Memory Lane - FFA Days

Every June there is a special week in the life of Indiana FFA members....State FFA Convention.

It's hard to believe that 15 years ago (where did the time go?!?), my own life changed in ways I could never begin to imagine, all thanks to State Convention. I am beyond blessed to say that I am a former Indiana FFA State Officer. When I left convention and headed home to pack up my belongings so I could move into the FFA Center for the next year, I had no idea that the other 6 people would become my brothers and sisters. We would have our ups and downs. Don't all families? ha We have experienced life together up to this point in time....college, joys, loss and sadness, weddings, babies, time and distance. When you share as much as we have over the past 15 years, it doesn't matter how long we're apart, we always seem to pick right back up where we left off. And that my friends is the essence of real, true friendship.

So here we are. 14 years ago we were anxiously awaiting our very own week-long convention to begin. We were anticipating how our legacy would be remembered in Indiana FFA history. We were looking forward to the next steps in life and having new roles within the FFA experience...something we lovingly and jokingly refer to as "the has-been club" aka The Past State Officer club (PSO).

It is a hard experience to sum up in a few words. There is a limited number of Indiana kids who can say they've lived the same year of experiences as I have...and there is a limited number of State FFA officers throughout the US with the same experience as Indiana FFA State Officers. I will forever remember the days we spent at the State Officer house at the Indiana FFA Center. A dream was realized when I was granted the opportunity to travel the state for 1 year while serving as an ambassador for a phenomenal youth organization....and I got to do it with 6 of my closest friends.

These pictures are a drop in the bucket compared to all the photos we have from the past 15 years of living our lives...so thankful!

being announced on stage as the NEW State Officer Team - June 2000

our home from June 2000-June 2001

the blue corduroy

life lessons...hahaha...no liquid detergent in the dishwasher

my extended FFA family (can't believe the changes this pic would have today)

a quick gathering at Purdue

Rajean's wedding

Karissa's wedding

a team reunion at the FFA Center

visiting Karissa in Australia

Justin's wedding

State Convention - PSO Dinner

my bridal shower with Rajean

10 Years!?! What?

Oh my gosh! I cannot believe that I am typing this...10 years. Ten-Oh.

It has been 10 years this month since I was finishing my year as an Indiana FFA State Officer. It's crazy how time flies.

A lot of days, it just seems like yesterday that I was ducking out of the hallway before Jean hit a golf ball towards the kitchen for Money to catch in a baseball glove (what? you've never heard of house golf?? ha)...

or that we would pile onto the floating dock and take it for a "spin" around the FFA Center Lake, even in the cold...

or coming home late at night from any number of events and finding your desk area in the office having been "redecorated"...

It still amazes me that 7 young people could move into a house, barely knowing each other, and survive a year of traveling the state as ambassadors for one of the greatest youth leadership organizations in the world (4-H would be the other one) and become a family. Those 6 are my brothers and sisters. Their families are like additional sets of siblings and parents. I'm lucky. Seriously blessed. :)

So today we celebrated that magical 10 year anniversary at the State FFA Convention held at Purdue University. 6 of the 7 of us were able to be there and the only reason K missed out is because she lives in Australia now. (sad, huh? poor dear living in the land down under! ha) I'm so glad the group could make it! We don't get together nearly as often as we'd all like, but we're spread out around the state...and a neighboring state...and another country! haha

It is even more special for me because my FFA Advisor, Mr. Curlin (who was also a State Officer), was celebrating his 25 year anniversary! How fun is that?!?  

 with my awesome advisor, Mr. C

It's been a wonderful ten years. We've attended college. We've worked. We've married (well, most of us) and had babies. We've visited each other. We've emailed. We've called...and texted. Most importantly, we've grown up...together. Some may say it's because we had a truly unique experience, and we did. Indiana is one of the few states that all of the officers take a year off school and share a house at the FFA Center. (just about everyone else continues with school, taking off time here and there for events, and only 1 or 2 other states live together) I feel blessed that we are all still so close to each other. Like any family, we may bicker or play pranks on one another, but we always know we're there for each other.

And here's a look back at my FFA family. Love you guys!!

Home sweet home for the year

Our first team picture! We just got elected!!!

June 2000

One of our "goodbye" pics - May 2001

Our Team with our families at the end of Convention - June 2001

Coming back as Past State Officers to help with LDW - January 2002

 10 Year Anniversary - June 2011 (minus K)

-4 and a Wedding!

For starters...I am down 4 more pounds from last week! WOOHOO! I have to say a huge Thank You to my Big Sis (from sorority days) Kortni and her friend, who is now my friend, Amy, for all their encouragement and support the past week. We are all doing Weight Watchers and exercising and it's been great having support, even via internet since we live so far apart! I am down to the point where I ended last fall...and excited to continue my progress!

And now....my weekend!

CONGRATULATIONS TO JUSTIN AND KAYLA! I am so happy for both of you! Justin, the brother I never thought I wanted, but so thankful I did have...it was great seeing your family again. Kayla, my friend! You are a wonderful friend (amazing how we clicked right away when we met just over a year ago) and I am glad that Justin found you and that you have created a sweet family together! Jaden is getting so big!

