October 30
School was cancelled due to downed trees and power from the previous night's storm.
Over and over he throws the football up to himself and then may or may not catch it. I think the real point of it is to end up on the ground. ;)
October 31
What a disaster. In the end I think the kids had fun, but it certainly didn't go as planned.
November 1
All Saints Day and the 3rd graders lead Mass and then presented their saints projects. Aiden was the commentator for the service and the saint he chose was St. Francis of Assisi, often remembered as the patron saint of animals.
November 2
Too nice to not take the dog for a swim. Also, since it was just the two of us, we had a nice chat. Among other things, Aiden was taking about how much a their character kids in his class will sacrifice in an attempt to be cool. I'm continually amazed by his perspective and how much of life he already "gets".
November 3
Shaun and Nathan took down some trees that had fallen in the storm for friends of ours. Since it was a half day of school, Shaun brought Aiden along. It was such a beautiful fall day to be out working.
The soccer club held an end-of-the-year "banquet" to recognize players and coaches. Shaun was awarded Coach of the Year!! He's poured so much into these girls over the last 10 weeks, pulling out the best of their athletics ability (because he is as competitive as they come) but even more, working on character development, realizing none of these girls will be playing soccer in 10 years, but they will need to be successful adults. I love the way he lives his life through the filter of loving God, loving others. Here's a couple excerpts from some of the nominations (so proud!):
He stepped in and brought together girls from 5 different former teams and 3 different towns where many have not played with each other before. They now have real teamwork and a real love for each other. He focuses on character development and has taught the girls to win with grace and lose with dignity. He has helped the girls to believe in themselves as individuals and as a team. He has taught them valuable life lessons. He has taught them perspective and treated each girl as a unique piece of a puzzle that makes the whole.
This past weekend, he coached the girls to a championship by beating not one but TWO teams that they had lost to earlier in the year, in PK shootouts. Due to some adversity on the sidelines and questionable calls during these games, he took the chance to also teach the girls a valuable life lesson: "bad things happen throughout life that we cannot control, but we can always control how we react…respond and conduct ourselves...We can only absolutely control ourselves…Bloody lips heal a lot faster and better than character flaws." THIS is a perfect example of what makes CWSA so amazing. We aren't here to just play soccer and win. We're here to grow as people, and raise these children together, as a village. We're a family. We teach morality, not just footwork and shooting drills. How Coach Shaun handled the final two games of the weekend is the epitome of this. No other club that I know of can say the same.
November 4
I did a 4-mile race for the benefit and in honor of veterans. Thankful for people like my brother who serve our country so faithfully.
(Also, it was SO strange to be right back at the finish line in such a short time! Perspective for the win! :)
November 5
Its a joy to watch Amanda leading worship.
Goodness! Shaun is so deserving of all of that and more. What lovely, generous, and honorable comments. Well done!
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