Lost Keys

Yesterday as I was getting ready to leave the house, I couldn't find the keys to my car.  I had had them earlier because I had to switch the car seats around, so I knew they were somewhere close.  I looked and looked, and couldn't find them.  As I searched, Silas entertained himself.  At one point I went to check up on him, and where did I find him?  Right here:

And what was he doing?

What is that he's grabbing?

 Good thing I've got him around to find those things I lose! (Or he loses.)

I sure love that boy!

The thing about "W"

I am a Wiebe.  I've been a Wiebe now for almost six whole years.  I have to admit, when I became a Wiebe it took me quite a while to accept it.  After 23 years, I was pretty attached to Evans, so when I got my drivers license changed, the guy at the registry had to assure me that I was not legally eliminating Evans as my name, I was merely changing what I went by.  Fewsh.

Acceptance is the first step.  Embracing is a whole new level, but I am actively trying to reach that level.

So, let me tell you the advantages to being a Wiebe:

1. As a teacher I just got the whole Wiebe rhymes with Dweeb thing right out there.  Once a teacher announces the insult no junior high student would be caught dead using it.  So not cool.

2.  Being called on last isn't always the worst thing in the world.  After all, it gives you a few precious minutes to finish that assignment, memorize that presentation, or hopefully be saved by the bell. (I'm a chronic procrastinator, so every second helps.) If people are calling around for volunteers or the like, I'm just guessing that they usually start at the top of the list, so by the time they get to Wiebe, quota's filled!

3. In my constant search for uniqueness, there are definitely less Wiebes in the world than Evans. 

4. Pluralizing Wiebe is simple.  Evans?  Well, is it "The Evans are coming to dinner" or "The Evanses are coming to dinner." By marrying a Wiebe I am doing my part to make grammar just a little easier on the world.

5. W is the only letter in the whole alphabet that has more than one syllable.  And it has THREE!!!  Again, very unique.

With so many advantages, whatever was I worried about?!  Surely everyone wants to be a Wiebe, and is dying of jealousy of me right now.  Good thing I am so good at making boys, because one day the lucky girls who marry my boys will have their wildest dreams come true!

In an attempt to embrace the Wiebe in me, I've found a few crafty gems of late to display my love of it.  I am a Wiebe, and I may as well be proud of it!

For the "Wiebe" sign I got the inspiration from this shop on Etsy (have I mentioned lately that I love Etsy, because I do!)  The boys and I spent a few hours wandering the isles of Home Depot looking for the right material.  For five letters I wanted five different textures.  The barnwood I got from Jared's Grandpa.  The rope for the "E" we made when we visited Nauvoo last year with the Snells.  We were supposed to put it on our mantle as a conversation piece, but I think it serves a much more appealing purpose here.

Here's a close up:

The "W" I bought from the sale rack for $1.25.  It was beat up and white, so I painted the sides black, Mod Podged on scrapbook paper (which I had to buy and cost more than the "W"), and sanded the sides to give it a weathered look.  So cute, I know!  The best part... it's double sided, depending on what kind of mood I'm in:

Now that my embracing of my name is underway, what other crafts can I find?

In Canada, where folks are never mean

In Canada, they'll treat you like a queen!

I had a roommate my first year at BYU that would sing me those words, a song she learned in elementary school.  I'm not sure I completely agree, but I love that she believes it!

On July 1, my wonderful country, Canada, celebrated her 143rd birthday!

As per Evans family tradition, I loaded up the kids and traveled down to the centre of the universe, Raymond, Alberta, for THE best Canada Day celebration around.

Why, you may ask, it it the best? Well, at the parade they throw candy, of course!

Here's a few shots of our day.  Happy birthday, CANADA!!!

Grandpa-Great got to ride in the parade in Uncle Mark's old car.

4 generations.

 Silas missed the parade, but didn't seem to mind.

Messy Party

Cousin Benny turned 9 this weekend, and for his party he had a Messy Party.  What little boy doesn't just love to throw food and get messy?  Okay, two of the boys weren't too into it, but the rest had an absolute blast!

What is a messy party, you may ask? Well, it starts something like this:

And if you add some whip cream, it turns into this.

Give the kids some Jell-O and it really begins to materialize.

Enter ketchup, you get this. 

Don't forget the cooked spaghetti, the carrots and peas, mashed potatoes, and even more whipped cream.

And before long, you will know just what a Messy Party is. 

Don't forget the cake.  Who needs plates and forks? (Come to think of it, that's how the Evanses have done it for years, and we didn't even call it messy!)

Honestly, a lot of fun was had!  And, the insects of the neighbourhood will be enjoying the party for weeks to come!

Birthday Gifting - I think we'll call it GIFT 6

I'm poor.  I don't plan on always being poor.  But, for the moment, I am poor.

That being said, all the fabulous gifts I would love to bestow upon those I love will have to wait until my ship comes in.  Until then, I have to make do with what I've got.

I've got horses!

Today was my nephew Benny's birthday party (which was total awesome, by the way!) He got lots of lego, and cool toys, but we gave him some quality time, on horseback.  His present is to have a riding lesson, and then go for a trail ride with me and his mom.  I like giving this, because I find it hard to go out and ride as often as I like, so an excuse to do it is something I can live with.  Can't wait to party with my favourite nine year old!

Mop Top

Alice says I need a girl so I can grow her hair out.  I say I've got two boys with beautiful hair, so who needs a girl!

Okay, so that's his hair at it's worst, and maybe Alice has a point.  So, out came the razor and this is what we ended up with:

As much as Silas needs it, I just couldn't bring myself to cutting his hair. He is so sweet, even if Grandpa thinks he looks like girl! So the razor has gone away, and Silas still has his beautiful locks.

There's a snake in my boot!

I didn't want to cry. 

I didn't mean to cry. 

But seriously, when Andy said goodbye to Woody, I couldn't help but cry. 

Go, and bring Kleenex.  You won't regret it.

I'm not really big on commercialism and such, but Eli's love of Buzz Lightyear just drives me crazy with the cuteness.  Since Silas was born and Eli watched way too many movies for six months, Toy Story has been his very favourite.  We went to the third movie on Saturday night and seriously, I LOVED it!  Pretty sure I'm never throwing out another toy again, ever!

Eli came right home to play with his own Woody and Buzz.  Who can blame him really, they are the greatest.

And, thinking about my boy growing up and saying goodbye, made me cry just a little more.