a little piece of the h"EVANS"

Post Op

2011-12-28T13:34:00.000-07:00

Why hello there. I have learned a few things about myself. 1. Morphin and I do not get along - - I don't like feeling CRAZY. 2. If I have a conversation while on lortab I may never remember, or may flat out lie (not on purpose). Sorry Kelly, again, for forgetting our conversation. If I have forgotten any other conversations or if I said or did anything out of the ordinary... sorry.

Surgery went well. Like I remember it, but the Doc said things went well. There were a few surprises once they got in there but nothing he could not handle. Of course, he is the best. I had the OR nurse take a picture for me.

I probably should have warned you.... to late. This, my friends, is only HALF of my thyroid. Yep-- I told you I had a goiter. The Doc told me it was about a pound. Which means one down 49 to go!

The first day I was alone with the girls was Monday December 19th. Four days after surgery. I was still drugged and to say I was struggling is an understatement. IT. WAS. A. BAD. DAY. I couldn't turn my head, I was dizzy, it was hard to swallow and I had a hard time staying awake and trying to hold Eva while playing with Katelee was FAR beyond my abilities. It is hard for me to ask for help but it got so bad I did, by text of course. (no one told me talking and singing would be so hard). My text went unanswered and I knew I was going to have to get through it.

I got both girls down for a nap and I had to get out... so I walked to the mailbox (please don't call the cops). It was the best thing I could have done. I found this.

A Christmas Card from Nebraska. From a couple that I worked with as a missionary. A couple that I love SO much. I get a Christmas card from them every year. I usually call them on their birthdays, but this year I forgot. Shortly after I returned home from my mission, I returned to Nebraska to be with them as they were sealed in the Winter Quarters temple. In fact there were two couples that I worked with that got sealed that day- it was busy. I love these people! This card brought me to tears. With all the normal Christmas wishes in the upper left hand corner was this.

It says "Thank you for showing us the right way. We are now Temple Ordinance Workers. So thank you again. Love you." This is a couple that had to fight through A LOT to be baptized including an addiction to pornography. After I read this card I sent Adam a text "I just got a Christmas card from Nebraska, I can do anything now." the rest of the day is a blur but we all survived.

Now almost two weeks after the surgery I am doing much better. I am still dizzy sometimes, my head has almost all of its rang of motion back, my vocal cords are still getting better but I can talk without pain (singing is still very difficult), and once again I am one pound lighter! What an experience!

TATA

It is time

2011-12-12T15:25:00.000-07:00

This last week I had the chance to help a most beloved sister. After a few days of holding her, crying with her and trying to feed her. I left, I cried as I left because I didn't want to leave her in so much pain. I wanted to stay, to be her strength and help her soul heal. But I suppose it was time for me to leave. I have learned a lot from my sister and this last week she taught me that sometimes you need support, and as hard as it is to tell people what is going on-- when you need people to support you they have to know at least a little about what is going on.

So I have decided it is time. Time to tell that this week I have surgery. A total thyroidextomy(sp?). After over ten years of problems, it is time to removed my growing goiter.There are many reasons that it needs to come out but I will not bore you with the details. Do you think that they will let me keep it. As a 5 year old I had my tonsils and adnoids removed which I kept (in a sealed jar).... until I married Adam (folks that is more then 20 years), he thought it was to weird to keep them around. Looking back it was weird..... Nonetheless I will probably ask if I can keep my thyroid. I think it would be the BEST show and tell EVER! :) I will have a short hospital stay, minimum of one night. Then I have to be back up and going.

In case you do not know what a Thyroid is this picture shows you what a normal one looks like, mine is far from normal so it is deformed, larger (goiter) and it is starting to calcify (that is not a good sign).

There is not much people can do to help me, but prayers are welcome because there is a lot that the Lord can do to help me and my sweet family.

Once I get back on my feet I hope to venture down to Vegas again to hold, cry, and be with my sweet sister.

TATA

Halloween

2011-11-16T09:48:00.000-07:00

Yep, this is a little late but I wanted to document the girls of Holloween 2011.

Katelee was a beautiful butterfly and Eva was a caterpillar, I hope that makes you smile because it does me.

We hit the streets with some great friends. We didn't stay out too long but long enough for Katelee to get way to much candy :) Which I still have on top of the fridge...

Eva rode in the stroller, snug as a bug in a...costume.

Katelee figured out that it was candy she was getting, she suddenly was a bit more excited to say 'trick or treat.'

I realized how much about Halloween I don't like as a mother; interestingly enough they are the things I loved as a child.

Adam was giddy with all of the candy coming home, this man has the largest sweet tooth I have ever encountered. He was just as giddy as Katelee all night long. I think next year he will need to dress up and hit the streets with a pillowcase late at night.

Blessing

2011-11-14T09:50:00.000-07:00

A few days after Ketelee's surgery we gathered a few friends and family together for our sweet little lady to be blessed. It. Was. Special.
None of my siblings or Adams siblings could make it :( we missed them dearly. We are lucky enough to have some great people in our lives that were willing to step in and support us. THANK YOU! I know that there are a lot of pictures here... I only selected my favorites.

This woman makes me life so much better. I could never have asked for
such a great friend, and this picture is just great-- both of them are real beauty's!

These two LOVE each other so much!

Katelee calls this boy her best friend. It may have something to do with
the fact that his mom is one of my best buds.

HER day

Our little family- we are so blessed to have each other.

We survived!

2011-11-04T18:46:00.000-06:00

Katelee makes sure to remind me that I am not in charge-- of anything. :)
For the last few months we had had problems with her left eye. The last few weeks she has looked like this. notice under her left eye... the bump... that folks is not suppose to be there. After trying several medications the doc said she needed to have an operation. My little girl in the OR I was very uncomfortable with it but after some prayer I knew two things, 1. we needed to do it and 2. it would be okay.

So yesterday we took her to the hospital. Here she is, such a small child for a big bed. Luckily Adam works in the Operating Room so the Doctor let him hold Katelee until she was asleep, once asleep Adam had to leave the room and return to me. we. waited. FOREVER. I do not know if I have ever been so uncomfortable as when my Katelee was in there and all I could do was wait, I could not even see her... AHHHH I do not even like thinking about it.

It really did not take long about 40 minutes before they brought her wheeling around the corner. I was SO GLAD to see her sweet face. She looked scared but she did not even cry. The nurse kept telling us that she really was not the norm, she was so good. Our little champ!

I waited a little while and cleaned up her face before I took this picture (you should thank me).

For those of you that knew about this difficult day, thank you for your prayers. It was a small, simple surgery it only took a few stitches but in my heart every little thing with my girls is HUGE. These experiences remind me so much that the Lord is in charge. Every moment I have with my sweet girls is a gift and although I fall short of living each moment to it's fullest I hope that I get many many years of moments before it is time to part from them.

TATA

Officially 2 months old!

2011-11-04T18:27:00.000-06:00

Eva has reached officially two months!

She is weighing in at 13 lbs 6 ounces-- yes she is a big girl. She is eating very well and sleeping even better.

better late then never

2011-10-24T13:33:00.000-06:00

Considering this picture is a month late you can get an idea of how crazy things are at our house. This is Eva's one month picture. She really is a joy. Don't get me wrong she is really good at screaming too, but all in all she is great. We are sure glad that she is here. A couple weeks ago Katelee decided to feed Eva a raisin...both girls survived.

Katelee is madly in love with her sister. She can't do anything without knowing where "baby Eva" is. I can not believe how big Katelee has gotten.

Adam and I are doing well. Adam FINALLY got an "all clear" on his hands and only has to see the docter again if there is another outbrake! SWEET! after next month he will be off the meds and hopefullly back to normal (was he ever normal?). :) I have so much to put on this here blog-- but I have givenn up on "getting caught up" so we will start from here and do our best to do better.

TATA

Sisters

2011-09-20T13:57:00.001-06:00

These two are pretty great together. I have not figured out how to keep them both happy and get anything done but so long as they are this cute I can not complain.

Two Angels that change my life

2011-09-08T17:14:00.003-06:00

What a week!
August 30th was an interesting day. My growing belly started to feel something that I have never felt before... CONTRACTIONS! I made it till 5am on the 31st before I could not take it any more. To the hospital we went. The day was long but before I knew it I was feeling more things that I have never felt before-- PUSHING!?!?
And a sweet angel baby came into my life. 8 lbs 5 onz 19 inches long

Her name is Eva Bea (pronounced 'B') Evans. My grandma Hodges name was Eva Lou. I have never meet her (at least on this earth). But I have learned enough about her to know that this little girl is lucky to be named after her. Bea is what I call one of my great Aunts. In fact it is Eva Lou's baby sister. Aunt Bea has always had a soft spot in my heart and although this is not her given name of Sara Elizabeth it is how I have always known her. The woman that I feel in love with as a child and has always been in my life to represent for my Grandmother who died before my parents were even married. Aunt Bea is one of the best woman that I know. One that I aspire to be more like everyday. If this little Eva Bea is anything like the women she is named after, watch out world nothing can stop her.

The day I was to be released from the hospital I got word that an angel had died. My grandpa.

Lee J Treasure. There are not words to describe the love I have for this man. Nor are there words to explain all that he has taught me. In short this man is a hero of mine, this man is a friend of mine. And I am lucky enough to call him Grandpa. I have so many sweet memories of my Grandpa Treasure. I love this man- I always will. He helped me to become who I am today.

A few things I did this summer

2011-09-08T16:22:00.000-06:00

This summer I have felt a little like a ping pong ball. Bouncing from one thing to the next. A real quick overview.
- Trip to St. George with Adam's family for Little Mermaid at Tuacan. What a great trip this was. Katelee still talks about the Mermaids and if she had it her way she would go again. We loved it.
-Tyler left for Africa, a two year mission. I miss him everyday (don't tell him that though).
- A week at girls camp. This was such a treat. Yes I was 7 months pregnant but oh how the Young Women I am surround by inspire me- DAILY. This week took up much of my time for a while. I have a new respect for all my Young Women leaders that made camp look easy--- it is a LOT of work.
- A few family weddings = lots of family fun. Including throwing a bridal shower for one of Adam's sweet cousins.
- Throwing a baby shower for a dear friend.
- LOTS of time outside-- mostly at the pool
- Sewing new bedding for the nursery (pictures to come).
- Girls Camp retreat up Weber Canyon- again these YW amaze me. I have so much fun with them.
- Preparing for little baby to come...

2011-04-23T21:35:00.000-06:00

Do your days seem to be going faster?

I suddenly feel like life is FLYING by. This last week I had to say goodbye to a friend that I honestly never imagined would not be here. She was my grandma away from grandma. She lived next door. I ran to her house when I got my mission call. She taught me about drying flowers. She helped me make my very first homemade card. She was excited for everything in my life, and sad with me when they went wrong. I love her. Add on top of that Katelee growing up so fast; and another baby growing inside of me (yes it is true, a girl coming late August if by c-section, September 4th (ish) if by canal). I can see the circle of life without blinking-- WOW!

Sometimes life is funny

2011-03-28T11:44:00.000-06:00

If only I could walk around like this too...

Call from the Lord

2011-02-14T17:02:00.001-07:00

If there in any one person that I can call a lifetime "best-friend" (other than my husband) it is my little brother. Tyler has helped me through everything and I in turn like to think I taught him how to be a man--- :). He is so much of my life I can not imagine it without him. He is the youngest, and most defiantly spoiled, he will even tell you how much he loves being spoiled. This last week he received mail... important mail....mail that will dictate the next two years of his life. I once received the same mail I remember the day VIVIDLY, it changed my life as I know it will change his.

