Airport Run

On our way to Indiana for Christmas we had to make a connection in Houston with only a 22 minute layover. We were excited when our flight landed 18 minutes early, unfortunatley, we ended up sitting on the runway for awhile. When we finally got off the plane we only had 10 minutes to go from the furthest gate in terminal C to terminal B. Ryan and Kayla took off and left Anna and I behind with 2 huge carry on bags and a guitar. Their thought was to get to the gate and see if they could hold the plane. Anna and I must have looked ridiculous running through the airport with all that stuff and we almost took out a little old couple on the moving escalator. We made a wrong turn and accidentally took the tram to terminal A instead of terminal B. When we finally arrived at our gate, 10 mintues after Ryan and Kayla, we found out that our flight was delayed and we didn't start boarding for another 20 mintues. It was quite a night but we were just very thankful that we didn't have to spend the night in Houston.

What's That Number Again?

The other night Kayla said she was going to call the police. Then she looked at me and said, "What's that number again? 411 or 911?" She said that she knew the fire department was 911 but she didn't know if the police had the same number. Seriously Kayla?!

The Big L

I hate losing! Especially when you played better than the other team, the goal your daughter scored (it was fantastic) is called off sides (it wasn't) you go into double over time and then lose in PKs. UGH! UGH! UGH! It's going to be a rough season!

Week 3- Holiday Traditions

Here are a few of our holiday traditions.

1. Christmas Shirts
Every year we fly to Indiana on Christmas day to visit Ryan's family. We also wear our matching Christmas shirts.



2. Trimming the Tree
When I was little my sister and I used to fight about who got to put the angel on top of the tree. My mom came up with the brilliant idea that in odd years (I was born on an odd day) I could put the angel on the tree and in even years (my sister was born on an even day) she could. We do this with our girls now.



3. Gift Wrapping
As a way to raise money for our soccer team we do gift wrapping at Barnes and Noble. It's great because Barnes and Noble provides all the supplies and we get to keep 100% of the donations. We've been doing this for years.



4. Christmas in Indiana
We spend our Christmas in Indiana with Ryan's family.

Anna's Art Work

Here are a few of Anna's recent drawings.




(This is her friend Elizabeth...aka Betty)

Playing in the Rain

The weather has been horrible here the past 2 weeks! Cold and rainy...did I mention cold. Truthfully, it's kinda ticking me off a little. We live in AZ because of the winters and the past few weeks it hasn't been any better than Indiana or Tennessee. The girls have had soccer tournaments so every stinkin' night we have been sitting out in that nasty cold with blankets and jackets and fuzzy socks. UGH! (I wanna wear my flip flops!) Last night was just ridiculous. It was pouring down rain all day and they still played. The JV game was cut short by 9 min. but still considered a full game. They started the varsity game early but had to stop with 26 min. left in the first half because it was getting dangerous. They will have to replay that game. The poor girls and the parents were soaked to the bone! I however, was safely snuggled away in the snack bar with my portable heater and a great view of the field. Working the snack bar does have it's advantages. On nights like last night I almost wish my girls played an indoor sport like basketball or volleyball.

Week 2-Decorations

Last year, I admit, I was a bit of a scrooge when it came time to decorating for Christmas. (We didn't even put up a tree.) So...this year I tried to make up for it. I put up not one, but 2 trees, and with Kayla's help, managed to spread a little Christmas cheer throughout the house.








The outside of the house, which I consider Ryan's domain, did not get decorated. Ryan has been out of town so much that there just hasn't been time. Now I just have to decide when I am taking all that stuff down. Before we leave for Indiana on the 25th or wait until we get back in January. Putting stuff away is the worst part!

Week 1-Christmas List (real or fake)

Fake List
Fake meaning I know there is no chance of getting anything on this list.
1. A cruise around the world
2. Red Jeep or VW Van (red of course)
3. A vacation house on the beach somewhere
4. A kitchen/bathroom remodel
5. new hot tub
6. Big 'Ole Diamond ring
7. Suns Season tickets (floor seats)
8. European Vaca
9. A Maid
10. A personal chef


Real List
Real meaning it's in the realm of possibility.
1. skinny markers
2. Journal
3. TOMS
4. pajama bottoms
5. books
6. pedicure
7. tickets to USA Men's soccer game
8. fuzzy socks
9. massage
10. lotion

(These lists sound a lot like last year's list!...)

Christmas Blog Challenge

It is time for my 2nd annual Christmas blog challenge. This year there are 4 weekly categories instead of 12 days.



