We Hope You Had a Wonderful Christmas!

Well, it is no secret that I complain about how hot it can get in Georgia. I have been really whining up a storm this past week as temperatures reached 75 degrees on several days and it felt really muggy in our house. It just didn't feel like December to me. Now, I know that many of you in blogland would gladly change climates with me and I am aware that I shouldn't complain...but I had to post pictures of the boys with their discovery from our backyard. They found carrots still thriving in our garden that Mike has already tilled over. So, there you have it folks...you can harvest your forgotten carrots in December and have a photo shoot in front of your Christmas tree. Ah, yes...that's Georgia for ya.

Brian was game to pose for the picture, but told me firmly that he wasn't going to eat the carrot saying, "I'm just gonna pretend to eat this carrot. I don't like it because it is hairy." in reference to the spindly little roots all over it. I cleaned off all of the, "hairs" for him and told him he could eat it, but he just looked at me blankly as if to ask, "Are you unwell, mother?" I ate several of the carrots the boys harvested and they were actually quite good.

We had a really wonderful Christmas and hope that all of you did, too!

I got the PedEgg that I have been asking for. As I tried it out I was thrilled to find that it actually works! While Brian was watching me he said thoughtfully, "You could use that to cut apples, Mom."

I've got to go, now...I have to hide my PedEgg before Brian tries to julienne some apples with it.

Merry Christmas! We love you!

Conflict Avoidance

Our Adam, age 8, has figured out the perfect recipe for conflict avoidance with his brothers.

He has started ignoring them...and I must say...it has been working brilliantly for him.

You see, Adam feels things very deeply and has been known to be inconsolable when a conflict arises with one of his brothers. For a very long time, Mike and I have been counseling him to ignore his brothers if they are deliberately trying to glean a reaction from him when he is upset. (We also tell his brothers to leave him alone, in case you were concerned.)

Recently, this is the kind of conversation that can be heard around our house if someone angers Adam. He came up with this brand of conflict avoidance all on his own.

Brian: "Adam!! You are a meanie!!" (I didn't make that up...he really did use the word, "meanie".)

Adam: (looking around with a fake look of confusion on his face) "Did I hear something?"

Brian: (with increasing frustration) "I said you are MEAN, Adam!!!"

Adam: "That is so strange...I didn't hear anything."

Brian: "Stop ug-noring me, ADAM!!"

Adam: (Looking over Brian's head with wide eyes) "I don't see anyone..."

Brian: (basically frothing at the mouth and unable to speak, comes to me sobbing because Adam is ug-noring him.)

So, here's the thing...after telling the child for years to ignore his brothers' teasing...he has actually listened and his results have been fabulous. I couldn't help but laugh at poor Brian when he came to me crying that Adam was ignoring him because, well...What am I supposed to say? "Adam, stop ignoring your brothers!", after years of telling him to do exactly that? Adam has finally come away victorious. In fact, the ignoring tactic has only become really problematic when Evan has made sure if Adam can't hear him...he can FEEL him...if you take my meaning. (Had to break that scenario up the other night *ahem*)

Maybe, they will all start ignoring each other during times of conflict and we can have some peace this Christmas season.

Now, that would be a Christmas miracle.

Here we see Adam when he was home from school with a fever last week. I came down the hallway and found him wrapped up like this on the couch. I can't help it...I think he is so cute.

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Adam (December 2008) 8 years and 5 months old.

Laughter and Tears

I had this written down in my notes from General Conference this past October. I ran across them the other night and it made me laugh again.

Let me set the scene...Our family was watching General Conference on the computer in the family room. We had been watching for over an hour and the boys were growing restless and had to be asked to quiet down repeatedly. Our Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson was about to address us as boys began to wrestle each other all over the floor. I yelled for everyone to "SIT DOWN AND COOL IT!!!" as I motioned for each boy to find a seat on different ends of the couches and love seat. I began pointing and snarling, "You, there! You over there...no, no, that's too close...at the end of that couch. You, opposite couch." Then after sighing mightily, I turned to Mike and muttered how I had just ruined the Spirit that was felt during the previous talks. The irony did not escape me that I was yelling at my kids so we could feel the love of our Prophet.

It kind of made me laugh at myself...yelling my head off at my kids as our prophet was about to speak. Well, it made me chuckle and then cry as I listened to his words of his talk entitled, "Finding Joy in the Journey".

