Midnight Snack

Here is what we found under Creighton's pillow the other night:

If you can't tell what it is.  It's a hoagie with the insides eaten out.

I SWEAR....we feed our kids.

Jack gets the Bobcat Award

On Friday, March 25th, Jackson received the Butler Bobcat Award.  He was so excited to receive it, talked it for months, and when the week finally came we counted down the hours until the ceremony.  I think the ceremony was about 10 minutes long (that's what I'm talking about it! :)) and he was given a book, a medal - which I think he sleeps with and takes wherever he goes, and a picture with the Bobcat.

We're so proud of you Jackson!!!

As a side note:  I first laid my eyes on Mitchell when we both were awarded the Butler Bruin Award our first quarter of 7th Grade.  It was Love at First Sight...for me.  3 years later I actually got him to notice me. Ahhh, so sweet.

Fun with Friends

We were super lucky this week to have some visitors come into town.  The Bleaks came to visit from Omaha and the Rich family came to visit from L.A.  My kids were so excited.  It's been an adjustment moving from our "Children are everywhere you look" neighborhood in Village Green to my parent's house.  So....when we heard friends were coming into town, it was one of those things you bribe them with for a week.

We did lots of fun things with very little documentation. We of course went to "Papa's Place" (Which by the way, Jackson is older know and informed me that it is not called Papa's Place.  It is called "The Family Fun Center: CLASSIFIED.  Thank you Jackson for clearing that up for me.) and on Thursday we were able to go with the Rich family to the Children's Museum.

Here are the pics from our fun.  Remember, much of the fun was undocumented.  You'll have to use your imagination to fill in the blanks. :)

Easton LOVED Baby Kensley.  Not quite sure
how she felt about him.

Jack, Creigh, and Tanner.
The best of buds.

Easton & Westin playing in the water at the museum.

Riding in the car.

E and Creigh playing with the blocks.

Creighton being very proud of his creation.

Easton preferred the doll house.

And ironing.

While Creigh took to becoming a mail man in the
snazziest outfit I've ever seen.  Check out that once
piece suit.  If I could have got the velcro to shut in
the front, you could see more what I'm talking about.

Easton preferred delivering the mail as a chef.

We had a great time and hope we have more visitors again soon!!!

PicassE

After filming the video, I ventured down a little further and found even more artwork done by PiccassE.

Although my mom won't admit it, I think she might be counting down the days until we move out....and take our markers with us.

Captain Heartbreak 1, 2, & 3

Our Pets

My sister gave Jackson this egg that you put in water and after a few days it breaks out of the water and becomes a full grown lizard.  The kids really believed it was real. In fact, allowing us to put the plastic snake in required some convincing that they wouldn't fight and eat each other. 

We also have 3 Jelly fish.  The kids also believe that they are real.  I did break the news to Jackson when he took them to school for show-in-tell. I could just picture the kids laughing at him, and that is obviously the last thing a parent wants for their child.

I have to say, I really like these pets.  They don't make messes, they don't stink, and I don't have to clean up after them.  Fabulous.

Helpers

I think I always tend to focus on the destruction my kids are causing at my parent's house.  They do, however, do some good.  The boys have started helping my mom fold the towels every week.  I love watching them do this.  Hopefully they will continue this for me once we move out.

Dear Easter Bunny,

To avoid the "Gimmes" at every store we go to, I have begun taking pictures of the kids with the item they want.  I then tell them I will send it to either Santa, the Easter Bunny, etc. 

So, Easter Bunny.....if you're reading right now, here is what the Evers' boys would like for Easter.

The great news is that they almost always forget about these items 10 minutes later.  I'm a little worried about the long distance between Easter and Christmas.  Hopefully they will continue to go along with my little diversion.

Spring

Can I just say that I am so happy Spring has come.  Sure, I know it's still going to snow a dozen times more, but for now, I am happy.  

We broke out Creighton's birthday present and after only 90 minutes of getting light headed, it was done.  The kids had so much fun.

