" if there's a will, there's a way..."

Most of you know Nathan just returned from a 10 day trip to Tanzania Africa. He climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro! 19,340 feet (5,895 meters). What an accomplishment. He always tells Ava and Ethan if set your mind to do something you can do anything! He is such a wonderful role model for me and the kids- I hope they grow up and remember all the things their dad accomplished and are proud of him. I hope it makes them a better person and creates a passion to achieve great things!

we love you daddy!

our sweet aunt nat-nat.....

reasons why we love her

* she comes to see every play, dance recital, gymnastics, etc. that we are in.

* plays with us

* gives us lots of kisses and hugs
*let's Ava do her hair and paint her nails blue

*thinks we are perfect

* "she has hair like me" -Ava

*thinks we are silly

*she loves us with all her heart

my best friend....

10 years ago I met Mr. Nathan Evans. He would tell you I tried to pick him up at a bar... You know better- I was home on Spring Break and my high school friend was turning 21 and a group of us were going out. I voluntered to be the DD. They all wanted to go to the Longbranch. I had no idea what this place was- I had been living in Greenville for 3 1/2 years and I was newly single and not at all interested in talking to guys but I went anyway. We got there and it was crowed- I was off in the corner waiting for my friends and I happened to notice a guy at the bar talking to the bartendar, for a split second I did think "he's cute", then the thought passed and I was pulled off to the dance floor. A while passed and I saw this fellow again- but this time he was looking at me-I went on about my business later I was in standing in line with my friends and I look over and there he was again standing right beside me- I thought this is weird- he asked if I wanted to dance, I told him he would have to dance with all my friends- first thought when I found out he was a teacher I was going to set him up with my friend the bday girl b/c she was a teacher- but she was in no shape to dance so that idea did not work. He said he was from Johnston County and I had no idea where that was then he started doing these silly dances "the lawn mower", "the sprinkler"- I thought "what in the world is he trying to do?" Luckily he was cute- we talked, he asked for my number and I wrote it on a napkin-(he still has) and that is how it all began!

The longer I am with him the more I love him. I did not think that was possible. His passion to accomplish his goals, his honesty, his loyalty, his intellegence, his silliness, his love for his children, his desire to be the best he can be, his kind heart, his humbleness, his work ethic, his realness (what you see is what you get), his friendship.....

are just a few reasons why I am in love with him.

let it snow.. let it snow... let it snow

What a surprise it was to wake up and see snow... my kids were so excited they could not hardly eat their breakfast. Then we had to get dressed which took us about 30 min. Out we go... Nathan got the four wheeler, and since we did not have a sled he decided we could us our recycling bin to put the kids in and pull them around- they loved the idea, i was somewhat nervous but it was fine. Ava did about a million snow angels, Ethan tried but he could not understand how to swing his arms and legs at the same time, finally he got it- one snow angel was enough for him.
Snowball fights and trying to build a snowman was the highlight of their day. I decided since it was Cullen's first snow I would get him ready and sit him by a tree and take his picture. Sounds so simple- got him dressed. He had so many layers on he could not moved. Everything was covered but his little face he was not sure about what was going on but I guess he trusted me b/c he did not cry. Out the door we go- I try to prop him in front of the tree but he could not sit b/c he was so stiff with all the clothes on him so I did the best I could, as I stood up to try my camera on that was around my neck- he falls over face first in the snow- I immediately bend down to get him and my lens goes right in the snow- he is very angry- i wish i would have taken a picture of his face covered in snow but by the tone of his scream I knew I better get it off quick- I hope I have not scarred him for life-so much for Cullen's first snow picture- then we came in for hot coco.. what a fun day!

MEET THE TWO NEW MEMBERS OF OUR FAMILY

Ava has been wanting a fish for months, so yesterday we went to Walmart to get her one. She had everything planned out, what he was going to look like, how she was going to decorate his bowl and his name.

