FHE with the Saints!

WARNING - VIEWER BEWARE: You are about to enter PICTURE OVERLOAD!

Most of you know that our family, as well as, the Fairchild family have been long time Saints fans. When we heard that the Saints were coming out our way, and that it was going to be a Monday night football game, we could not resist and bought tickets. Scott was so excited, and had been planning every single detail, this blog will hopefully highlight some of those details.
The first detail came in our shirts, he made everyone custom shirts and sweatshirts for the game. Even soon to be born baby Fairchild got in on the action!
The weather couldn't have been better, and we were ready for the fun to begin! (Scott can take no credit on the good weather!)
No game would be complete without the "tailgate" party to begin. Our menu was awesome, Brats (all varieties), Smoked Sausage, Et Toufee (a French Louisiana Stew), Potato Salad, Cajun Dip & Chips, Sausage Balls, Mini Crawfish Pies and Freshly Baked Chocolate Chip Cookies! The good looking guy above did an excellent job on the bbq!
The boys were all pumped, the day had finally arrived - and they were ready to show their Saints pride!
After dinner was over, Scott began the work on Chase. He wanted to go all out and become a true Saints fan (which in his mind meant body paint!)
The Gold paint came out, and Chase patiently let his dad cover his entire face.
At this point there was no turning back, he was committed!
Now, the free hand artwork began. Chase didn't just want to be Gold, but he wanted to flash a Fleur-De-Lis as well.
I loved watching it all come together.
Chase finished the job by completely covering his arms and hands. He was so pleased with the final product, I could tell he couldn't wait to go and "be seen" by the crowd!

Scott brought out his Saints mask that he worked on. This was a serious project, we basically had to paper mache his face so that it would fit him perfectly!

If that isn't a couple of intimidating characters, I don't know what is! These two made such a stir as we were walking to the stadium that we were getting all sorts of reactions and comments. The funniest part was that we were actually stopped a few times by people who wanted to have their picture taken with Chase! (Trust me on this one, he loved every bit of the attention!)
Notice the wall behind us - yep, we were just a few rows shy of being at the very top of the stadium! We actually loved the seats, and we had a really good angle on the game. By the time the game started all the seats were taken, it was a sold out game.
We watched at the team huddled together and had their pump up session! I used to love this part of the game when I watched my kids play sports! (If my memory serves me, it started something like, "Pump, Pump, Pump it up")
The National Anthem was sung by the group Boys to Men, and the National Guard unrolled this beautiful flag. Fireworks were shot in the air, and 3 Air Force Jets flew in formation over our head at the very end! Such a cool and awesome way to start the game, God Bless America!
Ok, from here on out is how the game went down. I started a little late on this, so let me fill you in. In the first 3 minutes of the game, we forced the 49ers into a safety and got our first 2 points. Then a few minutes later, we scored a touchdown and made the extra point. So at the end of the 1st qtr it was 9 - 0. In the 2nd qtr 49ers came back which made it 9 - 7.
Oh no, in the 3rd qtr, the 49ers scored again and now were ahead.
The Saints however, answered back and also got a touch down and extra point in the 3rd qtr, and now again we were ahead by 2.
Then, we made a field goal and we were giving ourselves some more room.
Once again we made another field goal, and we were all thinking - ok, 2 minutes left in the game, up by 8 - this is how the game will finish.
The 49ers answered back, "not so fast!"
And then, instead of going for an extra point they ran the ball into the end zone and got 2 points which tied the game! Do you see this - only 1 minute left - and the game is tied! Ugh! All I could think of was OVERTIME!
The crowd was going wild, and we were hoping that the Saints would pull it off. With 2 seconds left on the clock, the Saints kicked a field goal and won the game by 3 points!

What an awesome ending, what an incredible game! We had a great time, and thanks to Scott every detail was thought of to make it that much more special!

What is this strange feeling?

For 25 years I've had the privilege of being a parent. Some of the days have been absolute joy, and then some of those days, well...let's just say were interesting. When you are in the thick of parenting, making lunches and dinners, driving to school and sports, overseeing homework and projects, helping with church talks and signing school forms, you don't really ever believe that there will come a day when you don't do those things anymore.

As this school year began, I could feel the "change" in the air. I knew that this year represented a completion. My baby (pictured above with my cute little grandson) was turning 18, and he was going to be a senior in high school.

Every single year for 20 years I have filled out 2 emergency cards for each child at home. It didn't matter that they didn't change schools from the last year, or that their siblings were in the same school, each year 2 emergency cards are required. I remember feeling a little overwhelmed at the beginning of school when my kids would come home with eight emergency cards total. I'd space it out, to prevent writers cramp!

And now, a week before school was to begin this year, I found myself somewhat melancholy over the emergency cards that were before me. These were my last. Never again was it going to be required of me. The memories of all the emergency cards that I have signed flooded back into my mind. I actually gave the cards a little kiss, and had to smile. What is this strange feeling?

Scott and I decided that a surprise birthday party was in order. Plans were made and we were so excited to make the day special for Chase. Plenty of decorations, lots of yummy food and about 40 people awaited Chase's arrival. Before we came to the party, Chase and I had been at DMV so he could take his behind the wheel driving test. As I sat there, I reminisced over all the trips that I have made to the DMV with each of the kids, silently praying that they would pass their test! He passed - and I realized all at once, this was my last trip as a mom to wait for an anxious teenager at DMV. What is this strange feeling?

We got to the church, and in the gym we walked and Chase was stunned! He turned around and looked at me with his mouth open, and then dropped his head as his face turned bright red. We got him!
Silly minute to win it games were played.

At the end of the party, Chase came to Scott and I and said, "thank you so much mom and dad, that was so much fun!" My mind raced back at all of the times I could see the happy look on my child's face. My heart was warmed. What is this strange feeling?

I could go on and on at the things that have changed for me so far this year, one of the most recent developments is that now that Chase has his drivers license, I no longer drive any children, anywhere!! Wow, what is this strange feeling?

I'm not saying it's a bad thing, but it certainly is cause for reflection as I enter this new "change" in my life! I asked my husband what this strange feeling was, and he said, "Maybe it's freedom!" I think it's more like shock! The day really does come, and you are not required to do those things - and funny enough, when you are looking back on them, they bring fond and warm memories.

I'm so grateful for grandbabies!