A New Year's Trip to the Bookstore

Happy New Year!

We started the 2011 year with breakfast with my parents and then a trip to the bookstore (or "library" as JK likes to call it!)

Kenners has been dying for this Klutz book and wanted to leave the bookstore shortly after finding it. As soon as we arrived home she started making a bracelet.

Rand has been reading the Warriors series but it's been slow going waiting for the books at the library. They're so popular and hardly ever on the shelves. She bought books 3 & 4.

I browsed the 2011 calendars (how I love a brand new calendar!), the diet book section (it's the New Year...what more can I say?), and the magazines. I bought the February edition of Country Living. The all-white cover sold me at first glance. The January 2011 Country Living British Edition also had an all-white cover so it naturally came home with me too. I really like Jonathan Adler's style and decided to splurge and buy his accessorizing book.

I have been thinking about Resolutions for the New Year and have yet to make anything concrete. I had a good idea but am still noodling it out...stay tuned!

We are enjoying a super mild day (56 degrees!!) and a wonderful start to the New Year! I'm truly looking forward to what this year has to bring and the growth I will gain with each passing day!

Yoga Lessons

Yesterday I posted the following on my Facebook page:

Can I wait until the New Year to start eating right and exercising again?

Please say "Yes!!!"

Well, my friend Sarah responded with this:

"I've already started!

Got my first work-out in yesterday and about to hop on the elliptical now."

Great....that's just great. So I decided to go ahead and try out the Bob Harper's "Yoga for Warriors" DVD I purchased at the beginning of the month but hadn't gotten around to trying out yet.

I asked the girls if they wanted to do yoga with me.

I thought for sure they would both say yes. They both do yoga in school.

Rand has a teacher that starts out each class with yoga. She is now proficient in twisted dragon, eagle arms and legs, shark, downward dog, among many others.

Kenners' teacher does yoga with the class before they take a test to help with blood flow and brain power. (Maybe I would have been a genius in school if my teacher had used such techniques).

Anyway, both girls said no.

I was surprised...and a bit let down.

But I went ahead and did a bit of yoga by myself.

And it kicked my butt.

Who knew?

In January's Redbook, Ali Sweeney said that she does the same DVD and it kicks her butt too. I guess that makes me feel a little bit better!

Now I suppose I should lay off the Christmas treats and start back up on the treadmill and keep going with the yoga. But I have to tell you...these Salted Caramel-Pecan Bars are tempting the heck out of me. I might have to make them for New Year's Eve!

Giving Thanks

Giving thanks for my darling Rand who turned 12 this past Sunday!

She brings such joy to our family!

We love you, Rand!!!

Good Fortune

Friday is typically date night in the Evans household.

After the kiddos go to bed the hubby and I snuggle up with Chinese and a movie. We save the fortune cookies for the kids to eat the next day. This was Rand's latest fortune:

Better advice for a soon-to-be 12 year old?

I think not!

Priceless wisdom!!

Flying Popcorn

I was being a good mama the other day and bought some popcorn at Target to bring home to Rand.

She loves their popcorn.

I think because it's so salty.

She LOVES salt!

On the way home I hit the brakes at a red light and the full bag of popcorn went flying.

This happened not once but twice!

What we mamas do for our chick-a-dees!

(As a side note...my dear hubby vacuumed the whole mess up for me. He's a keeper!)

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!

Looking Back

August 2004

My darling girls when they still enjoyed dressing up in pink and being mommy's little princesses. So much changes in six years!

Today both girls will not touch the color pink...but fortunately they're still my princesses.

They're just more of the tomboy/goth/punk rocker/skull lovin' princess type!

Budding Artists

Last night the family went to the girl's school to view their Annual Art Show. It was super fun seeing all of the student's creativity and hunting for the girl's masterpieces.

In true Kenners form she has skulls sprinkled throughout her chalkboard-esque work of art.

Rand shyly grinning next to her amazing pastel drawing.

Can't wait to get it home and add this funky piece to her framed gallery!!

And isn't she the sweetest...using her mama's favorite color, GrEeN?!?

Mary-John-A

This weekend I have been doing lots of research on alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs. Rand is finishing up the D.A.R.E. program and has her final project due this coming week. While working together we started discussing marijuana and I had to swallow my laughter when Rand pronounced it mary-john-a. How I love the innocence of my children!
We ended our conversation by role playing different scenarios and by just saying no....even when offered mary-john-a!

She's In!

