Where has this blogger been?

The real question is not where has this blogger been, but what has he been doing that has kept him from blogging for 15 months? Over the last year, two things have kept me from blogging. One thing has been me writing my dissertation. While I realize people write dissertations and blog and the same time, I simply had no desire to blog and write a dissertation. Second, I had a “falling out” with blogging, and I am not sure, even to this day, where I am with it. One thing I cannot deny is social media (is that the right term for facebook, blogs, tweeting, etc.?) The media we call blogging, facebooking, texting, tweeting, etc., is truly a powerful tool. Our church blog gets hits/views from all sorts of countries.

Why get started blogging again? Initially, I come back to this blog because I want to share my dissertation journey. I am not sure how committed I will be, but through the writing of my dissertation, I have grown to enjoy writing. I learned alot through this journey, and I think it will be good for me to write it down somewhere so I can reflect back on God’s faithfulness in my life.

I confess that I am somewhat curious about who my viewers are. Just the  other day this site had 125 views. I was surprised by such since this blog has been inactive for so long. Several days latter this site also had 61 views. Whoever you are . . . the views/hits has encouraged me to start blogging again.

Realizing my audience may not have time to read a “dissertation” about my journey, I will journal my journey in snapshots. Bye for now.

Catching Up: Part 2

The family went with Grandma Kia to the United States Figure Skating National Championships in Greensboro. I think they had a great time.

I cannot help it, but I think Kasen is so cute. Of course I thought this of all my children.

Kia, Kasen, and Ann

Kaitlyn and Julia

These are some of Kylie’s first pictures on her new camera!

Catching Up

Kylie celebrated her 13th birthday.

Taylor helped us celebrate.

Kasen is growing and recogizing his family.

Kasen’s big event: Bronco Nagurski award for Papa McCoy

We were happy to be part of such an event where Molly’s dad was recognized for being the best collegiate defensive football player in 1969.

Katie did a great job of capturing this: http://barnettsintennessee.blogspot.com/2010/12/top-national-defensive-player-of-year.html

Kasen and Anna Kate’s first Christmas and it was a white one!

Thanksgiving Update

We are enjoying Jared and Elizabeth’s visit. Jared has done some serious hunting.

Everyone enjoys the masks.

A walk up Hagar’s Mountain.

Updates on Evans Family

This is the most recent picture of Kasen. He is smiling because he has started to recognize his family. Babies can smile very early, but doctors usually call their smiles “reflexive smiles.” They say they do not have “recognition smiles” for about a month or two. I do not care what the doctors say, this young man smiles when his family sweet talks him.

I must confess, Kasen’s functions right at my pace. I have always loved holding my children and falling asleep with them must be a piece of heaven.

Kasen gets plenty of love and attention. There are four very capable diaper changers in this home. Right now, everyone is still very willing to change the precious little boy. The girls love dressing him up.

Kylie and her homeade bread. One cannot tell the difference between Molly’s homeade bread or Kylie’s. Kylie and Kaitlyn have already made their very first pies for Thanksgiving. They did all the work! (Kylie’s pie is on the left and Kaitlyn’s pie is on the right).

My mom, a mother of six, certainly feels at home holding Kasen.

Kasen makes a wonderful study partner.

Kasen Update

Kasen went for his check up today. He is weighing in at 8 lbs. and 3 oz. I love the small hands.

We are being fed so well. The church is amazing. Since this past Monday people have brought us either lunch or dinner. I hate to admit it but I must…I have gained 3 to 4 lbs. It is hard to say no to food when you know others have labored out of love (how is that for justifying gluttony? It sounds so “spiritual” ).

Someone in this home wrongly inserted the camera cartridge in our digital camera. Now the little disc thingy is stuck and our camera will not take pictures. Thankfully our camera has a special device that catches people doing stupid things.

Kasen (Part 4)

Isn’t he cute? I think I can already see mild changes.

Kasen is opening his eyes better. Mom and baby are doing well. We are grateful that the Group B Strep is still negative.

Mom and dad are still adjusting. Molly is up about every 2 to 3 hours. She probably does her best sleeping from 2 to 6 am. During these hours, if Kasen cries, I check on him or change him if necessary. This morning we hung out from about 6 am to 7:30 am trying to give mom some sleep time before the next feeding.

 Trust me when I say, “It is all worth it.”

Kasen (Part 3)

Well Kasen is home. We all are taking turns holding him. Mom and baby are still doing well.

Kasen: Part 2

Few reflections from the day:

1. It is 9:30pm and Kasen is 29 hours old. He has been through it to. As if birth was not shock enough, he has had his vitamin K shot, blood drawn, and he has been circumcized. Poor little boy! He is a bit fussy (and we can all sympathize).
2. Mom and Dad are tired. We did not sleep well (not so much Kasen but constant monitoring from nursing staff just doing their job). Tonight, Kasen might keep us up.
3. Having grandma Kia is a blessing (she too is probably tired).
4. Kylie, Kaitlyn, and Karson think Kasen is something special. They are sharing him well. (As I read all those “K” names I cannot help but chuckle to myself, “Jason, if you struggle calling your kids by the right name someday…just remember…you did it to yourself.”)
5. Molly is an awesome mother and wife.
6. All our kids are truly a gift from God (and you can say the same).
7. We look forward to getting home.
8. Kasen is still being tested for Group B Strep (and will be for two weeks). Right now the cultures are negative (which is good). He has a bit of a cough that we are watching also. We appreciate your prayers in these areas. Having a small child is a reminder how precious and delicate life is.
9. The visits, calls, and responses to this blog have been a blessing.
10. The hospital provides mom and dad with a complimentary steak dinner. They wheel in a table and serve a hot meal. It was a nice gift and a good meal. I understand the hospital starting doing this several years ago.