Colorado Waites

Life is normal at the Waite household. Though, I (Kirsten) have decided that my normal is very much

abnormal.

Spring is still thinking about how to make its official arrival in our neck of the woods. When we decided we wanted to be in a “beautiful snowy landscape with mountains” again, we didn’t realize that the snow would still be falling on May 1 and that everything I cooked for the first six months would either be too burned to enjoy, too flat to call bread or to underdone to call roast. Needless to say, we’ve all gained wait (not Waite) because of the much desired, better cooking of McDonalds and other fine establishments, including Village Inn. Okay so it’s not that bad, but Jared did used to eat more of my cooking in Texas. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but everything is bigger and better in Texas. We never thought we’d miss it, but acclimatization is the true reason behind the line “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” All that being said, we really do love “The Springs,” as they call it here. It’s pretty amazing to look out the window on a snowy morning and still see people walking/biking to work or just out for a morning jog. It makes me want to get out there with them, then the girls scream and I remember that they would have to come with and that no longer seems a pleasure. Oh, I’m so bad. The girls are wonderful! We love them and all the energy they have. They are quite the little screamers just like their mom was (I know what you all are thinking, unfortunately, it’s true), but they seem to get along with the neighbors and kids at church, so they are adjusting well!

Whitney has started to become wiser to the world. She noticed the other day after dad came home from

the barbershop that the barber was a little “too stingy,” shall we say, with the razor on the top of dad’s head. “Dad, I think you need to go back,” she said right after the dinner prayer [Jared’s head had, of

course, been bowed and Whitney took notice of something she hadn’t before]. “They cut too much of

your hair. {Interject laughing by mom and ghastly abhorrence by dad and innocent look from Whitney.}

"No really, Dad, put your head down. See? How come they took so much hair off the back of your head?!” Mom politely explained. Dad sat dumbfounded. It was a funny experience for some and much more unpleasant for one. Whitney is still enjoying preschool and takes every opportunity to write her name (so far, walls have left alone, but other things are fair game.) She loves being the mom, er, I mean big sister of the house and all the rites and privileges that come with that, including torment and full leadership.

Emma is in love with all the boys at church and loves to give them all hugs, though she is more “mothering” them than “loving on” them. The other day we watched our friends’ twin 4-year-old girls and 20-month old son, Noah. Emma had fun playing with the girls but spent most of her time “helping”

Noah, including running to the bathroom and getting tissue paper when he got a runny nose and telling him politely to “blow” while she pinched his nose and wiped it clean. Noah, not sure what to think, obeyed the first couple times and then screamed every time following. While that was entertaining for Emma, her favorite thing to do is tease her sister and copy every move she makes. The latest fad is “playing kitty.” She crawls on the floor and meows and asks us each to “pet nice me,” meaning stroke her hair by her ear. If Whitney is kitty, Emma will simply put an arm around her and tell her what to do (I actually think that’s the role Emma prefers). Anytime Emma can she tries to pet Whitney’s head and say “nice kitty,” much to Whitney’s chagrin. Her favorite time for this is when Whitney is trapped and can’t escape, i.e. while in the shopping cart at Wal-Mart. Screaming ensues, and it's all downhill from there. 

Emma is wise beyond her years sometimes and we can’t get over how well she communicates with us despite how abundantly the Terrible Two’s are already blessing our household.

Jared loves work. He has gone through a complete staff change since starting work here six months ago, but that has been a great blessing in disguise. He enjoys his work and all the staff and thinks they finally have the right mix. We (the girls) love that he never works Fridays, that we actually have a paycheck now and that student loans are still a great part of our life (it makes it feel that much younger to still be so “fresh” out of school. Yeah, whatever). But, it’s a rite of passage we know you all understand and we are grateful to be here. 

We really do love this area. The mountains are beautiful, the ward is incredible, and we’re only eight hours from home, for me. We have been richly blessed and can’t believe how much the Lord looks out and prepares many ways for us. We have our own trials, but I have to say I would be remiss if I didn’t realize how much the Lord has blessed us in our lives and our marriage. We love you all and

can’t wait for the next newsletter.

Love,

Kirsten