"Great Job Bubba!"

I want to take a quick break and brag on my little girl for just a moment. Yesterday was just like many other Saturdays around here - BUSY! We got started early with a soccer game for Braden, and then rushed off to a wedding, got home late and followed it with an early morning church service for Easter Sunday. As we sat at the soccer game yesterday, I really hoped that Braden would get his chance to kick the ball more than just a "kick off" from the center field line. (His team is full of 3 year olds and half of them don't want to play. This makes for one opportunity after another for us to get pounded by older kids, and is VERY hard to watch as a protective mama bear). He started off the game very enthusiastic about chasing after the ball. He tried really hard, but the other kids were just bigger and faster. When he finally did get the ball and kicked it once another player ran up behind him and jumped on top of him to tackle him to the ground. (Can you say upset mama bear? My tongue is still a little sore from the holes that I bit through it!) It is so hard to watch your baby get defeated. I want so bad to jump in there and protect him that it hurts at times. It is also hard when both parents are as competitive as Matt and I are. Like I said, Braden tried really hard. He did his best, and he did what we told him to do, but he got frustrated because he kept getting defeated one time after another and another. By the end of the game he was sobbing because he didn't want to go out there and get hurt by those kids again. I really didn't blame him, but encouraged him to finish the game. When the final whistle blew I have to say I was a bit relieved that it was over - for his sake. He was frustrated and done for the day.

Like I said, I wanted to brag on Kaylee though. She sat with either Matt or me on the sidelines and did something that made me so happy for her. No matter what was going on she screamed and cheered for Braden like he was a little hero. She continued to say, "Go Braden!" or "Yea Braden" the entire game. When the game was over I found myself holding back tears because of what she did. The kids lined up on center field, shook hands, and then began to walk off of the field. Before Braden made it to us, Kaylee ran out there to center field, gave Braden the biggest hug and told him, "I'm so proud of you, Bubba - you did GREAT!" She knew that the other team definately "won" (even though they don't "keep score" in this league - the dad next to us sure did). She also knew that he was sad about not getting to score a goal, but she was so proud of him and wanted him to feel good. I had already put my camera away, so I missed the opportunity to get a picture, but I wanted to make sure and remember them walking off of the field - Kaylee with her arm around Braden and his tired little red cheeked face just relieved that it was over.

I know that there will be times that they fight and get frustrated with eachother, but I really want to remember the times that they show love and encouragement towards eachother as well.