Go Big Red!

For as long as I can remember, I have been a Nebraska football fan. I have been a fan since I was a little girl, even before I understood the game of football. My parents and grandparents have passed their love of the Huskers on to me (and my sisters) and now I have the joy of passing on that love to my boys. One of the ways we can do that is by attending the spring game every year, thanks to Nanna and Papa! We had a wonderful time and I hope that these memories last a lifetime for our boys and their cousins.

(Here we are on the field after the game.)

All the grandchildren attended this year, and it was so fun seeing them together and having a blast. Here they are on the "N" in the end zone:

Aren't they adorable??? Look at all those smiling faces!

After the game, the little kids (and big kids) get to go on the field and various players will sign autographs. In Cody's case, he had his jersey and his hat signed by several of the players. This is always a real highlight for the kids and one that I appreciate as a parent!

Below is our family's version of "Little Red." (And "Big Red" too!)

My sister Kari and I.

A couple of the kiddos at the bookstore before the game. So much love....

More of "Little Red:"

The whole fam!!! What a blast to be all together!

There was lots of tickling and laughing (so much so that our neighbors at the hotel

got a wee bit upset)...

...but we didn't let them keep us from having fun!!!

My grandfather, Poppop, would be so proud.

Go Big Red, Nebraska!

Santa, Football, and Fun

I know, I know.  I am totally absent from this blog.  I just can't seem to find a good amount of time to update.  But here's a quick one.  Christmas was a whirlwind!  The boys got to see Santa this year which was definitely a highlight for them.  He came to Nanna and Papa's house and we thoroughly enjoyed watching each grandchild sit on his knee (except for Caden).  He watched Santa from the ottoman but when bribed with a sucker, we managed to coax him onto his knee for a picture. Ah, you gotta love sugar!  (A big thank you to Nanna and Papa for a great time and for making us feel so welcome.)

Rehearsals are about to begin for the show I'm music directing, so I needed to get back to do some work on the score.  But today was a fun day as we rang in the new year with our neighbors and watched our Huskers win the Gator Bowl.  A win!  At a bowl game!!!  Hallelujah.

Right now, the boys are all sleeping even though it's 4:30 in the afternoon.  Our schedules are a mess lately, but I figure they all need the rest.  Everyone's much happier when rested, right?

I'm about to start cleaning up from our football extravaganza.  

And the win....did I mention it feels GREAT?  GO HUSKERS!

Happy New Year, everyone!  I wish you all a blessed 2009.

Sometimes it's the Little Things....

It's been a good day.

After a good night's sleep and a nice full morning of teaching (thank You, Lord, for business coming through the door), the day was already off to a good start.  Plus I had something to look forward to.  Our home group decided it would be great to get together tonight to go see "Fireproof."  We've already seen it, but it was good enough that we were willing to spend money to see it again.  What a powerful movie with such great reminders about what it means to be selfless in marriage. We're the only ones in the group who have already seen it, and I'm excited to see what the others think. Jerry and I rarely have "date nights" because it tends to be expensive and it's something we consider a luxury in today' s economy.  We found out yesterday that our group leader's mom offered to watch the kids for us (what a gift) and we also have coupons that will end up saving us some money on tickets (love that).  Tomorrow, we get to meet a little baby that we've been praying for for months.  She is here in town and doing well...truly a little miracle.  

And if that weren't enough, the Huskers beat Iowa State SOLID today.  35 to 7.

Sometimes it's the little things that mean so much.

Hope you're all having a great weekend.

Trip Recap

Before the recap, here are some pics for your enjoyment.  Here I am before the game (still smiling as you can see).  
This is just prior to the beginning of the game when the band takes the field.  I love that flag over there to the right which says, "The Power of Red."
These two dudes showed up just before the game started and then left.  I think they were in the wrong section or something, but they let me snap their picture. They cracked me up.
Here's quarterback Joe Ganz.  He came out and threw the ball around a bit before the players officially took the field.
And speaking of that, this is where the players come out after the "tunnel walk."  This is one of the best parts of being at a live game.  I LOVE that part!
Finally, here is one of the Husker vision screens.  I think they are so cool!

