While I am enjoying serene outings with our two children, amidst the changing of the leaves, my husband is cheering for a little brown ball being carried across a line at the end of a field. This is not my idea of family "quality" time. What we really need is to have some fun together.

So where is the family unity I long for? It’s at the stadium, and I have no other choice but to go there and look for it. But first, I must allow myself to be bamboozled (West Virginia talk for brainwashed). Then, I must make sure our children are bamboozled, as well. Slowly, we will become Mountaineer fans! <continued below>

Yes, I’ve conceded defeat, befriended the opposition, and am now recruiting my kids to be future Mountaineers, all for the sake of our family unity. As preschoolers everywhere are learning their ABC’s, mine are singing an exuberant rendition of John Denver’s "Take Me Home - Country Roads" (West Virginia’s unofficial theme song). We are quite proud, even though my daughter sings "crunchy roads" instead of "country roads." And, when my son loudly sings "wet vagina - mountain mama," we are more than a little embarrassed. Now that the brainwashing is complete, phonics is our next priority!    

Without a doubt, the football enthusiasm emoting from our household is infectious. As we embark upon another Fall season, I am giving up my visions of sweet family moments under colorful trees.  Instead, I will be in the stands, trying to keep the kids seated, getting drinks and food to pacify them for just another few minutes, and making numerous trips to the restroom. 

My husband, on the other hand, will be an entity unto himself --  deaf to all outside noise (due to the radio earplugs transmitting blow-by-blow game action directly to his ear drums), and blind to anything but the men on the field -- all amidst the sweetness of our family unity!