Proud Godmother
Little Evelyn is 6 months already! Kala sent these beautiful photos on today and I just had to brag and show you what an adorable god child we have. :) I can't wait for baby Evans to meet her cousin. We'll have a blast.
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Rally for a Cure
Last week Wednesday, I was asked to speak at the "Rally for a Cure" golf event dinner at the WBCC. My mom was the co-chair of the event and it raised around $20,000 for breast cancer in one afternoon! Here we are in our pink apparel.
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Since my little speech involves my family, I thought I'd pass it along (although keep in mind, I wrote this to be spoken, not to be read... and I know the punctuation is not proper). I am so proud to have healthy family and friends. I hope this remains!! :)
Good evening ladies. My name is Katie Evans, daughter of [my mom and dad’s names]. My parents, along with the [local family] are sponsoring dinner tonight, so I am honored to be here to talk about my experience with breast cancer. Reflecting upon what it has meant and what it continues to mean in my life is something that provides me with a profound awareness of life and love and how we should never ever take our health for granted.
So here are my facts… and I’m sure many of us are part of the same statistics. Everybody has a story with cancer and breast cancer specifically. My maternal grandmother died at age 36 of breast cancer leaving behind a husband and five kids. That grandmother’s daughter, my aunt, was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer a few years ago. As a single woman with a grown married son, she moved in with my parents for support. While my aunt remained extremely positive throughout her treatment, it was this network of support that helped get her through. We were there when she shaved her head, we were there when she was frustrated with nausea, we were there to make an excel spreadsheet to keep her prescriptions straight. Now, my grandma’s only other daughter, my mother had a double prophylactic mastectomy last year to prevent her from dealing with breast cancer. My mom is the co-chair today, but at last year’s Rally for a Cure, she was recovering from surgery. And now, I myself, at age 25 also experience breast health concerns. For the past nearly five years, I have been going to Froedert every six months for ultrasounds and checkups and last year had a large non-cancerous (luckily) mass removed from my breast along with many markers inserted for constant review.
Breast health is not something I take lightly. And as the soon to be mother of a little girl, I’d be remiss to say that I hope she doesn’t ever have to worry like the other women in my family. Needless to say, the web of cancer in our worldwide and local communities is massive – and mine is just an example of one side of the family, and one type of cancer. That being said, having cancer or having the risk for cancer is why we must be proactive and continue to support research for a cure. It’s why we’re rallying together today to raise funds and raise hope for all women – especially those who need it most. Whether it’s a survivor or someone currently undergoing treatment, support is needed. They might not ask for it, but every little bit of hope and positive energy and prayers sent the way of someone who needs it does not go unnoticed.
Breast cancer is not just about the pink ribbon – we are all aware of this disease. We don’t need the pink ribbon as a reminder of its toll on life… it should now serve as a reminder to act… whether it’s getting your mammogram, doing a self breast exam or supporting medical research.
Breast cancer is not a death sentence; it’s a sentence to live life – on purpose and with the courage to win. Not just to survive, but to thrive. To illuminate the good in life and to feel and internalize the joy of each and every day.
On behalf of my grandma, my aunt, my mother and myself… and my future daughter… and frankly on behalf of all other women and families who need support – thank you. Your generosity today and in the future is what makes the hope for a cure possible.
29 weeks
Hello baby! Mr. Evans took this one last week. As of tomorrow, I'll have only 10 weeks to go. We're getting very excited.
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Elsa's First Dance Recital
Last week Thursday (one week ago), Mr. Evans and I ventured down to our niece Elsa's first dance recital. She performed marvelously! We loved every minute of it!
Here she is dancing to a song from The Jungle Book. She's dead center, back row in this photo.
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Proud parents, Mike and Carla.
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Excited aunt and uncle, Mr. Evans and I.
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Here she is dancing to a song from The Jungle Book. She's dead center, back row in this photo.
Proud parents, Mike and Carla.
Excited aunt and uncle, Mr. Evans and I.
My Ikea Rast Hack
Mr. Evans and I have been busy redecorating our bedroom (perhaps it's my nesting). We've painted furniture, added new light fixtures to the ceiling and nightstands, hung new curtains, and gave it a new feel. We also tackled a project for nightstands that I saw on Aubrey + Lindsay's Little House Blog. Check out the project here - basically, it starts with very reasonable and unfinished Ikea Rast dressers. A little paint, stain/varnish, new knobs and... voila... beautiful night stands, if I do say so myself.
There are also fun ideas for Ikea projects at Ikea Hackers (here).
There are also fun ideas for Ikea projects at Ikea Hackers (here).
