Surprise Fortune

Heidi and a few of her girlfriends decided to ask some boys to the girls' choice dance "Tolo."  Heidi wanted to ask her date in a creative way, so she came up with this idea on her own.

 

Heidi researched recipes for homemade fortune cookies online.  She found one that looked good and we tried it out.  It took a lot of trial and error to get them looking like fortune cookies, and we had four red-burned thumbs between the two of us, but we got them done!

 

Heidi put a "fortune" inside each cookie which had a letter from her name, "HEIDI WHITE."  He was then meant to unscramble the letters to discover who delivered the surprise treat.

 

 



Ethan did the honors of the Ding Dong Ditch, leaving the package on Jared's doorstep.  He was so nervous about where to run, and where to hide, and what if someone came looking for him????  It was hilarious!  But he did great and didn't get caught!

 

Who couldn't say "YES" to a treat like this???

 

Will hopefully post pictures of the date itself in a few weeks....

Funny Me

Every year, Everett School District sponsors an art competition for students to submit their original pieces of art and presentation called the Reflections Celebration.  First place winners in each division then move on to state level competition.  For the first time, this year they have a Special Artist Division for those with qualifying disabilities.  The students must create their own artwork, but can have non-artistic accomodation and assistance from an adult. 

 

This year's theme is "Magic of the Moment."

 

Elise's teacher really wanted to submit something from Elise.  She works daily at school on an iPad, and loves to look at pictures of herself and her friends on it.  One day her teacher set the iPad on video record and let Elise do her thing.  The result is her submission titled, "Funny Me."

 

On Wednesday night, the School District had an open house with all the artwork and submissions on display, along with their awards.  Elise's video took first place in her division, which means it will be moving on to the state competition!

 

It was a really special night.  As I was wandering around looking at all the student submissions, I had several people come introduce themselves to me, wanting to get to meet Elise's mom.  Two women from the PTSA committee sought me out specifically so they could meet me and tell me how much they adore Elise.  They both started to tear up as they exclaimed how excited they were to see her video, and also tell me how much of an impact she makes on all the kids around her.

 

They didn't have to tell me how special she is, though.  I already knew that, but it is so touching to see what a positive role she plays.  She is here on earth, and in our home, for a very special purpose.

 

When Eric gave Elise her first Priesthood blessing at church, it was before we even realized that she was going to be different and have special needs.  He was inspired by our Heavenly Father to tell her that she is a very special spirit, reserved to come to earth at this time, and that others would feel the Savior's love through her.

 

Everyday, Elise brings the Spirit into our home, and I see how others immediately feel something special when they are near her.  They are filled with love.  I know this is a gift from our Father in Heaven to each of us, and is Elise's special purpose here on the earth.  Even if they do not know how to expain what they are feeling, they are experiencing first-hand the Savior's love for each of us, as shown through the smile of one of His most precious children.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve in front of the tree!

 

 

 

We spent a wonderful Christmas at home this year. Here are a few pictures from the holiday.

 

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree!

 

 

Looks like a few kids are getting excited for Santa to come!

 

 

 

After opening presents on Christmas morning, we headed out to our annual trip to Mukilteo Beach.  It had been raining all day, and we lucked out in finding a brief pause in the rain.  It was very cold, though, with a biting wind!

 

 

We saw this scuba diver braving the cold on Christmas Day.  He teased us that he was probably warmer in the water than we were in the wind!

 

 

 

Erica didn't seem to mind the cold.  In fact, we had to drag her away from the water, numb hands, bare legs and all!  That girl is crazy!

 

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that this New Year brings you much peace, hope, and love! 

First Day of School

Another school year started on September 5th!

 



Heidi started her Junior year at Cascade High School. She also started her training at Sno-Isle Technical Skills Center, and is studying to become a certified dental assistant.  She is very excited, and loves her new scrubs!

 



Ethan is in 6th Grade and started his first year at Eisenhower Middle School.  He is excited about the change, and especially Band. Heidi took him around the school for Orientation and she showed him all the tricks to opening his new locker.

 



Elise wasn't too happy to be woken up so early to get ready for school!  She is still at Forest View Elementary with the same teacher that I love, now in the 3rd Grade.

 



She perked up when she saw the bus, though!

 



 

There's a grin!  She loves the bus!

 

Erica was so excited for her first day back at Preschool!  She is in Miss Maryanne's Pre-K Preschool program and loves that she gets to go to school three days a week, instead of two!  She just wishes she could ride the bus like the other kids!

