everyday Ann

living the ordinary seeing the extraordinary

Seasons of Change

As the seasons of life change, I am reminded that the love of family continues to grow.

I had never experienced significant change in my life growing up, we always lived on the same block, in the same house, always went to the same school and had the same group of friends. When I started high school I remember feeling some anxiety over all of the changes that were going to be taking place in our family.  I guess I was perfectly content with how life was. I was beginning to face the fact that our family wouldn’t be the exact same again, as it had been for so many years. My older brother was leaving for college and I was starting to think about my future plans. And in the end I guess you could say God has a sense of humor as I was the one who flew the nest the farthest.

Through the changes in life our family has grown and expanded, weddings, births, anniversaries and many blessings. From a family of five to soon a family of 11 (in two months) and God willing the addition of many more in the years to come. My little brother (as I have always referred to him and probably always will) is getting married in October!!! As I have mentioned before I am sure I will be one hot mess, waterproof mascara recommendations anyone?!

I had the joy of spending this past weekend celebrating in preparation with family and his bride to be!

All the lovely ladies in our crew at the beautiful bridal shower.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Sisters! So, so blessed to have them! Something I always wished for growing up. Now only if we lived closer. Can I just say my brothers picked the most wonderful women!

Change allows beautiful people into your life, people you would have not otherwise known or met. People who become family and bring you much happiness, love and laughter. People who teach you many life lessons you would have otherwise missed out on, people who help you become a better you.

Today I can look back and say I wouldn’t have it any other way. The joy and love that have accompanied the change is irreplaceable. Not to mention the excitement in seeing us all start our own families.

Also, this weekend I realized even at 30 I will always be my parent’s little girl! For that I am grateful and only hope to be able to serve and care for them some day as they have and continue to do for me. After a busy weekend with hardly any sleep, they drove the first two hours of my drive with me so I could catch some Zzz’s and be well rested and awake for the next 4 hours. So thankful!!

Savor the Sweetness

Having been feeling the stress of life and the adoption process lately, we decided to get away from it all for a long weekend. Just the two of us, a little respite and lots of laughter. Renewing ourselves and allowing our minds and hearts to be at rest, just living in and enjoying the moment. A few views from the needed R&R.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAA view of the village life along the shoreline.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAAbove the trees in a 75 foot tower. A little scared walking up, but the view was breathtaking.

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Casually acting like I am not scared of heights. Notice how small the boat looks below.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAStill enjoying the waterfront view even when it rained on our parade.

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When life gives you lemons, make lemonade and add lots of sugar! Savor the sweetness and drink it all in.

A Promise is a Promise

I love the little things in life that give cause for pause and serve as a reminder of simple life lessons.

Lesson 1:

We spent Memorial Day weekend at the lake with family and enjoyed what seemed like the first taste of summer, finally hitting 80 and seeing some sun.  As we made our way out the door for Mass Sunday morning, it felt like it was going to be a warm and sunny day, perfect for being on the water.  My six year old nephew asked if I would go tubing with him later in the day, he had been wanting to since the day before, so I agreed.  By the time we finished brunch, the clouds rolled in, the wind picked up and the temp seemed to get a bit cooler.  Later that afternoon we decided to all bundle up and go out for a boat ride.  While getting ready for the venture my little nephew gave me a reminder, “Remember Cass you said you would go tubing with me.”  Not the ideal weather, but I thought to myself a promise is a promise.  So I geared up in a wetsuit and away we went!

Giving a little wave to the camera man in between our singing and convo.
Love spending time with my godson!
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Lesson 2:

Also on Sunday I had told my brother and his fiancée I would go for a run with them the next time they went, as they have been running on a consistent schedule.  Sitting around the breakfast table Monday morning thoroughly enjoying my coffee and scone, my brother informs me of the departure time of the said run.  Oh no, I assured him go on ahead without me, it’s okay I’ll just stay here for today.  Besides, I didn’t want to slow down their pace.  Without skipping a beat my brother reminded me of what I had said the day before, a promise is a promise.  Slightly reluctant, I laced up and dare I say felt a little satisfaction upon completion of moving these limbs a bit.

The takeaway, say what you mean and live what you say.

Who is Ann?

The truth is out; Ann is actually my middle name. Just call this the reveal all post!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERABack in Catholic Elementary school we were assigned to do a research project on our baptismal name or saint name. I remember thinking of how I would have liked a more unique middle name, something with a little more pizzazz, sparkle and distinction to it. After all, it seemed everyone had the middle name Ann. Of course there were some exceptions of the girls with the really cool middle names that I didn’t even know how to spell. Mine was Ann, just Ann, ordinary and everyday Ann.

It wasn’t until I was a little older that I appreciated some of the significance behind the name; it is my mother’s middle name and my grandmother’s first name. Plus, you can bet I turned to good St. Ann while praying to find a spouse, “St. Ann, St. Ann, find me a man as fast as you can!” (and truth be told, she did!)

It wasn’t until recently that I discovered the name has been in the family since 1722. Most of the Ann’s I know little about, except the name of their spouse, children and their journey to America. Some of the others I know endured great hardships and trials from a young age and yet still retained such joy and love of life.

Mother’s Day is a day to remember and honor the women in our lives who have inspired us, formed us and lead us. This Mother’s Day I think of all the Ann’s who have gone before me. The love, character and faith passed down through the centuries, brought over from another country and instilled in the next generation.

Ann may just be an ordinary name, but it’s thinking of the women in my family who have lived in such extraordinary ways that give me pride in carrying it forward.

Someday I pray to be able to give the name to my own daughter, because it’s so much more than an everyday Ann.

 

Easter Recap

Happy Easter!!!  Truly a joyous time of year filled with hope and new life!

As I mentioned a few weeks back, we decided to host Easter for my husband’s family this year.  We came to a grand total of 35 people.  In preparation my niece gave me this advice, “Just throw candy out the window like it’s a Christmas parade. People won’t even come in the house!”  Although it may have kept our house clean and tidy, the forecast was rain, rain and more rain.

And the forecast was right, it ended up being a cold, gloomy, rainy, wet day…

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But that didn’t stop the party, my husband just decided to bring it into the garage and the kids had a blast!

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Although our house looked more of the likes of a restaurant than living quarters, there was plenty of food to go around and sugar!  Come to the Everts’ where your kids are guaranteed to be filled with copious amounts of sugar, free of charge.

There was much joy and laughter shared by all and dare I put it in writing that I would even consider hosting the clan again.  The night ended on the couch with a piece of pie and 2 perhaps 3 scoops of ice cream (really who’s counting) while the clean up crew (aka husband) came in and took over.  All in all, I say success!