PTC with a twist

I guess they aren't Parent Teacher Conferences anymore, they're "Student Led Conferences", but to say, "let's go to SLC's" just sounds odd... 

 

Allergic?!

2-17-17

 

Hide and Seek

2-20-17

 

13!

This smiley new teen had one heck of a celebration.  The partying started Friday afternoon with 16 young ladies, an aunt, a grandma, a mom, and 40 miles to our destination.  The clubhouse at Maple Ridge was prepped and ready for this load of estrogen.  With two pots of soup, ample rolls, cupcake cones, play dough ice cream, and 10 pre-planned games, this building was about to get rocking.  Ashlyn has been planning this "Farewell to childhood" since last July.  With dozens of invitation prototypes, and weather dependent scenarios, she had it all figured out two weeks before the big day.  I simply followed orders and helped carry out her plans.  It could not have happened without Aunt Jamie and Grandma Kash. 

(Photo's from Left to right, not mentioning Ash: Jordyn, Summer's gift, Avari, Hailey, Eiley, Janica, Daniella, Kenzie, Emerie, Gracie, Kaylee and Calla, Izzy, Jordyn, Brynn, Tesla, Kadi)
After the clubhouse festivities, the crowd headed down the road to grandma's primed basement, piles of blankets, more sweets and treats, and the movie, "Finding Dory".  Each girl claimed a piece of carpet and either fell asleep, quietly chatted in Jamie's room, or stayed up to watch the show.  The photo below is at 8:30 Saturday morning before I went upstairs to make the requested "Cinnamon-Roll Pancakes" (Which were a big hit!)

Sunday Ashlyn was excited to wear her new dress(from grandma), scarf (from Izzy), and jewelry (from Avari) to church and was even tempted to wear the ensemble to dinner at Grandma's.

Monday, the actual Birthday, Ash woke up to cinnamon french toast (this girl really likes her cinnamon covered carbs) and two gifts that included a Fitbit (the kind she can swim with) and the outfit with the floral leggings... the other outfits and desk she received after school, before we went to her favorite, Olive Garden and their Chicken Alfredo, for dinner.  (We did check her out for lunch at Cafe Rio, she loves to get their chicken quesadillas...with chicken on the side.)

We absolutely adore this spunky teen and are constantly impressed with the young woman she is choosing to become.  Here are some of her current trends:

Favorite home cooked meal: Fettucini Alfredo
Favorite Eat-out meal: Breadsticks from Olive Garden
Favorite subject in school: Math
Favorite after school activity: Netflix
Favorite movie: Cars 1 and 2
Important worldly items: Golden Pineapple (new bday gift) & iphone, and laptop
Favorite article of clothing: plaid shirts
When she grows up she wants to be a Vet
There are no boys on her radar, but admits that eventually she may.
She likes horses and turtles and planning the future re-decorating of her room.
Her favorite book is Heartland (which happens to be her favorite TV show)
She equally enjoys the company of her family to her friends.
She does not like lengthy statements about herself.... and is ready for this interview to end.
You can go now,
I love you Ashlyn Grace White.

first snowman

Meet the first snowman of the season. We love snow at our house. Something about a fresh coat of snow invokes feelings of love, kinship and joy. It also is like a lasso, roping my kids out each time the friendly flakes find our house. 

This friendly face was created by Ash and Cars. They were quite inventive using food gel for the details. 

I've been a stressed, grouchy mess lately and am so grateful for this glimpse of whimsy. 

 

Aquarium

December 10, 2016

The most common word spoken when a camera is pointed is, "smile!"  Well today,  I didn't have to say it. They were actually enjoying each other's company. I even snuck away to the gift shop for a little bit to do some Christmas shopping and came back to these three aliens that inhabited my children's bodies. 

An older gentleman even stopped me to comment how wonderful it was that my children were getting along so well. (I thanked him then politely explained my need to capture the rare moments)

Maybe one day I won't feel the need to post every time my kids have a harmonious afternoon. 