Birthday Boy

Hard to believe, but Ethan turned twelve years old on Friday!

 

He started the day opening presents before school.

 



Ethan's special gift this year was a scenic flight over Seattle! He is so excited!

 



After school, Ethan and Eric went with the 11-year-old scouts for his last campout with them. They had a great time hanging out with the boys. It was perfect weather.

 



Today we completed the celebration with Ethan's birthday cake. I used a new recipe and it turned out soooo yummy! It is a triple-layer rich chocolate cake with chocolate butter-cream frosting.

 



And did I mention it is covered in CANDY?!

 



Here is a view of his twelve "candles."

 



Today was a big day because Ethan was ordained to be a Deacon at church and given the Aaronic Priesthood. I am so proud of him and the young man he is becoming!

 



We love you, Ethan!

Happy Birthday!

 



Daughter of a King

July was a really crazy month....I will try to get caught up on all my blog posts!!

I taught a lesson today for all our Young Women, and made a slide show for the end of the lesson. I thought it turned out pretty well, but I am pretty partial to these girls!! I also LOVE the two songs which I used: "I Am His Daughter" and "Daughter of a King."  (Notice a theme going here?)  Even if you don't know my Young Women, the music alone makes watching the video worthwhile!

Fathers

I have three very important men in my life...

I was lucky enough to find my soulmate at the tender age of eighteen. Eric was the first Returned Missionary I ever dated, and I never looked back! My dad told me many years later that he remembered the phone call I made home after I met him for the first time. Once he heard that Eric was a Returned Missionary, he knew I was a goner!

I feel so blessed to be married to a man who honors his priesthood, is a loving father and partner, and is my best friend. He has always been a hard worker, and devotes countless hours to serving others. He is a great example to me of unconditional love and acceptance. I feel so blessed that we were able to be sealed for time and eternity in the Boise, Idaho temple almost eighteen years ago! It is amazing to think that I am at the point now that half of my life has been spent with this wonderful man!



Most of my fondest memories involve some sort of adventure with my dad. He was always the cool water-skiing, rock-climbing, mountain-biking guy that everyone else wished they were related to! In particular, I loved the years we spent learning to waterski after we got our first boat. I was twelve years old when he taught me how to drive the boat while he skiied. I felt so grown-up and important because I felt that he trusted me.

Over the years I have felt our bond increase. I love our long Sunday night conversations where we talk about everything from music to work to kids to church. He has always been such an amazing example to me of generosity and love. It was from him that I learned how to gain a testimony of the gospel. I so appreciate his priesthood leadership over our family, and have felt the strength from his testimony and priesthood blessings. I can always count on him for the best advice and counsel. I feel so blessed to have him as my father!



This is our first Father's Day without Brady. I have been thinking about him all week, missing his smile, his warm embrace, and his presence in our lives. I will always be grateful for his loving welcome to me into the White clan. He loved his family so much. His grandkids were his world. He never let an opportunity pass him by to express how much he loved us. Just this week, we were having issues with one of our cars. Eric mentioned how much he wished he could call his dad to ask for advice, like he always did before. It struck me hard on how much I wished we could just talk to him about anything. We miss him so much.

I will eternally be grateful to Brady for his example of hard work and dedication to his family, and his strength to endure so many years of sickness. I never heard him complain, even when I knew that he felt so ill and weak. He was a loving father, and raised four amazing children. I feel so blessed to have had him in my life, and for the wonderful son he raised!

Happy Father's Day!

Eastmont's Got Talent!

For the last half-year, I have been working with three ladies singing doo-wop style music. We call ourselves The Serenades. Our goal is to have enough songs accumulated to put on a thirty-minute show for nursing homes around the area, or for anyone else who wants to listen! We have been meeting every week, putting many hours of hard work into our music. It has been such a treat to work with these ladies!

On Friday night our newly dubbed "Eastmont Ward" held a talent show. The Serenades wanted to make their first grand performance, of course. Unfortunately, one of our members was not going to be able to be there due to a scheduling conflict with her brother's wedding. We decided last minute to persevere, and threw together two songs which we could sing as a trio rather than a quartet.

Here is our big moment:

The Serenades!

Suzanne Vance: Soprano

Heather White: Second Soprano

Audrey Sisco: Alto

(not pictured: Anne Bodily: Second Alto)

We've got a long way to go still, but boy are we having fun!!!