Anyone want to place a bet on how long before they take a pin to it?

Reality: Part II

I received this photo from my mom, the day after posting "Reality." 

Here is my mom's reality:

First she called and let me know that they little boys (E and Beck....I like to think it was all Beck's doing to make me feel better about myself.) wrote all over her white dining room chairs. (WHO HAS WHITE FABRIC DINING ROOM CHAIRS?  Oh yeah, someone that got them when their kids weren't two anymore.  Aha...makes sense now).  Shortly after that call is when I received the photo.

My poor poor mom.  Truth is, there are more photos I could post.

Good news though!!!  The bank accepted our offer and we are closing on our house on April 12th.  Don't worry, I'll make sure to take before and after pictures of the walls.  The kids will have fresh canvas to work on and I know they can't wait to get in there and leave their mark, excuse me, marks.

Oh and one more Good News Moment:  The markers were washable and it all was easily removed (at least for that portion of the Picasso morning).  Yay!

Reality

As I was laying in bed, unable to sleep, I was contemplating my day.  I was remembering how harsh I was to the hubby tonight when he arrived home from work late.  (The dang traffic is killing me!!  I am missing his 2 mile, NEVER any traffic commute.)  While I was recalling this, my bitter self thought I should write a post about reality bites.  However, I couldn't bring myself to title it that.  Truth is, it's just reality and I couldn't be more thankful for it.

Without the bitter, you wouldn't know the sweet.  Without my kids yelling and screaming, I wouldn't appreciate and love the sound of their breath going in and out while they sleep.  Without going nights without sleep when my babies were babies, I wouldn't appreciate that first night they slept through the night.  Without going jobless for a while, I wouldn't appreciate having a job.  Reality makes me appreciate.

I am so appreciative.

I can tell you right here and now that I am the most blessed individual on the face of the Earth.  I may tear my hair out sometimes; but I will still be the most blessed, though possibly hairless, individual.

Our lesson the last two Sundays (we went to two different wards) was on the scriptures in Matthew that refers to the Savior's yoke is easy and he makes our burdens light.  Perhaps I needed to hear it twice to get it to really sink into my thick skull, but it did and it is embedded in my heart.  One sister in the class described what a yoke was.  When that yoke is on right, and you have both oxen pulling, it is definitely much easier than if that yoke is askew and one oxen is really doing the pulling.  This is life and I can testify of it.  When my life is aligned with the Savior, He is pulling right with me.  Is it hard?  Is it always easy to pull the load?  Heck no.  However, my burdens are made light with Him and He is there by my side.  Pulling right with me.

These last six months (I can't believe it's been 6 months) have been a time of uncertainty.  I remember when we found out about the layoffs and I was upbeat.  I wasn't worried.  I think I told everyone that I wasn't worried, everything would be fine....however, if it came March and we hadn't found something, I might be singing a different tune.  Mitch got his job offer on February 28th.  There were many times before that date that I wondered why.  I wondered when.  I wondered if we had misread the promptings of the spirit and done something wrong. 

I write tonight with a full heart.  I heart full of gratitude.  Gratitude to my Father in Heaven for being with me in the yoke and making my burdens light.  I know without a shadow of a doubt that He is there for me.  He loves me and He knows what's best for me and will grant it at the appropriate time...not just the time that I want.  I appreciate this life lesson and although I have learned it before, I am sure I will need to learn it again. 

I write this post to my little boys.

Boys,

I want you to know that your mommy has a testimony of Heavenly Father and of Jesus Christ.  You will go through hard times.  You will go through times of uncertainty and you will go through times when you feel like your burden is too heavy to bear.  He is there for you.  He hears and answers your prayers.  He will make your burden light.  I know this.  Be patient. 

Love you geese.
Love,
Mom

In case you were wondering....

Jackson made this sign to wear to church.

He also made me an identical one on an over-sized post it note.  He insisted I wear it when I went into Cafe Rio.  I declined......However, maybe I should be more bold.

