Times Three

80 years

Today we celebrated my dad's 80th birthday. I can't believe how time has gone by. I never thought my dad could get old. Being a daddy's girl that I am it has been difficult for me to grasp the thought. My dad has always been my hero- he has always been a wonderful husband to my mom and a loving father. He has always taken good care of his children but also people in our community. Growing up anyone was welcome to my parents garden and still are, if there was someone in need my dad has always been the first to do for them, he visits people every week that are in the rest home and hospital, he has given so much to his church - he has never missed a Sunday in more than 50 years, he has been on mission trips to help others, always thinking of others before himself. He worked at Wake Med as a painter for 40 years and also barned tobacco every year to have enough money to put 5 children through college (if they chose to go). He has lived in the same house they built over 50 years ago. Every time they would get alittle money they would add on, little by little. It is a nice, simple, small house, just enough. He has always lived the simple life. I always remember my dad setting an example- he always has put God first and tried to raise us to do the same. I know my dad has his faults and is not perfect but as his little girl I can't name one. And to know that 31 years ago he took a little baby girl into his home and loved her as his very own! I love you daddy.

my boys

Ethan and Cullen;

I can already see how much you love each other. Cullen watches everything his big brother does... and smiles. One day he will follow you Ethan like a shadow- it will probably start to get on your nerves, but remember he will always be your best friend! - always be there for each other, no matter what - believe in each other - trust each other and most of all love each other! Keep your word, be honest and never forget your mommy loves you with all her heart!

"I don't do Schedules!"

Cullen turned 5 months old yesterday, and I decided it was time to get on a schedule.

I strongly believe in schedules and organization... it keeps everyone orderly and happy.

Although for the past 5 months I have let Cullen sleep when he wanted, eat when he wanted, play when he wanted and sleep in his swing (that he loves)-b/c it has been easier that way and he is my last one (probably)- So I make out a schedule for him yesterday morning- this will be easy,I told myself..... HA HA HA!

Cullen was not having any part of my schedule!

I tried to give him formula in a bottle- he threw a fit!

I put him in his crib to take a nap- he threw an even bigger fit and made himself throw up!

He cried and cried all day- unless I was holding him, and when I went to put him down he would start crying, and when I picked him up he would stop but sniffle to remind me he was still upset with me-

I tried to talk to him- and he just looked at me like

"Lady, I am the BOSS of this house, I don't do schedules!"

oh me..... the next 2 weeks will be interesting....

so if anyone has any advice on

1) how to get him to drink formula from a bottle

2) take a nap in his crib

3) and get on a schedule

I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT!!!!

"Getting Handsome"

Every little boy wants to be big like their daddy and mine is no different. Whatever Nathan is doing Ethan is right by his side! One night Nathan was shaving and Ethan thought that was a great idea so he asked his dad to shave him! Of course Nathan used the opposite side of the razor but Ethan did not know the difference. So just about every night before shower Ethan and his Daddy get "Handsome"!

Mouse in the House

"Mouse in the House"

About 10pm Nathan and I went to bed, I drifted off to sleep but Nathan could not so he went up to his office to do some work. At 3:24am Nathan comes running into our bedroom turns on the light and says "Mary I need your Help, Hurry up, Run." I am in a dead sleep- I jump up, don't even get my glasses on b/c I am so startled- immediately thinking something is wrong with the kids. I look up and I see Nathan running with a mop, so I think ok someone is sick and throwing up, Nathan tried to clean it up and it is a mess- this must be bad-I get to the kitchen and I see all the chairs pulled out from under the table, I kinda see the couch in the Hearth room moved to the side- and Nathan standing there with the mop ready to swing it. At this point my heart is racing- I am still half asleep, every thing is blurry , I am looking for my kids to see which one is sick, and hearing Nathan saying "Stand there and block him". WHAT IS GOING ON? "It's a mouse Mary- I hate Mice, Help me corner it and kill it, I have been trying for 30 min." I go on to tell him, his first problem is he has a mop! I run back and get my glasses so I could see what I was doing. Then I go get a big broom for Nathan.

Nathan moves the couch and out and the little mouse ran- and he was fast- he went into the fireplace- so we waited and waited- Nathan was so pumped up and determined to get this mouse-he was not about to go to sleep- then the mouse came out running towards me, I either hit him with the mop or just scared him b/c he went back toward Nathan and that was the end!

So today will be the happiest day for Ava Grace Evans b/c she has been wanting a kitten for almost 2 years and today we are off to get 3!

Daddy HATES MICE!!!!!!!

Hurry, Hurry, Spring!

I can't wait for Spring to get here. This past weekend was beautiful-we played outside, camped out and had some friends over to play! It was a Great weekend!

Cade, Cannon, Landry, Cole and Ella came to play Friday
Ava just loves Cade- they hugged and hugged

Ethan was so happy to have boys here to play but he

was worried that Landry and Ella were going to eat the playdoh-
It was a fun day but we missed Dalton and Parker!
Spring hurry, hurry, hurry.....

evans first annual campin' trip

The kids have been asking Nathan and I to take them camping for about a year. Something always happens and we just can't go. So Saturday since it was so pretty Nathan had a wonderful idea! He surprised the kids with a camping trip... and it was the best kind of trip... OUR BACKYARD!!!! All day the kids helped Nathan get everything ready for their BIG night!!

When it got dark we went out and roasted our smores!!! YUMMY-

Then in for bath and putting on pjs-

Everyone had their sleeping bags and they were off--

I told Nathan I bet they would be in the house in 30min. But I was wrong. In 5 min. Ethan said "Dad let's go to sleep" and he fell asleep. He loves the dark- so it did not bother him. He slept all night-I was so surprised Ava stayed outside, b/c it got cold- she got in her daddy's sleeping bag to keep warm... About 8am I heard all of them come in and they got in bed with me and Cullen!
What a wonderful camping trip!!!