IT CAME BABY!!!

Reading the location of his mission...

As Tyler read his letter aloud my mothers breathing got louder and slower. The the words "You are hereby called to serve in the Kenya Nairobi Mission" suddenly my mothers breathing changed to a repeated "oh no." Tyler read on, it was not much longer when he looked up and said "wait this is in Africa?" I still laugh when I think of that. All of my siblings were on Skype so it truly was a family affair-- a special moment for our little Tyler all grown up and moving 10,000 miles away.... where he will be the only white person.... did I mention there are countries like Rwanda and Sudan in his mission? I can not WAIT to hear his stories and see the real man that he becomes--the Lord does a much better job at that then I do.

She cried--- I don't think she cried when I opened my call...

My bucket list just got shorter

2011-01-24T11:49:00.000-07:00

This last weekend I was on LIVE TV, you missed it didn't you? Why me you ask? Well you see I was just that lucky. My segment started without a glitch, after I said a few stupid things and 30 minutes had passed it ended. I was on with SUPER CUTE Etta and host Tracy. I got to talk about some of the problems I had/have with sweet Katelee and some of the programs that we have used to get her caught up in all developmental areas.

Me- Barb (she was on right before us)- Etta

US in the control room with some of the staff that helped us through the entire night.

I was so nervous and thought I was going to be a disaster but it went well enough that at the end I was happy I did it, it is all about making sure when I die I do not regret anything. Our show was on between 8:30-9:30pm by the time I got home it was 11:30pm I can not remember the last time I was out that late. Thanks to my sweet sisters and mom that put up with text after text of outfit possibilities.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-20T14:21:00.000-07:00

Katelee enjoying her time in the snow. She insisted on wearing a bow.

As of late it has been a bit crazy for us, what? you too? NO WAY. :)

Like you, I am gearing up for family. I can not put into words how excited I am for my entire family (minus one sister that is no longer living) to be here. All 22 of us in one city and in one house, luckily not MY house.

Oh. Jolly. Fun!

Since our Christmas cards have been postponed to New Years cards. I thought I should wish you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! I am not sure why I feel that Christmas wishes are accompanied with a family update but I will stick with the norm in fear of offending any of you. (I think this is called peer pressure)

Katelee is a bubble of joy! She LOVES life, toys, food, and any kid that will play with her. How did I get so lucky?

Adam is doing well, he is working! We meet with his doctor this morning- still on chemo but hopefully within the next 4-6 months he will be able to go off. The Doc told me I had to by a scale..... what woman wants to hear that? I mean was he trying to call me fat? HOW RUDE!

Tami is loving being a mom. She sometimes struggles with small insignificant things and often forgets to look at the Eternal prospective, what can I say? I am learning.

Enough about us!

WE WISH YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Holidays

2010-12-07T21:00:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year. I love the Christmas lights, I love the smiles people give me, I love putting out Christmas decorations (especially nativities) and I love wondering/dreaming what my A-man is going to put under the tree for me.

Katelee has decided to give me a Christmas present too. She is obsessed with going to the potty--on the potty. In fact if you hung out at our house you would think I was trying to potty train her. When in fact she is potty training herself. How does a 17month old figure all of this out?

She is a keeper-- for Christmas I will wish that all of you could have one just like her. :)

TATA

Skinny Jeans

2010-11-12T22:18:00.000-07:00

I am a woman that just does not have the right 'this' or 'that' for skinny jeans-- but I wish I did. Katelee on the other hand seems to have the right everything :) for them. So I love putting this pair of skinnies on her.

The leaves have been so great to play in, and this year they seemed to have changed colors slower and fallen slower just for our enjoyment-- what a blessing. Fall is a such a great time of year.

For those of you that keep wondering about us I will inform you that Adam is still at work (knock on wood) he has started a very low dose of a Chemo drug and we will see where this takes us. This man loves his job- he will do just about anything to keep it. I wish I had his dedication. I am doing very well. The last week things have been changing for the better and my body just may get over all of this.

Good days! TATA

A Project...

2010-11-03T20:17:00.000-06:00

I went to my favorite antique shop yesterday and I found this beauty for $3.00.

It needed a little bit of LOVE and I thought it would be perfect for a Christmas gift for Katelee. With a little imagination, some paint, new fabric and A LOT of staples the finished product looks like this...

What do ya think?

I am so bad when it comes to Christmas because I get so excited about what I buy/make that I can not wait to share it... needless to say Katelee loves it :)

Christmas morning it will have a red bow, both Katelee and I are okay with that.

TATA

Halloween

2010-11-02T22:26:00.002-06:00

I just thought that I would post a quick update. Halloween was extra fun with Brody, Callie, Elisa and Kennedy here with us. Katelee was suppose to be a butterfly, that did costume did not turn out, nor was it built for the COLD weather that came into town. So Katelee and Elisa got to be pumpkins together--so cute.

I have not figured out what happened to September or October.... if you find them please let me know. Adam has been back to work for almost a month now-- miracles have not ceased! He is not out the the woods yet but the fact that he is still there is enough to make me smile.

TATA for now

Word on the street

2010-09-27T20:15:00.000-06:00

The word is that Adam can not go back yet, high hopes for next week.

I don't know about you, but I can't blame Adam for not going back to work when there is someone as cute as this around. :)

Love a good time

2010-09-17T20:58:00.000-06:00

Adam is still not working, having him around is a good time. Katelee thinks he is the BEST thing in the world--so cute.

Katelee got to ride on one of these,

a really good time!

We got to camp-out in the middle of this,

other then Katelee's ability to keep us up all night long-- a really good time.

We have been spending lots of time together, a small happy family,

many more good times to come.

TATA

It's raining it's poring...

2010-09-02T22:33:00.003-06:00

Within the last thirty days we have started and (thirty days latter) finished a miscarriage, Adam has to take 6 weeks off of work because he is allergic to the gloves specifically he is allergic to Carbamix or Carbamate which is used in almost every glove and almost everything rubber--- great.

Adam broke our cousin Tyler's prowler--perfect. Adam got a speeding ticket on I-15, in a construction zone--really great. They raised our house payment--perfect timing. I had to have surgery this morning--now it is just getting ridiculous.

For us the rain has been poring but not without a few glimpse of the sunshine. Katelee has been a HUGE ray of sunshine but there have been more! My sister Aimee and brother Brody (and their families) were here for a while--wonderful. My little brother is now an Elder in preparation for his leaving for school, next week--bitter sweet. Katelee and I got a ticket to KANSAS to see my sister Heidi--unforgettable! I got back on my bike for an almost 20 mile ride--invigorating.

Cabin time... can I say more about the greatness of this earth? WOW. I love the mountains ESPECIALLY when one of my best friends comes along, with her family of course.

All I can really say is tomorrow is another day and
"the future is as bright as [my] faith." - Pres. Monson.

tata

Smiles

2010-08-20T22:14:00.000-06:00

I was lucky enough to capture this photo today...

I love this girl. She changed my life--the BEST change ever (other than my A man).

Also I want to say THANK YOU to so many that have called, left messages and stopped by to visit us. I have learned so much about my true friends and how great family can be. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU! Every act has impacted my sore spirit more then I can put into words.

TATA

Never REALLY mine

2010-08-10T16:45:00.000-06:00

It all started on a camp out with the young women. Although I was unsure of what was going on I tried to "keep calm and carry on." The pain increased as well as so many things that I knew added up to bad and they kept heading towards worse. After a Sunday on bed rest I was at the doctor first thing Monday morning. My fears were confirmed. At 15 weeks pregnant there was no longer a heart beat. I cried/cry A LOT. In the middle of all of my emotions the thought came to me that this child was never really MINE they were being loaned to me from a loving Father above. I looked at Katelee and thought the same thing, not really MINE but Heavenly Fathers.

This Day...

2010-08-05T15:53:00.000-06:00

It was on this day that my life changed forever. That I made one of the best decisions of my life. It was on this day that I started a whole new book in my life, far greater and longer than any chapter. It was on this day that a man showed that he truly loved me.

He is my best friend and so much more. He is my king and I am his queen, and I LOVE being his queen.

Thank you, Adam, for being willing to join what some call "the last legal form of slavery" and, on this day, marry me! I AM the luckiest girl in the world!

I love this man, more today then I did yesterday or the day before that, or the day before that, or the day before that.....

WILD

2010-07-30T11:53:00.002-06:00

It has been a wild few weeks full of family and fun. Here is a brief gimps.

LOTS of loves from cousin Libby.

LOTS of four wheeling with these kidos!

Hiking in these BEAUTIFUL mountains! In my rich life (which has not found its way to me..) I want to be in Driggs ID (or Alta WY) much more often. In fact I think that the Tetons and I need a stronger relationship. If you have not been or never seen the Tetons you are truly missing out- go, go, go now and thank me later.

Rafting/floating this river (Teton river) BEAUTIFUL!!!! and fun.

Bonding, screaming, following, playing with all of these cousins, and grandparents.

Alpine slide (Katelee did not go down-- don't worry)

So hard to say goodbye to these guys, three weeks was not enough! Katelee and I are trying to get to Kansas to see them--- if you would like to donate feel free to mail a check. :) Sadly Adam missed out on ALL of these posted adventures but he was at all that I forgot to take pictures of, why does it always work like that? The last three weeks have been very tiring but no slowing down I have an anniversary and a birthday coming up as well as season two of the HIGHLIGHTERS! the finale of So you Think You Can Dance (if you want to come to my party it happens EVERY week Wed. and Thurs. night, though I am usually the only attendee I can promise that it is lots of fun and there is screaming, judging and food), BYU football, and so much more on the horizon :) I just can not wait!

I must give a shout out to my beautiful sister Aim

who is under the weather with a second round of pink eye, another round of mono, torn ligaments in her foot, cold sore in her mouth, goiter in her neck (that is a family trait, if you have never noticed mine I suggest you take a look did I mention I am pregnant? my sickness is nothing in comparison to how she is feeling). Back to Aim, she is stuck in over 100 degree weather and has four boys to take care of. I wish I were there right now to help you. LOVE YOU!!!

TATA for now.

What a week!

2010-07-06T07:37:00.000-06:00

It all started when Katelee got her first tooth! WAHOO (she refuses to allow me to take a picture, sorry).

The next day we went for a walk on the river trail only to be accompanied by a loud but very beautiful bird....

A PEACOCK???? in Provo???? on roofs? Is this a new security effort the city has put forth for the river trail? Anyway it was very cool to see and made me feel like I was at the condo in Hawaii (only for a second).

Then came tooth number two just in time for Katelee's FIRST BIRTHDAY! What a special time to think of our country how free it is and how not free motherhood is and I could never ask for it to be any better, it is GREAT.

Lots of cake, some swimming and some family made for a great day. We finished it off by going to the Stadium of Fire which Katelee did not mind too much. This is what she looked like when we got in the car to leave after the fireworks.

She was so tired! A good birthday should always leave the birthday girl tired-- if you ask me.

The next day at church she insisted on wearing her sunglasses during sacrament meeting. some may say cute I do believe that those sunglasses will find their way out of the church bag, how did they get in there in the first place?

Happy Birthday to Katelee Bell! she brings so much happiness and joy into our home with her sweet personality, and her perfect spirit. Her giggle is 100% adorable and she is 100% busy! We love everything about her.

TATA

Taco run....

