Always On My Team

Tonight was the first time he laced up his cleats...



joined others on the field...




dribbled the ball and fought the temptation to pick up the ball when it got away from him



and gave soccer a try!



Carter enjoyed his first soccer practice... and as for me?

I don't know if I was more excited to watch him play, or to find out that the ball we bought him matched the team shirt they gave him at practice to wear each week, which wound up matching the goal for a super-cute color-coordinated picture!

Seriously, though, it was an absolute joy watching him! I don't think I stopped smiling the entire hour. Between silent giggles at the parents yelling at their son to "Go get it! Go get it!" as if we were in the midst of the World Cup playoffs, and the little girl who continually picked up her soccer ball every time someone else got near her, I watched Carter.

I watched him think. I saw his little brain spinning as he processed all the rules...

"Tip my foot so I kick the ball with my shoe laces... keep the ball close to me... turn my body so that others won't take the ball from me..."

I saw him make choices.

"Should I go get a drink right now because I'm really thirsty, or should I wait here until Coach says it's time for a drink break?"

"Should I help the little boy that just fell down, or take the ball from him because he's not on my team and head down the field to make a goal?"


My heart smiled when Carter stopped, looked our direction, and gave us a smile and wave.

I don't know if this is the start of many years of soccer-playing, or if he'll decide to hang up his cleats after this 6-week session is over.

What I do know is that it was pure joy watching him tonight...

and I am so happy he's always on my team.