The Squirrel Catcher

So, I walked in the kitchen the other day...

and there sat Noah.

On the counter.

And then this conversation followed,

"Noah, what are you doing?"

"I'm watching my squirrel trap."

"What?"

"I'm trying to catch a squirrel."

"...uhhhhhh......oh."

Then Noah very proudly points out the window.

"See?"

Then he pointed out the fishing line that went from the trap, up through the kitchen window...to his hands.

He was ready to pull that darn trap closed!

"...uh huh. I see."

"I've got an acorn under there!!"

BWAHH-HA-HA-HA!

"Good luck Noah!"

I have no idea how long he sat there.

At some point he put peanut butter out there as well.

Noah never caught his squirrel.
But, Noah is not one to be discouraged.

I have thought a lot about Noah and his squirrel catching episode.
There was no way anyone was going to convince Noah that his dream was not within reach.
He was determined that this was an absolute possibility.
And he had no problem being patient and waiting.

I do believe Noah will change the world.
He is a dreamer.
And he helps me to keep dreaming my own dreams.
He is a great example to me of believing in things that seem unattainable.

Such a delightful young man.

Such simple joys.

So easily entertained.

I love this kid.
And I love that he's a dreamer.

My Mom

Let me just say ahead of time...

sorry Mom.

hee hee hee hee...

(oh, the glorious gut giggle)

I was thinking about my mom the other day.

Up until 7 years ago, she was someone I saw almost every day.

Living this far away definitely has it's downsides.

I realize how much I took her for granted.

And it makes me miss her more.

Why do I love my mom?

Well, many who may read this post will know her.

But, some won't.

So, at the risk of embarrassing her, I thought 

I would do a post about her.

My Mom.

Ruth Ann Evenson

I don't believe great mothers are just born.

I believe great mothers are created by years of personal experiences that mold and shape them into great women.

And I firmly believe that is how my mom became a great mother.

She was born into somewhat difficult circumstances.

She didn't have many things that others around her had.

Yet, she was surrounded by some who would have a profound impact on her life.

These are my great-grandparents,

Albert and Veronica Glaubitz.

I was named after her.

They were a very important part of my mom's life, and I am grateful for their influence on her.

I believe that their influence is a large part of what made my mom a great mother.

My mom went above and beyond to make sure we had a great childhood. 

And we did.

I, personally, feel like I had the very BEST childhood.

My parents made great sacrifices to make sure that happened.

And I will always be grateful to them for that.

Any one who knew my mom when I was growing up, knows EXACTLY what kind of mom she was.

She got up every morning, sometimes in freezing Wyoming blizzards, and did a paper route.

We all took turns getting up early and wrapping newspapers.

We loaded up our old VW bug with the papers, got in the car with my mom and would go deliver the papers.

I remember some mornings were so cold, that as the passenger, your responsibility was to take the ice scraper and keep the inside of the windows scraped. 

To keep the windows from fogging up, we would have to keep the windows cracked a bit.

The car was older, so I remember the heater not working very well.

I remember being very cold, with cold aching hands.

It was miserable.

As a child, I remember thinking many times how grateful I was that we all took turns.

Now, as an adult, I am filled with gratitude as I realize that my mom never got a break. 

She had to go EVERY day.

I don't ever remember her complaining about it.

She did this because it was something she could do to help. 

She made that sacrifice for us.

She is a great mother.

My mom was very frugal.

She was a crazy coupon lady.

And she had a newspaper route, so we had access to TONS of coupons!

She would get our piles organized and we would all start cutting.

CRAZY CUTTING.

There's no possible way to let you know exactly what our crazy couponing was like.

I look back on that now and it just makes me smile.

 My mom loves her kids.

All TEN of us.

She made our clothes, we had matching home-sewn Christmas nightgowns, she made our stockings, she made our dolls, our blankets and even made some AWESOME Barbie clothes.

She planted a garden every year, and we learned to work in that garden.

She made homemade bread...in those funny big soup cans.

She made homemade yogurt, granola, beef jerky, canned fruit, canned pickles, and canned everything else she could get her hands on. 

She made homemade candy at Christmas, and homemade costumes at Halloween.

She made the cutest birthday cakes.

Then when we got older, she made our beautiful wedding cakes.

On Christmas morning, our tree was full of presents, and many of them were ones that my mom had stayed up late at night making for us. And they were made with love.

She can look at something and know how to fix it. 

She can look at a couch and whip out a slipcover for it in no time flat.

She can create anything. 

(She will disagree with this, but to that I say, "Don't tell a lie Mom.")

hahaha!

She tolerated every pet imaginable.

Including the many strays I walked through the front door with.

There was always room for them.

Actually, there was always room for ANY stray, including friends, visitors, and families who needed our help.

She created traditions for us, that live on today in our own families.