2010-06-04T22:07:00.002-06:00

Adam and I started our journey for a taco, we got side tracked when we saw this view, and we decided to stay for a while.

Lots of beach and even more ocean with some of Mexico's mountains in the background.

We were joined on this taco run by some of our favorite people--my family (minus Brody and Callie and all the kido's)!

PARTY!!! we drank virgin Miami Vice's, played beach volley ball, swam, zip lined, walked, shopped, taxied, bussed, piled seven people in a five passenger car, laughed, and searched for good food (tacos!!!)

We also celebrated Adam's birthday :) it was heavenly to have so much time together-- no work, no school, no internet, no tv, no Katelee (though we did miss her) just him, me and the fam. Happy birthday, again, I love you!

Do not fear we did find TACOS!!!! Don't be fooled by the size they were AMAZING! Best taco's EVER.

After we found the Tacos Adam and I figured we might as well come home :( so we jumped back on a plane and headed north. But we loved 100% of the trip! A big thank you to these two who made the whole thing possible. As well as to Adam's parents who took care of our sweet Katelee.

Now back to real life.

TATA

New hobbies

2010-05-26T19:31:00.003-06:00

CHOCOLATE! A joy of any womans life....

Katelee taught herself how to crawl up the stairs. Trying to decided if we should buy a gate or put pillows at the bottom of the stairs.

100% lovable!

Are there easier ways to get a new cell phone?

2010-05-18T10:04:00.000-06:00

I forgot to mention in that last post that my phone found it's way into the washer......

OOPS!!!!

After sitting in a bowl of rice for HOURS which turned into DAYS the phone kinda works. Sometimes it just turns off for no reason at all, sometimes the buttons deside that they are un-workable and sometimes it works like a charm. So if you are trying to call me or text me BEWARE that I may not get your message, I may hang up on you (totally on accident), but I may get to talk to you and that I WOULD LOVE!

So big

2010-05-17T13:51:00.002-06:00

How is it that every time I turn around Katelee has gotten bigger?

There has to be something I can do to stop this? :)

I really love being able to see all of her changes.

10 months old now? How did that happen? I mean no one asked me if it was okay it just kinda happened. Although, I am okay with it. What I am not okay with his her determination to hit every surface in our house with her head, I find a new bruise nearly everyday.

The joys.

TATA for now.

Good shots!

2010-04-28T19:13:00.002-06:00

Love this girl....

I love these too, but not in the same way that I love her...

I hope to get the courage up to try and make them myself.

Life

2010-04-18T20:45:00.002-06:00

Ever feel like you live in a cage?

The last little while has been interesting we have survived a bit of everything.. for example;
- Adam out of work with a staph infection- two weeks (I must admit that it was SO nice to have him around more).
- Discovering the Lehi indoor pool! Katelee can not get enough of this place
- I threw a bridal shower for a best friend 70 people came-- PARTY!!
- I threw a baby shower for a girl friend in my ward 3 people came (I still cry about this)
- After a year of tests/questions and wondering, a normal papsmer!!! (this may be to much information)
- Cut down our HUGE pine tree.
- Tami won the March Madness tournament! YIPEE
- Gym, Gym, Gym oh how I love the gym!
- Katelee turned nine months old. Her big blue eyes still melt our hearts.

milestone

2010-04-02T15:05:00.000-06:00

There are many milestones we celebrate, army crawling, solid food, talking/screaming, but I must not forget the milestone of hair-- enough for a pony-tail!

I was 2 years old before I had hair...true. So as little as the pony is, I am enjoying it more and more.

TaTa

Katelee says

2010-03-26T15:22:00.001-06:00

Katelee had a few things to say, who am I to stop her right?

HELLO everyone, I want to tell you a few things about me, some things you may not know already. I really like this tongue of mine.In fact I show it to everyone I can including the dogs next door-- why not they show me their's.

I LOVE to cross my feet-- do it ALL of the time.

I will eat ANYTHING you give me :) but if you give me a graham cracker I will be your friend for life.

CALL me or my mom we LOVE to talk. :)

EIGHT...EIGHT....EIGHT

2010-03-12T10:45:00.005-07:00

HELLO!!!

OOPS!

I have realized, again, that I have NO control over life, over Katelee, pretty much over anything. Our little Katelee turned 8 months old-- I can not tell you how fast these last few months have gone! She got her first cold :( (which she kindly gave to her mom and dad) and she just keeps on keeping on. Just like us.

I have been trying to inspire the Young Women in our Ward to do their personal progress-- I am afraid that I am not very good at it-- any ideas?

loving it...

2010-02-13T07:42:00.006-07:00

There are not words to say just how great it is to be a mom, Katelee is now 7 months old and boy is the time flying! SEVEN??!!!?where has it all gone? Have I taken enough pictures? Have I written enough down? AHHHH how will I ever remember it all?

Katelee loves so many things, her uncle Tyler is one of them so when he fixed up this old high chair (which was used both her Grandpa Hodges and mother many moons ago) she naturally fell in love with it.

Katelee loves to spend most of her time giggling, smiling and playing. She is a very busy girl with no time to miss out on anything! She is a lot like her mother, she can watch people all day long. Have you ever noticed how fun it is to watch people? (also one shoe off and one shoe on?? I can not keep anything on her feet... grrrr...)

TATA for now!

this is what I get to look at all day...

2010-01-13T13:29:00.002-07:00

I must first warn you that you may fall in love....

You see Katelee is, for the most part, a happy baby that is full of smiles. Yes she screams but I mean look at her--- screams are the least of my worries.

Please tell us which picture is your favorite (or if you do not like any of them tell us that too). Katelee is looking for some feedback to help boost her self-esteem (you would not want to let a 6 month old baby girl down now, would you?) She has some plans for a picture but can't tell you until later.....

tata for now!

Happy Half Birthday & Happy Birthday

2010-01-04T16:13:00.006-07:00

I LOVE birthdays. I am a believer that you should celebrate for the month surrounding your birthday and NEVER leave out your half birthday. Yesterday we celebrated Katelee's half birthday! It was also my dad's birthday-- so we combined the two parties and oh it was great!

These are two of my best friends!

Every time I look at my dad I understand why Katelee is such a daddy's girl. I am still a daddy's girl, and I always will be.

Happy birthday to my Special K's both of them! Oh how I love you!

HOPE

2009-12-29T14:12:00.006-07:00

I have some cousins-- well they are Adams cousins but I claim them. They are smart, fun and very talented. They have started a new blog that is GREAT! So far it has really made me ponder and reflect on so many great parts of my life and the joy that being a Mormon brings to me. This new blog is different then any other Mormon-ish blog out there---

"It's purpose is three-fold: 1. To get good (interesting and inspirational) pro-Mormon content out on the internet for the benefit of those inside and outside the church, 2. To do it in a way that no one else is doing. 3. To pull a broad range of people in, people whose needs aren't already being met by the prolific (and fantastic and witty) blogging that's already being done.

So, Hopefully Mormon.

Our unifying theme is from Peter: to "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope this is in you.""

Check it out-- fall in love and take a moment to truly ponder about what brings your hope, why do you make church a part of your life and most importantly why are you Mormon. I have been pondering and trying to plan my own card for the blog but have no yet finished it. Check it out HERE
But be sure you see their challenge-- it is worthwhile.

Now I offer a toast (with sparkling apple juice of course) to the new and great blog of Hopefully Mormon!

Christmas Cards

2009-12-15T09:25:00.003-07:00

I really wanted to make Christmas Cards this year and send them out to everyone I know.... once I finished I took one look at the completed project and I knew that I could NOT send them out.... Adam and I carfully selected grandparents and a few Aunts and Uncles that would have to love our Christmas Cards no matter what they look like.... For the rest of you I am truly sorry and I will try again again next year. :) so here is a picture and there is our little top ten for 2009 I hope that you enjoy it! If you will please put it together, in your head, in a nice and fancy way that would make me feel much better about this.

The Evans Top ten events

2009

10. Tami throwing up out of the moving car window on the way to the hospital for Adam’s surgery. It was just as bad, and funny, as it sounds.

9. Car crash… Adam hit his first deer while trying to pick Tami up from school.

8. Having the one-and-only Bronco Mendenhall sign Katelee’s diaper (it was blue and cloth… we still have it).

7. BYU beating Utah can I get a whoop whoop!!!

6. Seeing the GREAT, the AMAZING, the life changing WICKED!!! (best gift ever!!! Thanks Tara)

5. Having the greatest neighbors in the WORLD surrounding us and their friendships supporting us.

4. Accomplishing our first year of marriage… a lot happened in a year.

3. Adam was asked to be on the heart team—and he accepted! Adding to his time away from family but showing the trust that the doctors and the hospital have in his abilities.

2. Tami graduated from BYU! She successfully walked across the stage very pregnant and very happy to have this degree done—now on to the next.

1. The addition of Katelee Bell to our family. She smiles, laughs, spits and plays with us bringing so much joy. Who knew that we could fall more in love with our little angle every day?

We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Love,

Adam Grant, Tami Kate and Katelee Bell

5 MONTHS

2009-12-10T08:53:00.004-07:00

Can you believe that Katelee has been here five months! She is so much fun and keeps me smiling. She knows that she is a princess and with Aunt Aimee's help she now knows what one should look like.

She is a real treat and a very happy baby--I feel so lucky to get to watch her change and move and grow.

TaTa

Our lives

2009-11-17T14:10:00.006-07:00

I FINALLY got my sewing machine working! It is old but oh-so-beautiful. It belonged to my father's mother, who died while he was still in high school... this machine is forty years old! I get an arm workout just lifting it. As soon as I buy thread and fabric I will learn how to make something great!

The two above pictures were taken on Katelee's four month birthday. She was at work :) such a hard worker! she loves to try to roll and smile. This is where she plays while I am at work-- she seems to like being there, most of the time.

Katelee also LOVES her uncle Tyler--- who doesn't? He will do anything for her, including let her ride on his lap while he picks up the leaves/mow the lawn. She loved every moment of it!

Adam was on a flag football team... since these are the shirts they wore I called them the Highlighters! GO HIGHLIGHTERS! Next year maybe they will win a few more games.. only time will tell. I enjoyed going to games mostly because there were friends there to talk to and it would get me out of the house.

Shout out for Crystal Loveridge :) I love you! I am so glad that I joined a family that you joined too-- I need more of you in my life... I put the sewing machine on here so you can see that I am ready to take on Linda lessons! :)

PHOTOS

2009-11-16T11:39:00.006-07:00

FAMILY PHOTOS 2009!

What do ya think?

The great Dan Hixson took them! He and his wife Amy are a real treat to work with!
danhixsonphotography dot com if you want to check him out

So many changes in the air for us! Seems like every day Katelee is a little different-- oh so fun! On a sad note we no longer have internet :( posting will be difficult but not impossible. Since I have one faithful reader no ones lives will be harmed... well perhaps mine.

I will be posting soon about Adam and the HIGHLIGHTERS as well as the Katelee's 4 month birthday celebration! with a few other items too! :)

Ta Ta for now!

IDAHO

2009-10-11T11:15:00.004-06:00

Katelee and I jumped in the car last Sunday and headed to Idaho. First stop was to see a dying Grandpa :( Grandma and the Redford clan. Katelee is a really good little traveler. It was hard for me to see my Grandpa in such condition. Conversation I still cry about

Me: I love you!

Grandpa: love you too, tell your husband hi

Me: I will, he will come with me soon

Grandpa: If I am still around then...

The killer is, he was seriouse!

