we survived with no injuries

As some of you may know, 4th of July seems to have a curse for Kel and I. 

The summer that we started dating, both of us came out of 4th of July celebrations with injuries. Kellys was a little more tragic than mine. 

I blogged about my story when it happened so you can see it here. And I have a beautiful scar now to show I survived. 

Kelly on the other hand, I don't think I ever blogged about so here is a quick outline of what happened. 

Kel and I were at the Brigham City fireworks with my family when all of a sudden, Kelly flipped over into the fetal position and started rocking. I thought he was joking... I mean, if you've met the kid, you would too. Finally he told me something hit him in the eye and I knew he wasn't joking. We kept asking if we should take him to the hospital or call his parents or drive him home or what and he just said "Nah... I'm fine." Whatever Kel. (He says he was trying to look tough) I wouldn't allow him to drive himself home because HELLLLLOOO!!! A freaking marble just fell from the sky and landed in your eyeball!! Yes. A charcoal marble. We found it on the blanket. So I drove him home (which PS was a 50 minute drive from Brigham to Bountiful but I think we made it in 30) where his mother greeted him (not me! Another funny story. Hi Carolyn!) and took him to the ER. 

Don't worry. He is fine now. Well, as far as the doctor can tell. He just has some red dots in his eye that will most likely be there forever. And that is why his eye was swollen in the picture I posted in my last post. 

So now we are a little apprehensive about fireworks and wear goggles and boots. 

Now that you have a little more of our relationship history, I will tell you all about how we spent this 4th.

Our friends Chris and Lauren had their beautiful babe on the 2nd. 

Meet Will. 

And doesn't Lauren look so good for just giving birth?

And here you will see a rare photo of Kel. 

Holding a baby. 

AND smiling ;)

After leaving the hospital, we headed to our friends house where we got to watch fireworks from above in his back yard. It's safer that way! 

And we got to spend the night with these cool cats.

Finally, on the 4th, we went up to the cabin where we hung out until it was time to go to the Oakley Rodeo! This is a tradition for the Whites but since we went to Stadium of Fire last year instead, this was my first year. I love rodeos for many reasons. One of the main ones being the superb people watching!

And that's how we survived another 4th of July with no injures. We are going on 2 years strong now. 

A little throwback on this Thursday

This is a silly little picture that I will love forever. 

And ever. 

And ever and ever and ever and ever. 

This picture was taken at Chris and Lauren's wedding reception when we first started dating. I remember Kelly's friends teasing him about actually bringing a girl to such a social event. I guess he never was real big on that. 

This might not come as a shock to some of you, but I made Kelly very late to this event. I got off work at the time I was supposed to be leaving Brigham to meet him in Bountiful but I didn't think scrubs and a frumpy ponytail would be a good first impression on his friends. I did hurry my fastest... And maybe sped a little more than usual, but Kelly still missed the groomsmen pictures. And the new girl got the blame... Oops!

To be honest, I don't even remember who took this picture. I do remember it was taken to send to someone as proof that Kelly brought a date. I don't remember who that someone was either. 

Can you see my poor lovers eye and how it is swollen? That would be from part of a firework that fell from the sky and hit his eye. More of that story shall come on Saturday!

I'm so lucky that my late-ness didn't stop this boy from dating me! I sure would be lost without him.

some news and some grams

Well guys... One month later and I finally got back around to the blog make over!

But she's done.

For now.

Until I find some other crazy thing I want to do.. But it gives me a headache! I'm not good at this computer business! HTML codes? huh? 

Anyways. Life hasn't been real eventful lately. 

I work. Kel goes to school. 

That's it! 

But that is all about to change..! In three weeks from today, I will be headed on my way back to the promised land! Utah here I come! I say "I" because Kelly gets to go a whole week earlier than me. Not fair. There have been many tears shed about it (all of them from me) but when it comes down to it, there is no way to fix it. His internship in Utah starts before my school district is out for the summer. 

Oh well.. such is life. 

Since I don't believe in posts without pictures (unless they're quick ones like my last one) I will share some from instagram. Sorry I'm lame...

  

I taught my first Relief Society lesson last month! Woot! That is a huge deal. I have never even had the guts to comment in Relief Society before this calling. 

 

Cara and I went to a baby shower like this.. twinner-tweener-weeners. We didn't even buy these pants together and they're even from different stores!

The girls had their Spring Dance Show. Cora didn't (wouldn't) dance. Ayzlie did. Kind of.

no hard hats required

Well guys. My secrets are getting a facelift. 

It's about time, right? 

So hold on tight because I am new to this and it most likely will take a while! 

In the meantime, enjoy your weekend and conference.

my SPRING banner

Here is a little DIY S-P-R-I-N-G banner.