I cannot believe I am old enough to have a daughter entering middle school in the fall! And for those of you who went to "junior high" like me....6th-8th grades is no longer called that! I was told by the girl's school principal that it "ages" me when I refer to those grades as junior high. Oh my. How times have changed! My children have learned how to "regroup" not "borrow and carry" and will go to "middle school" instead of "junior high"!
I was really apprehensive about sending Rand to our town's middle school. Well, let me back up...I have been apprehensive about public schools in general! I researched homeschooling for years before coming to the peaceful conclusion that I am not cut from the homeschooling cloth. How I wish I was! How I envy my friends who homeschool. So if I'm not homeschooling and do not want to send my children to public school....then what?

I started researching out Magnet schools. Before anyone jumps on me, yes, I know they are part of the public school system. But they give more options and concentrations than what is offered here in town.

Last fall Rand went away for 3 days to an overnight science camp and came back full of enthusiasm for digging up salamanders, hiking in the woods, identifying species, etc.

The middle school we found for Rand is focused on environmental science and located at the intersection of two rivers. They literally have an outdoor science lab!! When I went to visit the school I was blown away by the technology and all that they have to offer. I just KNEW this was the school for Rand.

Applications were due the beginning of February. I felt such a peace when I submitted hers. The lottery drawing was scheduled for mid-March. The second week of March brought such an attack of butterflies and anxiety as the drawing drew closer. What if she didn't get in? Where would she go? What would I do? Should I homeschool? Should I send her to a private school? Should I just cave in and send her to our town middle school? I was a ball of nerves!!

Two weeks ago I received a call from a friend who also applied to the same school. She had just received her son's acceptance letter in the mail. I was overjoyed for her but panicked for me! What if her son took Rand's spot? (Don't you just love the irrationality?!) I was on pins and needles for about 30 minutes waiting for our mail to be delivered.

In the end we received that beautiful acceptance letter and will attend the orientation for new students a week from today. Rand is thrilled. I am relieved and we are both grateful that we have a loving God who knows our desires and looks out for us!

Easter Glory!

This afternoon, in between General Conference sessions, we enjoyed a small Easter Egg Hunt in our backyard. Such a glorious day!!

JK and Kenners showing a little bit of excitement!

Silly, silly kids

Rand hunting beneath the weeping willow tree.

JK showing off his loot.

Checking out his goodies.

Among all of the plastic eggs filled with yummy candy each of the kids found an empty egg. I didn't forget to put the candy in (or worse yet I didn't EAT their candy). This is a simple visual aid we use every year to remind the children that the tomb is empty. Christ has risen! Death is conquered!! As we contemplate the Savior's resurrection we remember the passing of my father-in-law and mother-in-law. Phillip has been gone for 6 years today and Marcia for 14 years in July. We are so grateful that life does not end once we breathe our last breath and are placed in the grave. Oh no! Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, broke the bands of death so we may each enjoy eternal life and exaltation.

I rejoice that my Savior Lives!!!

Not So Boring Life

"Boring!!!!"

That's JK's newest response to anything he doesn't like or doesn't want to do!

But truthfully life has been anything but boring lately!

The following is a snippet of things going on in our household. I just started typing as things came to mind. If you make it through this post you are definitely a saint!

We are enjoying fabulous weather!! We have been jumping on the trampoline, going on bike rides, taking walks and spending oodles of time at the playground. Subsequently we are all exhausted by the end of the evening.

And speaking of being exhausted, I cannot get enough sleep since last Sunday. I am not enjoying daylight savings at all this year!!! I am usually a leap out of bed kind of gal...but not so much right now!!

I signed Rand up for a Red Cross Babysitting course. I cannot believe she is old enough!! She's very excited and I am equally excited to start utilizing her soon-to-be-learned skills!

Kenners is adding tennis lessons to her already overflowing schedule.

To my own crazy schedule, I have added on our town's Historic District Commission. I am serving as an alternate member. I'm not sure what all it entails but I am looking forward to being involved in something new. And it looks like I will continue on as PTO President for another year. I think this is a good thing! I hope the other parents agree!!

I'm anxiously awaiting to hear if Rand was accepted into the magnet school we selected for her. Every time I think about it I awaken the butterflies in my stomach. I try not to think about it.

I am absolutely in love with Target's Liberty of London line. I have purchased the pillow and lamp for the living room. Such a crazy pop of color!!!

DK has been gone from home this week. It was quite unexpected and due to last week's Nor Easter that hit New England. There are still thousands without electricity here in our state and he was mobilized to help coordinate the lodging and food for the utility workers. He snuck home this evening for some clean clothes and a home cooked dinner. And of course hugs and kisses from all of us!

