The Park with Papa

During one of our last days in Utah, my dad took the boys to a park to play and then to Sugarhouse Park to feed the ducks.

We forgot to bring anything to feed them, so we stopped at Arby's across the street and bought an Arby's sandwich. That was probably the best meal they've ever had.

Creighton really enjoyed feeding the ducks. They were REALLY scared of Creighton even though he had food. I was afraid they were going to attack him, but apparently they were afraid he was going to attack them.

The boys at the park.

Creighton and Papa.

Mitch was testing out the kid's playground equipment to make sure he could do it. He looked ridiculous trying, but yes, he could do it.

This is a picture to show my mooch of a son. There was a family (we've never met) that came to the park with a box of graham crackers. Creighton immediately ran over to the dad and sat there until he gave him a graham cracker. I am sure everyone reading this has had this happen to you. My sons are mooches. Perhaps it's a sign they are hungry and I should feed them more. Hmmm......we'll have to work on that.

The real Spiderman.

Dear Mitchell's Fans,

Today I got on my blog to see that it jumped from having about 14 votes for the baby name to 44. Wow! Did I all the sudden get popular and have a ton of visitors? I think not. I never told Mitch about the polling I was doing, because I knew he would be mad. However, my friend Angie happened to mention it last night and it must have lit a fire under him. Here is the email he sent out to his fans:

Hello everyone,

I need everyone's help. With all the campaign and election talk going on my lovely wife thinks that we should leave the naming of our child up to a vote. So, what does this have to do with all of you? I NEED YOU TO VOTE. But I don't just need you to vote; I need you to vote for the name that I want. After all, do you think I really want random people that get on our family blog to have the ultimate say on what my next son is named? Of course not. That is exactly why I am reaching out to you and asking for your vote.

I need each of you to vote for the name Easton Martin. This is by far the best name listed on the poll. In case some of you don't think that this is the best name on the poll, I will explain to all of you why I am endorsing this name over all the others.

First, the name is Easton represents baseball. My family and I have always loved baseball. Baseball is America's past-time. It would be un-American to vote against a name that represents something so intertwined with the fabric of our nation.

Second, Easton is a better name than Graham or Miles. Why is this so, you might be asking yourself. Well, if I name my son Graham he will be called "cracker" his whole life - I don't want that. Furthermore, he will really get made fun of if he ever goes to the South - they definitely will be calling him "cracker." Also, Miles is not a name that is suited for an Evers. We Evers are strong. Miles connotes a runner; and what do people think of when they think of runners - skinny people. Now, I'm not saying that there is anything bad with being a runner or with being skinny; I'm just saying that I don't think it would fit my son. After all, I was a fat kid, and all of my children will probably be fat (at least when they are little). I don't need to name my kid a name that reminds people of being skinny.

Lastly, Martin should be the middle name. I will admit that Quentin is a good name; however, this child should have the middle name Martin. This child should be named after my father. My dad is the best. Is he perfect? - of course not, no one is. But, my dad has been the perfect dad for me.

So to sum it up, Easton Martin is the name you should vote for. Nay, Easton Martin is the name you must vote for! The name represents American pride, Fathers, and the strength of the Evers family. To put it in other words, if you are a communist, family/father hating person that believes the Evers family is made up of skinny runners - then vote for one of the other names on the poll.

I know each of you will make the right choice when you cast the most important vote of your life. This election/vote is the real vote that will change lives and impact the future. Vote for Easton Martin to be the name of my next son.

*This message has been brought to you by the foundation of concerned fathers regarding the naming of children.

"My name is Mitchell Evers and I approve this message!"

To vote, simply go to eversfamilyscoop.blogspot.com and on the right side of the webpage you should see the poll. Then make the correct choice by clicking on Easton Martin.

Thanks for your time,

Mitchell Evers

-This message is not intended to offend anyone that may be named one of the other names listed on the poll or anyone that may name their child one of the other names that is listed on the poll. While all the names are good, Easton Martin is the best name for my son.

So, I ask you this? Are you going to be Mitchell's fan or Allie's fan? I know my husband is much more popular than I am, but I ask you to vote with your heart. I am not going to do any negative campaigning...in fact I am not going to campaign at all, I just want you to vote for the one that you like the best.

As for all you Mitchell's fans that voted, thanks for visiting our blog for the first and maybe only time. I can only imagine him going around the law school library making every student log on and vote. To those people I say: I really hope you don't do that on the real election day. You really should hear both sides and make an educated decision. Don't get bullied by "well written" speeches from a soon to be lawyer. Us mothers at home don't quite have the education to write that well, but I promise, there are great reasons for the other names too.

