All things Orange and Blue

September 20th was an AWESOME day! Not only was it Nic's birthday (the old man is nearing 30!), but it was also the day of the BSU game against Oregon. Oh my freakin' a! That was seriously the best game ever. Nic and I went to the coast Mel and TJ. We weren't able to leave as early as we wanted because Nic's flight got in super late (not until 11:45 pm-it was supposed to come in at 5 pm) and we still needed to change the oil in the car. Though we got on the road late, it was still quite enjoyable.

It was nice to get away and enjoy the Oregon coast. I am totally a water baby. I could spend ALL day at the beach, wonderfully content. I love the smell of the ocean air and the cool breeze. Ah, so refreshing, and flying a kite! I love flying a kite but surprisingly the wind was hardly blowing. Because he loves me show much, he tried giving it a go for me.

Friday night we celebrated Nic's birthday. Aunt Loretta made a super yummy dinner complete with a homemade German Chocolate cake (including the frosting-both Melanie and I said "they sale it in a can") and enough candles to set off the smoke alarm. Okay, not really but seriously, Nic's getting old.

After two fantastic days at the beach, it was GAME DAY!!

People warned us about the fans at Oregon, but they were actually really nice. When we entered their indoor field, this sweet old lady saw me in my Bronco gear, grabbed hold of my arm and said: "It's so good to see you. I'm so glad you could make it here. We're happy to have you." Too cute! We had a couple of Oregon fans around us, but it wasn't bad at all (we should have taken a picture with them-darn!).

It was a good game, but near the end it was a little nerve racking. For a moment there it looked like the boys weren't going to be able to do it, but the defense was able to hold them at bay.

Before the game the game Nic and his Uncle Gary made a little wager. If BSU lost, then we would need to send him some Idaho potatoes, but if they one then he would owe us lawn fertilizer. I'm very happy to say, that we returned home with a nice bag fertilizer. Yeah for grass and yeah for BSU winning!!!

Oregon was nice. I was so sad to go, but I guess we'll have to go back sooner. Thanks to Uncle Gary and Aunt Loretta for hosting us in their beautiful home. We hope to see you soon!

Happy Birthday Pappy!

This is my Dad (aka Pappy, aka Padre, aka Daddy, aka Father, aka 1/2 of the parental unit)

and he is the bestest! I can remember him taking me to the elementary school and have me run dribbling drills with the hopscotch. He taught me how to shoot a lay-up. My dad taught me how to NOT throw like a girl and how to swing a bat. He taught me how to drop kick a soccer ball and how to run a 100 yard sprint without flapping my arms around like a chicken (yes there is a correct way to run when you sprint).

My dad taught me that good things come to those who wait: like him joining the church and finding my Mr. Right (while dating all of the Mr. What was I thinking's). He taught me how I should be loved and treated. His endless love for my mom was such an example to me growing up.

He taught me how to worker by him working seven days a week, but always somehow being able to make it to my games (for whatever sport I was playing at that season).

Where were you?

Seven years ago. . .

It was a Tuesday. I was lying in my bed listening to the radio station, debating whether or not I wanted to go to class that day. All of a sudden the song cuts out and the morning show DJ says: "We just got a call from a listener that said an air plane has just crashed into the Word Trade Center. Please stay with us as we try to verify the details." I immediately shot up in bed and started thinking 'Oh my gosh! If there's any truth to it, it will be on CNN.'

I ran upstairs to our living room and turned on the TV. And there was the live footage. I couldn't believe my eyes. Smoke was coming from the North Tower. As I was struggling to make sense of what was going on, I saw the second airplane crash into the South Tower. I couldn't believe what I was seeing; I could feel the tears start to swell up.

My roommates are amazed at me being up and seeing me glued to the TV. I hear them asking me questions, but I ignore them hoping that they will just glance at the TV to see what's happening. I'm frozen, still trying to make sense of what I'm seeing. The next thing I see are the towers crashing and people running in fear. I'm no longer able to hold back the tears. Why is this happening? Who would do this? Why? Why?? Why???

After watching live footage for what seemed like forever, I finally peel myself away from the TV and head to campus. The feeling on the BYU-Idaho campus that day was one that I will never forget. It was so somber. As you walked on campus, it was so eerily quiet. No smiles. No laughter. You could feel there was a sense of loss that day. You knew that no matter our circumstances, we were all changed that day.

The President gave an address that night and I listened. He said that those these horrible acts may have shattered the steels of the those buildings, but "they cannot dent the steel of American resolve." We as a nation united that day. Policemen and Firefighters became super heroes. Young men made the decision to put their life on hold and rise to the special calling of defending the freedom of our nation. My freedom. Your freedom.

That week on campus it was homecoming. One of the last homecomings for the school but instead of celebrating with the big razzle dazzle it was filled with moments of silence and the singing of the song "(I'm proud to be an American) God Bless the USA." As we sang that song, it brought on a sense of pride, one that I had never felt before. The chorus of that song, took on a special meaning that week:

"And I'm proud to be an American,

where at least I know I'm free.

And I won't forget the men who died,

and gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up! next to you

and defend her still today.

'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,

God bless the USA!"

I was changed that day. From that day forward, I cry every time our flag is raised and our National Anthem sung. I'm not going to stand here and say whether the war is a good thing or a bad thing, but all I know is that these men are defending my freedom. On this day, I would ask that we don't criticize our President's decision to send our men off to war, but that we stand beside them as they put their lives in danger to defend our very freedom and help rebuild a nation.

Labor (day) of Love!

Some may think that Labor Day is a time for rest, but not in the Ward Home. We spent our Labor Day weekend painting, and well it's about time.

A few months ago, I was checking out Craigslist (for reals, I heart it) and we came across a painting company that was giving away FREE paint. Nic and I were all over that. I was a little worried that we wouldn't find the colors that we wanted (for our baseboards, bathrooms, living room and family room) but we did. So, Saturday we started painting our mud room. Originally, it was going to stay our mud room and the cats' room but we decided to change it to our office. I've come to the realization that while I love having the downstairs completely for entertaining it has made me incredibly lazy! I hate hiking up the stairs to get to the office and then come ALL THE WAY down, so we moved it into the mud room and it totally works. So, here are some pics:

Monday afternoon instead of moving on to the next room we decided to hit the greenbelt for a bike ride. While riding, Nic informed me that he had NEVER been to the Boise Zoo, so we went and it was so much fun. It was nice just to walk around and get excited to see all the animals like some young little kid. The only downer was we kind'a had to decide which exhibits we wanted to see more than others because we only had like an hour until closing time, but none the less we had a jolly ol' time.

(Us taking a break at the zoo)


So, summer is gone. Bummer, I know. All is well. On to the fall season (AKA as football season) and just a few days before we take off to Oregon-heck yes baby!!!