I bought a new nail polish today. Haute Chocolate by Sally Hansen. I've been wearing Pat on the Black exclusively for months now but thought I'd trade it in for something new. I love this new color!!!

Haute Chocolate

Pat on the Black

March is not only Madness due to basketball but also budget hearings!! DK has been gone 2-3 nights each week this month for town budget hearings in addition to his other Town Council meetings. Between the two of us meetings are a huge part of our lives. We don't mind. If we did, we would be in a heap of trouble!!!

I have been dealing with stress headaches, sinus issues and a possible brain tumor. Well, okay, I don't have a brain tumor but it sure feels like it some days!!! Today was a better day and my head didn't start pounding and swelling until this afternoon. It was nice to have a pain free morning!

Have I mentioned my father was diagnosed with bladder cancer? We found out on New Year's Eve...just about 3 months ago. I have quietly tried to deal with this development and have not told many people. Some things are just hard to talk about. Did I mention I've been having stress headaches?!

Well, my friends, it is now time for bed. This stressed out, overly tired mama is hitting the hay! Blessings to you if you finished reading this highly quirky and discombobulated post!! You are a true friend!

Reading Sisters

This was the scene at the breakfast table this morning.

I love seeing the girls develop their love for reading!

A little nourishment for the body, a little nourishment for the mind!!

Weekend Anticipation

I am so looking forward to this weekend! It all begins with a GNO tonight with some friends from church. It is bittersweet as we are getting together to say goodbye to one of my dearest friends, Natalie. She and her family are moving back home after a much too short stint here on the East Coast. And poor JK, he's losing not only his good buddy but hopefully his future bride! Good thing absence makes the heart grow fonder!

Tomorrow we are going to visit Santa. I really struggled with the idea of just blurting to the girls that Santa isn't real and not even start the whole escapade with JK. Rand, 11 years old and in the 5th grade, still believes! Both of the girls acknowledge that we will not be seeing the "real" Santa tomorrow as he is at the North Pole busily overseeing the making of their toys. DK said to let it go, they'll realize soon enough....

We are off to see a Christmas play tomorrow night, "The Gospel According to Scrooge," based on Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". BTW, that is our gift to our neighbors and friends this season. A hard covered copy of Dickens' story along with a homemade ornament. Sorry if I ruined the surprise for any of you!

Also on tap for the weekend is our Christmas card picture. We have put it off long enough. It's time to get it taken and those cards ordered! I have been starving myself for the past 4 days (with a slip up last night involving cheese balls) in preparation for the picture. Can't wait to get it done and over with!

The weatherman says snow is in our weekend forecast. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I really want to set up the Christmas tree with snow falling softly outside. I bought a new tree this year. It is one of those "just cut", real to the touch type trees. I'm so excited! We have been using the same skinny tree for the past 8 years. Though it is always pretty and magical once decorated I'm looking forward to a more "real" tree!

last year's tree

Last but not least, we will be able to watch the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional on Sunday evening. Though I am probably the only member of my church who does not enjoy the MOTAB choir, I do really enjoy their music during the devotional.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend with the ones you love!!

Catching Up

I have woefully been neglecting this little blog of mine!

Here are a few snapshots to fill in the past two weeks!

Sworn in:

Not the greatest picture but here is DK being sworn in as

Town Councilor

Birthday girl:

11 years old. How did that happen?

She is in that not-quite-a-kid but not-yet-a-teenager stage.
She wanted Nintendo DS games...
...and a Pandora bracelet for her birthday.

Took a little trip to the Butterfly Garden with good friends:

Inspecting a butterfly

Coaxing a butterfly onto JK's arm. We did not have much luck getting the butterflies to land on the kids. I had to find the ones with broken wings, etc who are more vulnerable and easier to catch for a photo op.

JK's not so sure about that butterfly on his shoulder...

Addicted to:

Edy's Slow Churned Peppermint

Celebrated Thanksgiving and DK's birthday:

My heart was full this Thanksgiving as I dwelt on all of my many blessings...this man being one of my dearest!

Went shopping on Black Friday at 4:30 AM with a wonderful friend. I didn't take any pictures of that. No makeup, yoga pants, etc. No need to scare anyone away! Had tons of fun, went to tons of stores, and am well on my way with my shopping!

Starting to decorate for Christmas:

Inspiration taken from Better Homes & Garden (I think...)

Kids go back to school tomorrow and I am going on a Christmas tree hunt this week. I really would like to buy a new tree. One of those "just cut" or "fresh feel" types. Each year we decorate our tree the 1st Monday of December so I only have this week to find the perfect tree. Wish me luck!