So, now that you've seen some of the photos, here's the story.  We left Friday afternoon and started our long trek to Nebraska.  On our way, we decided to stop for a late lunch/early dinner.  We were the youngest people in the place, by the way. Unfortunately, we didn't qualify for the senior discount, however the manager approached our waitress while we were talking to her and said that we qualified for a free dessert.  Apparently, all you have to do is wear "the colors" while in Iowa and it earns you a free apple dumpling.  I'm so glad I was sporting my Husker-wear.  (Turns out he's originally from Nebraska.)  

We arrived at our hotel pretty late, but got ourselves a good night sleep and were up and at 'em the next morning.  We were able to visit our favorite Husker store where we OF COURSE couldn't leave empty handed.  The boys are the proud owners of new t-shirts, and I splurged and got myself a pair of Husker Crocs.  I was actually thrilled to see that they were less expensive than my blue pair I bought a year ago!

We also had the opportunity to visit the cemetery where we could pay tribute to my grandparents.  I brought a red rose for Poppop and a white one for Nanny.  I am absolutely certain that my grandpa would be cackling at the thought that we drove so far to see a stinkin' Husker game, and I told him so.  He'd get such a kick out of it though!

After that, we went and saw "Fireproof" which we've been so excited to see.  It was an awesome movie, and we're so thrilled that it grossed enough to earn it the #4 spot this weekend.  I've never seen the gospel presented in such a wonderful way on the big screen, and we couldn't help but cheer at the end.  The whole theatre erupted with us.  Please go see it.  You'll be so glad you did.

After a quick lunch and a rest, we headed down for the game.  You already know that we ran into an awesome dixieland band and had a blast listening to them until we were ready to head to the stadium.  Once inside, we ran into a man that I've practically known my whole life, and somehow we always seem to run into him there!  It's amazing to me that in a stadium filled with 85,000 people, we'd still bump into him....and not just once!

The game was...a nail biter.  And we ended up losing by five points.  And it got a little ugly.  But we still had a great time.  It didn't really matter that we lost.  The whole experience really outweighed the end result of the game.  And plus, you've heard me say before that the winning really doesn't matter too much in the end.  What matters most is how you played the game. (Don't get me wrong, I love when we win, but it's all in how you look at it.)

And that's all I have to say about that.  

All in all, a fabulous weekend.  The boys did great, and we greatly enjoyed the break and the time together. 

So there you go.  You're all caught up!  Thanks for reading (if, of course, you still are!).  

The Video Says it All

Hey everyone!

I have much to share with you about our weekend in Nebraska, but I thought I'd start with this video.  Jerry and I parked quite a ways from Memorial Stadium, but we're so happy it worked out that way.  Here's why:  We "accidentally" ran into the most wonderful little dixieland band called "Zoot and the Red Rooters."  If you ever happen to catch a game in Lincoln, NE, you'll find them playing at a little restaurant called Suite One.  It's a little pizza place.  I have no idea how the pizza is.  We went for the music.  : )

Anyway, they were fantastic.  This video is a bit dark, because the lighting wasn't very good, but you get the idea. Anyone that can play the fight song on any instrument has my vote.

If any of you were wondering how the weekend was, the look on my face during this footage says it all.

So...here's the video.  Enjoy!

There is No Place Like Nebraska!

This weekend, hubby and I have the great privilege of getting to go out of town together to take in a Huskers football game (thanks, Nanna and Papa!).  Nebraska, for those who don't know, is where I spent many of my childhood years, and so I'm quite excited to return.  

There is truly no place like Nebraska when it comes to football, and no place I'd rather be on game day.  

I have much to do before we leave tomorrow, but I wanted to check in and let you know where I'll be.  Keep an eye on your college football scores Saturday, and think of us cheering on our boys in the stands of Memorial Stadium.

GO BIG RED!!!

