Ammon and I went to the Duck game this week together. Despite the Autzen Stadium forecast, “It never rains at Autzen Stadium” it rained the entire game and not just a little bit! Poured. But we still had a lot of fun!!! Our section even won free “bloomin onion” appetizers from The Outback Steakhouse. 69-0 was the end score!
See that ball in the air? Another touchdown for the DUCKS!
Fun, food and friends at the Mt. Angel Oktoberfest! This was the first time our family went to the Oktoberfest and we had a great time! I think we have found another couple that enjoys “good food” as much as we do! Sausage, sauerkraut, fondue with veggies and bread, fish tacos, corn on the cob, sundaes and deep fried oreos. A sampling of the food our families enjoyed!
Our superheros!
Annie, Jack, Olivia and Nathan had a great time hanging out. looking at all the booths, trying on hats and listening to an accordion player were a few of the fun highlights.
OK…I am now a mom with two children in school 5 days a week! Excitement for the “extra time” (that really isn’t there as much as I thought it was going to be) and yet amazement at how quickly the time has flown by! The big “THEY” say that the first 5 years of a child’s life is vital to their development. I sit and ponder…have I done enough? Have I prepared them and given them the tools they need?
No longer will I be the person who my children spend the most time with in a day. Their teachers and their friends will become the influences in their lives in many ways. Again I ask? Have I done enough?
I could be rocked by fear. I could be overcome with anxiety. Yet I feel confident that I, with the Lord’s help, have done the best job I could do, to prepare Annie and Nathan for life inside those school walls. Don’t get me wrong…my job is not over…in fact in many ways I know it’s just beginning. However, I am learning in this new season of my life that God is good and I can have complete faith in HIM. He loves my kiddos even more than I do and already can see the path that is set before them. I am pleased that both of my children have chosen to ask Jesus to be their Savior at an early age…so as they walk in those school doors…I know that they are never alone!
Ready to go with her lunch bag over her shoulder and school supplies in hand…Annie was excited and ready to get to her first day of school! Mr. Whetzel greeted her warmly at the door to her classroom!
Smiling from ear to ear the entire morning she settled in to her desk and started putting her supplies in the appropriate places.
Annie
has always been social, ready for school and ready for a challenge. I am praying that this year she will continue seeing school as a place to grow and be challenged. She has many friends in class with her and I’m sure will thrive in her new classroom! I am also excited that she has Mr. Whetzel as a teacher! He is one of the most organized teachers Annie has had…and I can tell this by the first letter (full of information and detail about his classroom, expectations and what the year will hold for the 3rd graders in his class) he sent home to parents. I love it!
My little girl is not so little anymore. I catch a glimpse of her out of the corner of my eye sometimes and I think, “No way…she’s grown up way too fast!” Well it’s true…she is growing up fast and she even reminds me when I am bemoaning that fact, “Mom there’s no way you can stop it!” True…so very true. The book on top of her head won’t really work.
So I get to continue to support her, help her with homework, hear about all the things going on at school (with friends and the work she is accomplishing), encourage her and love her! I get to be the one to dry tears when she is frustrated, empower her to always do her best and treat everyone with respect. Most importantly, I will pray for her and with her!
Life for my little girl will only get messier as she grows up. I only hope and pray that I will be able to continue to remind her of Ammon and my undying support and love for her…while directing her back to her Savior who delights over her!
Nathan was very excited to begin school this year! I was so amazed at how confidently he bound down the stairs at his school and went into his classroom. Last year was such a struggle and this year I feel we have a “new boy.” I am amazed at his excitement and eagerness to start! The only thing he tells me he is he is not looking forward to being there every day. I was secretly happy when he asked, “Mom, why can’t I just be at home with you some days?” Ahhh…despite the whining attitude I get sometimes, he really does like me and enjoys spending his days with mommy. I have to say I will miss him too…though I am really excited to see him becoming such an independent boy, eager to do well in school and enjoy his time with teacher and friends.
