ROBERT AND THE University of Louisville SOCCER PLAYERS

Robert - watching Coach Lolla and the U of L soccer players demonstation!

Robert and his friends with the U of L soccer players and coaches.

Kids: Jimmy, Robert, Matthew, Aaron

I should have posted this last week and I didn't get it done before posting about Easter sooooo sorry!

Robert and the other Thoroughbred players had a unique and amazing opportunity to do a training session with the U of L soccer team players and coaches. The players and coaches put on a training session. Near the end of the event, Coach Lolla of the men's U of L soccer team spoke to the kids about developing themselves not only as soccer players, but also as young men. Then he ask the U of L soccer team players to help do a demonstration for the boys and girls in attendance.



After it was all over, Robert got to play soccer with a U of L soccer player. He is pictured in the front row middle section with the white shirt on (next to Aaron). What a thrill. I'm sure we will be going to several of the U of L's home soccer games this season.

GO CARDS! AND THANKS FOR A GREAT SESSION!

HAPPY EASTER

A candid picture of Robert on the search for candy and eggs.
The Easter hunt has begun. Where are all the goodies.

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

I wish we lived closer to family and to friends we've made in VA, OH, and England, not to mention friends that we've had from before we were married.

I hope you all had a wonderful and happy EASTER. It's so special.

I had a most trying day, but at the end of it I realized that there is always new hope with each new day. I love that we have so many chances to try to improve ourselves and be more like Christ every day.

TENNIS ANYONE

Now that the weather is nicer / warmer we've started up our Spring/Summer tradition of playing tennis on Saturday afternoons.

At the moment we are playing doubles: Mark and Devon against Robert and Betsy. Last week it came down to a tie braker ... Robert and I lost.

It's great fun to hit the ball around. Robert and Devon have really improved since last year. I am looking forward to a fun summer of soccer ball, track meets and tennis matches.

Be happy - Live life - Stay active

GREAT DAY FOR TRACK TOO!

Marissa had a Track meet at St. Francis in Goshen. This track meet was only relays. This would be her first time running in relays.

I wish we had more than one camera, but since I took the camera to Robert's game, Mark didn't have the camera at Marissa's meet.

She did great. She ran in three events ... the 3200 relay, the 800 medley relay and the 400 medley relay. She did great! The sixth grade girls won the meet. Marissa (personally) did her best coming in first in one event, and second in the other two events.

What a great day for MARISSA! GO MUSTANGS!

ANOTHER GREAT SATURDAY FOR SOCCER

The conditions for this game were wet and soggy.
Robert going for the shot on goal.

Robert after the shot on goal. He didn't score on this play (but he did later)

Robert's in the blue uniform

It was a beautiful day for soccer. Robert's team had a game in Versailles, KY. They hadn't played in a while since last week was Spring Break. To start the game, we had a hand ball in our goal so the other team got to take a PK shot on us. They scored (boo). Robert and his team played a solid game. At the end of the first half the score was 1-1 thanks to Mason following through on his shot.

Robert played forward most of the time he was in, but he would be one of the first to run back to defend the goal if necessary. Robert had a nice steal and then drove it in for a goal to make the final score 2 -1. WE WIN!

WAY TO GO ROBERT!

USA vs. TRINADAD & TOBAGO

For Robert's birthday we bought him tickets to see the USA soccer team play against Trinadad & Tobago in Nashville, TN at the Titan Stadium. Robert was so excited. We also invited one of Robert's best friends and team mates to go with us, Mason Rice.

The USA Soccer Team: #8 Clint Dempsey, #11 Brian Ching, #12 Michael Bradley, #1 Tim Howard, # 3 Carlos Bocanegra, #5 Oguchi Onyewu, Front: #7 DeMarcus Beasley, #4 Pablo Mastroeni, #10 Landon Donovan, #2 Frankie Hejduk, #17 Jozy Altidore

The STARTING LINE UP!

We arrived at the stadium with plenty of time to look around, shop and eat. First we sought out USA team shirts (ouch - they were $75 - we passed). Second we found our seats! Awesome! They were front row just to the left of the mid field line. They were awesome! By this time Betsy is just as excited as the boys for the opportunity that awaits them. Next, we sought food! We got Papa John's Pizza (yum). The day was beautiful, the sun was shining! It was a perfect day for a soccer game.

Just as we finished eating, a TV reporter came over and started talking to us. He later came back and interviewed Mason in his USA team shirt, Robert in his England team shirt, and myself (I put on Mason's Thoroughbred sweatshirt) about the growth of soccer in America! It was so amazing. Hopefully the documentary will show before the World Cup!

Can you believe it! We will be in a documentary about soccer!We had great seats! Frankie Hejduk was the right defender - he was right in front of us! I was able to get some amazing shots. (This one I got from the website) Frankie Hejduk #2 running down to make a scoring play!

Frankie Hejduk #2 and Clint Dempsey #8

The game is fantastic. Team USA is the first to score. As a matter of fact - they are the only team to score. Trinadad and Tobago gave our defense a touch time, but team USA was able to block or save all attempts on goal!

Celebration after the THIRD GOAL is scored!

Robert, Mommy and Mason excited after they scored their third goal!

The score board at the end of the game! USA 3, Trinadad & Tobago 0

Way to GO TEAM USA!!!

Okay, so then the game is over and everyone in the stands is shouting "USA, USA, USA". Then the USA soccer team comes out on the field for waves, etc. Then, Frankie Hejduk starts walking towards us while taking off his shirt. He is looking around - then he looks me straight in the eye, then looks to Robert, points directly at Robert and throws his shirt! It was so overwhelming! We were so excited! I can't believe it! The only thing I wanted to get Robert from the game was a team USA shirt - but they were too expensive and now he not only has a shirt - he has one of the players shirts!

Robert loves Frankie Hejduk because he is so fast and has such control of the ball. He's a defensive player so his name isn't in the papers as much as Beasley, Donovan, Bradley or Altidore, but he's an incredible player!

We had a long but safe drive back - we were high on excitement from the win of the game and the new jersey shirt.