Lindsey Haggas

This mom of two clearly knows her happy place: skiing at Hoodoo with her family.

Family comes first.

All families are unique. Tell us about yours.

My husband and I met and started dating when we were 20 years old while living in Colorado. We got married in 2001, and a year later moved to Oregon because we loved the idea of living near the mountains and the ocean. After 12 years of being together, we finally decided we were ready to settle down and have children. Fast forward through 18 years of parenthood and we now have two teenagers.

Our son Ben graduated from high school last year and has moved out of the house and entered the workforce as a mechanic. He is incredibly gifted in technology and anything mechanical. Our daughter Ella is a junior in high school. She is on the swim team, works at the Boys & Girls Club and is the social butterfly of the family. We also have our cat Onyx who loves to boss around our dogs, our elder dog Scooter who is blind, and our pandemic puppy Rocket, a five-pound chihuahua that absolutely completes our family.

Every family has its own traditions, rituals or inside jokes. What are some of yours?

My husband has worked at Hoodoo Ski Area for over 20 years so we have raised our kids skiing there. We love ski camping in our trailer and spend most of the winter holidays camping in the parking lot of Hoodoo. Some of our favorite traditions include watching the fireworks for New Year’s Eve, participating in the torch light descent for their Winter Carnival, and dressing up in costumes and pond skimming during their Spring Fling event.

When did you know you wanted to be a mom?

It wasn’t a matter of if I was going to have kids, but more about when I was ready. My husband and I had been married for several years and decided together we were ready to start a family. I’m grateful for the years my husband and I got to grow together as a couple before we had kids.

Tell us about one of your proudest mom moments.

I started teaching my kids to ski as soon as they could walk. I dedicated several winters teaching both of my kids how to ski while my husband worked and watched from a distance. After years of dedication, I am proud to say I have raised my favorite ski buddies ever! Now I find them saving me a spot in line for the first chair on a powder day and beating me down each run.

Now tell us about one of your most humbling mom moments.

Raising teenagers. I can’t put it into words how humbling it is. I have taught teenagers my entire adult life but raising them is entirely different. Each day is a new experience filled with pride, heartache, joy, worry, laughter and tears. I am humbled by the mistakes I’ve made and so proud of how amazing my kids have turned out despite my parenting mishaps.

What are you enjoying the most about parenting right now?

I truly enjoy the quality time I get to spend with both of them. I love that my 16-year-old daughter still likes to hang out with me, and I really enjoy all the conversions and banter we have together. Now that my son has moved out of the house I don’t get to see him every day so when we do spend time together, I am incredibly happy and content.

We’re all moms so we know that no one is perfect all of the time, or even some of the time. Tell us about your most recent “Mother of the Year” moment. You know, like forgetting to pick the kids up from school.

There is a local swimming hole we love to go to in the summer where people like to jump off a bridge into the water. Two summers ago my daughter jumped off the bridge and when she came to the surface she was yelling, “Ow, ow, ow…my arm, my arm.” Instead of jumping in the water to save her, I told her she was fine and to swim to shore. As she got closer I could tell something was really wrong. I helped her out of the water where she collapsed in my arms and almost passed out. I took her to urgent care where we discovered she had broken her humerus bone. We laugh about it now but it wasn’t “humorous” at the time.

You know you’re a mom when you hear yourself say…

“Don’t do anything stupid.” My kids tell me I say that a lot.

No one works harder than mom.

We know that being a mom is a full-time job. How do you balance (or not) motherhood, activities, work, volunteering, household responsibilities, and life in general? What sometimes falls through the cracks?

I really try to manage my time, so when I’m at work I can focus on that, and when I’m at home I can be present with my family. I keep multiple to-do lists for all of the different things I have going on. Delegating chores is key to my sanity, as well as not stressing over things if they don’t get done.

Tell us about your work or volunteerism outside of the home.

This is my 28th year as a teacher.

I have spent the last twelve years teaching PE and wellness classes at Sweet Home High School. My favorite class I teach is Outdoor PE where I take my students on outdoor adventures skiing/snowboarding, rock climbing, white water rafting and on a two-night backpacking trip. Over the years I have also coached cross country and track but stopped coaching when my kids got into grade school because it was too hard to juggle their after school activities with coaching. I also started a Ski and Ride Club at my school where I take students on field trips to Hoodoo Ski Area several times throughout the winter.