Stay tuned to see my challenge answers!

Hat Trick

Anna has a new nickname...Hat trick Anna. That's because she got a hat trick in both of her last 2 games. A hat trick is when a players scores 3 goals in a game. On Friday she got a Norwegian hat trick which means you get 3 consecutive goals in one half.

The girls won the last game of the PV tournament 3-0 on Friday and took 3rd place. A much better finish then last year's 5th place. The O'Connor tournament is this week and the girls won their first game 3-0. Since this tournament is our home tournament the girls are required to work at the games. Last night Kayla was the announcer. It was a riot! Don't ever give that girl a mic b/c you won't get her off. Parents have to help too and lucky me, I was in charge of the snack bar. The girls didn't play until 8:00 and I felt so bad for them bc it was absolutely freezing! And they were exhausted because they had been at school since 7:30am....but they had a great time! There are only 4 more days of this. I think we are going to sleep all weekend.

AZ Repbulic

In the paper today (online version) they listed several of the local high schools and their stats. For O'Connor they listed Anna as a key player! They also listed her friend Andrea, unfortunately they got her name wrong. That stinks but very exciting for the girls especially since they are only 10th graders. I cut and pasted the article below.

Sandra Day O'Connor Eagles
Division: Division I, Section I.
Coach: Rick Kelsey.
Years coached: 10.
Last season's finish: Reached the Class 5A Division II tournament.
Returning starters: 4.
Key players: Anna Goebel, So., MF/F; Amanda Ortiz, So., MF.
Key newcomers: Elizabeth Philpot, Sr., MF/F.
Coach's comment: Our schedule is very difficult and we are a very young team. We only have five upperclassmen with just one a consistent starter. I am looking for my team to compete every game and make sure that regardless of the final score, our opponent has had to earn their result.
Tournaments: Phoenix Paradise Valley and O'Connor.

(for those non soccer people I will translate... MF/F (she plays midfield/Forward)

Tournament Update:
The girls won their 3rd game 3-0 with goals by Maeve, Vicky and Anna. They play for 3rd place tomorrow night.

FRESHMAN!

Kayla beat out a Jr. and a Sr. for starting position on her HS soccer team! Woop Woop! Go Kayla! She is playing in the middle with our friend Drea and they are AWESOME! (Drea is on Anna's club soccer team and her little sister is on Kayla's team.) The starting line up for the HS team is all under classmen, but 2. They took a hard loss to Kellis last night, 0-1, but played a great game. Kellis is a really good team and this is supposed to be "their year" with mostly juniors and seniors. An unlucky deflection gave an opportunity for Senior Hailey to make a beautiful goal that put Kellis on top. It was a hard fought game and a lot of fun to watch. The girls have several friends and club teammates who play for Kellis so there was a lot of good natured ribbing in the stands from parents on both sides. The girls play against Alhambra tonight. Unfortunately I work so can't go....boo!

At the end of the game, Kayla's friend Erin Shea stopped by. She is a freshman and varsity cheerleader at PVHS where the girls were playing. The girls have been friends since they were 2. Aren't they cute! Can't believe how big they have gotten.

1st Game Victory

First HS game was yesterday! The Lady Eagles pulled out a 4-3 Victory over Thunderbird High School. Both Goebel girls got to start! Our starting line up was 1 senior, 1 junior, 4 sophomores and 5 freshman! Definitely a young team, but I think they will do well. Game 2 today against Kellis. Going to be a tough one. Several girls that play club with A & K play for this team.

Varsity Soccer

Kayla, my little freshman, made the Varsity soccer team! We were pretty sure she would but you just never know. I am so excited that the girls will be playing together again! It's been a long time. And...how much easier is my life going to be now?! After Thanksgiving no more club practices until Feb. and no more weekend games! WOOHOOO!

Seize the Day

Last Sunday night I had a seizure in the middle of the night and had to be rushed to the hospital. Ryan said that he woke up to the sound of me throwing up in the bathroom. He got up to check on me and he said that I screamed real loud and then fell over and started seizing. He called 911 and it took over 8 minutes for them to get to me. Ryan said he couldn't remember the address and had to run outside and get it. Thankfully I don't remember a whole lot. I do remember waking up as they were putting me into the ambulance and them telling me that I had a seizure and was on the way to the hospital. Apparently I got belligerent with the paramedics and then had another seizure in the ambulance. The next thing I remember is waking up at the hospital and my mom, dad and Ryan were there. People kept asking me questions like what year it was and who was president and I couldn't remember. I do remember worrying about the girls. They were at home and had slept through all the commotion including firemen and paramedics in the house going up and down the stairs right by their room. I kept saying that they couldn't miss school...someone had to get them to school because soccer tryouts were that day and if they didn't go to school they couldn't go to tryouts.