It's Time for a Happier Post

OK, this first picture is not a happier time. This is what I woke up to on Sunday morning. I will tell you this though.....it did remind me why I love Salt Lake winters over Omaha winters. The snow actually melts. Even though everything was covered, it was gone by the afternoon.

This segment of pictures is titled: GOTTA LOVE THE 80's SWIM SHORTS!

Papa took the boys swimming and in my rush to pack, I did not pack swimming suits. I don't know why my parents happened to save these 2 swimming suits (probably because of how styling they are), but I was glad they had something to wear. I'll have you know that the swimsuit Creighton is wearing is a 4T. I just tied it really tight, but I have to laugh when I think of what it would look like if Jack would have worn it. Let's just say that back then, boys must have liked to show off their legs because the length of the legs on the suit is about the length of the crotch on it. Also, Jackson's swimsuit is purple, turquoise, and hot pink. I guess back then those were flattering colors for boys. I am glad times have changed.

Pictures from the Funeral

Here is a collage I made of pictures from the funeral. A friend of our families took pictures at the funeral and they were really very sweet and tender so I put them into a collage.

The funeral service was hard, but the talks and musical numbers were very uplifting. My dad's talk was absolutely amazing and is something that I will always remember and I can hardly wait to get a copy. I should have one in a few weeks and I will post it for anyone interested. He talked about healing and it was absolutely perfect. The support for our family was something I can't even describe. We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family. I think if this experience has taught me anything, it has taught me to serve. I only hope that I can serve my friends, family, and neighbors in such a way that they can feel the love I have felt these last few weeks.

As a side note: I would like to say a very special thank you to all the ladies who cleaned my house while I was gone. Mitch arrived home to a VERY clean home....something that I know was not left that way. Thank you so much! You know who you are. I can't tell you how much that meant to me. Also, thank you to all of those who have fed my husband while I have been gone. He is coming back to be with me tomorrow and then we will be back home on the 25th.

I know that many of you have been wondering how I am doing, so I thought I would take a minute and share my thoughts with all of you. It's not easy to do this, but I feel like it's part of healing.

It's been a whirlwind since I found out the devestating and shocking news on Saturday morning. My little (but very tall) brother passed away on Friday night. Mitch and I literally threw everything into a suitcase, found a flight, and boarded a plane. Since getting here, the details of his death at first really disturbed me. I, along with many family members, were having a very difficult understanding what had just happened. My brother took his life and it was a complete shock to us. We didn't know he was struggling. Over the last few days we have come to realize that even though he was going to church, just made the golf team, and had a great job, he was having a real internal struggle. Depression runs in my family on my mother's side and is something some of us have struggled with, and unfortunately, he received that gene along with one from my dad - the non-expressive gene. The combination must have made it impossible for him to share with us the feelings he was having. We considered him to be a typical teenager and had no idea that amount of suffering he was going through.

At first, I felt so dark inside with so many questions. Where is my brother and would I see my him again? How thankful I am for the gospel though! As I mourned for the first hour, my sweet husband immediately jumped on the computer and looked up talks on lds.org. I am so thankful he had the inspiration to do this. He was able to find answers for me. Many people have shared similar quotes from different church authorities regarding this subject and I am SO thankful they have been inspired to do such a thing. There are two quotes that helped turn my darkness and suffering into light and hope.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie: "Persons subject to great stresses may lose control of themselves and become mentally clouded to the point that they are no longer accountable for their acts. Such are not to be condemned for taking their own lives. It should also be remembered that judgment is the Lord's; he knows the thoughts, intents, and abilities of men; and he in his infinite wisdom will make all things right in due course."

Elder M. Russell Ballard: "I draw an important conclusion from the words of the Prophet (Joseph Smith): Suicide is a sin - a very grievous one, yet the Lord will not judge the person who commits that sin strictly by the act itself. The Lord will look at that person's circumstances and the degree of his accountability at the time of the act."

I am comforted to know that there is repentance in the spirit world and that my Heavenly Father loves Que and he will not only look at the act itself but he will also look at all the good he did in his life and his mental state. I know that I will be with my brother again. I am thankful to know this. This will make me a better person and help me to strive even harder to return to my Father in Heaven again.

I really want to thank all of you for your prayers, emails, and messages. You have no idea what it has meant to me. I have felt such love and I will forever be thankful for all of you bouying me up in this time of sadness.

I included a picture of my sweet little brother below holding Jackson and Creighton. He loved them so much and he will forever be missed by Mitch, myself and the boys.