March

Just a glimpse at what's on my nightstand and reading table. I wish I had a year to just read. Also, that Lemon Lavender candle is the best thing I've ever smelled. I keep it in my room to just occasionally smell. I'll never burn it so I always have it.

Ok, earth. I see you. What incredible beauty!!

Travis went on a guys trip with high school friends to see Jimmy Eat World play in Wichita, Kansas. Super random, I know. Jason Overstreet, Jeff Kempton and Mark Foote. They did some axe throwing the next day too. 

Radishes, lettuce and cilantro a growin'! 

I love these two so much! 

Wish we had taken a group picture, but I met my sisters and Dad for lunch at Caldwell County Mexi-Q! I've quite enjoyed our little lunches!

Collin had an "end of the season" dinner at Coach Pyle's house. He lives in south Gilbert in an enormous mansion with resort style pool, basketball court, skate park and football field. It's crazy. He provided dinner to the boys free of charge and then had an awards ceremony. 

Weston was out of school for spring break slightly different days than Collin and Olive, so I took him and his friend, Liam, to Fat Cats to go bowling and then Chick-fil-a for lunch. 

We met my mom and sisters at the Arizona Grande for our traditional, spring break, day in the sun! I think I look forward to the nachos most of all.

I have to document this night. We invited the missionaries over for dinner and I usually feel like I need to carry the conversation. Ask the elders about themselves. Keep the kids from overwhelming them with their "kids stories" and commentary. You know. Cuz we were on par with the missionaries. We were the "adults" and the kids were just little kids. Well, Collin and Weston and the elders were talking and laughing and swapping stories and I was sort of in and out, getting food and what not, when I realized something. The elders were genuinely enjoying our kids. They weren't just "being nice" or pretending to be interested in their little kid stuff. They were talking like friends. And then, to take it one step further. I realized that *I* was the outsider. The older, boring parent who was probably out of touch with their generation! Because when I did the math... Collin was only 5 years difference than the elders. And I was 20+ years older! Whaaaa?! This completely turned my world upside down. I mean, when did this happen?! I couldn't comprehend it. I just sat there, watching, amused and wondering when I got so old. Life is strange, I tell ya! Maybe I should have clued in to this a few months prior when the elders came over to visit one night and when they left, Collin immediately chided me, "Mom! Why did you say 'neat' so much?! You said 'neat' like 100 times!!! No one says neat! They must have thought you were so weird!!" I had to pick my jaw up off the floor. Was I really being chastised by my 13 year old for being lame and out of touch? Was "neat" the 2022 equivalent of "spiffy" or "swell"?? Look, I don't know what's what anymore. It's totz cray. ;)

The Evans boys annual snowboarding trip to Snowbowl! Plus Rusty!! I wonder if next year, we'll take the whole family! Maybe we're almost to that age where we all can participate. But then that means I'll have to go willingly to the snow. To participate in cold, outdoor activities. Ehhhh. Olive probably doesn't really have to learn how to ski, right?!

Yep, We Don't Talk About Bruno is all the rage right now.

I jump around to three different Come Follow Me podcasts each week. This one, with John Bytheway and Hank Smith, is always excellent. This particular episode, especially so. 

Tanner protests every time about swim lessons, but he's the youngest swimmer in his class and my mama anxiety lessens each week.

We love to visit Grandma Ann. She has an awesome playroom with toys the kids love. But when I bring both Olive and Tanner, fighting is sure to happen. 

Marcie got me hooked on the song called "Craig" by Walker Hayes. It's a country rap song (I know... hear me out) and its about this guy Craig who welcomed them to church and wasn't preachy but just loved on him and his family. They were struggling, financially, and didn't have a car that fit their whole family (six kids) and Craig gave them a van for free. My favorite part is the chorus when he's talking about Craig.....

"Nah he can't walk on water, or turn the Napa Valley red

But he just might be tight with a man that did

Now he's not the light of the world

But I wish that mine was bright as his

Yeah he just might be tight with a man that is"

I love the idea that even though Christ isn't on earth with us right now, if WE shine Christ's light, others can feel close to Christ because of our example. Other's can get to know him through us. I had each of my kids listen to the song and I explained to them what it was about and why it was so powerful to me. If we can each be like Craig. Be disciples of Christ and love on people. No judging. Just love on them, then we can help bring Christ to the world. And there is nothing I'm more passionate about than Jesus Christ. I can't even listen to the song without tears welling in my eyes. And I've been listening to it a LOT. 