They did a million tests including an MRI and a Cat Scan. Everything came back negative which is good. My potassium levels were very low...2.7. Anything under 3.0 is serious and 2.5 can be deadly. I was also dehydrated and my electrolytes were off. They got all that regulated and then, since they couldn't find anything else wrong, they sent me home Monday night. I spent most of the week at mom's house sleeping. I am feeling better just really tired. I don't know if it will happen again so that has me a little freaked out.

Mean Girls!

Did you remember the story about the college soccer player from New Mexico who got suspended for pulling a girl's ponytail during a game? Unfortunately that stuff happens in girls' soccer all the time, but most of it doesn't get shown on national television.

In Anna's game this weekend, a girl on the other team punched one of our players right in the face. And...that wasn't the first time she's pulled punches. She hit the same girl during an indoor game a few years back. She got thrown out of that game but this time the ref said he didn't see it so he couldn't call it. Everyone on the sideline saw it and you should have heard the uproar. I was really proud of our player. She showed integrity and a lot of self restraint by just walking away.

In Kayla's game yesterday, a girl on the other team got a yellow card for purposely sweeping the feet of a player and then... she got another yellow card for cussing out the ref when he gave her the first yellow. (2 yellows= 1 red so she had to leave the field.) The last time we played this team...the same girl got a red card for deliberately hurting one of our players. The worst part is that she is the coach's daughter!

My kids are not perfect and I'm sure they have done their fair share of pinching and elbowing, but if I ever saw them show behavior like that on or off the field that would be pretty much the end of their soccer career!

Banat 98 Girls Win Season 1!

It's official! Kayla's team won the first season of State League! They were 7-0 and almost went the whole season without being scored on. In the very last game yesterday the other team got a fluke goal and broke their perfect record. Even though they beat the other team 8-1 the girls were really bummed about letting a goal in. BUT....I think that over 60 goals scored and only 1 against is still incredible!!! Way to go girls!

Big Wins

Big wins for the girls in soccer this weekend. Kayla's team won 7-0, is still undefeated and have not been scored on in regular season. Anna's team has been struggling with injuries this season and has had to play short almost every game. This week our goalie got a red card for obstructing a scoring opportunity...uh...isn't that her job? Another player got 2 undeserved yellows and 2 of our borrowed players had to leave at half time to go to their game. Anna's team played the whole 2nd half with just 9 players and actually finished the game with 8. Trials like that prove what a team is made of and Anna's team is made of steel! They scored 2 goals in the 2nd half and won the game 3-1! So proud of them for keeping their heads up and playing their hearts out!
Go BANAT!

Confessions

1. I drink way too much Coke.
2. I am going to be 40 in a month.
3. Sometimes I use my husband's razor to shave my legs (and pits).
4. When I got to classes at the gym I have to be in the same spot every time or I get really grouchy.
5. I go to Chipotle so much that they know my order before I tell them.
6. I still sleep with my purple teddy bear (sometimes).
7. I get annoyed with people very easily!
8. The toilet paper has to roll over not under. Sometimes I change the rolls at other people's house so they go the "right way".
9. I don't like ice cream!
10. I hate going to the movies!
11. I spend way too much time on Facebook.
12. I want to write a book.
13. I don't like to go shopping. I haven't been to a mall in 6 months!
14. I'm starting to enjoy cooking. (just a little bit)
15. I love to watch tv!
16. I keep a journal (not a diary, a journal).
17. I could live in a hotel and be happy!
18. I wish I could stay home and not work!
19. I am already dreading my kids growing up and going to college.
20. I cry at sad commercials.
21. I am a really bad listener. I tune out easily.
22. I don't miss teaching...yet.
23. I love having my feet rubbed.
24. Mice freak me out!
25. I'm nosey and like to listen to other people's conversations.
26. I don't like animals (especially dogs)
27. I'm very competitive and get mad when I lose. (I've been known to quit when I'm losing)
28. I don't try things if I think I'm going to fail.
29. I obsess about a lot of stuff.
30. I don't like getting in trouble!

Banat BEATS Sereno!