Favorite Fall Top 10

Flip Flop is asking her readers what their favorite parts of fall are.  I adore the fall.  I am beginning to accumulate as much fall decor as Christmas (well, that might be overstating it just a bit). But each year I see something it's hard for me not to pick it up because it's just so cuuuuuute!

Anyway, here is my top ten list of reasons why I love the fall.  Feel free to play along too!

10.Cooler weather (not cold, just not 90 degrees).

9.  Soups and Stews start gracing our dinner table (Last night it was ham and bean).

8.  The beautiful colors and the changing of the seasons.

7.  Getting the porch and the house all decked out for the welcoming of Autumn.

6.  School supplies hit the shelves. I just LOVE school supplies.

5.  Nebraska Football.

6.  Watching NU football with my family in Indiana.

7.  Eating Football Stew while watching NU football.

8.  Going to NU games with my hubby (our time is coming soon....)

9.  Getting my kids all dressed up in Husker wear.

10. Hot apple cider, pumpkins, apple picking, caramel apples and runzas.

Your turn.  What do you love about fall?

Final Score:

Nebraska 38

New Mexico State 7

I don't want to speak prematurely here, but I think it's safe to say:

WE'RE BAAAAAACK!

GO BIG RED!!!!

To My Local Cable Company That We Switched To Because You Promised it Would Be Better But Have Failed to Deliver:

I am very upset with you. You see, I ordered the football package a few weekends ago because you promised me that I would be able to see as many Husker football games that my little heart could desire.

Now, I understand that FSN is part of your premium sports package that I am....dare I say...paying PREMIUM dollars to have in my living room, and yet, everytime I go looking for a game, it's $30+ dollars to watch my beloved Cornhuskers on pay-per-view! What's the deal????

Now, I ask you. How is this fair? How is that I am paying all this money, and we are entering our third weekend of the Huskers season and you still have not graced the 15 FSN stations with one Huskers game? Why must you play only the teams YOU like? I mean, really. How many stations need to carry some silly game between Colorado and who knows who? I realize this may not be your fault. After all, it's FSN that's carrying the game on pay-per view.

I'm just saying.

I'm very upset with you.

GO BIG RED!

NEBRASKA 47

WESTERN MICHIGAN 24

Goooooooooo Huskers!!!!

Onward and Upward

I was going to blog about the $1800 expense that our van incurred this week, but that's depressing.  So let's talk about something else:  FOOTBALL!

The Huskers play their first official game of the 2008 season today!  I'm so bummed because a.) I'm not there, and b.) my computer won't let me listen to the live radio broadcast for some reason.  And it's not televised.  To say I'm frustrated is an understatement, but in the grand scheme of things this is not a big deal.  Right?  

And really, neither is the van.  In the end, what does it really matter?  

And I will admit I'm trying to keep it all in perspective.

Even as I write it, this sounds so silly!

BUT THE HUSKERS.  They are playing today.  Sigh.

And my van.  I can think of a million other ways I'd rather spend that kind of money. 

And still, in the end, what does it matter?  Onward and upward. 

Perspective

This morning I was checking in with my Huskers and was surprised to find that there had been a shooting at a big shopping mall in Omaha yesterday. I am a native of Omaha, and I was dumbfounded to read that nine people had been killed when a gunman opened fire in a department store. Five more were injured, two of which are still listed in critical condition.

I don't know what it is about this time of year that leaves people so hopeless, so desperate.

I do know that what is most likely lacking is a heart that is full of the love and comfort that only Jesus can give.

This month, let's all try to do our very best to spread good cheer to those around us. It is so incredibly easy to get wrapped up in the chaos of this month. We must always remember that there are hurting people all around that need a touch from the One who can heal. Who knows, the words we say may be the very thing that help encourage that stranger in front or behind us in the mile-long line at the shopping mall.

May we be the vessels of His love and warmth this Christmas.

Tea Time!

While home in Indiana this past weekend, I was able to attend my very first "bloggy" get together. There were many that were there, but the highlight was getting to see my friend Lori from high school, watching Sheryl open her cute baby girl gifts (with tears flowing) and having a wonderful conversation with a kindred spirit and fellow sister in Christ, Tricia. It was a sweet time of food and fellowship. Afterwards, I was able to connect with my dear friend Debbie from college. It was great to see her beautiful new home and sweet family.