Makeovers

November 27, 2016

My sis-in-law started selling lipsense and these girls are gobbling it up! They already adore their aunt KJ, now just throw in some makeup every time they see her and they will remain on cloud 9 forever.

Beautiful Rage Walk

November 1-

I had to laugh. When Ash realized our car was broken and she would have to walk the 2.3 miles to guitar (with me) she threw her guitar on her back and stomped, literally stomped, about 1/2 a mile before she simmered down enough to have a conversation. Once the lid was on her boil, she was all smiles and stories telling me about her classes at school and the happenings in her life. I love spending time with this young woman and marvel at the wonder that she is. She is so passionate about her interests and puts so much thought and energy into the things that she does. I am so pleased that she still includes me in her life stories and isn't embarrassed to walk side by side with me in public. 

While she was in her lesson I arranged a ride home for her (thanks Lynette!!) while I continued to the pond at Herriman Cove before I wound my way back home. It was a beautifully overcast fall afternoon and I couldn't have asked for better walking weather. 

Halloween!

My kids did not even bat an eye when I told them I would only put up Halloween decorations if they helped me.  Since no one offered, we had no festive decor.  It may become a tradition since no one really cared.  We still had plenty of candy... as a matter of fact, we had an abundance.  Since I bought candy about two weeks early, and BJ decided to buy two boxes of snack-sided Doritos to pass out to trick-or-treaters.  The original plan was for AJ to stay home and pass out the booty and I would go with Ash and Cars, but Aj decided, last minute, to go as a "parkourist" and collect candy with friends.  So he left, then Ash (Queen of Hearts) went with Macey Francis (White Rabbit) and Tesla Schaffer (Black Cat) and Carson ("Conner" from assassins creed) went with Joseph.  I stayed home.  It was quite lovely.  I was tempted to blow out my jack-o-lanterns and binge on almond joys and doritos, but I did not want to be left picking up half eaten bags of extremely cheesy chips for the next year.  So I put in MockingJay (part 2), and kept the remote handy so I could pause it every minute, open the door, and throw treats at kids so they could get on their way.  All in all it was a delightful night.

My favorite part of the evening was when Ash and Cars came home and sorted their candy.  I got a kick out of how carson organized his candy:
Sweet: Candy bars, soda pop, etc
Suckers: things on sticks
Sour: sweet tarts, war heads, fun dip, etc
Chewy: Starbursts, air heads, gummy bears
Spicy: Hot Tamales, Doritos
Non-Candy: toothbrush, toys, etc.
The other thing that made me laugh was after Ash organized hers (more agreeable with my logic... and probably the rest of the planet) she counted the items in each category and logged them in her notebook creating a graph of treats.  A girl after my own heart.

Happy Halloween!!!

Glasses

After the eye appointment last month, we ordered 4 pair of glasses for these cuties.  Zenni.com is the place to get them! We got these 4 pair (4 for ash, and 1 un-necessary pair for cars) for under $90. Ash was totally surprised.  She knew she was getting one pair (she chose the ones in the picture with she and Cars) but I surprised her with the sunglasses and the rectangular ones.  I am enamored by these kids of mine.  Aren't they adorable!?!

Knowledge

Ashlyn is a classic bibliophile.  She can not get enough books.  Her expanding collection is constantly being thumbed, assorted, arranged, perused, shared, and devoured.  When she learned that not all people had access to books, or even literacy development opportunities, she knew exactly what she wanted to do for her knowledge personal progress project.  She created flyers for a book drive, collected two wagons-full of published works, and delivered them to local charities. She had such a blast doing it and is even making some book marks to pass out to thank those who donated!  She has been loving her YW experience so far and it is so fun to watch her learn and grow.  So proud of this beautiful daughter of mine.  

Squids

This is finally happening!  Ashlyn has been wanting to join the swim team for over a year but hasn't quite been ready. After a fluke run-in at the pool a few weeks ago, we found out that Ashlyns good friend Paige was interested as well! So they took a stroke development class, tried out, and made it! They are both at the same skill level so they get to stay in the same team lane! It's only been a few weeks since they started swimming together, but they are loving it (even when their "legs are numb" by the time they get out of the pool).  We are excited for Ashlyn to find something she enjoys. 