As President Monson said, "Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future." (note: I scrabbled down his words but I looked them up in the talk to quote them verbatim...I am not that efficient of a note taker)

It was at this point in the talk that I began to cry and apologize to the boys and blow them kisses as they sat separated on the couches.

Then President Monson went on to say, "If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware the the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will - to your surprise -miss them profoundly."

My tears really began to flow at this point and I wailed, "I'm sorry, boys!!"

Evan said smirking, "See Mom, the laundry will disappear!! (I love the way Evan uses humor to calm me...he gets that from his father.)

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Me: *sniffle*

Adam: "Yeah, Mom...the laundry will disappear!"

Brian to Adam: "Where will it dis-peer to?"

Adam shrugging: "I dunno."

I began to laugh and cry at this point. I am so grateful for the words of our Prophet. I am grateful for the sweetness of my boys. And I was grateful that day to hear that our Prophet understands seemingly insurmountable, yet mundane tasks like cleaning fingerprints off of every surface the eye can see, and keeping up with the laundry.

The boys last December at, Lights of the South.

In the picture, Evan (10 years and 5 months old), Adam (7 years and 5 months old) and Brian (4 years and 7 months old)

Happy Birthday, Mike!

Last year when the blog was brand new, Mike expressed concern about what I may say for the blog world to read about his birthday. Yeah...he is still kind of shy about it...but I wanted to say simply...

Happy Birthday, Babe!! I love you more than I can ever express...or that you will allow me to express!!! You are wonderful, and my best friend!!

One of my favorite pictures.

Random picture from Egypt Night when Evan was in 2nd grade. We still have the yellow sarcophagus that Evan made, and Mike is holding.

My brother Frank called yesterday (on Mike's actual birthday) and told Mike on the voice mail that he is so old he is surprised that he isn't dead. Doesn't Frank have a way with words?

(For pity sake, I still can't get my pictures to enlarge when clicked on)

The Marshman Elves have Kicked It Up A Notch This Year (and I have never looked thinner!) We don't take ourselves very seriously, why should anyone else?

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Happy Thanksgiving!

I was telling Mike a few days ago, that in a way I am sad that Brian doesn't say, "Sanksgiving" the way he has in years past. It is the end of an era, because now our son now properly enunciates the, "th" sound. *sigh*

Okay, that was kind of random...sorry.

Anyway, we hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I asked each of my family members early this morning to tell me something that they are grateful for.

Evan said laughing, "My bum!" Boy, you are a riot. (Please, detect me in sarcasm there.) I shot him a warning glance and said, "Try again" to which he answered in a very distracted tone because he was searching for shoes so he could go to the Turkey Bowl (annual football game with church members), "Uh....I dunno, my family". That's right, son. I love forcing your gratitude...great answer!

Then I turned to Adam and asked, "What are you grateful for, Adam?" You will probably find this shocking, but he said, "My bum!" and burst into riotous laughter. I said, "Adaaaaaam" in my special "you are wounding Mommy's feelings" tone and he said, "Okay, okay, sorry...and then said, "uhhhh...My body." Okay, I was hoping for, "My wonderful Mother!" but, I'll take it.

Then, all manner of chaos ensued as people ran around trying to find proper sports gear to wear to "The Annual Football Game Where Someone Inevitably Gets Hurt on Thanksgiving Morn. but You Can Call it the 'Turkey Bowl' for Short". Amidst the chaos I asked my loving husband what he was thankful for. With audible congestion in his husky voice he said, "Not my sinuses." Wow, honey...I bet you say that to all the girls.

I encouraged everyone to get out the door before Brian woke up because he is still too little to play. I believe my encouraging words were something along the lines of, "If you people don' t get out of here before Brian wakes up...." as they rushed out the door.

Brian woke up dazed and came out wearing his long sleeved and legged Batman pajamas about fifteen minutes later and, Oh, Happy Day, let me snuggle with him on the couch! I told him, "Happy Thanksgiving!!" and when I asked him what he was grateful for he said, "Pretty Kitty." Pretty Kitty is the stray cat that has taken up residence here.

I know I write things in a sarcastic and joking tone, but I couldn't be more grateful for my great many blessings.

Oh, and cheap child labor over Thanksgiving break...heh, heh, heh...

Notice the special, *ahem* detailing Brian put on the bathroom mirror.

Thanks for priming my bathroom, boys!!! Momma loves you!

