Goodbye Middle School - Hello IHS!

 

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Surf Western Washington GA2010 Elite

There’s something about the start of a new soccer season that always brings a mix of emotions—excitement, nerves, anticipation. 

You tried out for Surf G10GA Elite… and you made the team! We are so incredibly proud of you. We know how hard you worked, how much you wanted it, and how much heart you put into every tryout. 

Of course, with this new chapter comes change—new teammates, a new coach, a new club, and a high level of competition. Some of your closest friends didn’t make the team this year,  but don’t worry—true you'll stay close, no matter what team each of you are on.

We’re so excited to see you grow this season. Your love for the game, your commitment to improving, and that fact that you have personal goals for each game will take you far.  Dad and are are your #1 fans

8th Grade Track Season

Well, your 8th grade track season didn’t end the way we imagined. You came out strong—winning the 400m in your first two meets and getting a PR 1:05! You were part of both the girls’ 4x100 relay and the co-ed 4x100,both teams did well!

Unfortunately, a track practice accident, an ambulance ride, and a pretty rough ankle sprain cut the season short. We hoped for a quick recovery, but ankles take time to heal (more time that any of us wanted).  I hope you know how proud we are of everything you’ve done—over all three years at CMMS. You gave it your all, had fun, made amazing friends, and ran fast.

Next up. . . high school track at IHS. 

From Teammates to Lifelong Friends

This weekend’s soccer party felt like more than just the end of a season—it felt like the closing of a chapter. As you step into this next phase with Surf, it feels natural to look back at all you have gained since playing for Gunners since you were 5 years old and LFC that last two years.

You’ve played alongside some of these girls since you were 8 or 9 years old. You have built friendships that have grown stronger with every early morning, every road trip, every hard-fought game. These aren’t just teammates—they’re your people!

It’s sad knowing that not everyone will move forward together. Some girls will stay, others may decide to leave, and some might not make the next roster. It’s the reality of competitive sports, but that doesn’t make it any easier. What does help is knowing the bond you’ve built with these girls is bigger and  something that will stay with you for life.  You’ve learned grit, grace, teamwork, and what it means to lead with heart. You’ve lifted others up, dug deep when it was hard, and shown up even when it was pouring down rain sideways (and never complained).  We are so proud of you and your teammates for sticking together even when it was really hard.   Go LFC G10GA.

 

Spring Break 2025 in South Carolina

Since we were already in the Carolinas for soccer and it happened to be Spring Break, we figured—why not make the most of it? So we headed south to spend a few days with Mimi and Papa, then continued on to Charleston for a little family getaway.

Our time with Mimi and Papa was just what we needed—We had dinner one night in Murrells Inlet which was a fun spot on the water. We also spent a great day at Huntington Beach State Park, soaking up the sun and even spotting a few alligators on the trail in (that's part of the park, don't worry)

Next, we made our way to Charleston—not totally sure what to expect, but it ended up being the highlight of the trip. This charming city totally won us over. A few favorites:

Rainbow Row – The pastel houses were even more beautiful in person

Folly Beach – Perfect beach day and Alena/Christal joined us

Shopping – We explored a bunch of cute boutiques and somehow ended up visiting the Brandy Melville 3 story store more than once.  And we made matching bracelets at Kendra Scott which was a fun mom/daughter moment.

Carriage Ride:  We explored the city on our horse drawn carriage ride - lots of history along the way.

Charleston was the perfect blend of history, charm, and relaxation.  

 

GA Showcase North Carolina

We headed to North Carolina for a GA showcase with a team that was smaller than usual—injuries sidelined a few, but the core group of girls came ready to play.  Since it was a travel policy event, we were all on the same flight out, and once we landed, you were officially “team only”—staying with your coaches and teammates for the duration of the showcase. 

Late-night snacks, bus rides filled with music, and team meetings—these are the moments that bonded you closer. And then there was Ike— he was the unofficial team chauffeur, making those essential Walmart runs.

It wasn’t just about soccer—it was about growing up a little, leaning on each other, and making the kind of memories that you’ll still talk about when you are older

And let’s be honest—it was fun for the parents too. We went to dinner together every night, went hiking, and had an absolute blast.

Big 50 for Mom!

Turning 50 felt like one big celebration — and I have you and Dad to thank for that! You two completely spoiled me, starting with an unforgettable trip to Vegas with friends. There was sunshine, a little gambling, a magic show, ice bar and we stayed up was past our bedtime.  It was the perfect getaway.

Just when I thought the fun was over, you pulled off the ultimate surprise — a party with all my favorite people at the brewery. You got me so good! I had no idea, and it couldn’t have been more perfect.

Thank you for making this milestone so much fun,  here’s to 50 and fabulous!  (PS dad is next)