Still NEW Beginings~Just 2 years Later~WOW

Has it really been two years?  How is that even possible?  It truly seems like yesterday we were packing up & moving to Florida and yet, here we are....settled in our home (still have those "on-going" projects) as I'm sure most do.  Matthew is fourteen, in the second semester of eighth grade, immersed in sports (soccer & basketball) and doing a great job in school (first semester all honor roll~proud mom & dad).  Mike is doing an awesome job in his new role and was promoted to Senior Manager, graduated magna cum laude from Liberty University in 2012 and very involved on the soccer board for Matthew's team.

After completing my Licensing course for CSR 4-40 for Insurance, I worked for about six months in Palm Beach Gardens for an agent, but the book of business was sold and my position did not carry over to the new agency .......but everything happens for a reason. Life and day to day activities go by sooo quickly and I thoroughly enjoy being blessed with the opportunity to be at home for Mike and Matthew, keeping everything running smoothly.  Matthew's sports schedule keeps us hopping & if you add in Mike's travel schedule it's probably a good thing I'm not working at this time.  I am still pursuing my 2-20 Agents License and of course still working in Direct Sales with Gold Canyon Candles & Thirty One gifts and I truly love both.  Working from home has so many advantages and I hope to really get my business off the ground this year.  I'm very thankful to those who have faithfully supported me!

The beginning of a New Year, the loss of several dear loved ones the last few years and turning the dreaded 5-0 has inspired me to view things a bit differently.  I've decided to pursue a healthier lifestyle by eating better, thinking & planning what I'm eating and to commit to physical activity....(see it's all in print now, have to follow through!)  I've been going to "bootcamp" and meeting with a trainer three times a week and also walking and doing zumba.....just trying to be more active.  I have to tell you I do feel much better and I can see changes taking place.  Just have to stay determined and stick with it~I've got a teenager to keep up with!

Looks like we have a busy few months ahead with soccer. Tournaments coming up, league games to finish the spring season and Matthew will probably be trying out for the Florida ODP team.  Right now he is half way through the Middle School Basketball season with only 4 or 5 games left and into the second semester of school. And before you know it, he'll have eighth grade graduation and we'll be planning high school courses (argghh).  Mike is quite busy with work and travel but truly loves his job and is so very great at what he does.  I'm so, so very proud of him.  So many told us the transition from military to civilian life is difficult and frankly, some do not do well with it, but Mike has just flourished and graduating with honors~what more can I say??  All in all, the move to Florida was not easy but it has been good for our family.  We have found a church we enjoy and Matthew is involved with the youth group and meeting lots of great kids!  We're making new friends, enjoying our neighborhood and getting more involved in our community.  Living in sunshine, warm weather and miles from the beach is always an added plus!  We are truly, truly blessed!  Here's to a New Year, new commitments and more blogging........  :) 

New Beginnings in Paradise....

Poor, neglected blog....it has literally been years (ok months that feel like years) since I've looked at our blog, let alone post anything to it........I guess I did post in the fall ( a few months ago, but that seems like sooo long ago....)

SOOO much has happened, first off it's no longer "good1 happenings in Suffolk, VA" as you can tell from our new sub title.....all our "happenings" are now occuring in Palm City Florida. Yes, "we've loaded up the truck and moved to, well Palm City Florida." Mike took a job transfer to his company's corporate office in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. So after 10 grueling months apart, our house in VA finally sold & we are now waiting to move into our new home in Palm City at the end of the month. My job at FBCS ended last August & Matthew has started school here in Florida in the public school.

We had to leave all our dear friends, soccer family & neighbors in Virginia & move to paradise in Florida (tough job but hey someone's got to do it).....we do miss ALL our friends SO much but we are moving forward. Matthew has started playing with a new soccer team & hopefully as soon as we get settled we'll start making new friends & start feeling like we're "home". All of our belongings are still in storage & we are so missing our "things" of everyday living. Especially OUR beds.....wow, can not WAIT to have a good night's sleep!!

Since it feels like we're beginning a new adventure, maybe it's time to begin blogging again to note these changing times in our lives. Right now it's hard to not feel we're "on vacation" since we're not settled into "home" but I'm sure for Matthew & Mike things seem a bit normal since they're into their routines of school & work each day. I know in 2 weeks I will not be bored as our household goods arrive & I begin setting up our new home but right now it seems odd to be able to sit back, relax & enjoy these beautiful days!! I know, I know I really should take advantage of this time & "soak it up" but after working so hard from the time I was 16 it seems weird to not be hitting the daily grind putting in the 8~5 & rushing home to get everything else done.......SO if I must, I'll soak up the sun, enjoy the surf & sand and patiently wait to start unpacking all those boxes!

HELLLOOO Blog!!

Well, well, well a year and a half has passed since updating the 'ol Blog! Just goes to show 1) how busy we've been ??? 2) how facebook has taken over & the blog has fallen by the wayside or 3) just plain laziness to take the time to update the blog. I would imagine it's a combination of all three really..................

