I took the picture on my phone. I have no idea how it came out upside down. But here you go!
May 12, 2009 at 11:06 pm (family)
Mother of the year award. He is turning 10 in July, and just now got his bob cat and wolf award. When he should be working on the bear. We will just have that as a goal for next year….
Spring break
April 20, 2009 at 7:30 pm (family)
We had a much needed family vacation this weekend. Anthony took Friday off at work, so we drove out to Half Moon bay intending to have our first family camping trip alone. Now we have gone camping with friends and family but never alone! So needles to say once we got to the campsite we realized we had forgotten a few items. We set up camp, went down to the beach and hung out with some friends. The kids had a blast even though the winds were horrible. I was wearing a sweat shirt and paints freezing while Marissa and her friend wore a swim suit in the water. Zack had fallen in the ocean and got his sweat shirt wet, so we new when the water fun was over we needed to go to a Kmart or Target to by the items we left had home and a few sweat shirts for the kids. Once we got back to our campsite we quickly noticed that the winds blew so rough that our tent pole snapped in half and put a hole into our tent. Its ok, Anthony and I both thought we need to go to Kmart anyways we will just bye a new one. After driving around half moon bay and Pacifica we came to realize that there was no Kmart or Target. I quickly talked Anthony into getting a hotel. We stayed at the Half Moon Bay House inn and Spa. It was nice. We had a fire place so the kids could roast marshmallows. We had a stove to make our hot chocolate. All the things we wanted to do camping but in the comfort of a nice hotel room. The only thing it didn’t have was a BBQ, so we took the kids out to eat and learned a few new things about our kids. Devun loves pop corn shrimp. Zack loves Fish and Chips, Marissa, Ava and Aubrey loves clam chowder. They all tried a calamari, and dinner was a success! That night the fog was coming in really think, I was very happy we decided to get a room. The next morning was very overcast and cold so we decided to pack up and go home. We wanted to hike Mt Diablo. We got home ate lunch, set up my double jogger and quickly left the house. We spent all day at Mt Diablo. It was very beautiful. We drove our car to the top of the peak and park and walked up to the visitor’s center I had NO idea even was there. The kids got to go inside and see animals and a view from the top of a balcony that over looked the whole town. We could even see the bay bridge. We walked around rock city for a while. The kids had a snack then we drove home. Sunday, we felt guilty don’t get us wrong. But knowing that Anthony was going to start another long term project and we wouldn’t see each other hardly for three to four weeks, we decided not to go to church but go to Monterey instead… The weather was absolutely beautiful. 80 degrees on the pier and 70 on the beach. The kids had a blast looking and catching crabs. Aubrey and Ava afraid of the ocean sat on the beach playing with sand toys and sun bathing. I loved spending every min with Anthony and the kids! This weekend was wonderful. The kids had a great time; I just don’t know what could have been any better!
current events
December 31, 2008 at 8:00 pm (Children, family)
Marissa & Zack are goings crazy! Both of Marissa girlfriends are in Utah for winter break and Zack Best friend as well… The both begged me to take them to Utah- Not understanding the weather, the cost… Just knowing we have plenty of free time….
Zack opened his Mario Party 8 game on Christmas- 1st thing he said…
Zack- mom, we have to write a letter and tell Jack I got this, he will be so surprised…
Everyday since Christmas he has asked when Jack would be home so they could play it…
Aubrey has been better too…. The Dr said I was not allowed to nurse her anymore. I know it was time to end… But I just couldn’t listen to her cry and I always gave in. The past week has been so hard for her, and if it wasn’t for Anthony and all his help I think we would still be nursing, and I would still be weak and sick… Anthony pats her to bed in her crib EVERYNIGHT. He gets up with her when she cries twice in the middle of the Night and pats her… She has been sleeping in her crib which is great for us. We only have a queen size bed and it was getting a little crowed. She won’t take a nap unless I put her in the car and drive until she falls asleep… I try to hold her and she throws herself back in a tantrum trying to win her own way… So we still need to work on the naps. But other then that she seems to be waking up less at night, and not so cranky.
Devun has been coloring some really good pictures lately… Anthony told him to draw at least one picture a day to work on his skill, so he has been… My grandfather was a great artist, and Anthony’s mom Kim does really well too…
And then there is our little Ava-
Ava remembers EVERYTHING. So last night I told her what we needed at the store, and sent her out with Daddy….
Daddy remember 2 things of the list, and luckily Ava was there to help him out… She did confuse surbert for sugar, but Anthony quickly understood what she was saying… Then Anthony and Ava had a small arguing match, because eggs was a thing I told her we needed, but apparently the store was sold out. Buy one get one free… So now we know to send Ava to the store with Daddy…. She is the big helper!
Anthony did get a small side job project that he will start Friday… I am happy for this.. We need to be able to pay our bills, but having him home so much really made me miss him. And I want him to start taking every other Saturday off, or even work all week and have every Saturday off… (he said that wouldn’t work) but I am hoping it will.
I think I may be coming to an end on my first trimester… Although the Dr said I have 2-3 more weeks… Last night for the first night in 8 weeks I did not get sick, and the first time this morning I woke up feeling decent.