It was a great night catching up with my FFA family! :) The proof is in the fact that my throat is sore from all the talking/laughing! We had fun celebrating with the newlyweds...

Kyle, Erin, Justin, Rajean, Liza

The Bride & Groom

Kyle, Erin, Kayla, Justin, Rajean, Liza

Love you guys! Can't wait for our next reunion this summer at State Convention...10 year Anniversary! Holy smokes! ha

A Blast from the Past

Ten years ago this week, I was a kid fresh out of high school. I had big hopes. I had tons of agricultural and educational information crammed in my head.

I was preparing for the nomination committee process in order to become an Indiana FFA State Officer. Looking back, I've forgotten all the nerves and sleepless nights of that time. I remember the good times, the friendships, the memories, and my FFA family.

On a hot June day (is there any other kind at State Convention when you're wearing a corduroy jacket? ha) at Purdue University, I will NEVER forget the thrill of them throwing open the door to our little hallway and hearing SLATE HAS PASSED! The 7 of us who had been nominated to serve as officers, dedicating a year of our young lives to the youth of Indiana FFA and developing ourselves as leaders. :)

Next June will mark our 10 year anniversary (your anniversary is marked by the year your service ends, not when it begins)....and it is hard to believe! The time has passed us by....some of us have gotten married and had babies, but the best part is that I still keep in touch with everyone!

Thought everyone might like to take a trip down memory lane with me....

The newly elected 2000-01 Indiana FFA State Officer Team

there's a lot for teenagers to learn when living on their own...Liza and Karissa learned the hard way that regular dish soap does NOT belong in the dishwasher ;)

we loved team "outings" to hang out together on the FFA lake

one of my favorite professional pics of our team...our goodbye pic

after our AWESOME State Convention with all our families

Things That Make Me Smile

Kayla's friend, Angie, whom I met at a Mary Kay party posted things that make her smile (her smile generators) in a blog post. It was a cute idea and on my myspace page, I have a slideshow that used to play and the caption with it read, "On days when I forget to laugh, I'll look back on these times and smile..." So in honor of Angie asking what everyone else's smile generators are, here are mine!

-coming home with Toby bouncing around waiting to see me
-hugs from my little buddy Ethan
-talking about life with Monica at her kitchen table
-having random conversations with Zach (& no one else being able to follow along!)
-trips with Jenna
-dinners with Mom at the Grub
-singing along to my favorite songs on the radio with the windows rolled down (summertime, of course! ha)
-sitting around a bonfire with good friends, telling stories and drinking a cold one
-spending time with my Mary Kay friends at retreats
-new Mary Kay products :)
-emails and random chats with college friends & sorority sisters
-pictures of my FFA brothers & sisters and their families
-clean sheets on the bed
-warm pajamas straight out of the dryer
-blackberry pie
-walking up and down our road at sunrise or sunset for exercise
-curling up on the couch with a good book
-being debt free!
-a good hair day on a day when I am working (not just sitting at home...ha)
-checking things off my To Do list

Hope to see everyone else post their lists on their blogs! ;)

Saints, Boilers, Ponies! Oh my!

Woah boy! I absolutely LOVE sports days like today!

The Saints are playing right now! Go Drew! Yesterday was Drew's birthday, so hopefully he gets a win for his birthday present! :)

The Boilers are also playing today. They need to get it together and put another W in the books! ha

And last, but certainly not least, the Colts are playing tonight! Hopefully the guys aren't too rusty after not playing much this past month...

We'll be cheering all the guys on today from little ol' Osgood! :p Even Toby is joining in the fun...he has his favorites as well! ;)



On a side note, a big shout out to Kayla for hosting a Mary Kay party last night for me! It was great to meet her and her friends. :) I even got to see Justin for awhile and catch up with him. I was also very excited to meet their little boy, Jaden, and watch him perform his latest feat...WALKING! Adorable! Thanks guys! I had a wonderful evening and hope you did too! Remember, now that I know my way there...you may get another visit or two! ha

National Blue & Corn Gold

As the National FFA Convention gets underway this week in Indy, I'm reminded of my own days of sporting the blue & gold. :) Some days it doesn't seem like it was that long ago....and others, it feels like it was a different lifetime. I was fortunate enough to attend National Convention in Kansas City, MO the last year it was held there. Then I attended a few conventions in Louisville, KY...and have lived in Indy when the madness that is convention descends on the Circle City! haha There's nothing quite like the proud feeling you have when you see all the corduroy jackets and you are the one who knows what it feels like to take in all the excitement that makes up convention (especially now that we're the "has beens").

All I know is that I'm lucky to have served my state for a year as an officer, and even more blessed to have some amazing friends and FFA "family." Good luck to all the Indiana FFA'ers as they compete in leadership events and here's hoping they are more dedicated and passionate about the FFA when they return home!

IN Delegates @ 2000 National Convention in Louisville, KY

00-01 IN State Officers with the 01-02 National Officers

my FFA family :)