It was fun to have Katelee around my family, dogs and all! She must tast good becuase the dogs wanted to kiss her NON-STOP (don't worry we did not let them-- well just for hte picture we did)
Katelee also got to play with Grandma--- A sight that some of us will never forget!

Next stop was to see Brody, Callie and Elisa! What a fun treat!
Katelee loved being with her cousin Elisa and Elisa introduced Katelee to ELMO-- "lalalala lalala Elmo's World." It was such a great treat to be with Callie and Brody! Thanks for letting us come!

And through most of it Katelee was so happy! I am not sure when we will get to do such a road trip across Idaho again but it sure was great! Adam welcomed us home with excitment and joy as well as a newly vacumed floor (I love newly vacumed floors).

Sick on Sunday

2009-10-11T10:36:00.003-06:00

Since I have a sick husband and a sick baby AND it is Sunday I thought for part of my "home" church I would do a quick blog. I love Sundays: I get to be with Adam (usually) and other than going to Church I have nothing else that must get done. So today as I hear random noises from a sick family and run around trying to make sure everyone has everything they need I feel a little sad that all of this happened on Sunday, the Lords day. I suppose He understands better then anyone else does. :) I know He died for me but I also know that He lives for me. When I was living in the holy land and was able to see the Garden Tomb I LOVED the sign on the door of the tomb.
This door screams the testimony of a risen Christ! So today, on his day, I give tribute to my knowledge that He is the ONLY way I get back to live with my Heavenly Family as well as my earthly family again. So in case you have not heard it recently Big Brother Jesus, I LOVE YOU!

Love, Love, Love

2009-10-02T21:34:00.004-06:00

Love is an interesting thing. I love my so many things.
My job, oh how lucky I am to have a job that lets me bring my baby, leave town anytime, and have flexible hours.
My sister's Aimee came into town late last night.. oh how I love having sisters. (side note we discovered that Aimee is not only found on the walls of Wal-mart but now her beautiful face is in the main hall of Provo High School... It is true my sister is officially an important person!)
BYU football-- I think I was born with this love, it came from my father.
General Conference and can I add I NEED general conference.
My husband who took the day off to spend more time with me before I leave town for a week. Katelee who makes everyday an adventure as well as keeps me smiling!
Great neighbors!
Great Food!
and Great Sleep!

I love being able to LOVE people, things and life!

TaTa for now!

Does life get any better?

2009-09-14T14:49:00.005-06:00

I have been thinking about how great it was to fall in love with Adam. Then how great it was to marry him and continue to fall more in love with such a great man! Then however unexpected it was I fell in love with a child-- now I am completely baffled with the love I find everyday for this little girl. I love being a mom, I love being a wife I love being me, well, most of the time.

Can she get any cuter???
Katelee also got to meet my grandparents this last weekend! What a treat that was. My Grandma and Grandpa Treasure are examples and hero's of mine. Lee is my grandpa's name-- it is wear Katelee gets the "lee." I must point out his eye's-- I would kill for eyes like his.

I had a few sad mom moments last week-- first one SHOTS! AHHHH I nearly cried but remained strong as poor Katelee screamed her little head off. :(

Second was a hospital visit for Katelee, she needed some x-rays. I was doing okay until I saw this!I could not stand with her, or hold her I could not even touch her. I had to stand behind a wall and all I could do was watch. :( such a little girl for such a big scary table!

We both survived :)

Being a mother is GREAT, even when i have to take her for shots!

TATA for now!

Katelee-- eight weeks old

2009-08-31T16:08:00.001-06:00

Katelee is growing so fast I can not keep up with her. She loves this jungle toy (thanks Tyler and Crystal for letting us borrow it).

Adam and I are learning just how great it is to be parents. With a child like Katelee we can not help but enjoy it. She is very mild tempered (most of the time), she loves shoes :), is a great sleeper (I appreciate this SO MUCH), when she smiles I get giddy, she is pretty much 100% sweet! She is just starting to jabber and any day now I think she will start smiling... on purpose!

Everyone tells me that she looks like Adam, sometimes I agree. :) put since getting Adam home long enough to take a picture is impossible! you only get me... sorry!

TATA

A first!

2009-08-23T20:16:00.005-06:00

No one has ever talked about ME on a blog before. I mean sure my name may have been mentioned before but a entire post about ME? UNHEARD OF! I just had to share. You can read it too, here los cooper cinco -- let me know what you think.

Our Saturday

2009-08-03T15:14:00.002-06:00

We spent our Saturday helping a local service club, The Exchange Club, Adam and I are both members, raise money for the prevention of Child Abuse. Which somehow included this,

I am trying to find a better picture of this (have to get them from the Desseret News) but for now I will explain. For our fundraiser we had Bronco (BYU head football coach) help us with a motorcycle ride we called "Black Leather and Cougar Blue Ride." Katelee has one blue item and it is a cloth diaper (her dad picked it out) so I put it on her for the event. This picture is taken right after Adam had Bronco sign Katelee's blue diaper. By the look on Bronco's face when Adam asked him to sign the diaper it was a request that he does not get often. :)

What a Saturday!

TATA

How does time fly?

2009-07-27T11:36:00.006-06:00

I can not belive how fast time goes. Katelee is now over three weeks old-- AHHH. Adam and I really love having her around, we just can't get enough of her. This Sunday we bless her (you are all invited-- 9am-- e-mail me for address or directions). She is such a good baby! Here is a quick photo that was taken on Friday, she is grownig fast!
Yes she is wearing a cloth diaper--- I LOVE them, wish we had more! I also can not help but show you another picture... this one should make you laugh. :)
Yep.. that would be the bird....I hope this is not a sign!

More to come, things are good-- we are both hanging in there :)

TATA

KATELEE BELL EVANS

2009-07-11T20:43:00.007-06:00

As I think about the events of the last week I can not help but be completely overwhelmed with everything that has happened, mainly the arrival of our sweet Katelee Bell. A quick recap for you

5am check into the hospital-- I was induced
10am water broke (help from Dr. Weibell, who we love)
11am pain meds (given by Rick, who we also love)
7pm Katelee started reacting poorly to some of the contractions :( Dr. Weibell still giving me time...
8pm "cut time is at 8:30" said the nurse... (I cried)
-- apparently my pelvis is to tight and she could not drop down-- this was confirmed during the c-section-- totally not fair. If my pelvis is to small then I should at least be able to look like my pelvis is small but Dr. says that the placenta being in front could also have played a roll in keeping Katelee from dropping down. He also told me, while smiling, that I would have been one of those pioneer women that died trying, wish that made me feel better. For me there is a personal disapointment that comes with the lack of ability to give 'vaginal' birth, I am still trying to figure out why that is. Still sometimes cry about it especially when people begin to lecture me about the falsity of a womans pelvis not being large enough "they are built for that" etc. I suppose they have never been me but really why do some people think it is okay to say these things?

8:49 Katelee made her apearence, bringing her sweet daddy to tears-- I was already crying.

The rest of the night is a bit of a blur but the perfect little princess is a treasure to have in our family. We are all at home and adjusting. Adam and I are LOVING having Katelee with us. I can't drive yet (meds) so I am looking forward to not being locked inside all day. My mom will call and ask if I want to go... it does not matter where it is I say YES! Please!

NAME?? each part of Katelee's name comes from someone in the family. KATE is after, well... me (my best friends and most of my family call me Tami Kate becuase, that is my name)... but Kate is also after my great grandmother. LEE is after my grandpa Treasure-- a hero of mine. BELL is after Adam's grandma Bella-- a woman that never tires of doing good, she can find a way to smile about everything, and accepts everyone just the way they are not to mention is one of Adam's FAVORITE women in the world! Bell is also the maiden name of my dear friend and second mom who lives in Texas, which is WAY to far away. :)

Born: July 3, 2009-- 7lbs 6onz-- 19 inches long

She does have a few issues but some of them are showing great improvement and others will be a part of her for all of her earthly life. To us she is perfect!

:) TaTa for now!

NEWS

2009-07-01T21:10:00.001-06:00

Good news! The baby will be here soon! The doc says I am ready to go-- no more needed to be said SIGN ME UP! By tomorrow night the little girl should be in our arms! Can't believe it is here but at the same time I can not believe that it took so long! :)

Just one little note

2009-07-01T10:17:00.003-06:00

I have decided one thing, if this baby does not come soon I am going to enroll in the Army. I figure if that doesn't get her to come it will for sure KILL me.

The love...

2009-05-19T15:16:00.003-06:00

So much love these days! Yesterday my great husband came home from work only to find me in the nursery asleep--on the floor. I have no idea what happened but I know that I was there. I am sure that I ruined his day. He ran to the grocery store to pick up a few things and it was not until we were half way through dinner that he told me the hospital offered him a job on the heart team. We have heard that an offer like this would be coming but it had been weeks and I had started to wonder if they changed their minds. Adam will officially start training on Thursday. He is so excited! So now, if any of you need open heart surgery (which I hope you do not need) Adam is now your man! This will be such great experience and it really shows that there is a lot of trust in Adam and his abilities at work-- WAY TO GO ADAM!

My sister Aimee and sister-in-law Callie put on a GREAT baby shower for me and Peanut this last weekend Adam got a gift too...
This is Adam's "Daddy's Toolbelt" it is great! complete with gloves, goggles and masks! My dear friend Janet Robinson made this for him, Adam loved it so much he put it on as soon as he saw it and didn't take it off. He is so excited to be a daddy! There were great gifts for the baby too. :) so many in fact that I do not have room to show you all of the great things that she got. I hope to get pictures of the event becuase when Aimee is involved there is a certian flare that people need to see:) Remember the bridal shower? If not this link will help refresh your memory.

Happy Tuesday!

TATA

Jerusalem!

2009-05-18T11:41:00.003-06:00

When I was in Jerusalem my professors really wanted us to meet an LDS woman named Sahar, she is a Palestinian woman that lives in Bethlehem. Why I was living in Jerusalem she was not allowed to cross the wall and come to church. I had to go to Bethlehem to meet her. She is amazing! She spoke to the students that are in the Jerusalem Center now and one of the students wrote about it! I can not put it any better then she did. It is a great read of a Palestinian ending up at BYU and the changes that she has dealt with. You can read the story here.

My view...

2009-05-07T21:09:00.006-06:00

This is the view I have every time I look down. Notice that my belly is now the largest part of my body--this is a miracle when you think of what it had to pass.

I have finally come to the understanding that I am scared out of my mind to...
1. go through labor
2. be responsible for a completely dependent child and
3. be a mom

Tonight, while Adam was away, I sat at our dinning room table and cried out of fear (or pregnancy hormones but either way there were tears). I thought to myself, how is it possible that the Lord could trust ME with one of HIS children?--I, the one that messes everything up.

There have been people asking to see the bump I have formed with a child of God within it. Well I must admit that pictures at this point are the last thing I like--I am swollen head to toe. However, I had a professor tell me that there is nothing more beautiful then a pregnant woman--the more that I think about what is happening, a human being created and living within a woman-- it is beautiful. So I tried to overcome my fears of looking ridicules in front of the camera and took a picture for those of you that have been wondering just what a swollen, pregnant Tami looks like. :)

So here it is, me with six weeks to go. A shout out to Callie for loaning me the shirt and to my mother-in-law for the pants (I would have nothing to wear without sisters and mom's).

The head is missing to protect you, I promise!

TATA

Some things MUST be documented

2009-04-30T20:31:00.004-06:00

So if you do not know my parents I first must say that you are missing out! They are crazy and very entertaining but I never thought that they were capable of this...