Well, Walker Hayes came to Arizona to sing at the Chandler Ostrich Festival. It was the night Travis was driving home from snowboarding so he didn't come, but I met Marcie and Austin and some of their friends, and Shelley and Casey there. It was like a glorified state fair. So we definitely got crepes and funnel cakes and soft serve and thoroughly enjoyed our sugar while singing along to "90's Country" and "AA" and "Craig"! 

It's somebody's GOLDEN BIRTHDAY!!!! I threw gold streamers on him while he slept and made a little scavenger hunt for him through the house. The kids die for scavenger hunts. It was a Sunday birthday so I had to be creative! Going snowboarding the two days before was his "party".

And we invited the Laws over for dinner to help us celebrate! Dad smoked meat and I made homemade mac and cheese and homemade bread. He's been wanting new Nikes but we hadn't ordered them yet, so he unwrapped a pair of regular shoes that had $100 in them for the Nikes.

I love Collin so much! He truly is an incredible kid. He's very dialed into other people's feelings. Especially mine. At one point this year I was in a horrible mood. I was being short with the kids, yelling and frustrated with everything. Instead of disappearing, or being cranky back at me, he just came up to me and wrapped his arms around me and quietly said, "I'm sorry you're having a bad day." I mean, come on. Who does that?! I was completely taken off guard. It melted my heart and turned my mood around. He loves to help me and often gets on the other kids if they're fighting or not being helpful. He is goofy and funny, but not on demand and NOT if he's on a stage or people are expecting it. He loves mac n cheese, chips, breakfast burritos, Panda Express orange chicken, Monte Cristo sandwiches, and a warm breakfast. He's our resident bacon and sausage cooker when we do brunch on Sundays and Annie's mac and cheese maker on the weekends when we go on date night. He does not like salad dressing on salads or mayo on sandwiches. He's hooked on watching Luke Davidson on You Tube. And all the Star Wars movies. Not a reader. Always wearing a backwards baseball hat.  A favorite song on his Amazon playlist is Come and Get Your Love by Redbone. His overall, natural demeanor is HAPPY! He is always looking forward to something. He also has his share of anxiety and worrying. He cares about how he looks. If his clothes match or look good. He wants to do what's right and he cares about disappointing us. I can't believe he's a TEENAGER! He's only gotten slightly more argumentative, haha. It's like he's reverting to his younger, more stubborn years of thinking he always knows right and can't be told otherwise. He babysits for us often and takes out the garbage everyday. He leads out on Saturday with assigning chores. He's not into girls yet. McGuire Law is his best friend, with Rusty right there too. His canine teeth are taking their sweet time coming in! I love him and think he's doing great as the oldest child.

How exciting to have two general church leaders come to our stake!! Since I'm in the RS presidency right now, I got to go to the training at 4pm too. Sis. Eubank is my favorite. She feels like "one of us". Not a perfectly poised, soft spoken porcelain doll. When she talks, it feels like she's a friend. She tried to model what ministering looks like with people in the congregation. Basically, just being a friend. When Sis. Johnson spoke, what stuck with me was when she counseled every Primary president to make sure they had a picture of the Savior at the front of the primary room for the children to look at. I loved that. 

I invited Kim Johnson to come to the evening meeting and she came! I was so happy! She invited Kristen and the three of us got Jeremiah's afterward and had a good visit. 

It was Grinch day at school so Olive requested "Who hair"!

My last second attempt at a 4 leaf clover.

Make sure I never do botox!!

I noticed that Olive's beloved "Pinky" was sporting some bling, haha.