My time with family was great. I enjoyed it tremendously and really hated to go. We watched Husker football (please, I don't want to talk about it), ate, watched the kids play with their cousins, made stepping stones for my mom and dad's new house, and just really had a great time together. Now that I'm home, there's much to do, and I've got a lot of catching up to do.

I hope you all had a great weekend and I'll try to get around to say hello soon. Thanks again, blogging friends, for a fun tea party. I enjoyed meeting you all!

GO BIG RED

HUSKERS WIN! HUSKERS WIN!

NU 73, KSU 31

Now that is what I call a sweet victory.

I am hoping against all hope that today, senior day at NU, is the day that the Huskers can break their five game losing streak against KSU. My mom, sister, nd their spouses are all there today cheering them on. It's been a terribly difficult season, and I sincerely hope that these guys can walk out out of Husker Nation with some pride in tact. I know most of you reading don't keep up with Husker football, but I invite you to cheer them on with me. If you're a KSU fan, I totally understand. All others, please feel free to join in!

GO BIG RED!!!!!!

It's not ALL about the winning

A few weeks ago, my husband and I had the privilege of being able to go back to Nebraska (the place I will always call home) and take in a football game. You may remember me mentioning the fact that we were planning on going back, but I never really posted about our experience at the game. Now, I have been a fan since I was able to walk and talk, because it's part of my heritage. That may seem strange to some of you, but it truly is part of who I am and part of who we are as a collective family. It's not the most important thing to us, but second to God and family, Husker football is right up there!

In my 33 (almost 34) years, I have been blessed to witness the glory days. The days of national championships, Tom Osborne, consistent wins, and Husker pride (and power!) are things I will always look back on and remember...yes...the glory days.

Well, if you follow college football at all, you may know that the Huskers are having a really rough season. It's hard on the coaching staff and the fans, but mostly it's hard on the boys. These guys are really struggling. They are just kids, and the criticism, backlash, and beating they are taking from some of the press and fans is heartbreaking. Apparently these people have never experienced loss and defeat. Apparently they don't understand what it's like to live in the valley.

My point is this: It's not all about the winning. The glory days are great, yes. It's wonderful to be on the mountaintop. Wouldn't it be nice if we could stay there all the time? Yes! But life is simply not like that. There are valleys, times in the desert, and times of loss. Without the valleys, we couldn't possibly appreciate the mountaintops...the victories!

I just want to give a shout out to my Huskers. Guys, you are awesome, win or lose. In my book, you will always be winners, and I will still come home and watch you play. I won't walk out of the stadium before the game is over, nor will I boo you or swear when you don't make a field goal or finish a drive for a touchdown. I will hold my head high, believing that Husker Power is not a thing of the past. It is a thing of the present AND future. And I'll be there at Memorial Stadium to cheer you on next season, whatever the outcome.

So Much To Say...So Little Time

Let's just say that it's been a tough couple of days and I'm short on time to resume blogging. So I'll give you the shortened version. We had a great weekend. The Huskers won by a point, but the game was fun and we were so glad to be there. You have to experience a game in person to understand what I mean, but it's awesome to feel the spirit of Game Day. (Thanks again, mom, for the tickets!) I love the Huskers and think a trip back "home" will be in order every fall from here on out. There's lots more to tell, but maybe I'll save it for a different day. I'm so tired tonight!

Grandma and the boys did great while we were gone, and it was really nice for Jerry and I to spend time together. Sixteen hours in a car will allow you lots of time to catch up on your talking. We truly didn't listen to much music....we just did lots of talking. I loved that.

I got really, really ansy to get home by about the last two hours of the trip. Knowing we were within a stone's throw of our boys caused me to say (many times), "ARE WE THERE YET?" I was so, so excited to get home to them. It was a sweet reunion...until Caden fell down the stairs of our front porch and scared us all half to death. Cody immediately grabbed his friend that was there and started praying that he would be alright, and God answered his prayers! Yes, in Grandma's hands he was fine all weekend long, but fifteen minutes after my arrival back home, my son topples down cement stairs. Go figure.