So we get there and she finds a beautiful blue beta fish. I decided he may be with us longer than a goldfish. Then Ethan decides he wants one, well I had a bad feeling about this from the start but I could not tell him no- it is just a $3.00 fish. He was so excited. And then it began.....Cullen starts to cry in the middle of Walmart, not just a pout cry he screamed- what an echo that was. So here I am with my arms full of fish stuff, trying to get to the nearest check out, Ethan insisted he carry his fish while speed walking- I am sure the fish was thinking PUT ME BACK! We (and the fish) made it to the car in one piece.

Meet "Ladybug"

Oh Ladybug is the luckiest beta fish in the world b/c he is Ava Grace's pet. She has everything so neat and nice and organized. He will never have to worry about his water being dirty, hungry or being loved. Happy Happy days for Ladybug!

now.... Meet "Fluffy"

Ethan picked out his fish, from the start I knew Fluffy's days were numbered. In the car Ethan still holding on to his fish decided Fluffy was not swiming around like he should, so Ethan decides to give him a good ol' shake. Nothing like a good shake to wake a fish up!

We get home and I let the kids put a few of their color stones in their bowls, then the water then the fish. Both wanted to keep their fish in their rooms. I was not worried about Ladybug but Fluffy was another story but I said ok.
I went over the rules and made Ethan repeat them after me.
#1 No putting your hands/toys in the fish bowl
#2 No shaking the fish bowl
#3 No putting water in the fish bowl
Ethan said ok then Ladybug and Fluffy were in there new home.
About an hour later I was reading a book to Ava and Cullen and here comes Ethan. He was wet, and had a serious look on his face. I immediatly said "what did you do to Fluffy"?
Ethan takes me in his room and there it was. Water all over the night stand, Water running over the top of the bowl, Fluffy swimming out of the top of the bowl. And a whole bag of blue shiny stones in the bowl.
I said Ethan what did you do?
"I not put my hands in the water", I not put more water in the bowl", I just make Fluffy house more butiful."
He had dumped the rest of the stones in the bowl, I am sure some, if not all hit the poor fish and that is why he was trying to swim to safety, I guess he thought if he jumped out of the fish bowl it would be safer than staying in. Oh, Fluffy I bet you are missing Walmart now aren't you!

letters...

I don't try to make resolutions any more. Too much pressure. So a few days ago I started to think about this year and what I want to accomplish. How I really want to make this year a better year for myself and others. Sometimes it is so hard not to get wrapped up in this busy world we live in- who's going where, who's got what etc. I have made a promise to myself to focus on what really matters. I started to think about people in my life that have passed away and if I ever took the time to really tell them how much they meant to me? Going places, having things, is all nice but in the end it does not make me feel like a better person. So I have started a list of everyone in my life that has made a difference in some way or other, even people that God has put in my life and I ask "do I really need this person in my life Lord, can you pick someone else?" God has put them in my life for a reason, I may not know why, but they are there. My list is starting to get long but that is ok, I am giving my self this year to take the time and write each person a letter. I want to let them know I am thankful for them and what they have done for me in my life. Or even if they have not done something specific maybe just them being a role model for me that helped me be a better person. I don't know what has inspired me to do this, maybe it is my mom turns 70 and my dad turns 80 this year- Nathan being in Africa and I miss him so much- or just wanting to make someone smile and feel good about themselves. This is not a goal or resolution, maybe the older I get I just see things clearer and I know time is short and in the end people just want to know they were loved!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Last night Nathan and I were watching home videos of Ava when she was 2 and when Ethan was born. I just can not believe how the time goes by so fast. I am trying hard to slow down and not take my time with Cullen for granted, b/c I know very soon he will be up and running. Every year I get out my planner and start planning for the year... this year is different. Nathan says not knowing what the year will hold for us makes our life more interesting... I have a hard time thinking that way b/c I am a planner. I hope and pray this is a good year for everyone! No matter what 2009 brings, as long as I have my Faith and my Family it will be just fine.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

love, nathan, mary, ava, ethan and cullen