The baby will come when she comes, I am just happy to be feeling better! (Yes I said she, I don’t get sick with the boys…. The girls basically put me in the hospital from day 1- so if it’s a boy, I will be SO surprised)
December 30, 2008 at 9:38 pm (Children, family)
Well this will be my coming out post!
I have been dead to you all and I am sorry!
I have been so sick, (pregnant) from day one! And it has been really hard for me to concentrate on writing. However at my Drs apt… I was giving a prescription medication to help with the nausea, and honestly it has help 85%… I know longer am sick when I wake up and ALL DAY LONG, now I have until about 4-5pm before I get my morning sickness, but lucky for me, I don’t do much at that time anyways…
Christmas was a success, other then a head cold that I had, I was able to cook for my family- my uncle and his partner, my cousin and his daughter & Anthony’s parents.
The kids had a great Christmas, Anthony was off work Wed, Thur, Friday and Saturday… So we spent much of the time at Mt View playing Soft Ball, and catch. We really miss out on the fun stuff with Anthony working so much…
(work is really slow right now, I am trying not to panic but just enjoy him home, Helping me & playing with the kids…J)
The kids got everything they had asked for, and there were no sad faces when we were all done opening gifts.
This year was the year of sports for our family… Anthony got me and himself a tennis racket, and balls. Santa got the boys a Basket ball Hoop and Ball, Devun asked for a soccer net and ball and got it, and then Anthony’s mom got him everything he could need for baseball, so Santa got all the kids & mom a baseball glove … (that would explain baseball at the park Friday & Saturday)
Instead of taking pictures of the kids opening gifts I recorded it, so there are NO pictures to post… (sorry)
But here is a picture of all the kids in there
Christmas clothes that got…
Thanksgiving….
November 29, 2008 at 11:19 pm (family)
So the past few days our family has been super busy! We love thanksgiving, to be able to spend lots of time as a family….
We have a few traditions that we like to carry out.
1st on Thanksgiving Day we like to take the kids to the movies… Anthony hardly every gets time off of work, so we like to do Fun activities we he is home, and we can…
This year we took the kids to see Bolt… All of my kids loved it… These movies just seem to be the same thing over and over. I love the graphics, the people that creative them are great at what they do… I just would like to see something different!
After the movie we went to Anthony’s parent’s house, and had a great dinner… Anthony’s dad really knows how to cook! We stayed there and watched a movie while Aubrey decided to spill Black Ink all over the floor… Then she broke one of Nanas vases in the play room… The ironic part of this all was she had done these things with in minutes, and Aubrey usually isn’t this bad… But her true colors came out!
After the movie was over, we all had pie and ice cream…
This put us at about 6pm…
We then went to Anthony’s Grandparents house… We were eagerly greeted by his Real dad, Aunt Terri, Uncle Larry (who I have never meant before), and Uncle Mike with his wife Lori…. They loved playing with the kids… Aubrey even sat on Larry’s lap… Time went by to fast, before we new it, it was time for the kids to get into bed… We had a busy day to follow.
Alicia Had her Baby!
October 12, 2008 at 11:45 pm (Spiritual Thoughts, family)
Last night at about 12:10 I became an Aunt! Alicia had Baby Vincent Fox Farina!
He weighed 9: 13, and was 22 inch long…. Yes this baby was Over Due! He didn’t want to come out. Alicia went from a 2-7 in less then two hours, then received an epidural and slowly progressed… She was at a 9 the whole time Anthony and I chaperoned a youth dance! (Yes, I am in YW now, and I love every minute of it!) So she pushed from about 10:30-12:10 and then he decided to grace the world.
When Alicia called me, she had woken me from a DEAD Sleep, and I was so happy for her. I hung the phone up and thought “I wish I could be there with her” My mother had left, and Alicia’s only family there is her husband, and their step son…. I closed my eyes and an imaged appeared of my grandmother with tears in her eyes, as she had the biggest smile on her face and clapped for joy! After seeing that, I new my grandmother was there with her! I was so happy I tired to call Alicia back, but the cell phone had died and it went straight to voice mail…. So of course I was not able to fall back to sleep, because I was over filled with love!
And what happened. Our whole family was late to church today because no one could get out of bed… If that was a test I failed horribly. We did manage to get their hour late…
And what did I learn today… SERVICE, SERVICE, SERVICE…… I need to be doing more Service!
And of course something that has been told to me many times, but I still need to hear it… the lord will help us, if we humble ourselves and pray to him sincerely, miracles can and do happen!
I love going to church, I love the feelings and peace I feel, I love to hears testimonies, and lessons that others have learned. I love to hear there ideas and thoughts on scriptures and teachings. I love to be surrounded by people with the same beliefs and share the same
Standards as I do.
… This world is getting out of control, and to be able to go and renew my covenants each week with the lord is such a blessing. I am so far from perfect, and I love the fact that I get to try harder each week to be a little better!
411 on Alicia
September 24, 2008 at 1:32 am (family)
So yesterday I convinced my sister to go to Labor and Delivery, and even though they sent her home, she did find out the baby is sunny side up.