He's going to make such a great missionary.

Love you Jack.

Hey Omaha Friends.....

Are you or anyone you know traveling from Salt Lake to Omaha between now and April 1st?  I am in need of someone to smuggle something across the border.  I will pay big bucks...ok, maybe not big, but bucks.  Please let me know...I would GREATLY appreciate it.

Also, since I am sure you are all missing us so much and want to know what we are up to, here is a quick update.  Mitch took the Utah bar a few weeks ago and hopes to never have to take that dreadful test again.  He started working for Zions Bank -- yay for a job!  We are in the process of obtaining a house.  (It's really making me feel like we are grown-ups....ahhhh, but yay for a house!)  My kids are reeking havoc on my parent's home - oh the damage, oh the damage.  In our spare time we eat, make messes, eat some more, oh and today the boys made and then decapitated 3 snowmen along with trying to use scotch tape to secure a water bottle to a chair tipped upside down.   Fortunately, it was 60 degrees so the snowmen melted quickly before the neighborhood could judge us.  Unfortunately, the tape wasn't strong enough to hold the water bottle -- perhaps one more roll would have done the trick.

Well, that's it for us.  We would love to know how you all are doing.  Drop us a line sometime.  We miss you immeasurably.

Oh, and in case you wanted a visual on the snowmen, here you go:

The first snowman built.
I was so proud of them.  They used mud for his eyes,
and they went and got a pretzel stick to use for his nose.

They then made two more.  There was Jackson (the big one),
Creighton (the medium one), and Easton (the small one).

I think they made Mitch and I too.  But wait,
where did all our heads go?

Hoarding or Hiding?

My kids are sneaky.  I constantly hear the running of feet right after they slyly walk past.  Do they think I will get mad about everything, so they feel like they have to sneak everything?  Not quite sure.

Now some things, I am not O.K with.

For example, eating a whole package of Oreos.  Umm, not ok. 

Creighton has a hiding place.  Not quite sure how long he has had it.  Didn't really know that this place was existed in my parents house.  Thankfully, my mom found it.

This secret place was behind a couch, under a table.  Under this table: a pillow, empty wrappers, and a whole empty package of Oreos....I think there was even an empty box of Pop Tarts.   Hmmm....maybe that's why he wasn't eating so well at dinner.  The question is: When does he sneak off and do this and why doesn't his mother notice?  I am wondering this too!!!  I better ask her.

Now my mom has a theory. She believes he was hoarding. Not too long ago, Creighton was sent to bed without dinner after a very special tantrum at the dinner table.  Her thought, maybe he is like a squirrel and storing food for when that dreadful time comes yet again.  Well, he sure didn't save it for that time so I am sticking with the hiding theory.

7 Things About The E Monster

I was just looking at the pictures I have taken the last few days and they are all of E.  Here's are 7 things you may not have known about E:

#1 -  He is like his mommy.  He is a clumsy.  In 3 days he....
 

Ran into the bed post.

 Fell down the cement steps at church and skinned up his nose and upper lip.

Slammed into the table leg. 

#2 - Easton likes frosting and he thinks he can't use hands to eat it.

#3 - He has a cheesy smiles and goofy brothers.

#4 - He loves his Cuz B and when they aren't fighting you can generally find them holding hands, hugging, or playing "Nap Time."

#5 - He REALLY wanted Auntie Lindsey to paint his toe nails and he was SO proud of them.  His father, was not.

 #6 - He is part pirate.

#7 - He makes his mom cry when he dumps a gallon of milk on the floor and tap dances in it.

Well, there are 7 things you may not have known about the E monster.  Hope you enjoyed them.  I will admit I only enjoyed a few of them.

Hiding

Do your kids hide stuff under their pillows?

My kids have a habit of hiding stuff under their pillows to "use" later after we tuck them into bed.  Usually it's just books or maybe even a pop tart.

Last night....a paper cutter.  Yeah, not so much.  

It was confiscated.