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Sunday, April 11, 2010

5 Browns and Carson's weekend!!

This weekend, the 5 Browns, siblings who all play grand pianos simultaneously, performed 2 pieces on 5 Grand Steinways at Schmidt Music near our house. Carson and I attended the concert at the store advertised to us by email.

Carson got to meet the 5 amazing siblings. Carson shared with, Ryan, the oldest, that Carson struggles with tourettes and he still plays the piano and loves it. He also conversed with Desirae, the youngest Julliard graduate, who has lost her sight in one eye and is learning to live with this disibility. Desirae continues to excel at playing and memorizing very challenging music. Carson was so honored to meet such amazing musicians and MORMONS! We expressed our amazement at this young girl's strength through her disibility.

Sunday night we attended a special presentation at our Lenexa Stake Center Church and heard each of the 5 Browns play a solo piece as well as share inspiring stories and testimony of their faith.

Desirae, the last presenter, began her talk sharing the story of Carson and I meeting her at Schmidt. (did not use our names--unknown to her) She talked about disabilities and how everyone struggles with some weakness or challenge. Relying on the Lord for strength and faith can "make weak things strong."

What a powerful testimony of enduring trials and learning and growing from them. I am so thankful Carson was acknowledged. (about 500 people were in attendance) He was so happy and pleased that she mentioned him. I am grateful for his sweet spirit. It was certainly a "STARSTRUCK" moment for him!

What a powerful week it has been for Carson!

Beginning of Festival Season

Those who have a child in a school music program understand how much is involved in SPRING FESTIVAL season. Brandon and Hunter are preparing for their ratings on April 14 and with the help of their dedicated directors, they are well rehearsed and prepared to deliver a moving performance.
The following are the performances that professional music educators will rate them on for the 2010 season.

Doc Roberts has directed Brandon for FOUR years. Brandon will miss him.

The proud grandparents attend the concert

This is the LAST picture of Hunter with his BRACES. His friend Jake Hirschi did a quick change.

Brandon and Kristi Koncak have been dating since February.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

100 Scriptures Memorized....future missionary in the making

Brandon's Saturday night event was a culmination of four years of study of the scriptures. He recited, from memory,

100 verses of various lengths,

passages that he has been memorizing while attending high school. He is blessed with great memorization skills and bundled with hard work, he completed this goal--only achieved by a few students!!! We are thrilled he chose to set this as a goal and earn such an honor.

Brandon and fellow seminary student, Danica Gille pose with Brandon's t-shirt that he earned

Friday, April 9, 2010

Carson's BIG DAY

Today is a big day for Carson and before he headed out the door, we made sure to invite the spirit into his heart and those of his 100 5th grade classmates.

Carson has tourettes and his more recent TIC has been extremely noticeable. Several classmates have inquired (some in more teasing and demeaning ways) as to why he does not stop his behaviors because it is annoying to them. He will stand in front of those students and explain to them all about his "syndrome" and educate them as to why he can't control his tics.

The Tourettes Syndrome Association and our psychiatrist provided us with a thorough presentation that is kid friendly.

Carson says he is RELIEVED to be telling his peers and not nervous.

Prayers for CARSON please!!! (and MOM too)

PS Carson ROCKED the presentation. We are so proud of him.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

What is a young mother to do?

No--I am not a young mother

(my oldest will be going off to college in the fall!!!!)

Just young at heart!

We recently returned from our LAST full family Spring Break! Most likely, Brandon will be serving a mission for the LDS church next year at this time!! SIGH SIGH! As I reflected on our first time safely attempting the theme parks with 3 young, energetic boys, I recall some major differences from our 2001 Disneyland adventures compared to 2010!

I'll be posting some smilebox albums recording our most recent travels to and from California so before I finish--enjoy a look back in time. Will you be able to spot the differences?

(not the OBVIOUS hair loss, hair color change, size change!)

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Jessica's Princess Party

Before we left for Spring Break, I sent out evites for this Princess Party and then put it out of my mind.

Simply maneuvering the days of a vacation and meeting 5 people's needs without losing one's mind, money, momentum and memory is a major accomplishment. After doing this for 11 days, I was ready to relax.

On the way home from California, Brad dropped Jessie and I off at my sister Tanya's house in Windsor Co and he proceeded to travel home with the boys to return to school and work. We shopped for 3 days, watched movies and went out to lunch. Jessie and Lauren, of course, came along wherever we went. What a beautiful relationship for our daughters.

I planned to help Tanya with her kids drive to KC for her Spring Break. Her and my parents would then travel to Greg's home in Georgia to welcome their 3rd girl, Sara. Due to a late Winter Colorado snow storm, we ended up leaving one day after we planned and it just so happened that Jessie came down with a fever and threw up the night before we left. Typical for a road trip---some kid gets sick!!!

After arriving home late Thursday night, I needed to complete a long list of tasks EVEN BEFORE thinking about the party. Of course after EVERY vacation, I get bad headaches, mostly caused by let-down and withdrawal from caffeine, which I use medicinally to survive vacations.I fought a headache for 3 days, but managed to get ready for Jessie's princess party.

Lauren is the ultimate PRINCESS and wears a disney dress almost everyday so how appropriate for her to be at this party. Tanya dug out our wedding dress that 3 of us Evans girls wore and practically forced me to put it on! Since I have no PRIDE, I did and had a blast being a grown-up princess.
Oh the joys of having a daughter.