We, the children, allowed our dear parents a vacation just the two of them in Hawaii. After this we may never allow such an event to take place AGAIN.

For those of you that are wondering, yes that is my father and mother getting TATTOOS! Upon returning home they giggled about these tattoos for weeks. But I decided that things like this need to be documented, for posterity of course. Although these tattoos were only temporary and have long been gone it is the moments like this that a child should never miss out on!

TATA

WAHOO!!

2009-04-28T19:33:00.001-06:00

The day has come when I can say complete to at least one thing. GRADUATION! Last week was busy, finished finals (that I did not study for), had two days of graduation, went to California to see Craig and Erin get married--much more to come on this. All in all it was GREAT! I really love school but I am SOOO glad that I get a brake. In two days of services I was able to hear from President Uchtdorf, Elder Nelson and Elder Oaks it was wonderful.

What an amazing blessing it is to have been able to study at a place like BYU. Now on to the next adventure..... I fear that this next one will be a lot more challenging....

Loving it!

2009-03-28T09:12:00.008-06:00

This will be really quick, Adam thinks I am finishing homework. :)

When Adam was a baby he used this bassinet! okay I can not tell a lie, he used the white wicker bassinet underneath everything you see. My mom and I girlied (is that even a word?) it up a bit. Okay another lie, my mom girlied it up a bit-- I well, I, hummmm, well okay I really did not do anything. Nonetheless this is officially the babies first, and so far only, piece of furniture! Don't you love it? I told some friends last night that the pioneers did it with next to nothing so maybe Adam and I will try that approach. Things with the baby seem to be going great. I have noticed that my desire to get away from the bathroom may have been in vain... now instead of throwing up I have sudden bursts of---I gotta pee-- and I therefore must run fast. This has brought much entertainment for Adam.

Also this is a call out for Aimee Cooper's amazing key lime pie recipe... all of my sisters are not answering my phone calls (I am not sure why). So if any of you readers have her recipe please pass it on. I was suppose to take it to dinner last night but could not find it. :( Aimee if you are reading this I would love to get a call from you. :)

TATA for now!

TIME FLYS

2009-03-12T09:26:00.003-06:00

I can not believe that spring is almost here. The baby is growing fast! Her heartbeat gets stronger and faster every time we are at the doctors office. I LOVE our midwife and secretly pray that she is the one that will be there when we deliver. My stomach is growing in all sorts of ways but the best news is I FEEL GREAT. :) I have not thrown up in about a month! WAHOO Now that I feel better I realize just how crappy I really did feel. :) glad those days are over for now.
I have a conffssion to make, I am leaning towards using cloth diapers, yes you read correctly. :) It took my dad a little while to come to terms with this idea but I think he is excited about it. I have my eye on a few different kinds but like I know what I am doing-- let me know if you have any recommendations.
I am so supper excited this week because my wonderful sister Heidi has packed up her family and is driving to California, once there she will ONLY be 12 hours away from me but the best part is I will get to see her and the family in UTAH next week.
There is something to be said about sisters, I have three (two living) and a great sister-in-law. if I could explain to them what they mean to me I would be so glad but I can't. Most nights I lay awake hoping that in some way I can help them in life as much as they have helped me. :) Today I am grateful for sisters that can call and talk about nothing, lift me up after rotten doctor appointments, throw me showers when no one else will and best yet laugh with me no matter where we are! So to Aim, Hoser, and Callie THANK YOU!

Today, what a day

2009-02-17T20:35:00.005-07:00

Some times you just have to tell someone but there is no one to tell. Well this is one of those times. The baby is doing great! She is as beautiful as those ultrasounds will allow and she is now, drum roll please, 15 ounces! PEOPLE that is one ounce away from a POUND--in my belly! Okay if you look at me you would think that she HAS to be bigger then one pound but no she is not. My placenta is in front, that does not mean anything bad but it does answer the question as to why I have not felt her moving yet.

I had some tests done to check up on issues, the tests were not fun nor where they really informative but today I got a call on test results. The nurse proceeds to tell me "I have good news." With this my heart gets excited that the possibility of the rotten word, cancer, will be removed from all further conversations with a doctor. Or even better that the whole thing has been something that really is nothing! Her sentence continued, "you do not have a STD," after laughing for a moment (duh, I could have told you that I do not have an STD-- why not ask) I thanked her for the information, but I wanted to say that I am a law abiding LDS girl just to clear my name but I kept it all inside. Now the only reason that I share this information with you is because today for the first time in my life I thought of myself and STD in the same sentence. Who can say they have done that? Just as I thought, not many of you! I hope I have not offended any of you, I should put a disclaimer in that one of my very best friends has an STD in fact she had it even before she had accomplished the S part of an STD and you know what, I still love her, if you are reading this I hope you are smiling. :)

I have come down with ANOTHER cold, rotten things. I have been blowing my nose so much it is not only red and raw but bloody. YUCK! As from my description I hope you can tell that I avoid all people. I took a box of tissues with me to school today(opened it last night) and it is amazing In my last class I finished the entire box, who does that?

I suppose I could bore you with other details of our lives but as for now I hope that you have smiled and hopefully laughed all things are meant in a light hearted way.

TATA

The beloved Peanut

2009-01-31T08:56:00.003-07:00

I hope that this helps inspire some of you to share a name or two. :) My Aunt Dawn (who is not only beautiful but perhaps one of the strongest, happiest and BEST women that I know) taught me that it is okay to save all of our skinny and cute genes for our daughters, even though this picture does not show it--I saved all of my good genes for this little Peanut!

We have called her Peanut so long perhaps we should name her that? What do you think, Peanut Evans hummmm.

Adam and I both have tests today so we are off to try and be responsible students. Ha Adam and Tami being responsible who thought they would see that in the same line? Not me!

TATA

How do we do this?

2009-01-22T18:01:00.003-07:00

I have been promising an update on this here blog for months now. SORRY! Allow me to fill you in with what I have been doing. :) Aside from getting through the holidays and starting back to school I have been really busy making a placenta-- which for the record is not that fun-- I have made best friends with my toilet gotten the flu and a cold--for which I could take NOTHING--and many more less exciting things. Adam had surgery, oh the joys of moving in with Tyler so he can help take care of a pregnant and throwing up woman as well as a can't get up on my own and pain pill taking man (we make a GREAT pair). :) Now things are starting to settle down (if you just read that I would appreciate it if you would now knock on wood) :)

The doctors are worried about a few things with me so I have more doctors and tests to do but Adam and I feel okay about everything. Adam can get up on his own now :) he also started back to work last week and pain levels keep going down. I was released from my calling, this is a really long story and involves everything from tears to anger so if you want more details, beware!

The best news we have to tell everyone is. . . IT IS A GIRL! Adam and I are very excited, not that we cared about the gender. We are allowing everyone to put in their vote/choice/like for a name-- I have a few in mind but they don't all match Adams... okay none of them match so any names you like, but will not be mad if end up using, please pass along. :)

I will post a picture of our beloved "peanut" as soon as I remember to buy the cord that connects our scanner to our computer. :)

TATA

Change

2008-10-22T19:10:00.005-06:00

I love fall. Leaves of every color that with a gentle wind can be blown into a beautiful swirling leaf masterpiece. Well this fall the leaves were not enough. I wanted to change me. I will not boar you with my new resolutions and high hopes, but I will tell you that my wonderful husband made a hair appointment for me. I took the chance and CHANGED! (this is in no way an advertisement for Obama) I promised my sister-in-law Callie that I would put some pictuers up since she is typically the only person I trust with my hair. Well she is the only one that really cares enough to insure that the outcome is not going to require a hat (this is perhaps because she knows that we are family) :) Just kidding but she is what I would call "my hair dresser" so now that she is far away and I needed to find a back up hair dresser I know that she will enjoy seeing these. I hope that you can find something that you like about this change. I am sure that there are more changes comming! Stay Tuned!

Weekend with the EVANS

2008-09-26T15:23:00.006-06:00

It is wonderful to spend time with family. Although I am very new to the Evans family we had a great time in St. George. Shopping, eating, swimming, watching movies in Mom and Dad's hotel room :) and TUACAHN to see Les Miserables! It was so great! I could not have asked for more. :)

Thanks mom and dad, it was GREAT!

This thing called Love

2008-09-24T20:43:00.014-06:00

Each day gets better... These photos are from our recent trip to Cancun-- a trip that we will always remember. The things I will remember most, are
1. Our first time share presentation together (isn't that sweet)
2. FOOD, FOOD and MORE FOOD
3. Adams face as he zip lined over lakes and jungle (he is afraid of heights)
4. Riding in "Mexican Limousines" (they are golf carts)
5. Virgin Pina Colodas (I LOVE THESE)
6. Eating dinner on a pirate ship! (steak and lobster..... SOOOO good)
7. Mexicans dressed up like Micheal Jackson (it was as awkward as it sounds)
8. The ruins! Love the Myan people
9. The Ocean and all of the views it provides
10. Alone time with my A-man (priceless)

As you can tell we had a great time. We signed up for everything we could fit into our schedule and we enjoyed being busy and seeing so much. Honestly now that we are home each day gets better. How lucky am I?
Ta Ta for now

Sun- Beach- Food

2008-09-07T14:16:00.003-06:00

The good news is we arrived in Cancun yesterday! WAHOO! We just happen to be staying in a VERY, VERY nice all inclusive resort. For those of you that are like me I will explain that with this thing they call "all inclusive" they put a wrist band on you and everywhere you go everything you do or eat or want is free..... yes I lie not! one word... AMAZING! The Ocean is beautiful and WARM! tomorrow we start seeing the ruines and we have big plans to take a little boat and just the two of us out on the ocean. I have my camara and am taking pictures of everything so you can either be more jealouse or decided to add this to your want to visist list or maybe you can just droul and dream (that would be me if this was not a gift for our wedding). There is bad news first I am sick-- feel like crap most of the time (don't tell Adam I am trying to act like nothing is bothering me) and second I forgot the cord that goes from the camara to the computer so you will have to wait on the pictures. All in all we are LOVING this little get-away and if we could we would bring you all here with us to really have a party. I do have FREE (yes included in this great thing called "all inclusive" is long distance to the USA so if you want to chat just let me know!

One more thing to document how lucky we are. Adam was severly disapointed when we missed the BYU game yesterday.... well upon arriving at the PALACE we found a sports bar and asked if they knew the score of the BYU game the nice Mexican man found the score and the game so we were able to watch the 4th quarter, for Adam this was like the lottery. It was totally worth it! GREAT game (although I will for a moment state that BYU should have beat Washington by more than one point but hey, a win is a win right?)

TA TA for now!

Happy Birthday to ME!

2008-09-04T20:25:00.003-06:00

So for those of you that forgot about my birthday (older sister maybe:)) My birthday was a few weeks ago-- it was so cute seeing how my very own Mr. Evans made it a great day.

I got to go to dinner with some friends to my FAVORITE Thai restaurant!
As you can see I wore my CUTEST hat and we had a BLAST! YUMMY.

Don't worry A-man gets cuter. He was able to get off of work early and sneak home while I was still at work he did this so he could decorate! What a treat, I can remember the last time someone decorated for my birthday and it was a long time ago! Thank you my love it was a great birthday!

QUACK-- QUACK

2008-09-03T21:56:00.001-06:00

Aimee and the boys came into town for the big BYU football game last weekend! GO COUGS! In an effort to entertain three young stripling boys as well as their favorite aunt Tami we went to feed the ducks! Although each boy has a little different way of feeding the quacky things we all had a GREAT time. Jameson even taught some ducks to practically jump up for their little morsal of bread.