I think one of the reasons he is doing so well this year is because we decided to keep him at the same school, instead of transferring him to public school this year for Kindergarten. He recognizes many faces and had even met his teachers Mrs. Champagne and Mrs. Brown many times before his first day of school. His class size is 11 students which I think is perfect for his personality…which is a little shy sometimes.
I am looking forward to seen Nathan grow up a lot this year! I absolutely love being his mom! He amazes me every day with his strong sense of self and determination. I love that he is creative (whether he is drawing, telling stories or building Legos). Mostly, I love his sensitive heart and the kindness he shows to others. I have a strong feeling that this year will be foundational for Nathan in so many ways.
Sooo excited for Duck Football this fall. This year I get to share season tickets with my brother Craig! I am thrilled to be heading to Autzen Stadium for every home game! Well, every game except one…though Ammon bought me a standing room only ticket for the Stanford game…so I get to go to that one too! Great husband!
First Game of the season against New Mexico!
I have realized over the years that I am kind of fanatical about the Ducks. Though this honestly this didn’t even begin till I married into the Farris family (1997) . The majority of Ammon’s family lives in Eugene and his two sisters attended the University of Oregon. My sister eventually attended Uof O as well. I guess I was destined to be a Duck!
I wear green and yellow every Friday during football season for “spirit day,” in addition to each game day! And then, there are days during the week that I just enjoy throwing on my comfy Duck clothes. I actually feel I look pretty good in green…so it works out well.
Clothing aside, I realize that my fanatical nature comes from a deep rooted sense of loyalty. A strong personality trait that creeps into a “crazy” state of being when I get involved or interested in something and I seem to end up taking it to the next level.
Let’s see…what have been other areas that my sense of loyalty has led me to being a little “crazy?” As a child, I read series of books and once I found an author I liked I always read every book ever written by them (hmmm…I still do that today). I still have (and keep in touch regularly – not just by FB) good friends from grade school days. Now I want to be clear…I am pointing out my sense of loyalty here…not my sense of crazy! Keeping in touch with these dear friends of mine has given me a sense of belonging and keeps me grounded. These are the people who know not only who I am today…but where I came from…and they still love me (and I love them).
In high school, I was into the Canby Cougars (my high school) as much as I am into the Ducks today. In fact, I usually go back to attend at least one fall football game each season just to cheer on my alma mater, while watching KGW’s Friday Night Flights throughout the autumn months to see the updated high school scores/highlights. I also have to admit that I don’t think I ever missed out wearing my Blue and Gold for Spirit Day on Fridays in High school either. AND YES…I still can sing my high school fight song!
Currently my “crazy” loyalty seems to grow from what I am involved in and where I spend my time. Loyalty to my family and my friends…without question. I also am passionate about serving and using the gifts God has given me to grow and be a part of fabulous ministry opportunities.
I’m thankful that I am OK with being a “crazy” Duck Fan! As loyal as I am to Oregon though…I also have found it important to recognize others who share my loyalty value with the “other” team in Oregon. Orange and black has even recently made a home in my house…since Nathan’s decision to be a Beaver. I’m OK with that…we can root on our teams together and stay true to who we are as individuals. Respect…honor…other values I hold on to as well.
So…when you see me sporting my team colors this fall…just remember…there is probably a little “crazy” in all of us! Take a few minutes to think…where and who is it that you are loyal to?
PS. Did you see that scoreboard? Yes…it is 72 – 0!!! Go DUCKS!!!
I had a great time taking Annie and Nathan bowling for the first time - unless you count the Wii. It was a very fun afternoon. I surprised them and didn’t tell them where we were going. When I turned into the bowling alley I was pleased they were beyond excited! It took a while to pick out just the right bowling balls (the right size and color of course). They thought the shoes we rented were a bit funny looking…but both were willing and ready to put them on and try out the “real thing.” 
End scores: Mommy – 139 Annie – 98 Nathan – 74
After our bowling adventure we headed home…but first took a swing through Sonic for slushies. I think the kids had a great time on their last day of summer vacation! I know I had a lot of fun with them!
