Photos of Christmas Past

After reading Andy's post and looking at her "ancient" pictures of Christmas past I just had to pull out a few of my own!

Age 3

I don't remember this picture being taken but I want to say I was in Kindergarten?

This was taken in 1st grade. My sister was in preschool...I love her little dimple!

Fast forward about 30 years and I am preparing for today's festivities. My whole family will be here for Christmas Eve dinner. The day will be filled with cooking and baking as well as helping other volunteers in my town distribute and light 1,500 luminaries in our Historic District (in which we live). It should be beautiful and I am so excited my family will be here to see it!

Merry Christmas!!

Photo Reveal

So yesterday I went and renewed my driver's license. After all of my prepping the end result turned out fine. Not great but it could have been a lot worse....
...I always end up squinting my eyes when the camera flashes even though I continually tell myself not to. I think it's because I'm nervous and can't relax. And I would have been a little bit happier if my neck didn't look as thick and large as a quarterback's! I didn't realize my license has a 6 year life span. I thought it was 4....good thing I didn't know about the additional 2 years until after the fact...I would have been stressing that much more!!

In other news, today is my birthday (hence the driver's license renewal drama)....and I can tell it's going to be a good one! I can hear Hubby vacuuming away as I type. Gotta love that! The kids have a half day and then everyone is on vacation until the New Year. There are no huge plans for today. Maybe dinner out. Maybe a little shopping. Maybe a Christmas movie. But no matter what it will be a perfect day because I will be surrounded by my favorite people.

Picture Woes

In addition to the holiday stresses (though I must say I'm not stressing much...things are in good shape for Christmas) I have been stressing over today. It's picture day. Driver's License Picture Day. Time to get my license renewed and offer a desperate plea that my picture won't be utterly atrocious. I have seriously been stressing over this since I received my renewal notice in the mail two months ago. Sad, huh?

This morning, before putting on my makeup and doing my hair, I googled "Driving License Photo Tips" hoping to stumble upon a sure-fire way of having a great experience later today when that camera snaps and my image is forever (well, at least for 4 years) applied to my identification.

Here are a few things I found from my search:

~Blot!!! Everyone, no matter how wonderful their skin is, looks like a grease bomb exploded on their face. Right before getting your picture taken blot your face and apply a little pressed powder.

~Whiten your teeth (a little late since I'm going in two hours!!! But fortunately I have to say I have really great teeth....one thing I don't have to stress about...unless I have something green stuck in between my teeth....so I guess you should always brush your teeth right before having your picture taken.)

~Wash your hair. Ah, duh. Really? But the article did go on to say you should style your hair with body so it doesn't come across limp. I have curlers in my hair right now hoping to add a bit of oomph to my locks.

~One article said to apply your makeup heavier than you normally would so you don't look washed out. Another article said to apply your makeup with a light hand so you don't look like a clown with too much blush or a mug shot with too much eye liner. I'm going with the second article on this one. I remember reading a Bobbi Brown book years ago that said you should not wear eyeliner and should not wear blush when taking your license picture.

~Think about what you're going to wear. First off, if you go in your sweats you'll probably feel slouchy and not too attractive. If you go wearing something nice you'll exude a bit of confidence. Think about flattering neck lines. A collared shirt is a good idea.

~And the one thing everyone can agree on....tilt your chin up! Please, no double chins or jowls!

So, I guess I am as prepared as I'll ever be. Wish me luck and maybe, just maybe, if my picture turns out okay I'll scan it in and post it!

New Love

Last week DK took Friday off from work and we went on an official date while the kiddos were at school. We went to lunch and discussed upcoming birthdays and Christmas gifts. We have a lot of birthdays in November and December, including mine and DK's.

There are two items that have appeared on my birthday/Christmas list for the past 3 years. Diamond earrings and an iPhone. Each year I decide no, not this year and I schlep through with my no-fuss basic phone.

Well, this year was different. There were countless times when I really NEEDED an iPhone. Not to mention EVERYONE has one! (Insert bratty teenage whine here) I would sit through countless meetings month in and month out with everyone in the room using their iPhone except me.

Sniff, sniff...boo hoo!

So guess what I got?

Yep. I finally got my iPhone and I am officially in love!!

Driving Confession

I am a very good driver.

I have never had an accident.

I have never gotten a ticket.

But I do have a thing for hitting non-moving items.

Like a brick wall.

A parked car.

A large green dumpster.

A car post beam.

And as of today I can add the brick garage at JK's preschool to my list.

This afternoon I was backing my van into a parking spot located in front of the garage. I accidentally backed in a wee bit too much and hit the garage.

And the sad thing?

I have a BACK-UP CAMERA in my dash!!!!!

For Pete's sake!

The good news is I have never come close to running over a person or an animal...only big stationary objects!

So Random

This is a post full of my musings this morning.

JK's preschool is part of a church here in town. Each year the church sets up a pumpkin patch and the money they make goes to an organization that helps children. Last year it was for children who did not have a bed of their own. This year I believe it is a food ministry.

After picking JK up from school yesterday we popped in and bought a few goodies. This was one of my favorites.