Bridals!

2008-08-27T21:12:00.009-06:00

My mission president let me take my bridals in his back yard (this is the same place we had the bridal shower.. see earlier post for pictures). It was beautiful! Aimee came into town, and together with mom with three of us had a BLAST!

mom took some pictures along the way --- in case you wanted to see.... the photographers pictures turned out a lot better if you want to see them go to her website www.annapagephotography.com the bridals are on her blog in June-- under "tami" :) I like to hear what people think so please tell all!

The best part of this experience took place while I was standing on the spiral stairs....
It was here that Aimee decided that it was a good time to tell me that while I was on my mission she read my journal.... AHHHH never fear although I was in a state of having my photo taken later while we were walking on the grass I tackled Aimee and I think I got pretty even. :)

St. Louis

2008-08-23T21:54:00.002-06:00

St. Louis was so much fun for Adam and I, he really had a lot of people watching him to see if he is as great as I said he is. There was a vote taken by my Uncle Sid to see if people approved of Adam or not... for those of you that are worried, Adam passed with flying colors. We stayed in a great hotel and our room had a GREAT view of the arch--- I should clarify here that we stayed in the same hotel room as my parents and we were not in the same bed. :)

Adam is afraid of heights but somehow Tyler and I convinced him to join us in the arch, getting Adam to look out the windows once on top was a lot more difficult.

Another one of the highlights of the trip was to see Stanley Kim reconognized for his years of presidancey and time on the board. He now wears a diamond lapel pin as a sign of the clubs appreciation for his past "reign" as president.

I know that this is a short overview of a week of fun! Virgin Peach Daiquiris are now one of Adams favorite things, thanks to the Georgia hospitality suite.

Briadal Shower at the Gallands

2008-08-22T21:47:00.000-06:00

I AM BACK

2008-08-22T20:55:00.002-06:00

For you faithful Bloggers I am sorry that I have been out for so long I will try to catch you up on what life has been like since I returned from the GREAT Jerusalem. Once I returned to the arms of Adam Grant Evans I was so glad that the wedding date was only 6 weeks away! I did manage to fit in three trips to Idaho, two weeks with sisters, nieces and nephews, bridal pictures, two bridal showers, a week in St. Louis --including an open house for the two of us and well a few last minute wedding details and as much Adam time as I could get in. :) so yes life has been busy. I will try to update you one thing at a time! Hold on it will be a CRAZY ride but it is a blast and well worth it!

Jordan

2008-06-13T00:56:00.003-06:00

In Petra part of the National Parks Staff dresses up like Nabateans! These guys are so nice-- well in reality they do not say anything but the smile and stand there as long as you want them too. :)

DONKEY! I rode this donkey for about 25 min. it was so crazy. My donkey wanted to run the entire way so we did... I thought I was going to die in a few places but we all survived and the only damage was some poop on my pants! YUCK! It was totally worth it!

Yes this is carved out of stone! This is the Monestary- it was used as a tomb. Notice the size of the people... it is HUGE and it is so beautiful (this is the sight that the donkey took me too.) The rock is full of natrual colors and it is AMAZING to climb in them. There are shops around all of Petra full of little children that really melt your heart, especially when they ask you for money.

Dead Sea

2008-06-07T07:46:00.004-06:00

The cave is where some of the Dead Sea Scrolls were found! There were 11 caves that had scrolls in them. The coolest thing happened here, my professor Dr. Seely told us that he was one of the translaters for six of the scrolls! I really could not believe it. The dead sea scrolls gave us documentaion for thousands of years that we had never had any information from-- they truely are amazing!

This is a really bad photo but it will have to work for now. I have others but they are not on this computer sorry. The salt, the mud, the floating it was all an experience. My friend Kaola dove into the water---that was not so much a good idea. After a few moments in the Dead Sea you realize that the salt begins to burn your eyes at any contact, your lips will never taste the same (sorry Adam), and the one thing that no one ever warns you of- is the other parts of your body that do not like the amount of salt. Yes things burn that should never burn. :) Those of you that have been there understand! And if you understand I want to know why no one warned me! How Rude! Once I realized I was not the only person in the Sea that was feeling a burning sensation I understood that I was going to live and that the damage would not be permant I had a lot more fun. All in all I loved it! The mud may be in my swimming suite for the rest of my life so if anyone needs a little exfoliating let me know I bet I can find enough in there for a few faces. :) Tomorrow I go to Jordan! Petra, donkey rides and who knows what else. I will post as soon as I get back!

The Life

2008-06-04T12:30:00.006-06:00

Galilee was amazing, night after night we just played on the beach, what a great thing to do. I really enjoyed it, so much to see and to learn about the Savior! There is a strong spirit everywhere you go and it does not matter what direction you go-- there is something to see (typically it is all old and very hot but there is still something to see).

One night we went to a fish place right on the Galilee to eat. This picture was taken right after I finished my meal, yes to all of you doubters I eat the entire St. Peter's fish! I even eat the eyes-- something I never want to do again.

I have some other great photos to post but I am all out of time. Tomorrow I get to swim in the Dead Sea... okay I get to float in the Dead Sea--I am excited either way.

This place is BEAUTIFUL!

2008-05-27T11:38:00.004-06:00

I am in Galilee but I wanted to share a few quick things I am limited on my online time so this will be fast.

I am at Caesaria right on the Mediterranean Sea WOW one of the most beautiful places I have been! Within these ruins I am standing on is where Paul would have stood before the Caesar to be tried. (since Paul was an attorney he always buts up a great fight!--- sounds a lot like my brother-in-law)

Okay so one of the best things I have ever seen is this, hundreds of people lining up to get baptized in the Jordan River. It was just so amazing. I smiled from ear to ear the entire time. Although it was all I could do to not say anything about them being a lot off on their religion but I still think it was a sight of a lifetime.

I will take picture of the Kubutz we are staying on right on the beaches of the Sea of Galilee you all be jealous (it is true!) I love you all. Just finished my LAST midterm!!!! (that will only excite me until finals start... )

Talk to you all soon.

Off to Galilee

2008-05-24T12:38:00.003-06:00

I am on my way to Galilee. I am really excited since this is where the Savior would have grown up I believe that I will have some great experiences.

We started the New Testiment yesterday with class then a field trip to Bethlehem AMAZING! the Church of the Nativity is pretty overwhleming but last night we went to the Shepards Field and eat dinner then has a fireside as the stars came out we finished with some great alone time with flashlights and journals. For me it was a really neat and spiritual experience.

I love you all and I will talk to you soon!

Tami Kate

City of David

2008-05-22T11:59:00.004-06:00

What a day yesterday was! We went to the City of David , where it all began. I got to see the place that David would have lived-- the area where Bathsheba would have lived . There is a large excavation cite there where they have found homes from the same era as Jeremiah, amazing to see. Next we went through Hezekiah's tunnel! When Hezekiah had this built it was for two purposes 1. getting water into the city and 2. protection of their water source or their spring. The water got pretty deep on me.... that may be because I am so tall and luscious. On the pillars is starting to the left, Allison, ME, Brandon, and Lexie. This was right after we came out of the tunnel.

Yesterday we had two finals (I think the average on both of them was around 50%--- ouch! I promise they are just REALLY hard classes) Today I finished final number three, it was old testament so tomorrow I start the New Testament.

I leave on Sunday for another adventure. Time seems to go by so fast but so slow at the same time. I have seen more in these last few weeks then I ever thought I would be able to see while I was here, and I have only just began. I know this is the experience of a lifetime, I hope you are gathering how amazing this is.

EGYPT

2008-05-18T11:06:00.009-06:00

What a trip! I have returned "home" free of any obligations to any restroom! That is a HUGE accomplishment. I only have time to show you a few things I hope you enjoy them! :)

It is totally typical that when I am crossing the Siani dessert something is going to happen... yes the bus broke down and I was looking at this ..... in my large and spacious seat on an Egyptian bus with an Egyptian armed guard, a tour guide for about 45 min. On the bright side there were no problems with what I like to call being "Egypt Sick." I will explain, you see there are things in Egypt that will hurt your stomach and digestive track in a way that suddenly the most important thing in life becomes the water closet (bathroom as we call it). But for a moment think of being Egyptian sick and running to the bathroom only to find that to get in you must dig through your bad to find money then to get toilet paper you dig through again to "tip" in this situation tip is clearly the wrong choice of words. Then to your surprise there is no toilet, yes the john is missing! instead there is a small hole in the ground and after much hesitation the verdict is to try and use it but only because if you do not dieing seems to be the best option. This is a glimpse of what I witnessed in Egypt. :) and it all started by staring out at this dessert.. I will admit I was ignorant (my brother-in-law Jeremy would say that I am always ignorant.)

I loved ridding the Camel through the villages though I learned how poor and third world Egypt really is, that was heartbreaking. My camel leader asked me to marry him several times, some while rubbing my leg. After one of my fellow guy students (Randy) caught on to what the leader was doing Randy acted like my boyfriend (Sorry Adam) but it did not work I guess in Egyptian boyfriend means get this girl away from all guys and continue to hit on her. Oh well I like the village and it really opened my eyes to how much these people need.

The last picture, for now, is the train. I got on the train around 10:00 pm and we rode through the night from Luxor to Cairo. This was an experience that I will never forget. One of the guys shut a cabin door on my friend Erin's hand-- broke two of her fingers and boy was there a lot of blood. She was in bed the rest of the Egypt trip. I may have slept about 2 hours on the train. My roommate had come down with a good case of Egyptian sickness and I think she threw up in style. This picture is the train I was on I am so glad I am not on it now. Although I can say that I have never felt like I was attending Hogwarts before... :)

Egypt was really fun I keep all of the food I ate, my dignity and I did make friends with a camel I am pretty happy with the whole thing. The temples and ancient pyramids are amazing those pictures are hard to put here... perhaps I will later. We swam and snorkeled in the Red Sea on the way home (after I spent 3 hours trying to get across the boarder, the whole class had to wait for me. At least I was not strip searched like my friend Brandon).

I am safe and sound back in the Jerusalem Center for finals week! Mom said all I have to do is pass and I am hoping to do that. :) I love this city! Love all of you and let me know how you are doing!

Today is May 8th what a week!

2008-05-08T05:01:00.008-06:00

So much has happened I do not know where to start! To say that life is CRAZY would be a complete understatement! Yesterday we had a 10 hour field trip that was amazing, pictures below are from that. Tomorrow I have midterms (yes that is just wrong! to start mid terms) and Sunday I leave for Egypt. In orientation today all about Egypt we learned how girls can avoid being assaulted (groping is a large problem apparently) how to not drink, shower, or brush your teeth with water there... a camel safari and a snorkeling trip. All together it makes up one FANTASTIC trip! So my goals for the next week include 1. no diarrhea 2. make friends with a camel 3. keep ALL of my dignity 4. survive crossing the border more than once and 5. enjoy the company of the armed guard on our bus.... I hope that made all of you a little more comfortable because it is true every bus has an armed guard, I am wondering how much money it will take to have him escort me personally? So now that you know what is coming up (I won't have a computer or phone for 6 days sorry!) I will tell you about yesterday! WOW is the first thing that came to mind. The country is amazing yesterday was Israel Memorial Day at 11:00 am a very loud siren went off all over the country everything, cars, strollers, people, and the occasional cat (they really like the Jerusalem Center but they are UGLY) stopped to pay their respects for memorial day, it was amazing to see.