As we've all gotten older, she has helped create new traditions that fit with our growing family.

Her family has been her life. She lives for us.....and we all know it.

And we all love her for it.

She has taught us by her example that sometimes you have to work a little harder because not everything is going to be handed to you.

She taught us to be grateful for what we had.

She has taught by her example to serve others and to always think of someone else first.

My mom's life has been about serving.

She did daycare for YEARS.

She had a home full of her own kids, and then opened it up every morning for many others.

And somehow she magically had enough love for all of us.

And then if that wasn't enough, in her down time she was busy doing something for someone else.

ALWAYS.

She has always loved being the one to give, to uplift, to encourage and to lighten someone else's load.

Being away from my mom has been something that is very hard for me.

But, in many ways it has made me love her more.

It has made me more grateful for her.

And it has made me realize, time and time again, what a great mother she has been.

My mom is incredible

And I'm grateful she's mine.

I love you Mom.

My WONDERFUL Family!

I've had many ask for updates on all my siblings.

I thought it would be fun to give you a sneak peak into all their lives.

They are my siblings, but they are also my best friends.

Shawna: 2 kids, living in Billings, Montana.

Was the COOLEST English teacher who ever lived, 

and now she works as the studio manager for Jana Graham Photography.

Getting ready to enjoy the wedding of one of her sons.

Michael Shane: 2 kids, living in Provo, Utah

Is an incredibly creative and doting father. His children are his life.

He is always fixing, building, or creating something.

Jason: 4 kids, living in Las Vegas, Nevada

Is a pilot in the Air Force and is still loving it!

He is a fantastic father and husband who remains completely smitten with his family.

Lori: 3 kids, living in Auburn, Washington

Is a flight attendant for Alaska Airlines and is a traveling girl.

Planning the wedding of her only girl...sweet little Ashley.

Britney: 5 kids, living in Provo, Utah

She is a crazy, talented mom. There is nothing she can't do.

She stays busy being supermom to 5 of the cutest kids you will ever know.

  Kathryn (Katie): 5 kids, living in Orting, Washington
She is more involved than most moms I know.
She is VERY involved in her kids schools and enjoys her job on the side as a wedding planner.

Stephanie: 5 kids, living in Kent, Washington

She is the editor for International Mosaic Down Syndrome Association's newsletter.

She also makes AMAZING cakes. You can see her work at cremedelacakes.blogspot.com.

She is also a very busy mom with a brand new darling baby.

Jenny (plus one more baby just last month!): 4 kids, living in Glen Allen, Virginia
She is an incredibly busy and amazing mom.
She graduated with a degree in psychology, so I use her as my personal counselor all the time.
hee hee hee...

Mallorie (Dr. Boo Boo): OB/GYN, living in Salt Lake City, Utah

Just started working in her first practice and is loving it.
She is good through and through and still waiting for Mr. Wonderful.
Know anyone special?
You can send them to this link.
All About Mallorie

...hee hee heeeee!

When I look at all of these pictures together,
it makes me incredibly happy to know they are all mine.

THANK YOU MOM AND DAD!!

 
My mom FINALLY retired from daycare and now travels the country visiting all her grandchildren.
We literally fight over her. :)
My dad retired from the FAA...years ago.
But, couldn't stand it, so he started working again as a consultant.
(We're all secretly convinced that he works for the CIA, because none of us completely understand what he does exactly!) hahaha!
He's still working hard!
Happily married, still living in Auburn, Washington, happy grandparents to 39 grandchildren!

The Things I Take For Granted

I ran across this quote this week. 

For some reason, this has had a profound effect on me.

I keep thinking about all the little things I take for granted.

There's a song at church that says, 

"Count your blessings, name them one by one."

And this week, I seem to be doing that a lot more.

I've realized that I'm not nearly as grateful for all 

the good things in my life as I should be.

I've realized also that I've gotten pretty darn good at recognizing all the things that aren't exactly how I would like them to be.

Life is a tricky thing.

Every moment has value, but some of those moments can be hard to really appreciate.

I've found that it's also really easy to allow myself to get into a rut, to become complacent and to not REALLY see all the wonderful things around me.

It happens slowly.

It sneaks up on you.

And before you know it, you are taking too many things for granted.

So...

I'm going to focus on some of those things.

There are so many things I take for granted on a daily basis.

And I don't want to be that person.

I want to be aware daily of how wonderful and great my life is.

Because it really is just that.

WONDERFUL!

and

GREAT!

I've been very blessed, through every season of my life.

And I thought it would be fun to think about some of those things.

So, today.
I'm grateful for one of those moments that is not the most enjoyable in some ways...but in other ways it's incredibly rewarding.

I'm grateful for the chance to take Noah to get his driver's permit.

We were there for over an hour and a half.
A very long hour and a half.

