This morning Jacob and I went to see our friends’ toddler play soccer.  I was amazed at how many four year old girls, with their cute pig tails and bows and fashionable jerseys, were there.  The game starts and the coaches and parents tell their little soccer players what to do.  “Get the ball, go get it!   Good girl!”  Another ball drops and the kids go sprinting towards it to see who gets there first.  “Good girl!  Go get that ball!”  A girl makes a goal!  “Alright!  Good job!  Now bring the ball here!”  A whistle blows after ten minutes of play time.  “Halftime!  Let’s get treats!!”  The girls run to the bench to get their oranges and peaches…you know, to avoid cramps.  After just fifteen minutes of watching this, I tell our friends that the coaches and parents talk to the kids like dogs.  I mean really!  After raising our two dogs to fetch and play with their toys, I could teach a four year old how to play soccer.

We got home from the soccer fields and I gave the dogs a bath, let them outside to play frisbee, gave them treats, and now they’re napping.  See!  Easy as pie.

The moral of this story: every couple should raise a dog or two before raising kids.

Thanks to Lisa and Jason Ruley for inviting us to share in their memories.

Go Team!