Here is a picture of the Valley of Elah (yes to some of you that will mean nothing) this is the valley where the Philistines and Israelites met, only problem is the Philistines have a HUGE Goliath on their side. :) yes somewhere in this field is where David conquered Goliath. Defending his home city Bethlehem (that is where the Philistines wanted to get to). I learned how to use a sling shot, the kind that David would have had.

So maybe I did not learn all of the "right" ways to use the sling shot, according to the picture. This all started with me wanting to be a knee-phite or nephite. But now that I see this picture I think I was more of a lame-n-ite. Aside from me being silly seeing this place was really amazing. Another thing that we did yesterday was go to Micha's cave. This has no biblical significance but some AMAZING war stories come form this cave.In short, the Romans would have to remove all their armor to chase people because to get to the cave you have to crawl through a tunnel (this tunnel has very small areas and some corners are very sharp. There is no room for armor. Once they got to the cave there was a massacre waiting for them which equals a blood bath. Romans do figure out that they should not follow through the tunnels and end up smoking the cave and killing all that were hiding but as a group we used it as a spiritual experience and it was amazing!

This is me (again) at the largest part of the tunnel this is really the only way into Micha's Cave. I LOVED climbing into it. Once in, there is nothing but darkness (I mean only until I turned my flashlight on). I can not remember a time that I have been in such darkness before. WOW.

Yet another thing that we did as we drove around dirt mountain roads in large buses , while trying to keep all food in ones stomach and admire perfectly straight vineyards. We went to what is called the "bell caves" these caves were made so that the chalk could be used (most likely sold) much like we use plaster this chalk would have been a base for construction needs. It was mined (harvested?) by forming small holes (about the size of a well) then just kept going down. There is beautiful acoustics in them (we sang a lot and had members of Mo Tab that sang too) and they have beautiful walls and scenery. Some girls and I wanted to send a message, we used one of the holes to help us! In case you can not tell it says I - heart - you. I thought this was good to put up right before mothers day - I love you mom. And it is always good for me to tell Adam. :) yes Adam even from across the world I love you!

This trip makes me feel really dumb because I know so little. Nonetheless I really enjoy learning or attempting to learn this great information. LOVE YOU ALL. There are a lot more pictures but to spare you, they can wait until I am home!

ME!

2008-05-03T09:25:00.005-06:00

Okay so I thought I should prove to you that I am here, not just my camera.... so here are a few photos of me around some of my favorite places.
First here I stand in front of the Old City to my right is "Hell" (they never told me the real name of it). A valley on the South end of the city.
Next is me in the tight staircase of Auguste Victoria a very large tower that is connected to a church and a hospital this church is on the Mt. of Olives and was a great view from on top.

Last is me right by the Garden Tomb.

2008-05-03T08:33:00.004-06:00

Okay after these last two days I just had to post some things! First yesterday I got to travel all the way around the city to look at the city from all angels (north- east - south and west). Today was also amazing because it is the Sabbath. My first one in the Holy Land. WOW just for a moment imagine sitting on the Mt. of Olives looking out over the land where the last supper took place as well as the atonement and partaking of the body and the blood of Jesus Christ. You got it, one AMAZING thing to do! It was fast and testimony meeting so the spirit was so strong it was tangible. After church I walked to the Garden Tomb where (some) historians say Christ was buried, I also saw where historians (some again) say that the cross would have been. WOW all over again! the two pictures above are the tomb and the door of the tomb.

My VIEW!!!

2008-05-01T09:57:00.004-06:00

okay so I just had to share the views from the balcony that is attached to my bedroom! I hope that you love these as much as I do!

Quick

2008-05-01T03:39:00.002-06:00

It is Thursday the 2nd of May I arrived in the Holy Land at about 3:30AM today! I am soooo tired, no rest though we started classes today and have a walk around the city in a few moments. I learned that I can get a calling card really cheap- I hope to get that working tonight. I had the time of my life yesterday in Austria WOW. Vienna was just amazing. I gota run but I will post pictures soon!

Some "HOT" shots on a COLD day!

2008-04-18T10:38:00.005-06:00

It was really cold outside (this includes rain, snow and wind) but our fearless photographer still got some great shots! The best ones are on there way to your mailbox within a few months.....

Adam Evans Pops the Question

2008-02-22T20:05:00.005-07:00

Adam Grant Evans asked me to marry him and I said YES!

It seems unreal to say that I am engaged so I will skip that part :) and just say that I LOVE him. Adam is fantastic! He is from Orem, but is buying a home in Provo (I guess it will be ours) This picture was taken when we went to Vegas to babysit for Aimee-- One of my favorite things about Adam is his love for children. He has a strong testimony of our Savior and I feel like a better person when I am around him.

A quick version of the "story" Adam made me dinner--we eat by candle light-- since it was a special day we each had gifts for each other so after dinner we gave each other little tokens of love. :) Dessert time followed, Adam knows that I LOVE my sweets. instead of anything sweet Adam handed me my coat- off we went up Hobble Creek canyon to have dessert picnic style. Side not is I think it was 22 degrees outside and it had snowed the day before so picnic was not number one on my list. :) We had the picnic in the back of Adams car with blankets and pillows along with battery operated candles around (it looked great). Adam gave me my box with cheesecake in it when I opened it I said something along the lines of "this is not cheesecake it is chocolate" after I said that Adam reached over and took my piece of chocolate cake. In my moment of despair, because I lost my dessert, I screamed "I will still eat it, I like chocolate" nearly at that moment Adam opened what I thought was cake and inside what really was the ring box was a beautiful ring! He did get down on his knee to show total submission to me :) After I figured out what was going on I said yes without any thought to it, I could not pick anyone better to spend my life with!

The Media Impacts Daily Life

2007-12-06T10:24:00.000-07:00

Above all else I am my own person, molded through experiences and acquaintances. In this brief break down of personal characteristics, how mine differ from those that I associate with, and my relation to a limited media effects theory please remember that everyday I am impacted by the media and acquaintances, because of these interactions the particulars of my stand point may change and many of them can be argued from different angles and theories.

Personal Characteristics:

There are three characteristics that dictate most of my media use, they are, my gumption, sensitivity and opinion. Looking at this as an analogy each characteristic holds a string, each string is attached to my heart and as I intake media if the intention is to be engraved on my heart, it must pull on one, or more, of these strings.

Gumption has a large string it makes me different then my friends and family, not to say they don’t have gumption, theirs is just not the same as my gumption. Gumption can be defined as initiative, aggressiveness, resourceful, courage, spunk, guts, and common sense all mixed in with shrewdness (dictonary.com). Those are lots of words but going deeper, gumption is not only a trait but something I strive to attain. One word encompasses so much so this overview will be barley skimming the service of how gumption directs much of my media use. I am driven to find knowledge and facts. There are many times when I do not look far enough or find that what I thought was right is wrong but nonetheless there is a passion within me that gives me the drive, or initiative, to stand on my own two feet. The media give me information but I look at that information as a starting point I go from there and start studying. There is a famous song by Garth Brooks that exclaims “life is not tried, it is merely survived if you’re standing outside the fire.” This one line in a song continues to pull on my gumption heart string because within all of the aggressiveness and initiative lies a courage that I want to drive me to new heights and new accomplishments—to live my life. I have friends that are completely satisfied standing on the sideline and taking information as others give it to them; they have no drive to find out the truth. They simply believe whatever the last thing they heard, as if accuracy or truth increases over time. Even in the news we see that life is not “news worthy” unless we are standing in the fire. My fire changes from day to day but the thought remains—do I avoid the flame? My answer is this; the only flames I avoid are the ones that a Prophet of God has told me to.

It is my sensitivity that dictates my desire to do good, years ago I watched the movie “Pay it Forward,” there are many lessons that I learned from this movie but it was my sensitivity that lead me to want to try it out. I don’t have any miraculous story to tell about what happened but in my own way I “paid it forward” and have thought about it everyday. There are examples of bad people in the news everyday what my sensitivity thrives off of is the good people that are left in the dust. Wendy Bird, a woman that saw a need in the Philippines, where there were abused and abandoned Filipino women. Wendy began right away to support their business of jewelry making by importing it to the United States and selling it for them here. The women that work in this specific business are the sole financial support for their families (My Princess Pearls). The story of Wendy is not unusual. I allow myself to be directed to do things, sometimes to much, by my sensitivity but I have never regretted any of it. Although my sensitivity moves me to get out and act on something this is much different then my mother’s sensitivity moves her to stay home more and attempt to make a difference from within her house.

Opinion is not something that I openly share. Rather it is something that I share when I feel that there is something I can add. John Stuart Mill would be upset with my view of this because according to him, there is something for everyone to gain from a shared opinion (Mill). Opinion greatly influences what I will allow myself to participate in. Unlike my best friend Tara, I have an opinion about very violent and graphic movies, she has an opinion that they are not only good movies but good for you to see—we disagree. I can list hundreds of times when my opinion has disagreed with others in edited movies, music, newspapers, video games and many more but a difference in opinion is a way for me to re-evaluate my media intake to insure I am allowing enough in but not too much.

Everyday I receive a new outlook or an increase of knowledge from friends and family. I do believe that “people come into our lives for a reason to help us grow bringing something we must learn and we are lead to those that help us most to grow”(Schwarz). The examples that have been given are only some of the ways that I differ from my friends and family but ultimately what it comes down to is, my friends and family that have helped to shape each particle of who I am. I am defiantly different than any other.

My Theory:

I find it difficult to support one theory, there are qualities from each that if put together would form a theory that I could whole heartedly support. I do believe that media produces images that in turn mold society. However an important note to make is that people do not have to be exposed directly for the images to affect them these ideas come from the Cultivation Theory. It also says that whatever media we allow into our lives it will affect and change our lives (Cultivation). One of the important characteristics of this theory is the distinction between heavy and light viewers. I am a light viewer, “light viewers may have more sources of information” (Cultivation). As a light viewer I find the media to play a key role in shaping my life, I in turn help shape the lives of the non-viewers.

What this theory does not include (as far as I found) is, to what extent that it is pervasive efforts penetrate, a measurement of the extent of change in ones life. Here is an example of short term change is after 9-11 the country had a sense of unity, power, and patriotism. After a few months that had dwindled and the country seemed to allow things to return to how they were—for the most part. Was there an impact? Yes, people were changed in some way forever but the changes that were made by the images of people jumping out of a falling tower and fearless firefighters running into the same building that had brought this country to level of unity, would not and I would argue could not remain. It is the same in my life, things make a difference but how “deep” that difference goes, how long it lasts that is all up to how many of my heart strings it pulls.

Sources

1. Brooks, G. Standing Outside the Fire. Lyrics from web site, http://www.allspirit.co.uk/fire.html

2. Cultivation Theory. (2004). University of Twente. Found on web site, http://www.tcw.utwente.nl/theorieenoverzicht/Theory%20clusters/Mass%20Media/Cultivation_Theory.doc/

3. Dictionary.com. (2007). Definitions found at web site, http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/gumption

4. Mill, S. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Also found in the Basic Writings of John Stuart Mill: On Liberty. Used from web site, http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/mill/

5. My Princess Pearls. (2006). Mission Statement. Found at web site, http://www.myprincesspearls.com/category-s/13.htm

6. Schwartz, S. (2003) For Good. Wicked. From the Soundtrack sung by Idina Menzel and Kristen Cheoweth.

The Ultimate Gift!