Elkhart Lake Triathlon
This past Saturday I had the privilege of watching Mr. Evans, my uncle, aunt and cousin (Lauren, as previously mentioned in a post) compete in the Olympic distance Elkhart Lake Triathlon. They all did fantastic despite the tough course and cold/rainy weather. I cannot wait to watch Mr. Evans and my uncle compete in the half Ironman in Door County in July! Hopefully my sports photography skills will improve by then because as you can tell from these photos, I'm not so great at capturing the true essence of what they really go through! Swim, bike, run - who hoo! And... go Orange Shoe. Loved the easy to spot jerseys - thanks Lauren!
Nursery Preview
It's time. We've officially begun nesting/prepping/organizing for the arrival of little baby Evans. As of today, I am 28 weeks - the entry point to my third trimester. Time flies!
Here are some photos of the nursery so far, although on Sunday my Mom and I made a haul while shopping so I now have decorations, a table, artwork, rug, baskets for the changing table, etc. I'll post updated photos as things progress.
The pink is a raspberry color and the walls are a light celery green. So far, it looks a little bland without decorations and little details, but we'll get there. :)
Here are some photos of the nursery so far, although on Sunday my Mom and I made a haul while shopping so I now have decorations, a table, artwork, rug, baskets for the changing table, etc. I'll post updated photos as things progress.
The pink is a raspberry color and the walls are a light celery green. So far, it looks a little bland without decorations and little details, but we'll get there. :)
* The "E" is for Evans in case anyone was wondering. Our little girl's name is still secret, it is not a hint.
Baking Weekend
Double Chocolate Rum Cake with Raspberry Sauce and Chocolate Glaze makes a great birthday cake for my Dad's celebration brunch I hosted this weekend! If you don't have "The Cake Doctor" cookbook, get it. It is full of super easy, but tasty recipes like this one. I also think it looks really pretty on this cake stand. :)
On the other hand, below is the very last piece of my Grandma Lorraine's Rhubarb Cake that I baked for a Saturday lunch hosted by my mother-in-law. If you're looking for a yummy, moist cake to use up some rhubarb, let me know.
On the other hand, below is the very last piece of my Grandma Lorraine's Rhubarb Cake that I baked for a Saturday lunch hosted by my mother-in-law. If you're looking for a yummy, moist cake to use up some rhubarb, let me know.
Let's slow down the world
Yesterday, I wrote about my cousin Melissa. Today, I'm on to my other super inspiring female cousin Lauren. She is a best friend, wife, cousin, daughter, business owner, talented writer and triathlete (although the order of importance is debatable and the list is longer, of course). I recently received a link to an article she wrote for a cycling team she's the leader of and I appreciated it so much I had to pass it on... click here.
Now, I am not a cyclist, a runner or triathlete. However, I can appreciate and identify with passion. Lauren has it and it is inspiring to read her words. She writes, "riding fast makes the world slow down." Isn't that what we all aspire to achieve? A balance or passion in life that helps us center upon that which makes us whole? Finding a meditative remedy is what helps our crazy lives find peace. For me, it's playing piano or baking or being at the lake.
Whatever it is for you, I hope Lauren's post is a reminder for you to contemplate on what makes your world slow down. Maybe it just might be biking? :)
Now, I am not a cyclist, a runner or triathlete. However, I can appreciate and identify with passion. Lauren has it and it is inspiring to read her words. She writes, "riding fast makes the world slow down." Isn't that what we all aspire to achieve? A balance or passion in life that helps us center upon that which makes us whole? Finding a meditative remedy is what helps our crazy lives find peace. For me, it's playing piano or baking or being at the lake.
Whatever it is for you, I hope Lauren's post is a reminder for you to contemplate on what makes your world slow down. Maybe it just might be biking? :)
Mitzy and I
One week ago today, my cousin Melissa and her husband Dave moved to North Carolina. We're so excited for them as they explore a new part of our country and explore life anew! :) However, we will miss them terribly, as will all of their friends and family.
Mitzy (as my Grandma Lorraine used to call her) and I are not just cousins, but the closest of friends. Gosh, we picked each other to be maid/matron's of honor in our respective weddings. I'll miss seeing her in person, but we'll still email and chat all of time! Hey, NC is better than half way around the world. We cannot wait to visit soon!
As a farewell/housewarming present, Mr. Evans and I found the most perfect gift! I think it pretty much sums all there is to love about Wisconsin... plus these beautiful sunny days we've been having!
Click here to see what else this Etsy shop sells. Love it!
Mitzy (as my Grandma Lorraine used to call her) and I are not just cousins, but the closest of friends. Gosh, we picked each other to be maid/matron's of honor in our respective weddings. I'll miss seeing her in person, but we'll still email and chat all of time! Hey, NC is better than half way around the world. We cannot wait to visit soon!
As a farewell/housewarming present, Mr. Evans and I found the most perfect gift! I think it pretty much sums all there is to love about Wisconsin... plus these beautiful sunny days we've been having!
Click here to see what else this Etsy shop sells. Love it!
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