MAN CHILD

I have been putting off writing this post for about a month now. I just don't want to think about the fact that "ma baby es a ma-an" (said with a strong southern accent for effect) I think it is because one part of me looks at the future and thinks, "have I taught him well enough" to go out into the world and do what is right? Judging by some of our political discussions which have become heated at times, I think not. However, he often-times, suprises me with his caring and compassion for others which then makes me think I've done ok. There are other times when I think "I can't wait for him to be gone" which usually happens after one of our heated political discussions.

I will miss him regardless of our political views. Just last night I wrapped my arms around him and had to go up on my tip-toes to kiss his cheek. The thought came to me how often as a toddler he would reach up and say "Hold you, Mama?" I am growing verklempt just thinking at how quickly those moments in time pass, and how often because we are selfish, we let them slip by without savoring them. It makes me feel old thinking that he is 18 as I can clearly remember what 18 felt like.

For me it seems like yesterday when he was my little buddy, now he is a man. Go forth and Serve, Landon. Make me proud. I love you!!!

HALLOWEEN FUN

We had a great Halloween this year. I know it helped that it was a Friday....Also, I think in part because the weather was soooo beautiful! It made for great trick or treating.

We started off the festivities at our ward Trunk or Treat on Thursday evening....everyone got a bit freaked out by Patrick. No one knew who he was....which is exactly what he was going for.

For the "real" thing on Friday evening, we started off at Chipotle to get our "free" burritos for dinner ( i just love FREE). It was fun to see what people came dressed like for that. Landon had to work both nights and it was a bummer not to have him with us. We got there "just in time" as the line was forming for the giveaway...Yummers!!

Then it was off to our evening chock full o'fun....Madi went out dressed as Alice Cullen (a vampire) from Twilight, Ethan was a Soldier Zombie, I was a punker/goth girl and Patrick was his ol' redneck self. Madi and Alex both went off to parties and fun, while Ethan and Patrick went with friends gathering candy from the willing neighbors. I passed out the candy at our house which was oh so much fun! I just love to see what everyone comes dressed as. Around 8:30 we put the candy on the porch and headed over to a friends party for more food and fun. It was a blast! Oh boy, did my feet hurt the next day from those high-heeled boots!!

Civic Duty

Landon and I went this week to the JO CO Election office to cast our advance vote for the upcoming elections. GO MCAIN*PALIN!!!! Congratulations Landon, you are officially a MAN!!

As we were waiting in line, the thought occured to me what a big deal this is...this democracy thing. There are people all over the world who will never experience this, never get a chance to vote for their officials. Yet, so many of us Americans take this for granted. What a shame.... I am proud to be an American! This is a big one, people, so get out there and VOTE!!!

LIFE JUST GETS CRAZY SOMETIMES

Do you ever just have those days or weeks where all you can do is put out the most dangerous of fires while others still burn in the background? Mine has lasted about 3 months now. It is amazing to me how fast the days are flying by without getting much further ahead. There always seems to be something that comes up that needs my immediate attention diverting my time and resources from that which I want to do. I am the queen of putting out fires, I could be an honorary fire cheif....A fire that burns out of control can be dangerous..regardless of how much water you have. I am still progressing, but in spurts. I have learned how to dovetail my dovetailing and multi-task like nobody's business. But, can you really dovetail time with your family? I am thinking that the Lord would understand if I tatooed "no" on the palm of my hand. Might not be pretty, but it would serve a good purpose to remind me to slow down, to breathe and call for back-up.

EVANS FAMILY CHALLENGE

It was our Stake Conference weekend this past Saturday and Sunday. I loved the fact that I had no responsibilities whatsoever. My kids even noticed a lighter, happier Mom and commented on the fact that I seemed to be smiling a lot that Sunday...that aside it was a wonderful conference focusing on specific things that we can do to strengthen our families for the days ahead. One of the speakers referred to a talk given by Sis. Dalton the general YW president. In it she encouraged the YW to be 100% ers in these areas...personal prayer, 5 mins of daily Book of Mormon reading and smiling. For FHE, the Evans created their own personal family challenge to include: 100% in personal prayer, 100% in daily family prayer, 100% in daily 5 min reading of the Book of Mormon and 100% in family scripture reading. I believe that if we can be 100% ers in these areas that we will also be smiling more often! I can't wait to see the effects take place. Are you up for the challenge as well?

P.S. If you call at 8:45 pm we won't answer the phone....

Perfection...

I love Dove dark chocolate. We have this basket full of Dove chocolate at work and occasionally I will dip for a weekly treat. (OK really, there is so much candy at our office that I really do have to limit myself to one or two a week) Anyhow, I love getting the fortunes as well and I collect my favorites. Coincidentally, this one came at a time when my need to find perfection in my life was blinding me to what was really important.

I believe there are things in which we should strive for perfection in....we all have those personal lists of what we should be perfect in, but mine was overwhelming. No matter how late I stayed up I could not be perfect in everything I did. It reminded me that I needed to prioritize. I needed to look at what was really important to be perfect in. The things that mattered most to me were being set aside for laundry, cleaning, and other just as routine tasks that round out a day. What I needed was to be reminded that the laundry and cleaning and sometimes Relief Society can wait while I perfect my relationships with my husband, my children and my God.

A Daily Scoop

For a few months now I have been following the blog of a young mother who lost her infant daughter to a tragic accident. To work through her grief, she blogs. She is a talented writer and although her grief is very real, so is her testimony of the atonement. She inspires me to be a better mother, wife, and friend. Visit her blog at www.adailyscoop.blogspot.com