Week Four

Last week was full of fun little things. Firstly, Jane really wanted to take bath. This was fine, but I told her she needed to wait until Ally woke up. Ally is a lover of bathes. Really, Jane just wanted to play with her rubber duckies (that she recently rediscovered she owned) in the bath. So, while she waited we made her duckies a little pool in the bathroom sink for them to float around. Then it was Jane's snack time. She finished her snack then ran to the bathroom. Not 30 seconds later she calls, "mawww-ahhm" with a "come see what I did" tone. I walk in and she, in that 30 seconds mind you, got fully undressed and climbed into the sink which still had her duckies pond in it. She was so proud of herself. I had to decide in a split second whether to get "disappointed" or not. "Stay right there Jane, I'm getting my camera!" - We had a fun little photo shoot.

One of the many great things about having children, is watching them do unto others as you have done unto them. Sometimes. When doing the girls hair in the mornings I typically spray it with water, comb and put elastics or whatever in it. They have taken to doing my hair lately, but on Saturday, they found an even more willing subject. The wooden rocking horse. That horse was dripping with water from the spray bottle and has never had such silky straight, un-knotted hair in it's existence. By the end of the beauty do - the horse had every headband and clip we own on it's mane. Ahh, a much better subject indeed.

Midweek after lunch when the girls were apparently feeling snacky, Jane decided to hold a tea party. She got out drinks, napkins, plates, utensils, smurf (special guest) and even her lucky purse. This was just the beginning. By the end, we had expanded the towel to add a second bath towel to accommodate the larger amounts of snacks provided. She had every snack available, including their mac 'n cheese they hadn't quite finished from lunch. Having girls is a lot of fun.

Saturday was a day I was looking forward to/dreading for 5 months. It was our Sisters Conference, which is held every January. They are always wonderful, but the planning for months on end can be daunting and scary. It always turns out wonderfully but is always nice to have over with. This year was no exception. Our Relief Society Stake Presidency spoke intermingled with musical numbers. All were beautifully done. The light luncheon afterwards was delightful and delicious. We had the Stake Presidents wife, who is an artist, construct a lovely mural of this oak tree, seeing as our theme was about the Harper Island's "Island Oaks" whose story I'll have to tell later. Every sister in the stake could find their name written on the trunk, roots and branches of the tree... it was amazing and so very well done.

 

Week THREE

This last week.... hmm.. what happened this past week? Seriously. I'm drawing a blank. I know Monday morning was playgroup for Jane, I went to play basketball Wednesday evening, let Jane and Ally play at the church Wednesday morning with friends, Thursday morning was a temple trip with Ruth Hall (Jane and Ally's resident Grandma), Saturday we went into town as a family then Mom/Dad, Dallas/Fam came over for dinner, soon followed by Plowmans for games, and Sunday Rich spoke in Sacrament meeting then immediately left for a fishing trip and that evening I had a ward RS orientation, but really, besides all that I feel as though I'm leaving something out. It will come to me.

Today I worked on product photography and Jane decided she would help me! I have been using both my old and new camera, finding my old to be much better for certain things, and trying to level the learning curve with the new. Jane wanted to take pictures. It took a minute for her to understand the concept of looking into the viewfinder. Her world of pictures has only been on electronics that show on the screen what you're shooting. It was fun watching her learn, explore and develop. She did quite well arranging flowers and taking their photos.

I hope Jane discovers early a passion for something in life, and that I am willing to give mine in helping her develop and pursue her talents.  I do not mean that I hope she finds at an early age something she will love and do for the rest of her life - but I hope she is courageous enough to try new things and in turn discover and learn more about her self. She was so cute getting excited about doing something she saw mommy doing and was proud of the results. I love this little bug.

week TWO

This last week was filled mostly with counting inventory for my Etsy shop over at my parents place. For some reason the week seemed to fly by and before I knew it, it was over. Saturday was upon us and we had tickets to the movie Monsters Inc 3D (thanks mom!) that needed to be used. Although we planned on Rich using them for his monthly "daddy-daughter" date, he insisted I take Miss Jane. It was nice to spend some one-on-one with her. We went all out getting ourselves drinks and popcorn and we even had the whole theaters to ourselves. This was a bonus because then we didn't bother anyone with Jane's incessant "why's." Why is he sad? Why is he doing that? What is she being funny?" We also didn't bother anyone with our constant potty breaks. Drinking soda will do that to a little bladder. After the movie was over we chased each other around the theater. Before leaving we made one more potty stop then headed to the Brigham City DI to see if we could score any goodies. What's a mommy-daughter date without some shopping anyway? There were all sorts of things Jane thought were worthy of taking up space in our home, but we got out without most of them. At one point she started carrying around a large plastic kitchen thing. She's apparently very strong. Strong willed that is. Luckily we already have a kitchen so I was able to persuade her to put it back. It was funny.... guess you had to be there.

January Family Letter

Our little family is doing well. We are especially grateful for our many blessings and comforts of life as we look out the window at the brewing storm outside. We loved spending time with family over the recent holidays. Thanksgiving and Christmas are so fun when you're spending it with family. Thanks mom/dad for opening your home for all us to gather and mingle. January, although brought on with much excitement and new resolutions is always a smack in the face as it brings back the reality of everyday life. Rich is now the Executive secretary to the Bishopric and I am still in the Stake Relief Society Secretary.  Right now is a busy time as we prepare for our Stake Women's Conference. Other then that, life is same old same old :)

loves to all, and happy new year!
the Wellsville Whites - Rich, Serra, Jane, Ally

week ONE

This first week brought with it a new year, a fresh start and lots of family time. I love the holidays. It is always  family filled and it warms my heart and refreshes my soul. I tried my darndest not to make a whole lot of unrealistic goals this year. So, in trying to be realistic, my top goal was to be a better wife and mother. To be more specific, my goal with relation to my family is to remember to always put them first before my other goals and expectations of myself.  I am often saddened by how the days slip by like sand between my fingers. By how fast my children are growing before my eyes.

My children are indeed my greatest joy (I accidentely typed "job"-- ain't that the truth too!). I love them both  to my very core. I want them to succeed, to always be as happy as they are now. To always know peace. To be better then I have ever been. Thank you Richard White for helping my create two beautiful girls who are delicious to my heart.