Ashlyn and Paige join the Herriman Squids!

Way back when...

Flashback-  Summer 2011 Ashlyn age 7

I came across this cute picture the other day and wanted to post it here.  This just reminds me so much of Ash's sassy phase. I don't even know who took this picture, but ashlyn's body language just says so much about her carefree attitude.  I also love that she is with Madi.  These two were inseparable at this age, and even still a little today, and would spend every waking...and sleeping... moment together that they could.  We miss having Madi as a constant in our home, her constant presence is definitely missed.  Anyway.  Love the pic, and don't want to misplace it in some random file that I forget about. 

Junior high schooler

August 22, 2016

This not – so – little girl started junior high today. She was so nervous that she couldn't eat breakfast. Poor thing :-( she has been pretty excited up until this morning, when the reality of it hit at full force. I cannot believe she is already in seventh grade. I remember dropping her off at preschool for the first time. It was so easy dropping her off at Little Scholars, along with all the other little girls with and Mary-Jane's & pigtails, but for some reason dropping her off in the armpit of life was really hard. There are so many dramatic events that happen within the next six years. I can only hope I know what I am doing as a parent. She is about to get hit really hard with many uncertainties of life. 

This incredible young woman's place such as central role in our family. She has such a huge capacity to love, and is so willing to step in when I need an extra set of hands. At times when I feel overwhelmed, I know Ashlyn will offer me kind words, a helping hand, and a sincere hug.  Although I am quite terrified of what will happen over the course of the next few years, I know this girl has a good head on her shoulders. She is smart, spiritual, and has an open heart and mind. She can do absolutely anything.

As for her first day of school, she made it in one piece. Although she did not know anyone in any event, she recognized a few faces and singled out a few people she would like to get to know better. After school, she had a Celebratory lunch, and ice cream… No, custard(!)… With her lifelong friend Emerie, and her friend Aspen. She even got to spend a good portion of the afternoon with Emerie, until I got home.  

I am so glad your first day was a hit Ashlyn!  I sure love you!

Back to school

Routine.
In our little neck of Utah, ninth grade is still considered junior high. That doesn't make it any less terrifying for mother to send her child off to it. Especially AJ. This kid has a knack for getting into trouble. He seems to be missing some part of the brain that encourages you to think before you act. I'm told it is a "teenage trait", but somehow that doesn't quite pacify my trepidation. Nor does the fact that AJ was begging me yesterday… Quite literally begging, to postpone the ninth grade until he could go through with his sister… In two years.  This kid needs school more than anyone. Not necessarily for the education, he comes to that quite naturally, but for the structure and discipline.  Needless to say, I did not give into his incessant begging, as he started his ninth grade year today. The difference between AJ and Ashlyn is actually quite comical. When just comparing their educational pursuits, we have an extreme variation.

Weeks before school, Ash makes a spread sheet outlining outfits with coordinating shoes, accessories and a plan for how to do her hair. (That really happened) She makes sure we do our back to school shopping, early enough for her to take care of all of her school supplies she anticipates needing. The week before school starts, she gets her schedule and a map of the school and highlights each classroom she needs to find and decides the best route to take to maximize her time between classes. This is also the time she designates to organizing her backpack. She make sure she has enough pencils, glue, scissors, colored pencils, markers and any other school supplies she thinks she may need in the right place in her backpack and in her binder... That has been aptly tabbed, filled and organized according to her schedule. Within the week before starts we take a trip to the school and she verifies her mapping skills as she walks out her plan. The night before school starts she lays out everything she will need in the morning, showers, blow-dry's and straightens her hair, and gets to bed early. 

And then we have AJ.