Well, this was not my proudest moment by far. It was already a stressful day that I was barely keeping under control, then I saw this. Major gouges in the top of my beautiful table!!!!! ARGGGHHHHH!!! I was so mad I could have spit fire. This furniture was a big purchase. We didn't even have to assemble it. It's well made and in my opinion, a statement piece for my living room. I don't have many things in my home that cost good money and look nice. And these deep scratches are irreparable. I was livid. I haven't lost it on the kids like that in a long time. And of course, no one fessed up. The next day, Travis said something casually to Tanner about it and Tanner admitted his guilt. I still have no idea what he was thinking. It's probably dumb how depressed I am about it. 

My friend, Megan Harris, lost her mother in law, Lorraine Harris, to cancer. I was friend's with Lorraine's son in high school and spent a good amount of time in their home. Megan and Chad live in Arkansas now but came into town for the funeral. I went to the viewing. It's really sobering when people you know, move on in what feels a premature way. 

Tanner is so excited to be a Greenfield Gator next year! They had a "Kindergarten Roundup" where the kids got to do a scavenger hunt to see the campus.

My mom is turning SIXTY this month!!! That's a big deal. I filled my car with balloons, got us green juices from Nekter and Marcie and I bumped loud, Katy Perry birthday music when we picked her up for our day in Scottsdale! I also put a birthday sash and tiara on her so all would know who the party was for! 

We went to the Fairmont Princess and started off with massages. Ok, seriously it was the best massage of my life. MY LIFE!!! Then we went to the pool and ordered yummy chips and guac and tacos and chocolate slushy/smoothie things that were way too good and took cat naps and read books and talked and soaked in the sun and beautiful weather. It seriously could not have been a better day! Then we went back to the spa to try out the cold plunge and hot tub (well *I* didn't try the cold plunge, but other crazies did, haha). They had a eucalyptus inhalation room, dry sauna and wet steam room that turned into a secret "choke you out" chamber of death, lol. Then we showered and changed and headed to old town Scottsdale for our dinner reservations at The Herb Box!! It was super yummy!! I can't believe I had never heard of it before. My mom and I each ordered different enchiladas and shared and they were both delicious. Then we walked to The Sugar Bowl for some dessert. The real fun was when we were leaving, crossing a street, a huge group of guys stopped us to ask if we knew where the good clubs were at! Hahaha! Like, really? WE looked like the type to know where the clubs are?! I laughed and said, "Oh, we're just moms who go to bed early! I have no idea!" But he was insistent and kept asking! So then all of a sudden we're stopped, standing on the sideway, surrounded by college aged guys who think we're just teasing them by not telling them where the clubs are?? It was weird. Then my mom starts telling them that it's her birthday and her sweet daughters are treating her to a fun day in Scottdale and I swear it was like we were straight out of a meme. It makes me laugh just to think about it!

It was such a wonderful day! And just look at the sunset that was our backdrop when driving to dinner. This was a day I wish I could have on repeat! So grateful for a wonderful, fun loving mom and awesome sisters! 

Do you think Sis. Reid is loved by her primary class?! They swarm her after sacrament meeting. It should also be noted that Tara didn't know how to play the organ when she was called as the ward organist! But she said yes and learned how. I love that.

Usually primary teachers just have the token coloring sheet, but Tanner came home with this cute craft when they learned about Moses! 

Since Collin's birthday was over spring break, he got to do his "get out of school" birthday lunch the next week. He chose Venezias. Yum. And surprisingly, that chocolate cake was reason enough to come here! I loved my lunch date with these two, cute boys. 

You know the "marshmallow challenge"? Well I tried it on Tanner. He's probably a little on the older side but he did awesome and lasted 12 minutes before I came back and he was awarded his second mallow! It probably helped that I had my phone set up to record so he was amused by watching himself on the screen. I could eat him up!!

We had our third, family therapy session. We didn't get into too much nitty gritty. David had brought up at a family dinner that he was opposed to circumcising babies and so that conversation was analyzed. And Keri had us talk about being introverted or extroverted. Maybe no big problems were solved, but it's always fun to be with the OG's! (As my kids would call it)

On Grandmas actual birthday we stopped by with Dairy Queen. For the Queen who started us all young on a lifelong love of blizzards! 

The week before, we had our first ever Udall cousin book club! Marcie started it. We just discussed some of our favorite books we've read. And sang happy birthday to mom!