November 2008 Evan: 11 years and 4 months old, Adam: 8 years and 4 months old and Brian 5 years and 6 months old.

Wanna See Something Adorable? (And a boring blogging question)

Here is some footage of my adorable twin nephews Alex and Jack. In this clip we see Alex happily feeding Jack some gourmet food...you know, Goldfish Crackers. Jack has a very discerning palate. I posted it to make you smile. I strive to be service oriented. No need to thank me.

Also, I have a blogging question. Sometimes after I have published a post I noticed that you can't click on my pictures to get them to, "biggify" or enlarge, you know....um...blow up to high resolution. I, as many of you know, am totally nosy by nature. I love clicking to enlarge pictures. Does anyone know how I keep messing up my pictures so they won't enlarge? In a recent post I wanted everyone to be able to get a closer look at Adam's new glasses...or Aunt Amy's cute pregnant belly and I had somehow messed up the pictures so they wouldn't enlarge.

Thank you for your time.

The Marshman Family Blog Management

Can My Kindergartener Follow Directions, Or What?

Brian was doing his homework at the kitchen table the other night while I was making dinner. Because he doesn't read independently quite yet, I explained what each page of the booklet was asking him to do, and would then turn around to finish the dinner preparations.

I guess I should have specified that the booklet was asking for bees...of the "bumble" variety. He was working so eagerly and happily...I didn't have the heart to correct him. So, Mrs. Glass his kindergarten teacher, got to see how well Brian takes verbal direction. She didn't seem to mind, so I am hopeful that his following directions literally won't hurt his chances of being promoted to the 1st grade.

Well, It Looks Like No More Road Rage in the Mini-Van for Me...

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(our brand new bumper sticker)

...'cause I wouldn't want to soil Evan's reputation.

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Congratulations, Evan ☺

We Love You!

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October 2008 Evan (11 years and 3 months old)

So....What Did You Do For Halloween?

Did you embrace your inner nerd?

To make your costume more believable, did you hike up your church pants until you were completely uncomfortable by the end of the night?

Did you carry nasal spray and a pocket pack of tissues in your pocket protector and tell people repeatedly, "*Sniff*... Mother made sure I had my, *sniffle*, *snort* tissues."?

Did you practice the catch phrase, "I vant to bite your neck." until everyone within in a three mile radius practically begged you to stop?


While your parents were putting your vampire makeup on you, did they fear you looked a lot more like Eddie Munster than Count Dracula, until you put your plastic fangs in?

Uh, Mike honey...I am noticing a gap between the hairline and the widow's peak...

Or...did you take a trip to Middle Earth and put Orlando Bloom to shame because you make a much more dashing Legolas from Lord of the Rings than he does?

To complete your Legolas look, did your mother buy a Hannah Montana wig for six bucks and chop the bangs off of it and try, almost in vain, to get it to do that cool braid ponytail flip thing in the back? Did she make the leaf clasp to close your cape out of paper laminated with contact paper and hot glue gunned to a diaper pin, and did you stare at her skeptically as she approached you to pin it on?


Did your mother make your wear your Anakin Skywalker outfit from last year under your cape because she is a cheapskate promised nobody would notice that it wasn't an official Legolas costume?

Did your mother not even bother to dress up and when people asked why, did she reply dryly, "I am a Super Model...can't you tell?" even though she was wearing the same nondescript clothing she always does?

No?
Well, we had a fun Halloween and hope that you did, too.

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October 2008: Evan (11 years and 3 months old ) Adam (8 years and 3 months old) and Brian (5 years and 5 months old)

Sunday Best

Today our ward enjoyed the Primary Sacrament Meeting Program. It is truly one of my favorite Sundays of the year. During the Primary Program the children (ages 3 through 12) are responsible for our main worship service. Each child is assigned a part, and the presentation is always touching, charming and often times amusing.

I have to chuckle at the different attitudes that the Marshman boys take concerning the Primary Program. Several weeks ago, when the practices for the program began Adam rushed to find me right after church and told me with audible concern with his voice, "Mom! You won't be able to see me in the program if you don't move your seat on the program day!! I am on the other side of the room from where we always sit!!" I assured him we would move to a point in the chapel where his Dad and I could see all three of our boys.

Adam gasped with rising fear in his voice, "That will be impossible!!" I assured him that we could figure it out...