2007-12-06T10:01:00.000-07:00

People gathered together waiting for the words to be read, words that have the potential to change the rest of their lives. These words can control your future; give you things you have always wanted and move lives where they have never been. These words are the words that are within a wealthy relative’s will. Okay let’s be totally honest, some of us don’t have rich relatives. Therefore, the act of reading a will is a rare, if ever, occasion. But the idea of this rhetoric pulls people in because of the dynamic dimensions it allows a receiver to fit into. As we discuss The Ultimate Gift and Kenneth Burke, you will see the connections between the two could go on forever.

A brief overview of Kenneth Burke and his Logolgy Theory, in an effort to keep the concepts very easy to understand, this explanation will be broad but simple. As a definition of rhetoric Burke said, “[it is] the use of words by human agents to form attitudes or induce actions in other human agents” (Introduction p. 2). The power of words is what Burke believes is the motivation for a person to act. Burke broadens this definition by saying “the use of language as a symbolic means of inducing cooperation in beings that by nature respond to symbols” (p. 2). Therefore, one can be motivated by literal words as well as by symbols. Burke has many smaller points that we will discuss as the paper continues but, there is another very defining feature in Burke’s theory—his use of “identification.” Which he uses to describe the connections that are made between people, one may call it the “common ground” (Griffin p. 298). It is through this “identity” that Burke pulls out what people are interested in, what they oppose and with this information discovering what motivates them.

Now that we have briefly talked about the theory that we will be using lets cover the popular movie that we will be discussing—The Ultimate Gift. The story is set in a typical wealthy American family (at least what some people would unconsciously think as typical). “When his wealthy grandfather dies, trust fund baby Jason Stevens … [discovers] his grandfather has devised a crash course on life with twelve tasks – or “gifts” – designed to challenge Jason in improbable ways, sending him on a journey of self-discovery and forcing him to determine what is most important in life: money or happiness” (Ultimate Gift).

Now lets take the importance of words that Burke has given us and the “gifts” that the movie shows to see why this movie is popular. The grandfather demonstrates that he understood the importance of words, the will that he left was written by him. However, for Jason, his grandson, the will was not written at all—it was on a DVD, recorded while the grandfather was still alive. This small act has made a connection or as Burke would say “identification through similarity” with this technology driven generation. Viewers now think of the possibilities that they could leave a will in a similar fashion. Another time that rhetoric is what appears to be a change of attitude in the movie is yet another real life situation (this one makes all the girls feel good). Jason, the grandson, is talking to the attorney that is overseeing his completion of all of the “gifts” they are talking about women the attorney looks at Jason and says “treasure her, and become the man she deserves.” A few small words but to Jason it was a new idea to think about someone else (like most boys). This brought the movie onto an elevated level for the girls and hopefully a welcomed thought for the boys. As well as to an understanding that there are faults in people that may have so much money, to many people before they have always seemed somewhat perfect.

Burke brings out a point with his take on symbols saying that they either give you a sense of right or wrong. When one sees injustice the feeling naturally comes to resolve it, this is done to get rid of any guilt. People that have any amount of feelings of inadequacy, perhaps they feel as if they have accomplished nothing in their life because all they seem to do is go to work and school, a constant battle to feed themselves and family. The Ultimate Gift takes these feelings and helps to resolve within the viewer’s heart where true worth is found. It also takes the feelings that most have when an encounter takes place with a wealthy person that seems to have things so easy. For example Jason has never even had a job, initially just the thought of that sounds so nice to everyone but in reality we are about to learn different. A little innocent girl that is not tactful in any way lets Jason know what kind of a “looser” he is—in these moments the viewer feels as if there is justice in the world. However, in just a few scenes it is learned that Burke was right, “wherever there is ‘meaning’ there is persuasion” (Introduction p. 3). The meaning begins to shine through and a prideful Jason becomes a strong mountain to a small family. Not in a financial way as one would expect, he has to grown above that to help. Jason finally begins to put himself into someone else’s life and worry about them. At that moment when the actor decides no inheritance is worth missing a chance to help this family; that the viewer also realizes there are things in life that can be distracting from what we should be doing. To borrow a thought from my mission president’s wife—the enemy of the best is the good, this is true in rhetoric as well as in the gospel.

Imagine finishing a movie in a large theater, the last scene has just finished and the screen is black for a few seconds before the credits start to roll. There are no tears, no sounds of people clapping, no voices analyzing the movie as you might hear after Harry Potter and no movements no one grabbing for a last bite of popcorn and all purses are still on the floor. The finish was nothing spectacular, and there were no feelings of guilt—now you too have been there—the end of The Ultimate Gift. This is what Burke has been trying to get across; the movie is no way “orthodox.” There was no action scene, no swearing, no sex, and no making fun of life. There was nothing in the movie that would tie it in with the rest of the movies that were blazing in other theaters. The ability to fall in love with a movie through the “pentad” had been displayed, at least for some. “All his life, Burke fought against orthodoxies—anyone who claims that guilt motivates all public speaking can hardly be said to embrace the status quo. Thus, it would be a disservice to his memory to teach his pentad as a static, establishment device. Thus, as students struggle with the dramatistic pentad, they need to understand that ultimately the concepts are simply tools for understanding; a way to begin textual analyses that makes a difference in the world” (Griffin p. 229). In the trailers and advertisements for this movie the wording used drew people into see it because it leads to promises that any person today wants to understand. Some examples are as follows: “the story that keeps giving” and “discover the ultimate experience” it is these words that made the audience feel okay about their decision to watch the movie. Now, at the end of the film, in darkness and silence it is the rhetoric that is playing in the minds of the audience. The ultimate experience has taken place. Rhetoric has pulled them in and gotten inside of the viewers and challenged them to change and make the world better, which is what Burke argued is part of the purpose of rhetoric. If we skip forward to days or months later looking at the viewer’s life we see that the movie has helped people face failure, become the person that the people in their lives need and deserve and focus on what is really important.

Although The Ultimate Gift did not make billions of dollars in the box office it made a large difference in the way that people identify with others. It used language to “create systems of meanings that are shared by groups of people” (Baldwin p.93). By using mortification, victimage and transcendence it allowed every person to grab hold of a “gift” and take it home with them. These are just a few reasons why The Ultimate Gift is a popular movie.

Sources

1. Griffen, E; McClish, Langan. (2006) A first look at Communication Theory. Found at web site: http://www.afirstlook.com/manual6/ed6manual.pdf

2. Introduction to Kenneth Burke. Found at Web site: http://bradley.bradley.edu/~ell/burke.html

3. Rosenfeld, L. Set Theory: Key to the Understanding of Kenneth Burke’s Use of the Term “Identification.” Found using HBLL library search through articles.

4. The Ultimate Gift website: http://www.theultimategift.com/movie.php?cid=1560810621&cat=movie

The Not so Easy Road

2007-12-06T09:58:00.000-07:00

My parents, like most, tried for years to teach me that there is an easy way to do things. However, as of today I still have not learned that lesson. I find myself here in Communications Studies at BYU, not the easy road for me. If easy is what I was going for I would be graduating in Math. With many pros and cons I can confidently say that although it will not be easy Communications Studies holds the magic that I am looking for with my education.

There are three questions that I ask myself while I try to decide what field I not only love but want to do. The questions are 1. What am I good at? 2. What do I love to do? 3. What does the world need? To answer each of these questions with the same career would be ideal; however, I can say for me that will never happen. My answers, in relation to communications, are the following. What am I good at? I am not an expert writer in fact I would consider writing one of my largest weaknesses. However I am good at putting my heart into my work, this may sound like a contradiction however it is this basic principle that I find crucial, especially in communications—for me this is a large pro to my major. Within Communications I can tap into what I am good at, creativity for example, and use that to make up where my writing lacks. Question number two asks what I love to do? One of my largest strengths is that I love to do a lot of things. I do still have a number one I love to find a way to work and help people. For example, to take the things that I learn from Communications Studies, and my continued education, and be able to help make a difference for a community by using my knowledge to better a non-profit. It was a turning point for me was when I realized how badly I want to be involved with my community. As I began doing that I came to a new understanding of how important it is to have knowledge of Communications—another pro. The third question is, what does the world need? This is the largest pro of communications, in my opinion, because the world needs honest people to study and understand the communications field. This would include interpreting good advertising, PR and articles but more importantly the understanding of how communications orientated this world is becoming. However, this is not just a pro it is also a con. Because as I learn more about all of the angles and effects of communications I see how easily a good thing can corrupt a person or company. I also see how quickly a good thing can be taken and abused.

There are many more things that I consider to be pros to Communications Studies. Such as the broadness of the major, it is broad. This helps me tap into more of my interests and keep my brain from focusing too much on one part when there is an entire sea that I want to know about. This is also a con, as we talked about in class there is no specific “job training” in this major. But what I am looking for is graduate school training and according to my counselor this is a GREAT place to get that.

Communications Studies not only fits into my future plans it fits into my life right now. I use the knowledge that I gain to help local child abuse preventions organizations and work on national projects for a non-profit. Although I do not usually break down a communications theory for any of these things I can still use a theory to help me understand how to get the correct message across to the correct people. I am excited about continuing my education with a Masters of Education, and eventually a PhD.

I want to be a part of the rising force of communications. As it continues to build a stronger reputation and as it continues to show the world just what kind of power good communications holds. I find myself at times just holding on for the ride, but in the long run I intend to make a stand and help people understand a field that I believe is looked over and under appreciated. Communications Studies contains within it a certain level of magic and mystery. It is not a vague subject it does opens so many doors and allows me to choose which one will best fit. It also is always changing I can not help but wonder what will come next and how I will fit into it. A career full of informing people and making a difference is more than achievable with Communications Studies—it is just part of the job.

I LOVE MY BIKE!!

2007-09-14T14:03:00.000-06:00

My newest passion is riding my bike! I have really enjoyed turning this new page. I bought my bike as my birthday gift to myself. After owning it for 5 days and riding 13 miles I participated in my first century ride (that means 100 miles). It was the UCLER in Utah County, it goes from Thanksgiving Point around Utah Lake and back to Thanksgiving Point. I did not not finish all of the miles in the race but I did enjoy myself! Since then I have put well over 100 miles on my bike and I just keep enjoying it.

This picture of Tara and I was taken right after the ULCER.

2007-09-14T13:13:00.000-06:00

There are few things in my life that I love as much as my nieces and nephews! This is Colston and his sole purpose in life is to LOVE his aunt Tami! He is doing a great job. To bad that Las Vegas is so far away but at least it not as far away as Kansas!

Bug and Tami

2007-09-14T13:07:00.000-06:00

I have a confession... I have no problem having a 15 year old as one of my best friends.

When I think about what boys are suppose to be like I remember Tyler. Although he is far from perfect (sorry to tell you that Bug) he is a great example of what attributes a boy should have. He is funny, witty, nice (most of the time), not scared to do anything, respectful, and knows how important it is to be on the Lords side.

Thanks Bug! you teach me a lot. Maybe if I didn't hold other boys to your standard I would have more of them in my life. :)

2007-09-14T13:04:00.000-06:00

I believe I can FLY!

The 2007 National Convention was in Portland! It was great! I got to travel around a bit before the madness started but here I am just enjoying the air!

Rico's House

2007-09-14T12:57:00.000-06:00

The family that I work with in Habitat for Humanity has finally had their ground braking! It was wounderful! Lots of people, good food and a great family started their home. We will be building this house for about 5 months before it will be done (unless we work really hard and get some good help). I can not wait for things to move along--this family is worth it. We do need help though so COME HLEP!