The month before school starts when I ask him to go back to school shopping with me, he says "just grab me a shirt and some shorts and I'll be good", to which he quickly adds, "never mind, I can just find some stuff on Amazon and send you the link".  The week before school starts he thinks he has a month left of summer. The night before school starts he finds a pencil tucked in the side of the couch next to some popcorn crumbs and says, "hey, doesn't school start tomorrow? I think I will take this with me".  He goes to bed after 10:30 and when I wake him up in the morning he finds some clothes from the laundry couch, tucks his pencil behind ear, and climbs in the car.

Carson's back-to-school system is a good mix between his two siblings. 

What's a mother to do?

My insistence on a nutritious breakfast is the bane of my children's existence. Since Friday is the only school day that they are allowed cereal for breakfast, I am up extra early making sure I can get ready for work in time to make something suitable. I help Ashlyn with any necessary last minute organizing or getting – ready needs while AJ sluggishly goes through the morning motions, all the while Carson is sleeping soundly tucked away waiting for his wake up time.  He started school a week before they did and is already proficient at making the most of his morning.  So I have A plate of warm eggs on toast for AJ, A glass of carnation instant breakfast for Ashlyn, who can't ever eat before 9am, and some eggs staying warm for Carson who will wake up in thirty minutes.  They eat their respective meals and jump in the car after I wake Carson up and tell him I will be right back to fix his hair.  Carson eats then goes back to sleep on the couch until I get back 10 minutes later.  I fix his hair (heaven forbid if I don't) and head to work.  Thank Heavens for Heidi who gets Carson to school each morning so I can get to work on time.

And then we do it all over tomorrow.

and the next day...

and the next.

Spoiled

I adore this girl.  She is so fun to shop with.  She is understanding that she can't have everything she likes (even though when everything looks adorable on her, it is hard to tell her no!), and she knows to shop the sales.  On this trip, she was able to get 10 articles for under $100!  I hope she never grows out of wanting to try on clothes and show them off to her mommy.

Inspiring

August 9, 2016

Janica Pickett.  You amaze me.  Your little body has been through the ringer and you always have a smile on your face.  Thank you for letting us come visit you at Shriners Hospital while you were there.  You taught us a lot about having a positive attitude, and making the best of what life hands us.  Hoping you recover well,

Love,

Sis. White and the Yellow Sage YW

Yw camp 2016

July 5-8 2016

Ashlyn has watched and helped me for hours upon hours as I served as the YW camp director in our ward.  Now that I am no longer the director, she finally is old enough to go!  She has been looking forward to it since she was ten years old and was first exposed to it.  

She really loves sticking her tongue out in pictures... she gets that from her daddy.  I was glad that she still wanted me to come.  She is at that age where she doesn't need mom around so much, and wants her around even less.  When I told her I wouldn't go if she would rather have the experience without me, she insisted that i come.  I'll admit, her positive attitude about me going set my heart a-flutter.  I absolutely love being with my kids.  Any of them.  At any time.  This girl is my world, and I am so glad that I am still part of hers.

She loved her first year at camp.  She strengthened some friendships with some of the girls in our ward, made some fun crafts, did some fun activities, and had an absolute blast.  She said her favorite part of camp was the zip line.  Heber Valley Girls Camp has an obstacle course that is an incredible experience.  Not only do they get to do things they wouldn't get to do anywhere else, but they connect everything to a spiritual level that the girls can accept or ignore, depending on their state of mind.  I am glad I got to spend the last day with her and hope we have more YW camp moments in the future.

Love ya sis!!

Impressive young lady

July 5, 2016

Despite being more scared than she has been in her entire life (and mine) she didn't hesitate to get up at 6:30 to go to girls camp.  She asked me to say an extra prayer with her last night to help her sleep and not dream about the car accident (that could have killed her yesterday).  When she woke up, she said she didn't have a bad dream, and didn't feel scared anymore.

Cousins heal all

July 4, 2016

After our accident earlier today, Ashlyn was a little stiff and had everyone worried, naturally.  All she was concerned about was getting to grandmas house.  And no wonder.  Cousins are a balm for the soul.  These cute girls love each other, and were so sweet and doting on my poor, traumatized daughter.  Gracie, Avari and Brynne, thanks for being there for your cousin, she needed you more than you know.