THUNDER FOOTBALL!!!!!

Saturday night we made our way to Chaparral high school for the BIG GAME. 

The Thunder (Joseph playing and my dad head coach) VS. The Cougars (VERY VERY GOOD TEAM who won last  year.)

The Prize: Conference Champions qualifying to go to Florida for the NATIONAL Championship AND Tucson next week for the State Championship.

My dad has been working with this team for 5 years. 5 years ago, they weren't so good. Many parents hated him because the team lost. almost every game. (well, in the beginning it WAS EVERY game.) sheesh...but here they were...5 years later after a LOT of hard work and working together as a team...

UNDEFEATED in the Regional Championship. Collin, Fred and I went to every game this season except 3 due to Fred coming on the OUTSIDE of the womb (hehe) but we were there with them every step of the way.

My dad has given SO much of himself to this team and these kids. They are really who he does it for. He  loves Joe and his loves those kids. My mom is the team Manager. AJ has been a huge part in this too. And with everything we've been through in the last few months...This was big for my family. 

(okay, of course we had to get some cute stuff of Fred in here...)

THE COUGARS WERE SO GOOD! The teams were really evenly matched, which made for a VERY EXCITING AND CLOSE game.

At the start of the 4th quarter we were up 24-16. They had the ball and scored a touchdown!!! With 27 seconds left in the game it was TIED 24-24. We had the ball and got a first down. VICTORY was in our grasp, but then to our HORROR the cougars intercepted it!!!! Then there were just 6 seconds to go. Our only hope then was to hold them and go into overtime.

We did it. We held them. Overtime AGAIN! Last week we were in KNOTS and this week was just PURE FAITH and PRAYING! Each team would get a possesion and opportunity to score from the 10 yard line. We won the coin toss and chose to go second. HERE WE GO, THUNDER. Each team took about 3 time outs at this point. It was all down to the wire. Everything was riding on this moment. 

They had the ball first. This is where the ball ended up on their fourth down...NOT EVEN A YARD from the goal. We had to STOP THEM!!!!

WE DID!!!!! IT WAS INSANE!!! NOW IF WE COULD SCORE, IT WOULD ALL BE OVER. WE WOULD BE VICTORIOUS!!!! Here is the Thunder getting ready...

NOW THE OUTCOME ON THE FIRST PLAY. I'd advise you to turn down your volume on this one. It gets a little psychotic.

We
WON.

We ARE going to FLORIDA in December to play in the National Championship!!!!!!!!!!
third most incredible moment of my life next to being sealed in the temple to Collin and giving birth to Frederick. Seriously, it was THAT exciting. There was so much energy. SO much love! We were on the field, screaming, crying, hugging each other, jumping up and down. It was awesome. My dad and all the coaches were bawling they were so proud of the boys.

I love my family! This was a good night for the Moneys/Smiths. And sweet little Freddie SLEPT through the WHOLE thing, hehehehehhe. we'll tell him this story for years to come.

The humble and grateful, Coach Money.

PARTY TIME:
NATIVE NEW YORKER.

GREAT SEASON.
GREAT GAME.
GREAT NIGHT.