Meet the Family

Introducing to you for the first time via WordPress blog….Caleb Evans!

Caleb was born and raised Arkansas, born in Mtn. Home, AR he spent most of his growing up years in Springdale, AR where his dad, David was the pastor of the small Spring Creek Baptist Church, his youngest sister still attends. Caleb is the second of four kids in his family. His oldest sister Emily and her husband Nathan are currently. She is a hard worker and truly started at the bottom of Mercy Hospital and has worked her way to the top. Nathan has become involved in their church, is a whiz in the kitchen and keeps their four kids, Ethan, Anthony, David, and Natalie, on top of things. All of their kids are outstandingly great kids, ornery, but we love them to pieces. Caleb’s younger brother Samuel and wife Krystin live in Russellville, AR. Samuel is the IT Director for Pope County, he makes sure everything is working smoothly to keep 911 dispatch up and running. Samuel also severed in the Army Reserves, in the area of technology and was deployed in 2013. Krystin taught and performed in various dance styles for years while she was growing up and in college, after college she worked in the pre-school for Russellville School District. She has recently become a stay at mom to Luke who will be turning 1 in July, Luke is pretty laid back little guy who is growing up quick. Caleb’s youngest sister Elisabeth, or Betsy and her husband Kris live in Rogers, AR, Elisabeth is currently working toward her Master’s degree in Counseling, she also work as a Customer Service Manager. Kris also works in management with the Harp’s grocery chain. Kris and Elisabeth are mom and dad to Olivia, and Levi and a new addition is coming soon in September.

While growing up Caleb also attended Elmdale Baptist Church where he was involved in the AWANA program, AWANA has played a large part in both of our lives. We actually met at AWANA Camp in Wickes, AR! Caleb has earned his AWANA Citation Award, participated in numerous events such as bible quiz, Summit, attended camp and served as camp counselor.

While Caleb was home schooled till his Sophomore year of high school he did attend Ambassadors for Christ Academy, it was a private Christian school located in Bella Vista, AR. There Caleb played basketball and soccer, and was named Kiwanis Boy of the Year his senior year. Caleb graduated from high school in 2004, after graduation in 2004 Caleb attended Northwest Arkansas Community College, he then transferred to Arkansas Tech University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Journalism.

Caleb always tells me the story of when he was attending NWACC, him and a classmate would go to the Mexican restaurant Maria’s and order the same thing every Thursday, they became such regulars that the Maria’s wait staff would have their plates fixed and ready to go as soon as they walked in. Caleb then told me “I never told them I was leaving, I bet they missed me.”

Aside from attending college, Caleb joined the United States Army as a Combat Engineer. Caleb served in the Army Reserves from 2005-2013, he was deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom from April 2008 to June 2009. Caleb says the Army has a lot to do with the way he is today, he says he choose to join the Army after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11. During his deployment Caleb was a squad leader, and continued to fill that role even once his unit was back home in Conway, Ar. While I know that he earned several awards and accommodations during his time in the Army, he says “that’s not why I joined the Army,” so even though I want to recognize him for his awards in his words “that’s not why I joined the Army.” He has told me multiple times “I joined the Army because I wanted to serve my country.”

Caleb has become very involved during our time in Siloam Springs. He serves as AWANA Game Director, he tries hard every week to come up with games that all the kids can play. As he says “I know who is fastest and most athletic, but I need games that make kids think, it has to be fun for everyone.” Caleb has also coached little league baseball for three years. His team “The Nightmares” took second place overall his second year as coach. This year he decided to pursue umpiring, while also serving on the youth league baseball board. I think it is safe to say he enjoyed his time as baseball umpire and will continue to pursue it once we move to Hot Spring. In addition to his love of sports, Caleb LOVES the Razorbacks! We try to go and catch Razorback events at least once a year, especially when the OmaHogs are in town.

While the Razorbacks rank #1 in his heart, he is also an Atlanta Braves fan, he watched them growing up on TBS and has cheered them on ever since. Last summer we vacationed in Atlanta and checked out the new SunTrust Park. We also caught the Braves vs the LA Dodgers, sadly the Braves lost, but Caleb got to see Freddie Freeman play in person, and spend the day checking out all the Atlanta Braves memorabilia that was present since we where there during Chipper Jones induction to Hall of Fame.

I hope you have enjoyed getting to know Caleb a little better, keep on scrolling to check out some pics.

Caleb’s official Army portrait. Before Caleb deployed for Iraq, his dad asked him what he wanted to do Caleb said ” I am going to be in a dessert for a year, and I want to see just the opposite” so he and his dad went on cruise together before Caleb deployed for Iraq.

Elisabeth, Caleb, Samuel and Emily at Nana’s house in Huntsville, AR. Emily is always so good at taking pics at family get togethers.

Caleb, Samuel, Elisabeth, and Emily visiting when Caleb’s mom was in town, I believe this was just after Elisabeth’s oldest Olivia was born

The Turpin Twins and Caleb at an Army Christmas party back in the day. Alex and Andrew have been with Caleb through a lot of life events. They served as best men in our wedding, Caleb has served as best man in both of their weddings, and their mom Amy stepped in and filled the role as a bonus mom for Caleb when he was in high school. So while they aren’t related to us by blood they are considered family.

While Alex and Andrew have pursued very successful careers in the military, it was Caleb who talked both of them into signing up for the Army. They went through boot camp together in Fort Leonard Wood, MO and served out of the same unit in Coway, Ar together during Caleb’s time in the Army. While we don’t get to see Alex, Andrew and their families often they have been a second family to Caleb, and we could not be more grateful for their friendship through the years and distance.