I didn't have much cash on me so I have to go back tomorrow and buy some of their fantastic grayish-green pumpkins. How I love the shade of those pumpkins!!

I vacuum over my furniture (couches, chair, ottoman) everyday. Is that odd? Once a week, on Monday, I tear apart the cushions and do a thorough vacuuming but the tops of the cushions get a once over every day.

I picked these up at Michael's yesterday. They were $1 each. I think I'm going to go back and get the white & black coordinating mug to display the pencils. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the eyeglasses but thought they were super neat.

I am usually up by 5 AM and working out until 6:30. I haven't been able to do that since becoming pregnant. (I go today for my last {fingers crossed} round of blood work and will hopefully hear that I have officially ended this particular journey. I am feeling better and better each passing week...I just can't seem to recoup my energy and am still fighting exhaustion.) Here I am at 8 AM still in my pj's. I thought I'd show your proof...I even have yesterday's makeup smeared on my face. And my eyes are all squinty looking. I think I'd best hop into the shower pronto!

I have a stack of receipts I need to enter into Quicken as well as statements to reconcile.

This is my least favorite task in the world.

I would much rather scrub a floor!!

This is the view outside my front door.

The gas company is replacing the gas line and they have reached my house.

Living in my town's historic district has such charm. Old pipes and what not are not one of them!

Neither are power lines. Definitely not charming. But the super old, I mean mature, trees are magnificent! Just breathtaking!

Enjoy this wondrous day. I'm off to play Wii Sports Resort with my little guy and then I must take that shower!!!

Accepting Life's Curve Balls

It's about time I finally sat down and wrote what has been going on in my life the past 6 weeks. I have been sick. Exhausted. Nauseous. Exhausted. Nauseous. Hmmmmm, wonder what it could be? So, let me back up.......

I came home from Girl's Camp at the end of August and could not get my act together. I was so tired and finally faced the reality that I might be pregnant. But it was a far fetched idea...or so I thought. I had an IUD so how could I possibly be pregnant?

The last Sunday in August I took a home pregnancy test and sure enough: positive.

I called my doctor the next morning and he got me in right away. I took a test at his office: negative. We did an internal ultrasound: nothing. He checked my IUD: in place; no problem. He assured me that there was no way I was pregnant. Boy, did I feel dumb! Before I went home I went and had some blood work done...just in case. My doctor called me that night. Guess what? I was pregnant.

I went back to the doctor's office the next day to have the IUD removed and thus began my curve ball journey. Since then, for the past 5 weeks I have been to the "drawing station" for blood work 2-3 times a week. They know me by name and shake their head's each time they see me coming. My arms are so bruised!! JK groans each time I pull up to the building...poor little guy! When my hCG levels reached 2,000 I had another ultrasound to determine if I was carrying a viable pregnancy. We found out 2 1/2 weeks ago that it was not. The ultrasound found the sac in my right fallopian tube. I went back to the doctor the following day (the day I went to TOFW) and had two shots of methotrexate. So here I am over two weeks later and I am still going and having blood work done (now just once a week) hoping my levels go down to 0 and I won't need surgery.

Through all of this there have been so many blessings:

~I spent all of Labor Day weekend reading the NieNie Dialogues from start to finish (something I've wanted to do for a long time) while DK took the kids and did super fun stuff.

~One night when I was in the kitchen crying because I had to make dinner the phone rang. It was a woman from church saying she was on her way over to my house with dinner, dessert and flowers....and no, she didn't know anything about my situation! She just felt prompted to serve our family.

~I have been listening to Christmas music (growing up my Dad wouldn't allow Christmas music before Thanksgiving and here it is September and barely October!) because it makes me happy and lifts my spirit.

~I discovered how much I love Diet Raspberry Ginger Ale. Super good!

~DK, my night owl husband, has been up early every morning getting the kids ready for school. He's out the door with Rand at 7:05 to take her to the bus stop and then off to work himself. Amazing!

~One night while DK was at a town meeting I heard a car door in my driveway. It was a friend bringing chocolate chip banana bread for breakfast the next morning and a scrumptious pasta dish for dinner the next night. Manna from heaven!

~My children. The poor dears don't know what to think of all of this. It's something we have decided to not share with them. JK said the funniest thing to me Friday afternoon. Around 3:00, he said, "Mom, why don't you make some macaroni and cheese now so we can have dinner tonight." Another day I heard Rand tell a neighbor what a great mom I was because I let her eat popcorn and ice cream for dinner! Obviously that makes me the the most amazing mom ever! And my sweet Kenners is always there to snuggle or grab a blanket for me or refill my Diet Raspberry Ginger Ale cup. They really are the greatest kiddos in the world. I am so blessed.

~And most importantly, I have felt the comfort of the Spirit and the love of my Savior.

TOFW Recap

I cannot believe it has been two weeks since I was at TOFW!!!

It was everything I hoped it would be...plus more!

I was a little stressed on Friday evening.

I had been asked to give the opening prayer to kick off the whole event.

No pressure.

No stress.

Yeah, right!

On the upside...I had front row seats reserved for me and a guest!

