Joy in the Journey

It is absolutely crazy how happy I am.  I have the best life.  Two adorable kidlets, and one amazing husband. 

Life is really hard.  Super stressful.  At times I admit that I can't find the positive in the situation.  We're poor, we never get to see Sean between work and school.  BUT we are happy.  Crazy, eh? 

I cannot believe how much we've grown through these past few years together.  It's literally taken me three years to figure out all of this housewife stuff, but I think that I'm finally getting the hang of it (although, I know I'll be thrown curve balls every now and then)!  I'll be the first one to admit that I thought that being a stay-at-home-mom would be the easy way out.  Man, was I wrong!  I didn't realize all it took to keep a house in order, food on the table, and kids happy.  Literally a full time job.

Infact, I often joke that I work three shifts a day.  So I pull a triple. :)  I work a day shift which consists of the day to day stuff like taking care of kiddos, making meals...ya know the usual.  As soon as the kids are in bed my night shift begins.  This is where I clean, more so than just the picking up messes through out the day.  Once that is complete the graveyard shift begins.  Getting up with newborns, or calming the two year old with the nightmare.  Granted, I am one lucky girl because Sean has always been amazing at getting up at night too! 

I will also admit that at times I think to myself, "it would be so much easier to go to work".  Not that it would be easier because I know that working moms have a bigger load on their plate because they have to do all the mommy work and their job work.  Just that it would be nice to get out of the house without the kids, and that having the money would make life much easier.  Every family's situation is different, but for our family this is the road we have chosen.  I can honestly say that I love it. 

I am so grateful for Sean.  He works his little tail off.  I cannot even imagine the stress that's involved with going to school full-time while also working a full-time job.  He is definitely my hero.  I know he's working so hard so our family can have a better life.  He is such a hard worker. 

When we started down the path of school and having children, I honestly thought that everyday was going to be so hard.  That I would just close my eyes and hold my breath and hope it was over quickly.  Oh, don't worry, I still want it to be over, however; I have been able to find the joy in the journey.  Which for me is a huge feat. 

Going stir crazy!

First of all let me say that I am SO annoyed with blogger right now.  Took approx 12 years to get these pictures on here, then I can't put them in any type of order, and now it won't let me align my text to the left. 

Just had to get that out there.

We are all losing our minds over here at the Evans household.  With only so much space to move about I feel like all the toys are going to cave in on me.  So as much as possible we try to get outside. 

 Hold your breath because I'm about to say something I never thought would come out of my mouth...but...I'm actually sorta kinda liking Sean's schedule right now.  That is because he is home in the middle of the day (for about an hour mon, wed, fri).  So we often get to go to the park with Sean.  That has been very nice. 

Our favorite outside activities include, but are not limited to: Bubbles, sidewalk chalk, slides, taking naps on the grass, bringing a picnic, climbing (or trying to climb) trees, tossing the frisbee aka keep away from Mara (don't worry though, she thinks it's the coolest game ever, plus it helps her take a fantastic nap later :).  

I enjoy Utah.  I love living here.  I expect crazy spring weather.  So we just try to take advantage of the good days.  I've been trying really hard to stay positive about the ups and downs in the weather.  However; I don't think it's been working as good as I thought because the other day I opened the window only to see snow.  I told Mara, "Look Roo, it's snowing!"  To which she replied, "NO, RUUUUN!!!!"  And she took off running.  Have I mentioned that she is kinda sorta a drama queen?  I love those moments.  Most of the time.  While I'm at it I might as well post another Mara funny that happened today.  While shopping at Target I held up a darling outfit for Mara and told my mom, "isn't this beyond cute?  I wish I could get it right now."  Mara looked me right in the eyes as seirous as could be and said, "then buy it".  Make sure to insert crazy teenage sounding annoyance while reading that oh, and picture an eye roll or two.   

 

Ok, now blogger won't let me insert text inbetween photos.  GRRR.

I guess they are all pretty self explanitory.  One thing I will say is that Logan is the easiest baby in the world!  While at the park one day it was his naptime and he just cuddeled up to his blankie on the ground and went to sleep.  Adorable.  He is growing up way too fast.  He's been rolling from back to belly for about a month now, and is also enjoying the view from an upright position as he is now officially a sitter!  Seriously where has the time gone???