Evan said shrugging nonchalantly, "You'll never see me...I'm behind the organ." His tone sounded as though he was totally unconcerned.

Then I asked Brian where he would be sitting during the Primary Program and he looked at me blankly and said,

"The what?"

You see...very different attitudes.

The program was as charming as always, and Mike and I were able to sit strategically so that all three of our boys were visible to us. Mike and I are awesome like that. Sweet Adam need not have feared.

We did have to chuckle to ourselves at how differently our boys behave during the actual program.

Evan was calm, cool and collected. He didn't even blush when the much taller young man that spoke before him pushed the microphone waaaaay down so that our, *ahem* much less tall Evan , could use it right at the correct level.

I whispered to Mike that poor Adam looked like he was about to be executed. When his Primary class lined up to take turns at the microphone Mike got him to smile weakly by holding his fists up in the, "fisticuffs" position as if to say, "Go get 'em champ". Adam's stage fright was clearly visible and his cheeks and ears were red (which I found totally endearing) as he spoke. I was so happy for him that he made it through and did such a great job. He seemed to calm immediately after his turn at the microphone was over.

Brian seemed totally unconcerned that he was sitting up on the stage, and did not let the potential for hundreds of eyes to be looking at him at any given moment deter him from wriggling in his seat. At one point his shoes were visible due to some very vigorous upward leg swinging but...don't worry...I was able to lovingly glare him into taking a more reverent seated position. He did a fine job during his time at the microphone and I found his heavy nose breathing between every few words endearing as well.

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I know that I used humor when I described the events of Sacrament Meeting today... but the tears of gratitude that came as I listened to all of those sweet children of God take part in the program, makes me so grateful for my membership in His church and that all of our children are

learning the truths of gospel so young.

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October 2008 Evan (11 years and 3 months old) Adam (8 years and 3 months old) and Brian (5 years and 5 months old)

A Touch of Pink

We just wanted to wish my little brother John, his wonderful wife Amy, and their four adorable sons Taylor, Jonas, Mason and Sullivan a heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS on the birth of their beautiful baby daughter, and sister...

Carrington Lynn Schwartz

Born October 17th, 2008

7 pounds and 1 ounce

and 20 and 3/4 inches long.

I have been wanting to post about this for a little while now, but I wanted to wait until John and Amy had a chance to post about it on their blog first. As I told Amy on the phone...I didn't want my post to be any kind of a copyright infringement. I assured her that I fully understood that she and John owned all of the copyrights to sweet Carrington.

Proud big brothers (Left to Right: Taylor, Sullivan, Mason and Jonas)

Daddy is already, totally smitten...and get this...HE GOT TO DELIVER HER. (John is in medical school and John and Amy also have a great working relationship with their OBGYN.)

Look at that angel face...*sigh*....baby love....

And will you look at all of that thick and luxurious hair!!! It won't be long Amy, until you can make use of amazing blogs like this one.


Evidently, the first words out of John's mouth after he delivered Carrington were,
"It's still a girl!!
You see...when Amy was pregnant with their 4th child she was told in an initial ultrasound, done by the OBGYN during a Friday appointment, that he was 98% sure she was carrying a girl. This news was, of course, exciting because, though they would have been thrilled with another son, it was exciting to add a touch of pink to the family.
The whole family was very excited for them. 98% chance of a girl was pretty certain, right? Over the weekend, Mike jokingly said at a family dinner to John,
"Well, I hope that last 2% isn't a peni$!" Everyone chuckled...that Mike...he is such a jokester...such a card...

It was so funny... until Monday afternoon when Amy had her official ultrasound with the technician on the 4-D ultrasound machine. The Monday ultrasound revealed that the last 2% was indeed, a peni$.
Mike and I felt so badly...especially because I had told several people about Mike's, "hilarious" comment over the weekend.

So, you can see why John and Amy were thrilled that Carrington was, "Still a girl!"
We love you guys so, so, much and are so happy for you. I can't wait to kidnap hold your sweet baby girl!

Anyone?

Does anyone else have to deal with this sort of behavior on. a. daily. basis? Is it a common occurrence in your home to hear the father of your children yell, "Ohhhhh, it's on now...and there's gonna be pain!" as your 3 thrilled children dogpile him happily? On your way to the kitchen, do you have to step over a mass of flailing body parts as you exit the family room? Are several of the lamps in your home crooked because they were somehow knocked over during a raucous display of hand to hand combat?