The biggest rivalry between my girls' teams is Sereno. Fantastic club who finished 1st in both the 96 and 98 levels leaving our girls in 2nd place. (Which isn't too shabby)

Rewind to State Cup Last Year- Banat 98 beats Sereno 98 and knocks them into the losers bracket. Sereno works their way back up and beats Banat not once, but twice to win State Cup. In the state of Arizona Sereno 1st...Banat 2nd.

This season: Banat sweeper leaves and goes to Sereno. Banat gets several new players who are fantastic and starts the season undefeated with 49 goals for and no goals scored against them!

Saturday- Banat plays Sereno and beats them 1-0! Total on the year of 50 goals for Banat 0 against!

Kayla (Ini) was the hero of the day as she saved TWO goals from being scored. Sereno never knew what hit them, as they saw for the first time the new and improved Banat 98 team! Of course they had a million excuses for why the lost, but truthfully they just got beat by a better team!

Focus Group

Over the years I have participated in a few of those focus groups for marketing research. You get paid to sit in a room and share your opinions....what could be more perfect for me?! Among others I've done one for diapers and one for teachers on math curriculum. Just last week I got called to one that helps radio stations decide what music to play. I sat in a room with 50 other women age 35 and up and listened to clips of 800 songs! It was pretty interesting. We each had a little wireless handheld device that we turned like a volume dial. Up if we liked the song and down if we didn't like. The guy in charge played the hook for about 50 songs at a time and we moved the dial accordingly. He had a computer screen up front that received the information and graphed it. He told us that he would take the information he collected to several radio stations the next day and present them with the information. That's how the stations determine which songs to play on the radio and which ones not to play.

We got paid $65 and there was a drawing for an extra $100, which I thought I would win, but did not win. Bummer! The night was pretty fun but there was this woman behind me who could not shut up! She talked the entire time and sang along to every song! It was really annoying! She thought she was funny and would make these sarcastic comments. I thought the guy in charge was going to kick her out at one point. There is always one in every class that has to be the class clown and for some reason they always sit by me....UGH! She was also eating beef jerky which smelled horrible! (You should not eat stinky food in a roomful of people!) I kept thinking to myself what would Kayla do now. She probably would have turned around and told her to be quiet! Gotta love that Kayla!

Number 1 or Number 2

Found in the bathroom at NAU.

This Ain't the Ritz

This was the sign posted in our "luxurious" hotel room in Flagstaff.

O'Connor Lady Eagles

So Anna (with the help of her dad) designed the new practice shirts for high school this year.

Pretty sweet!

Banat 98

Kayla's team is amazing this year! So far they are 8 and 1 this season with 48 goals for and only 2 against. Right now they are undefeated in the state of AZ (7 and 0) with 45 goals for and 0 against. The pictures were taking in Flagstaff at the Soccer at the Summit tournament. They went 4 and 0 with 28 goals for and 0 against. What great chemistry this team has. Looking forward to watching their progress this year!

National Training

From what I could see from the parking lot, the girls showed really well at the training session last night. There were about 40 girls there. They had Kayla play defense most of the night. She said she got some good comments like, "nice tackle" or "great pass". One of the coaches came over and asked Kayla and 2 of her teammates for their numbers so I hope that is a good sign. The next training session is in November. They may or may not get asked back for that one, but they could be asked back in the future. Kayla went out there and did her thing so you can't ask for anything more. Depends what they are looking for. We are proud of her and the other girls for sure!

From the US Soccer Federation

Kayla was invited by the U.S. Soccer Federation to participate in the U.S. Soccer Training Center tonight. U.S. Soccer Training Centers are designed to replicate national team training camps. They are set up around the country to try and identify players for their national teams! As the National Governing Body of soccer in the United States, and under the auspices of the United States Olympic Committee, they are empowered and charged with developing the teams that represent the United States in all international competitions such as the Olympics and World Cup. The training center program is an integral part of this process.

This is a BIG DEAL and we are so proud of Kayla! A few of her teammates were invited as well and we wish them all good luck as they go through this process!!!!

BIG BIRTHDAY WEEKEND!

Who is 14 today? This girl! Hey!



What do you do when you have an out of town soccer tournament on your birthday? Turn it into a BIG BIRTHDAY WEEKEND!



You decorate your hotel room.







Open presents...






Play games...



Spend a lot of time at the soccer fields...





Win 1st place medals!
First game win 8-0, 2nd game win 10-0, 3rd game win 6-0....Championship win 4-0! 28 goals for and 0 against!
Kayla scored and played goalie this weekend!




And at the end of a BIG BIRTHDAY WEEKEND you come home and crash!