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I got these via email and thought I would share. I know Jackson will like some of them as we can  both agree that soccer IS a contact sport.

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We had a pretty good weekend down in Medford. As I have told most of you Joelle's team took third place. Joelle played well and has adjusted to her new position.  She started every game and didn't get subbed much. At one point the ref had to have Jo leave the field to get bandaged as she was bleeding. Yes soccer is very much a contact sport. Last year she played wing, but now she is playing center mid in an attacking position.  It is a bit more responsibility.  As a wing she was mainly in charge of moving the ball up the side and making cross passes to the forwards. Now she can still move the ball but she is responsible for more area of the field. We are on bigger fields now with 11 players rather than 9. There are three forwards in front of Joelle, a wing on each side of her, a defensive mid behind her and then the three defenders. So Joelle has to decide when to drop it back to the defense, when to pass up to a forward or when to send the ball to the wing up the side.  She's a pretty smart player and she watches the full field so it is good for her. She was super nervous about it. Mainly she has to play under pressure and make good passes. She did a great job and has really started talking while she plays. we saw Joelle waving her arm around and calling for passes.  Her coaches think it is a good position for her because she is dangerous- she can score from about 30 yards. She did it in the last tournament and had another shot hit the top crossbar and bounce down- but did not go in. Basically it will be a good year for her and her team did really well.

The pictures are Joelle with Lauren and Joelle with her third place medal.  Lauren is her coaches daughter. Lauren is not on Joelle's team, but they did a training session together and the coaches moved Joelle to Lauren's age group(u15). Joelle enjoys Lauren- I think it is cause she doesn't have a sister and she thinks Lauren is fun.

Since we got home I have been pretty tired- those long weekends of soccer can wear a person out. I don't do well when I haven't done my weekend grocery shopping and laundry. I feel like I spend the rest of the week catching up.

Joelle and I have been reading the Twilight series of books. They are really good. I have finished the first three and Joelle is on book three.  They are pretty good and we are now excited for the movie!!