Crafts

I don't know about you, but one of my favorite things about blogging is coming across fun craft blogs.  I normally find them through link's on other people's blogs.  So I thought, I should do that!  You'll find a list on the right side of my blog near the bottom titled: sites I adore.  If I don't have one there that you yourself adore, leave a comment so I can find it too!  Thanks a million!

Happy 2nd B-day Roo!

We enjoyed Mara's birthday by celebrating for three days straight!  It all started off with a party at Chuck-E-Cheese on Thursday.  My aunt Marcie was bummed she would be missing Mara's party (for the second year in a row) so she decided to take her to Chuck-E Cheese!  It was a BLAST!  I'm pretty sure she thought she had died and gone to heaven.  There were lots of cars to drive, and pizza.  Two of her most favorite things ever.  Of course we didn't have any cameras with us, but we did get some with our camera phones. 

The next day was Mara's actual birthday.  My mom happened to be off work that day so Brett, Brooke, Zac, and my mom went to Carl's Jr. for lunch so Mara could play around in the toys.  I had no idea that they were such big toys!  Luckily her awesome uncle Zac helped her find her way around the gym by climbing up there with her!  SO CUTE!

Saturday we had her birthday party.  Thanks to everyone who came!  It was so fun.  Mara just wanted to play with all the presents as she opened them.  She didn't get that there were more.  It was pretty funny.

That was how I found Mara later in the evening.  She NEVER does that.  I guess that meant that she had a blast!  It just tuckered her right out.  I think Grandpa enjoyed the snuggle time.

Visiting Teaching

Please tell me I'm not the only one that struggles with this?  I mean, I totally understand the purpose and respect it--even enjoy it.  But for some reason I dread going.  That sounds bad, and if anyone I visit teach reads our blog I apologize.  I was trying to figure out why today (since I went, and enjoyed myself) and I came up with the reason: I'm the most socially awkward person I know.  I stress about how I sit, how I talk, where I put my hands, did I touch my face too much?  Did I say something stupid?...etc.  I feel like a lot of times I come off as very snotty and rude because even though I'm being "shy" I still express my opinions.  Does that make sense?   I know, how silly.  I try and try, but I can't help myself.  I feel good after I've gone, it's the before thing that freaks me out and of course while I am there. 

I don't ever stutter.  I can say words and form sentences like an adult.  With the exception of while I am visiting teaching.  Acutally now that I think about it, it is basically during any church function.  Sunday meetings,  meetings for my calling, visiting teaching...you name it.  I turn into this weirdo that can't speak.  I even get nervous while I'm at church that I'm holding my own baby wrong or awkwardly. 

Sean thinks I'm nuts, and I'm starting to think that I just might be.  :)  Am I the only one who feels like that?  I have a testimony.  I know the gospel is true.  I know we have prophets on earth today to lead and guide us.  I know the scriptures are the word of God.  I know that being active in our callings will bless us and others.  I know that Heavenly Father loves me.  So why do I get all weird at church functions?  I honestly think it is just the social aspect of it. 

I've always kind of been that way with any large gathering.  Luckily I have only been in two wards (that I actually remember) my entire life.  Until now.  So it is really my "first" time getting to know people, learning names, making friends and such.  Maybe that's why it is so apparent now.  Anyways, if any of you have suggestions or words of encouragment I would very much appreciate them!!! 

One of the hardest parts about visiting teaching is when I have to give the lesson.  After seeing a friend's blog I was inspired to make up a cute thingy with a quote from this months lesson.  It actually helped me feel more confident about the lesson part.  Here it is:

  Well, maybe now that I've processed these thoughts things will get easier?...one can hope!

What keeps me up at night?

No, not Logan.

Nope, not Mara.

Occasionaly Sean's snoring, but that's not what I'm talking about here.

Digital Scrapbooking! 

I am in love.

Obsessed.

Sleep Deprived.

Oh, but I love it!

Especially since I have some pretty cute subjects to work with!

I'm pretty sure if I were to get a grade on my housework last month, it would be an F-.  No, seriously.  Sure, somedays my house was clean and a gourmet feast was on the table...sadly this was not the norm.  Poor Sean.  Poor kids.  I'll do better this month I promise.