With Lucy.

Enough said?

hahaha!

Actually she tried hard to be really good.

We were sitting there and a teenage girl was standing up at the counter where she was told she didn't pass the test. She broke down in tears and walked out.

Noah was next.

I got a knot in my stomach.

Noah had gone into the back room to take his test.

I waited...and said a silent prayer for him to be able to do his best.

Then, sweet Noah came out. 

I heard him call my name from way up in the front of the room.

Then, he proudly told me, in front of everyone, that

HE DID IT!

The look on his face was priceless.
And the fact that he was excited to tell me his good news was even more priceless.

It's one of those moments that could easily be taken for granted.

But, I will always be grateful for that moment I shared with Noah.
The wait was well worth it.

Time to appreciate all the good things in life!

Here we go!

Just Breathe...and Smile.

There are many moments as a mom when I'm a bit speechless. 

I have to just sit for a minute...

take a breath...

and THEN try to respond.

This was one of those moments.

Here is my sweet little Lucy Lu-Lu.

Such a cutie.

LOVE her piggy tails.

Did I mention that I love her piggy tails?

Well...

She decided that she didn't.

So...

on a lovely day when her golden locks were neatly placed in a lovely ponytail, she cut it.

 I found a chunk of hair mysteriously lying on the floor.

And then this followed...

"LUCY! Where did this hair come from?!"

(said with dismay and disbelief)

"I don't know." said Lucy with such convincing innocence.

"Luuuccyyyyyy...."

"Where did this hair come from? Turn around please."

As she turns around I notice half of her ponytail is missing.

Breathe.

"Lucy...did you cut your hair?"

"Yes...I DID!"

said with a mischievous and proud grin.

"Well, we have to go get the rest cut off so we can fix it."

HORROR.

COMPLETE HORROR on her face.

"NO!!!!"

"I don't want to cut my hair!!"

(said with huge tears rolling down her cheeks.)

As she was getting it cut, I watched her. She kept looking in the mirror with confusion.

When she was done, she just sat and stared at herself.

She looked so different.

And as her mom, I sat and stared too.

She didn't look like my Lucy anymore.

I started to feel myself get emotional.

She kept looking at me, so I smiled and told her, "YOU LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL!"

And she did.

She just looked so different.

But, I'm happy to say that it has grown on me. 

I now love her little haircut.

And I love that she loves it now too.

So...

just a reminder to all you moms out there.

It all works out in the end.

Masked Men

We love Superheroes in our home.

Especially Luke.

Anything with a mask or a costume...he loves.

He's been the master of the masks and costumes for a while now.

Until...

I went upstairs and to my wonder and surprise, I found...

these masked men.

HAHAHAHA!!

There sat my three boys and two fantastic missionaries.


Sitting there.


Playing Monopoly Deal.


...in masks.


I know what you're thinking.
A little strange...

Right?

RIGHT!
Strange...
but mostly hilarious!

On a serious note, I love these missionaries.
I love that they are great young men.
I love that they are great examples to my boys.
And I love that they are doing something great with their lives.

MY BOYS?
Well, they are great too.
They are kind.
They are giving.
They are serious when they need to be.
And they completely love each other.

I love that all 5 of these masked men are confident.
I love that they are who they are...and they don't apologize for it.
I love that they can find joy in simple things.
And I love that they made me smile.

Walking into that bedroom will always be a great memory.

Simply Sunday: My Belief in Jesus Christ

My Happy Sabbath

I had a wonderful day at church today. 

Nothing huge happened.
No grand or glorious moments.

But, I felt complete peace.
I felt strengthened.
I felt recharged to deal with my everyday life this week.

But, the best part of Sundays for me is having one day a week that is set aside to focus on Jesus Christ.

I can't tell you how much I love Sundays.
I need that one day a week that's different from the rest.
I need that one day where life slows down, where I REALLY focus on the things that are most important.
I love the 'feel' of Sundays.
I love that they feel important.
I love that I get to spend the day with my family.
And I love that on Sundays, my thoughts turn to the things that are most important to me.

Since this blog is a journal in some ways for me, I want to express my love for my Savior Jesus Christ.

No matter who you are, no matter what you believe, no matter what you call Him, you can't get away from the fact that He really does make everything better.

For me personally, I need my relationship with the Lord. 

I need the peace and strength that He gives, exactly when I need it. 

I need the reassurance that comes when I rely on Him.

I need the help only He can give when I feel weighed down.

Simply put, I need Him.

I believe that He's real.

I believe that He knows me personally.

I believe that He loves me.

I believe that He stands by ready to help and guide.

I believe that He cheers me on and wants
the very best things for me.
I believe that He lives.
I believe that He understands my fears, my hopes, and all that
is in my heart.

And I love Him.

Today, knowing who He is fills my heart with a great deal of joy.