(Above is an example of Mike's specialty: The Inhumane Tickle)






I was just curious.

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October 2008: Evan (11 years and 3 months old), Adam (8 years and 3 months old) and Brian (5 years and 5 months old)

The Earth is About to Be Destroyed (Just Wanted to Give Everyone a Heads-Up)

Sometimes members of my little family forget to put recyclables in the recycling bin and put them in the *gasp* regular trash can. When I discover such transgressions I usually try to make a joke, saying something along the lines of:

"Who is thwarting my efforts to save the world again?"

or

"Shame on someone! I am trying to save the world here, family!"

The other day I found an empty gallon milk jug teetering on the top of the regular trash. I held it up and said loudly enough for everyone to hear...

"Who is trying to destroy the earth?"

Mike responded quietly, "Oh...sorry...that was me...I was...", but before Mike could finish Brian piped up cheerily with an ear to ear mischievous grin...

"Me, Mom. I'm trying to stroy the earth."

From the look of your bedroom floor lately, I can honestly say I suspected as much, son. I. suspected. as. much.

Brian (October 2008) 5 years and 5 months old

Adam's Baptism

Adam's baptism was wonderful. Adam and his cousin Taylor were baptised on the same day and it made the experience all the more special. Taylor turned 8 in March of 2008 and waited patiently for 4 months for Adam to turn 8 in July. The whole baptism weekend we were so grateful to Taylor for his unselfish decision to wait to be baptised jointly.

Mike, Adam, Taylor and Uncle John (My younger and much taller brother)

I was supposed to crop Taylor out of this picture, but I think he looks so cute waiting there on the side.

And now, it is Adam's turn to wait in the wings.

Taylor was baptised first, and as soon as my brother John entered the water with his amazing son I began to weep. Can you tell I am a bit of a crier? I was just overwhelmed with love for family and the strength of the Spirit that I felt. In my mind, my brother John will always be 14 years old. (I know he is married to a wonderful wife and they are expecting their 5th child...please don't try to confuse me with the facts...John is only 14, to me. Got it? Good.) I was just overcome as I saw John perform the saving Priesthood Ordinance of baptism.

My quiet weeping, I fear, became a bit more audible when Mike entered the water with our sweet Adam. I cannot express how grateful I am that Mike is a worthy Priesthood holder and could perform the saving ordinance of baptism for Adam.
Adam got his new glasses right before the baptism weekend. He kept saying how excited he was to have glasses like Taylor and admonished me not to tell Taylor beforehand. He told me repeatedly, "Taylor will be so surprised."

Evan's best friend from before we moved from Virginia, Cheyenne, was able to be in attendance and spend some time with our family.
It didn't take long for Brian to try to monopolize all of Cheyene's attention. Mike and I fear that we may have a bit of a womanizer on our hands.
It was so, so wonderful to see everyone.

Back row: Grandad Perry (Mike's Dad), Aunt Cherry, Aunt Jean, Uncle Tom (when I introduced Uncle Tom to my brother Frank, he said with his mouth agape, "It's Santa!!" Uncle Tom smiled and said he gets a lot of looks from children around Christmas time) and Mike. Front row: Grandma Joyce (Mike's Mom), Adam, Evan, Cheyene and Brian. Notice Brian is holding Cheyene's hand. What did I tell ya? Womanizer.

Here is Taylor's wonderful family. I love this picture of them. Look at Amy's cute pregnant belly. I have tried in earnest to dislike Amy...you know the type, 0% body fat...adorable when pregnant...up to date on all of her scrapbooks...but, try as I might...she is just to wonderful to dislike. (Oh no, now I am paranoid that you will think I really have tried to dislike you, Amy...I am totally kidding, but you do amaze me!) Many, many thanks to Taylor's family for making the baptism weekend so special. We love you all, so, so much.

Hooked on Phonics

You may find this hard to believe but, the other day Adam and Brian got into an argument. You may also find this hard to believe...but I was trying ignore them. After a few minutes of aggressive banter between them, Brian felt that he was proven right about whatever they were arguing about and Adam was wrong because, as Adam fled the room angrily Brian called to him:

"HA...HA, ADAM!"

Then I heard Brian say to himself, "Ha.....Ha." and he began making a "huffing noise" like, "Huuuh, huuh, huuuuuh..." then he turned to me with a beaming smile and announced excitedly, "Mom! 'HA' starts with H!" I was gleeful as I realized that the aforementioned, "huffing" noises were my Brian trying to sound out the word, "HA".