What have you learned professionally that has helped you as a mom?

I have taken a lot of the skills I’ve gained working with students into my parenting experience. It has definitely given me a better perspective about raising my kids throughout their school years. Plus, I get to keep a close eye on them while they’re in high school, which I know they don’t always like.

If mom’s not happy, nobody’s happy.

Where did you grow up, and how did it influence you?

I grew up in East Grand Rapids, Michigan, a vibrant and affluent city about 30 minutes from Lake Michigan. I don’t think I realized how fortunate I was to be raised there until I moved away. Growing up there influenced me to be grateful for the opportunities I am given in life because I now know not every one is as fortunate as I was growing up.

me to be grateful for the opportunities I am given in life because I now know not every one is as fortunate as I was growing up.

Well, I can’t choose just one. My mom passed away 10 years ago, and she always had such a fun and free spirit about her and taught me independence, perseverance and to be passionate about the things and people you love. My dad taught me how to live life with passion, purpose, humor and compassion for others which also shaped me to become the person I am today. I also have a step-mom who has taught me that family is more than blood relations. I learned patience, caring and selflessness from her.

What is something you will NEVER do again?

I am relieved to say that I survived teaching both of my kids how to drive and I am glad that I will never have to do that again. It is one of the most terrifying and helpless positions to be put in when your child is merging onto the highway for the first time as logging trucks pass you by.

What keeps you sane?

My husband definitely keeps me grounded and sane. When things get tough or stressful, he has a no nonsense attitude that helps me keep things in perspective. He makes life really fun and raising kids with him is always an adventure. He can also fix absolutely anything so when things break, I know I can always count on him to fix it.

What is the quality you like most about yourself?

I am an extremely patient and kind person. I don’t think I would be as good at my job or as a parent if I didn’t have these qualities.

If you could instantly have one new skill (i.e. foreign language, musical talent, eyes in the back of your head, etc.), what would it be?

To have a photographic memory. I’m horrible at remembering names, which is hard as a teacher when I have hundreds of different students every year. I hate it when I can’t remember someone’s name.

If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, in which event would you win a gold medal?

Making pinatas. Every year I make pinatas that match the theme of my kids’ birthday parties. They are the biggest and most over-the-top pinatas you can imagine.

What is your greatest extravagance?

I have spoiled myself over the last several years with some epic snowboard trips with my girlfriends. I think it’s really important for a person’s happiness to be able to have quality time away with your friends doing things you love.

It’s Saturday afternoon and you suddenly find yourself at home alone for a few hours (we know,

it never happens). What do you do?

Lying in bed and binge watching whatever TV series I’m currently watching.

Listen to mom.

Is motherhood what you expected? What surprised you the most?

I don’t think I had many expectations going into motherhood but what has surprised me the most is how incredibly fast the past 18 years have gone by.

What message would you like to share with other moms? Remember to tell it like it is.

Being a mom is the most challenging and rewarding experience you’ll have in life and it will always be evolving. Embrace each stage of their childhood because it goes by so fast. It doesn’t end when they graduate high school, get married, or become parents themselves. You will be their mom through every stage of your child’s life so don’t be afraid to be vulnerable, ask for help and advice, take care of yourself too and most importantly, enjoy the ride!

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MOMs love local…

We love locally owned businesses, restaurants, places and organizations. Share your favorite…

…coffee spot: Sunshine Espresso, The Coffee Hut

…restaurant to take the kids: A&W

…restaurant for a date night: The Point Restaurant

…take-out, food truck or quick bite: Serrano’s Taqueria

…meetup spot for happy hour: Tallman Brewing & food trucks

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MOM’s favorite…

Tell us about your favorite…

…family game: LED bocce ball

…words to live by: Do one thing everyday that makes you happy.

…place to find some peace & quiet: Anywhere in nature, preferably covered in snow.

…binge-worthy TV or podcast: Schitt’s Creek, Modern Family or any medical drama

…way to get out of making dinner: Give our kids money to go pick up take-out for us.

…time-saving app or digital tool: All Trails app for hiking

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