However she went to the Drs today for her weekly exam and her Dr told her tomorrow to take cast roil (not sure if that’s how you spell it?), and walk, and then if no baby then on Thursday go in and she will induce her. Alicia Due date was Sunday, and when you are having your first baby and you go over it just seems like forever.
I really wish I could be there with her, but hopefully next time she has a baby it will all work out!
Sorry sis, I love ya.
Drive Inns
May 24, 2008 at 5:33 pm (family)
Yesterday the walls started to close in on me, I have been in this house for weeks, doing the same old thing. Yes I did attend my grandmother’s funeral, and a lot of family did come to visit. BUT it has been a few weeks since I have gotten out & have done a new thing. This routine life is starting to get to me.
WE don’t have money to go to the movies & hire a babysitter, so why not just go to the drive inns, where kids are FREE, and Anthony and I can both get in for $13!
Last week on TBS, they had all 3 Indiana Jones playing, so we sat with the kids and watched them… They loved it, so I thought it would be fun to go see that…
WHAT WAS I THINKING, I already felt my house walls cave in on me, why would I take all 5 of my kids, stick them in a car and watch a movie???
Ava didn’t watch any of it, she went to the back of the car and played with her Leapster, Zack watch about 20 mines, then climb in the back of the truck, and thought it would be fun to play hide and seek with Marissa.. NOT COOL! Devun watched almost all of it, but then when it started to get scary he decided to climb in the back and go to bed! Aubrey thought it would be great to lick the windows and laugh at the car next to us.
THIS was the STUPIEST thing I have decided to do this year!
Next time I feel the walls starting to enclose on me, I will take a walk!
I was however able to watch the movie, in the madness!
I really wish that that didn’t make it a science fiction, but other then that it kept me entertained.
at the end of the night, Aubrey was asleep in my arms, Devun, Marissa & Zack all were asleep on top of each other in the way back of the suburban. Ava decided to sleep in her car seat! I wish I would have brought my camera for that!
Services
May 20, 2008 at 5:01 pm (Jens mind, family)
I had Anthony read my talk before I got up yesterday at my grandmas services to make sure it was ok… He said yes, it’s good; just don’t read it line for line because your grammar stinks!
So all you readers already know that my grammar is not so Great, So if you would like to read it go for it!
Shirlene Evenson, better know in our home as Grandma lived a long life. My heart is filled with mixed emotions, I am sad because I love her so much; she was my mother, my friend, my comfort. I am so happy for her, she is no longer in pain, she is with her eternal companion- my grandfather, as well as her daughter, Mother and those in which she loved. I know that she is happy, and no longer in pain. I am so blessed with knowing that I will see her again.
When you look Mother up in the Dictionary it reads Nurtures in the manner of a mother, to look after or care as a mother does.
Grandma was that person, she wrote a short story about all her children, and I just felt very inspired to read the first page,
“We have often been asked why we are motivated to take foster children. I have often ask myself this in moments of crisis, But I think what it all really adds up to is that I know what it is to be a child in need of love.
My Mother died when I was two years old, and I had a very in-secure, unhappy childhood. When I was thirteen I was sent by my stepmother to live in a foster home in Los Angeles. I think this is when I found out what Family is all about.
I was a very rebellious teenager and I’m sure that I was the cause of many gray hairs that appeared on my foster mothers head. But she undauntedly kept me on the straight and narrow (or tried) and she instilled in me many of the principles of the Gospel. It took many years for me to understand all that she wanted for me, but now that I do I love her dearly for it.
It would be easy to say that we just wanted to give these poor little children a home. But the truth is that they’re filling a very special need in me with their love just as I do in loving them.”
Grandma opens her heart and her home to many children for 34 years of her life. She loved us all, as if we where her own.
Her patriarch blessing says that her greatest mission of her life shall be fulfilled in motherhood.
Grandma didn’t know how not to be a mother, she loved everyone; her forgiving heart will always touch me.
Grandma always put other people/children needs before herself. In her home I learned how important family is, and how you don’t have to have the same blood line to be brothers and sisters.
Grandma taught us by example.
She always aloud us to do what we felt we needed to do; she gave us our agency, and let us learn from our own mistakes. She would have given us the world if she had it to give.
I loved to stay up late and just watch a good movie with her, we would both end up crying if it was really good, Grandma loved to get lost in a good book, and to make blankets, She also enjoyed writing short stories and poetry.
She loved watching a child’s birth, and she would cry a sweet cry as the baby entered the world, even as a nurse, the other nurses would tease her and say oh know, Evenson is crying again. She could see how important children our and loved us all from the beginning.
Seeing how it has been so hot, I thought I would share a memories with you, when I was young my grandmother would always sit out in the back yard and watch us swim. When she got really hot, she would just walk right into the pool fully dressed, and then come to the top of the water and scream in shock with the pool water being so cold..
I am going to miss our talks, I am going to miss her stories, I am going to miss her forgiving compassionate heart and I hope that I can be ½ as good of a mother and friend as she was to me. Grandma I love you, I look forward to hearing the stories that you will share when we meet again.
