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!!

It's Fall Soccer Time!!

First Day of 4th Grade!!!

Since the Goodwin's have been sooo busy with soccer camps, summer camp, field trips & work this summer I thought before I let the year get a way from me (and start posting christmas pictures) I'd do a little "catch up" posting...

I know Mar-Far is probably jumping for joy as now she won't have to kick me out of the blogging world again....ha ha

That's right it's time for the annual picture on the first day of school...4th grade.....seems like only yesterday we were starting "big boy" school!! WOW our boy has grown so much & is becoming quite the young man!!

It was great this year, Grandpa, Grandma & Aunt JoAnn got to be here for the first day of school (thus all the big smiles!!) And got to see Matthew off on his first day.......

Like the dead plant at the front door~how inviting~see how busy we are, we can't even water the poor plant......