Our "busyness" still revolves around soccer (fall, indoor, spring with Suffolk FC Select~Team Chaos). Now we've added in his school "Crusader" teams (Varsity Soccer~yes as a 6th grader, & now JJV Basketball begins), Matthew's entered Middle School, job situations have changed~Mike's now in Florida with his job & my job ended in anticipation of our move, our home is for sale(has been since March 2010) and obviously the market has tanked & our home hasn't sold, and a plethora of other events over the past 18 or so months.

Not working since August 2010 has afforded me a lot of time to get back in touch with my laundry & housekeeping inner self(yea!~jk), my carpool mom skills & of course my middle school homework skills...... I've seen more daytime TV in the past few months then I've seen in 20+ years (and by the way have learned a lot, found some shows I really enjoy & found some commercials that are extremely ridiculous and annoying) I've also found that it's really neat to be able to go to a Ladies Bible Study during the week, have "quiet time" to myself, head out to a bookstore & Panera during the day & just relax with a book. I've enjoyed catching up with old friends via Facebook and finding neat sites to save money, look for bargains, share ideas with other moms etc. I've began a direct sales career with Thirty~One bags & have really enjoyed it and I've suddenly found this interest in writing/blogging/journaling.......think I've also realized what "growth" has taken place in my life, our lives as a family and in Matthew's life. Seems when you're working 45+ hours a week, stress sets in, & you're running at "mach speed with your hair on fire" you just don't take time to slow down & appreciate so many things!

SO, this is me appreciating this time in my life to slow down a bit & smell the coffee, or flowers or however the saying goes.....because I'm sure before long it will be back to the fast lane, whether I'm ready for it or not. I hope to share some new insights & to take time to appreciate each day. It's really strange to be at this time in my life & feel like I'm really "searching" for myself.....you spend so many years working at something you feel you were good at & then you sit back & reflect & say to yourself, "wow is that what I'm really good at?, is that what I'm supposed to be doing at this point in my life?, how did I fall into this "career" and what are my true interests?"....maybe the answer is that I've found my little "niche" in life, but maybe there's some other avenue I should explore. Don't know what the answer is right now but really feel the need to explore......

Hope to update the good1happenings, 'cause it seems we always have something going on and look forward to keeping in touch with friends & family once again.....need to update lots of pics as Matthew has grown & is maturing into a fine young man...........Who am I kidding "puberty" and 12 year old hormones could be the death of me!! No seriously, we're very proud of him and know this is a stage we all have gone through....just went through it as a girl & understanding the psyche of 12 year old boys is completely new to me!! Pray for wisdom & understanding on that one......

Welcome to another chapter in the life of the good1s................

Spring Soccer 2009

Spring Soccer!!! Matthew's Advanced Soccer team started it's new season today with a doule-header here in Suffolk!! It was a beautiful sunny day with temps close to 80!! They won the first game and tied the second!! We have 3 new players on the team this year and they really played together well today~Great teamwork!!

Here's Matthew & Logan working the defense at the goal!!

Matthew playing right forward in the second game...he looks very intense on this play!

Goal Kick!! Great kick keeper!!


The boys chilling before the second game in the new pavilion!!!

Pregame warm-ups....their favorite game "Lightning"!!

If today is any indication, it looks like we have an exciting season ahead of us!! They played tough today but both games were "nail-biters!!"

Hope you enjoy the pictures daddy!!! (Mike is up in Indiana) We miss you !!

We're praying for Grandpa & hope he's feeling better soon!!!

All our love~ M&M&C&B&P

SNOW DAY!!!

Snow Day~Virginia Style!!!

OK OK friends from home.....don't get excited...I know this is not a major snow event for Indiana or other areas north of here but this is a VA snow day & we were excited to see a little of the white stuff....This was 5 days ago & it was 20 degrees. Today was almost 80 & tomorrow should be in the 80's BUT wait there's more..I hear next weekend should be in the 40's....go figure!!

Yes a snow angel in an inch of snow.....

Looking down our street

Matthew making a few snow balls...see the puppies in the door!

He is just the cutest!!

..tis the season!!

...ok I don't feel so bad, I see a few of my other "blogging" friends have not blogged in awhile either so it's just not me!!! 'Tis the season to be so busy that you can't even get to your "to do" list!! The Goodwin's are still alive & kicking and not much happening except the hustle & bustle of too many things to do, too many commitments & activities to attend and not a lot of time to do it all!! More pictures and Goodwin happenings soon!!

We need to all pause for a moment in all the season's festivities and remember the total reason for the season: that a babe was born & HE would be our Savior and His sacrifice was for all of us!! It amazes me to think a young girl probably 13-14 years old gave birth and had absolutely no idea as a mother what she was in store for her & what was in store for her son's life....we can not possibly fathom!! So this season, in the hustle and bustle, stop and think of the cross and then think about the TRUE meaning of the season!!

We are so incredibly blessed!!

Merry Christmas to all our friends and family this holiday season!! May you enjoy a very blessed and special holiday with those you love!!

Adventures in 4th Grade

Matthew's class learning about the Phillipines. Tonight the school is having the "Around the World" Carnival and their class is constructing a "booth" about the Phillipines. There will be food, games and fun from several different countries!! The kids are really excited!
4th Grade Chapel Opening Wednesday November 5th
The class sang and taught the students about God being Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent!! You learn big words in 4th grade!!