Albemarle Community which will hopefully be followed by us moving into one the apartments there. So heading back home for the holidays is just not an option for us if we want to focus on the responsibilities and the move ahead of us in less than a month. We will miss our families tremendously but we know we need to take time for ourselves this year. I'm pretty excited about experimenting with new traditions; maybe pancakes on Christmas morning, spending most of the day in our footie pjs, and reflecting on the joy, peace, and love our Emmanuel has brought to the World!

(I won't admit just yet though that I'll miss the white stuff on the ground, ask me Christmas morning and I may change my mind :)

While We Were Gone

So life didn't stop when we left for our 2 week vacation trip--wish it did though so we wouldn't have missed all the great things that happened while we were gone! Here are just a few things that took place:

1. Soccer practices, tutoring, and bible studies went on as usual. However, the Woodbridge Albemarle Community is now practicing at a field close by instead of the tennis courts. The kids have been really receptive to this change and enjoyed going somewhere other than their own "turf" for practice. 

2. Two Thanksgivings took place in two neighborhoods! Along with the Urban Eagles, there were three other ministries, including the church Travis and I are attending, that came to Birchcroft to put on a Thanksgiving meal on November 19^th. Canned goods and prayers were given at every door and a potluck of Thanksgiving deliciousness was outside for everyone to enjoy. The Tuesday before Thanksgiving Grier Heights had their meal and moms were making their best Thanksgiving dishes and girls were putting on a dance performance for everybody. A community came together to share in the praises of the past year and families became one as they celebrated what God has done for them. I so wish we could have been a part of both these wonderful celebrations!

Grier Heights: not on Thanksgiving but a few weeks before--gives you an idea of what it was like :)

Birchcroft: Mom & David

Birchcroft: waiting for a delicious meal 

Birchcroft: enjoying a delicious meal