We made it! We're alive and well in Colorado after our multiple trips from and to Utah this past month and a half.! Thanks for all of your prayers; I'm sure that is why we made it home "safe and sane." I didn't even have to threaten to pull the car over; I thought that was pretty amazing in and of itself.
Despite the circumstances, it was wonderful to be reunited with all the siblings and most of your families (we missed Howard and kids, of course); you know, that's a once in every three-year occurrence. That means, Siovhan, you're not allowed to get married for three more years, at least (I know, such a hard deal), and no one else is allowed to "go to the other side." Mark your calendars.
After being home for so long, it has taken some minor adjustments to come back to our Waite family home and settle back in to life and routines. We do love being in Colorado! As you can tell from the pictures, we're already enjoying our first snowfall. It should all be melted within the next 24 hours (another benefit of Colorado: we get to see and enjoy the wonderful snow and just as it starts to look ugly and get in the way, it melts and we're left anticipating the next storm.) Jared has learned not to appreciate snow days as much as he did while in school; it seems no one wants to brave the weather to see the dentist, though they do take advantage of the time for great shopping.! Oh well.
We have started the official process of looking for a house (the race is on, Ams -- just kidding).! We are a little frustrated; it is a very strong seller's market in The Springs right now. We're trying to stay in an area that will have a strong resale in five years, but then so is everyone else looking for homes right now. I am amazed at how much lumber, a little carpet, drywall, cement and what have you can differentiate in price across the country. I never did like economics and the whole "supply and demand" thing. I always seem to be on the wrong of the equation whether buying or selling.
Emma is now in a playgroup with four girls in nursery. She loves having her friends come over and going to school. We, as moms, rotate the group at our different houses. I love it! It actually has brought back many memories of mom doing the same thing (though, I'm sure some of you remember it even better than I). I've tried to copy some of the same structure: snack, activity, play time, learning activity, lunch (really, it's like being a nursery leader for an extended time period). I enjoy even more the times I get to drop off. Whitney is at school the same time Emma is at playgroup, so I get a couple hours to myself. So far that has been used to run errands, etc. But I hope to fill that time with some hobbies (reading, anything else besides cleaning, etc.).
Whitney is in full swing at preschool! She loves it and loves having some of her new friends come over to play. She loves her teacher, Miss Deb (who also doubles as one of our realtors -- she's leaving the preschool world after 20+ years to sell real estate full time after the end of this school year) and loves feeling so grown up. I'm constantly told what a good example she is and how well behaved she is (most of the time). It makes me wonder, why are our own kids always better for other people?! She is starting to become a great helper at home. She loves to "clean" her bathroom (thank heavens for Clorox wipes and Windex wipes), and even helps with dishes (clearing them, that is) and wiping the table. There are days, but we all have those don't we? She's still determined to save up for a Barbie car (one of those kinds kids can ride in, not Barbies). She is becoming very much like Alyssa (a good thing) and not spending her money on anything she doesn't deem more worthwhile than her final goal (in this case, the car). I guess she is very determined (one of those positive traits you use as your "negative" traits in a job interview).
Jared is glad to have us back for good. Life is still the same for him: get up and run on the treadmill, go to work, come home from work, eat, get kids ready for bed, fall dead asleep and start again the next day. We feel sorry for him, but are grateful he has such a wonderful job he enjoys (most of the time). Work is going well. He still loves the practice, the patients, his fellow workers and the dentist who owns the practice. His most exciting news is that he recently became the proud owner of a Copper Mountain Four Pass, which means he has four, all-day passes to Copper Mountain which he can use throughout the season. And, as you all know Jared, it was purchased at a very extremely "sweet" deal. He's happy and his brother is happy, because he, too, bought one. I think it will be a great thing. He didn't get to go at all last year and that was one of the reasons we moved back to the west (besides being closer to family, of course).
As for me, I'm in the heat of preparing for Young Women in Excellence and enjoying life. I'm a little behind on our assignment from President Hinckley and I have set the goal to catch up and finish reading the Book of Mormon with the rest of you by the end ofmthe year. It's amazing how a simple book can be soprofound and so amazingly influential in our lives. Imhave loved reading the stories over again (though I'm still stuck in the Isaiah chapters). I love how every time I read it, I learn something new or a different verse strikes me and causes me to reflect and change.! It has helped me calm down quite a bit lately and really focus on being a better mom and spouse and having the strength to overcome some not-so-good habits. No other book has that power! I'm so grateful for the miracle of the Book of Mormon, for parents who know of its power and truth and who taught all of us!to walk in the light. All we have to do is read it. It'sworth the little effort it takes on my part. I know it's true.
Thanks for being my family! I love you all and am so grateful we get to be!together forever! I pray for each of you and hope all finds you well.
Love,
The Waite Family!
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