Friday night's music was performed by Jenny Oaks Baker...

...I am LOVING her new CD!

Saturday's music was by Hilary Weeks. Always love her.

I didn't have as good a seat on Saturday (6 rows back) but I also didn't have the stress and worry of giving the opening prayer! Equal trade off!!

Every year I plan on taking lots of pictures and every year I don't.

I am too busy with my Staff responsibilities as well as catching up with friends, not to mention taking notes from all of the fabulous presenters and shopping at the book store. Maybe next year.....but in the meantime here is a fun little video showing a bit of the weekend.

Mariama Kallon was truly inspirational! What an amazing woman! I absolutely LOVED how she referred to her scriptures as her "therapist"! How true!! It's where we can find the answers to all of our problems and troubles. Thank you, Mariama!!!

My Time Out ended a tad bit early.

My darling family surprised me by coming to the Convention Center at the close of the event.

They were so excited to see me and I was completely shocked to see them!

It was a great way to end my Time Out and re-enter my role as a mom!!

Headed for a Time Out

I have been looking forward to this weekend for quite some time!

This afternoon I'm headed for a Time Out...and it is much needed!

Really looking forward to shopping at the bookstore for some great books.

This year's theme is Infinite Hope.

I need a dose of hope right now.

Later this weekend I plan on filling you in with what's been going on in my life the past 3 weeks.

Stay tuned for quite the tale!!

Little Miracles

Life has been super hard lately.

I have been taking inspiration from here.

And this morning I found inspiration in my own backyard.

Little baby bunnies

Five in all

Three are strewn across my yard while two are still in the nest

Can you see them?

I couldn't either...mama bunny did a very good job hiding her babies. Such a good job that I almost stepped on the nest! It's right in the middle of our backyard. We have to be very careful where we step right now. We don't want to smoosh any babies.

Anyone want a pet bunny?

I Survived Girl's Camp!

I'm back and I survived Girl's Camp!!

My treehouse

The view of the lake from my treehouse

The toilet accommodations...I had to walk up the path for the mildewy showers.

Rand looking sooooo thrilled and me with my wild frizzy hair!

But we did it...and I'm pretty sure we're both going back again next year!

Goin' Camping

Rand and I are headed off to Girl's Camp!

I am nervous about going camping for 5 days.

I am not a camper.

BUT I do get to stay in a tree house and that's kind of cool.

Wonder if it will be as nice as this one?

Chances are pretty slim.

I'll be sure to report all of my adventures (and misadventures) this coming weekend!

Priceless PJs

Have you ever had one of those days? You know the type. Nothing, absolutely nothing goes right. I had one of those days this past week. I think it was Monday. Or was it Tuesday? That's what's so crazy...I don't even remember which day it was! But let me tell you, in the midst of the emotional turmoil and my vacuum breaking (again!!!) and having a tiff with my husband and everything else crumbling down around me I was ready to quit.

Done.

No more.

My mom called shortly after I was done balling my eyes out and having my mini-meltdown. I started blubbering again and telling her how suck-y my life was and do you know what she asked?

"Would you like a new pair of pajamas? I'm going to buy you a new pair of pajamas."

What? What does that have to do with my life coming to an end?

Nothing, absolutely nothing. But boy did it make me feel special. And my new pajamas are bright. And fun. And cute. And unexpected. And magical.

The price may have been marked down to $3 but really they are priceless in my book!

Puppy, Distelfinks and Family

Introducing the newest member of the East Coast Evans Family:

Peyton...Do you see her? Kenners is holding her. She is a 10 week old Bichon Poo. We thought we should have an updated family picture taken.

At the end of May I started seriously thinking about getting a puppy and then, viola! A few weeks later on Father's Day morning my sister called asking if we wanted their new puppy. Off we went to pick up this little hair ball (she's hypoallergenic, HALLELUJAH!) and my quandary about whether or not to get a puppy was over.

Though DK and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary last month we haven't actually seen each other long enough to have a picture taken together. So here we are...15 years later...a little grayer (both of us) some extra poundage (just me) but still as much in love as the day we wed!

During our trip to PA and in salute to my Pennsylvania Dutch relatives we stopped and picked up a Hex Sign. We had one back when we lived in PA but misplaced it/threw it away somewhere along our way back to the East Coast. I placed it on our door leading from the garage to the kitchen. A bit untraditional since they are usually hung on the outside of a barn/shed/house but that's okay, I like breaking from tradition!

Me and Chick-fil-A

This past weekend we took a road trip to visit my uncle and extended family in Pennsylvania (the girls were so excited to return to their "home state"...they are too funny!!) While there I saw a Chick-fil-A and yelled at my father to pull over NOW! I had yet to visit one of their establishments and couldn't let the opportunity pass me by! The staff was so sweet and friendly. They offered a free chicken sandwich seeing I was a Chick-fil-A virgin. I, of course, had to try their waffle fries, though I must admit I wasn't too impressed with them.

Me and the cow

The cow and me.

I guess I can officially check Chick-fil-A off of my bucket list.

It's the little things in life!!!