I want to close by saying that I may not be blogging as much as I'd like in the coming weeks. My schedule is so full this fall, and I've been really trying to prioritize the way I feel God would want me to. Often, that puts blogging at the VERY bottom of the list, and I'll check in with you all as often as I can. I apologize, in advance, if I don't visit/comment very often. I just need to step away for a while until there's a window of time that I can justify sitting at the computer!

Until then, I wish you all a great week!

And We're Off to HUSKERLAND!

If I'm MIA for a couple days, it's because I've gone to see my Huskers play Ball State this weekend. I really hope they win. But it's not all about the winning. That Sea of Red is just something you have to experience for yourself!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and I'll be back soon with pictures and tales to tell.

Goooooooo, HUSKERS!

GO BIG RED!

You're going to get really tired of me talking about Husker football, but it's in my blood and I just gotta!

Tonight the Huskers play ***USC and I'm having people over to eat chili and watch the game. They aren't allowed in unless they're wearing red. No, I'm not kidding.

I wanted to show you where I'll be next weekend for the Ball State game. I CAN'T WAIT! There is nothing like that "sea" of red. And nothing better than a stadium full of Nebraska football fans.

Go Big Red!

***Edited to add: The Huskers lost. Final score: Huskers - 31, USC - 49.

And our sweet neighbors did arrive in red, with the Nebraska logo attached to their red shirts!

Because I Know That I am Your #1 Source For All Things Nebraska Football

HUSKERS: 20

WAKE FOREST: 17

Caden's Stats

So I took Caden to the doctor this past week because he'd had a drippy nose for over a week. Naturally, I was concerned about an ear infection when he suddenly decided he wasn't going to sleep through the night anymore. He was also very cranky. Did I mention we changed pediatricians? Well, we did. (And Dr. Beckerman was AWESOME!) Anyway, no ear infection, but we were able to get a weight on him. Drumroll please...

My LITTLE man weighs 19 lbs., 8 oz. and is measuring 28 1/8" long. He is wearing 12-18 month clothing, and he's outgrown his infant carseat. He has far surpassed where Cody was at this stage, so many of Cody's winter clothes are ALREADY too small for CAden. And, sadly, we need to say good-bye to the handy (tho' heavy) carseat and move him into the next seat and still keep it rear facing. This will be challenging. For example, he's not sitting up well enough to handle a trip to the grocery store while riding in the cart. Makes for an interesting dilemma. And then there are the countless times he falls asleep in the car. Right now I can conveniently move him from place to place while leaving him in his infant carrier, but waking him up from a sound sleep will NOT be fun.

On the flipside, I am overjoyed that my "liquid gold" appears to have done the trick. No dainty boys for me!!! Caden is also eating about four small bowls of mixed cereal per day, and polishing off at least two jars of stage 2 foods (fruits and/or veggies) as well. He's rolling all over the place, learning how to self-soothe at naps/bedtime, and smiling so big, he makes every single one of us laugh in spite of ourselves. His favorite person to smile at is Cody and his loving big brother gets a kick out of it every time. He is babbling incessantly..."mama" "dada" and raspberries are his favorite sounds. And yes, Cody is STILL a fantastic big brother!

Tonight we were watching the Huskers whoop up on Iowa State University, and I had the following coversation with Cody:

"Hey Cody, do you think someday you might want to play football?"

"Oh yeah mom, that would be soooooo cool."

Do you think you'd want to play for the Cornhuskers?"

"That would be awesome! But I want to play on the red team. Oh! And Caden can play on the white team. And I'd take him DOWN!!!"

"Actually, son, I think it's going to be the other way around!"

On a personal note...

It's hard not to impose one's dreams on one's children, but OH to have a kid playing football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. I was thinking the other day, if my grandpa Poppop were still alive, he'd be encouraging me to call Caden's latest stats into Lincoln to see if he's big enough to draft.

Go BIG Red.