Jessica Faith

Evalie Says...

Last weekend was a big weekend for me as I watched my niece, Jessica Faith, graduate from high school. She has grown into an amazing women that I'm so proud to be an aunt of. I feel that I can't take much credit for the individual that she has grown into. It was always so hard to be around Jessica when she was little because it brought so many emotions. It doesn't make it right, but I hate myself for not being a part of her life until she got older. I truly thank and love her step-dad for stepping in and being that father figure in her life after my brother passed away. I will always admire him for the love he has for her.

I just know that she will go far in life.....my brother would be so proud....

Jessica and Kate

All the Henery Cousins

Jessica and My Sisters

A high school graduate!

So beautiful....

I love you, Jessica

A Quick Update

Evalie Says...

After talking to my sister tonight, I realized that there might be some people out there wondering how I'm feeling these days. I thought I would give you a quick summary...I've been feeling pretty good! I still have my moments when I feel a little faint and can feel multiple skips that take my breath away, but I haven't had any racing beats for a really long time. Every once in awhile I get a little heavy chest, but it is pretty sporadic (should I be knocking on wood?!?)

Anyway, this past Wednesday I went for a check up with my cardiologist. It has been four months since my last set of tests. He only ran an echo cardiogram to check the function in the left ventricle. We were all hoping that the "damaged" part of the left ventricle would have began to repair itself, but we ended up finding out that the it is still at the same level. Not bad news because it is not getting worse, but not great news since we were hoping for my heart function to improve. So, we continue to monitor my functions and remain on my medication. I go back to see my doctor and have more intensive testing done in six months.

Josh and I also had a LONG conversation about what type of exercise that I can be doing. I went in there with high hopes that I could start running. I really wanted to be able to run a 5K with Josh sometime this summer, but I was told that running and jogging is out of the question. I am able to bike and to power walk, so Kate and I will be hitting the sidewalks of Cedar Rapids this summer. I'll take companions if anyone is interested...

Much love, Evalie

Coloring Eggs

Evalie Says…

Easter has always been one of my favorite holidays. Actually any holiday that holds a family tradition, is near and dear to my heart. Growing up Easter was a holiday that we spent with my dad’s family. At the time, my grandparents lived in West Point, Nebraska and they lived in my dream house! They had this amazing front porch with a swing hanging from the ceiling, an amazing basement to play in, a neighbor’s yard that was always mysterious to me, a great hill to roll down and a wonderful yard to hide Easter eggs in.

On Saturday night before Easter, we would all gather around my grandma’s small table in her kitchen and color eggs (this was one of the reasons why I wanted to inherit this table). I have the fondest memories of coloring eggs with my siblings and my cousin, Jenica. The next morning, the Easter Bunny would have hid the eggs along with these homemade baskets that my grandma made out of old strawberry baskets. We would gather our eggs and baskets and head off to sunrise service at their church.

This service was one of my favorite services as a child. I loved singing the Easter songs and listening to the choir on the balcony. After the service, their congregation held a breakfast in their social hall. It was always scrambled eggs with ham, and it always tasted amazing! Each table had a white table cloth and was lined with jelly beans. After church, my cousins and I would spend hours outside hiding and re-hiding our colored eggs….

When Kate gets older, I pray she is able to share a story like this about her memories of Easter coloring her eggs with her cousins…

Pictures from Easter Weekend

We Say...

a ton of pictures

of our Easter weekend...

time with grandpa loren and kelly

plus the whole rapp clan

even time with the henery cousins

what a great time...

making laps at grandpa loren's

kate and momma

yum...black olives

great grandpa rapp

enjoying the sun

coloring eggs with the henery cousins

i got this, mom

hmmm

why can't i put them all in my cup?

leyla...what do you think?

kate, sam and leyla

would you like some lipstick, kelly?

the Easter Bunny came!

i love my grandpa loren

Easter dress

kate and rylee

cheese??

henery cousin

kate can you sit still?

seriously?

okay, seriously kate sit nice like your cousins...

awe..