Well Brian, if Kindergarten is teaching you nothing else...you are learning the phonetics of properly insulting Adam.

Brian (September 2008) 5 years and 4 months old

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Since the Child is Practically Twelve...

Reader beware: this may come across as a totally braggy post and it isn't meant to.

I figured it is high time I blogged about Evan's 11th birthday. I could have titled this post, "Evan is Eleven" or better yet, " 'Evan from Heaven' is Eleven". What? Too much with the rhyming? When Evan was born, one of the nurses at he hospital nicknamed him, "Evan from Heaven" and the name kind of stuck. I have always adored that nickname, but Evan doesn't seem too pleased with it as of late. So, let's just parenthetically title this post, "Evan turned 11 on July 2oth and I am just now getting around to blogging about it because I am a lousy blogger."

Evan, my sweet boy, I cannot believe you once looked like this...

(1o months old holding on to the bird cage stand that you knocked over shortly thereafter) Look at that sweet face!!!

and now you look like this...

Seen here with your adorable little cousin, Alex.

One of the many things that we love about you is your wonderful sense of humor. Just the other night you cracked us all up at the dinner table while we were having a discussion about nicknames and where they can come from. You announced to all of us, "I think we should have family nicknames!" Then you pointed to each one of us in turn and said, "Peasant, Peasant, Peasant, Peasant"...and then pointed to yourself and proclaimed proudly, "King Evan". Your father and I looked at each other and shook our heads before I asked you, "Where did you hear that, from school or something?" You replied nonchalantly, with a huge grin, "I just made it up, Mom." I should have known.

Recently, we were walking through a parking lot and you informed me that your name wasn't, "Evan" anymore....you said your name was, "Big Billy" (for readers of this blog, Evan pronounced "Billy" like, "Bill-laay".) You sauntered through the parking lot referring to yourself as, "Big Bill-laay" in the first person. For example, I said, "Okay 'Big Bill-laay', just hurry up and get in the van." To which you replied, "Big Bill-laay can't be rushed." You stayed "in character" the whole evening and I chuckled to myself throughout. When you and your brothers were all in the bathroom brushing your teeth (I was in there trying to force inspire Brian to brush properly) a gigantic thunder clap was heard outside. You screamed, "Run for your LIVES!!", and then you froze for a second and said calmly, "Wait a minute...Big Bill-laay never looses his cool." and you went on brushing your teeth and only started to smirk when you saw me laughing. Seriously son, where do you come up with this stuff?

Last year at the end of school, I was invited to the 5th grade honors assembly where you were going to be getting an award for academic honors and recognition for having held an office in the (mandatory (?) in Georgia) 4-H program. It was a really long assembly and after about an hour my mind began wandering just a smidgen. (I know, I'm sorry...but, I was totally attentive when you got your awards, and I was very, very happy to be there). Toward the end of the assembly, a teacher representing the Spanish program named Senora Escalante got up and was extolling the virtues of one stellar student. She was telling how this child helped others around them and was enthusiastic about the program and was incredibly positive and...

As she droned on about this student I was thinking things like:

"Hmmm...I am so glad Asher didn't have to be babysat today...he would be so bored..."

"I need to stop by the grocery store on the way home...should I pick up romaine lettuce or iceberg?..."

"Romaine...Mike likes romaine better...

All of a sudden the teacher said, somewhat tearily, which at first I found strange, that the child that had been such a stellar student and she wishes she had more like him was:

"Evan Marshman"

I immediately burst into tears and began digging through my bag like a mad woman to retrieve my camera. The award was meant to be a surprise but...I felt some guilt for not suspecting. I was really proud of you, Evan. It made me really happy that your teacher thought you were such a stand out student. When you went to accept your medal I was crying because I am so grateful for the person you are, and the person you are becoming. You continually make Dad and I so proud, and grateful.

Here you are receiving the award for "Excellence in Spanish". Sorry, for the poor quality of this picture. Perhaps, if your mother had been ready with the camera she would have taken a better one.

Here you are wearing your medal with your 5th Grade Teacher, Mrs. Sharon Meaders.

I hope you had a fantastic birthday, and I am sorry it has taken me so long to post this. You are such a funny and great guy and a wonderful example to your brothers.

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