Or I guess you could make it say whatever you wanted :)

 

For the BIG fan, cut a sheet of 12x12 paper in half so that it is 12x6

For the LITTLE fan, cut a sheet of 12x12 paper in thirds so that you have 3 pieces that are each 12x4

 

 

Now, find some entertainment (I chose Gossip Girl, of course) and start folding!

 Again and again and again and again and again....

Until your fingers start screaming at you and you have watched two episodes of your favorite tv show.

 

FYI: The smaller the folds, the better. I want to say mine started out around 1/4 in.

 

 

 

Grab some thin wire and secure that little fan in a squished position, like in the top picture of the following collage (and ps- no making fun of my technical terms).

 

Then fan her out and tape her ends together! On the back side of course.

-You're glad I'm talking about the paper and not you, huh?-

 

 

Next, I dabbed a little Mod Podge on the edges of my big fans and rolie-polied them in some glitter.

 

 

Now that you have your fans made and glitter-tastic, you can glitterize your letters.

I just got some chip-board letters at Hobby Lobby for like $2.99. 

I spray painted them gold, slopped some Mod Podge on, and then sprinkled some fine glitter on top.

Depending on your glitter, you could probably skip the spray paint step. I just did it because I already had the paint.

 

After everything was dry, I hot glued it all together.

Align the center of your fans and plop your letter on top.

I even hot glued my rope on the back... My hot glue gun and I needed some bonding time.

 

VOILA!

You're done.

 

 

 

Kansas City

Well friends, I suppose it is time to share some pictures about our little vacation because little vacations are very rare these days.

Emily and I knew it was almost Spring Break time for our boys but we also knew it wouldn't be much  of a break for them. They had reading to do, papers to write, and projects to work on. We decided that regardless of all the nonsense, they needed a break. And so did we! So we planned a weekend in Kansas City.

Within a ten minute drive home from the gym at 6:47 am, we knew when we were going and what we were going to do. We just needed a hotel.... But Emily did some magical work and got us the greatest hotel, in the greatest location, (walking distance to H&M, Pottery Barn, Forever 21, Restoration Hardware, + many more), for the greatest price!

The first thing we did on our first day there was visit the World War I museum.

It was so interesting. We could have spent hours and hours there... We did spend 2 hours but we could have done 2 more!

Kelly hates pictures... Maybe this is why we never take any.

It rained the whole weekend. If you know me, you know it didn't bother me one bit!

Em and I took a little venture out on Saturday afternoon to walk around the shops. We got caught in a straight downpour! Rivers were flowing all over! Luckily we had our freshly purchased umbrellas from H&M. We popped those babies open and enjoyed our stroll through the streets.

Kansas City was a success! We talked about how Kansas City is what we imagined Omaha to be like. Haha but Omaha was a let down... We would choose Kansas City over Omaha any day!

Our trip was cut a little short because of a snow storm that we didn't want to drive home in but now we just have an excuse to go again!

I've got big news over here

I bet you thought I was pregnant when you first read that, didn't you?! 

Gotcha! 

The real news is....

Drumrolllllll.......

I, Riley Jan White, have received a calling. 

I am now a Relief Society Instructor in the Fontenelle Ward!

At first I said YIKES! 

Now, I am a little bit excited! I won't admit to it but after all, this blog is about my secrets, right?

❤❤❤❤

So from here on out, on the second Sunday of each month, I will be teaching Relief Society. 

A few things that have helped calm my nerves:

• There will only be time for two lessons before we go home for summer.
• I could be in nursery.... 
• At least it isn't the first Sunday, Fast Sunday, because then I would feel like I couldn't pass out treats.
• Most of all, my Mommas comforting texts telling me that I am going to be fantastic! 

The Tupperware burglar

On one of my nights when Kelly was still in Utah on his Christmas break and I was stuck in Nebraska all alone, I went on a date with one of my BFFs. 

His name is TJ. 

Some of you might call him Maxx or even TJ Maxx. 

And that is where it all began... 

You might remember this post if you follow me on insta.

Now, let it be known that TJ is also my therapist. 

There is something about walking around that place that just calms me down and releases my stress.

Soooo therapeutic.

Anyways, back to the story. 

So I bought that beautiful mirror. How could I not? 24 of those 28 likes occurred while I was still in the store. 

I found me some frames (also from other TJ Maxx's and HomeGoods) and put together a conglomeration (oh and that key is from HomeGoods about a year ago #sistercompanies #soulmates) to hang in my kitchen.

One night while Kel and I are both snoozing, the very top frame got in a fight with the wall and plummeted to the ground, taking the frame below it along. 

We both woke up.

Kelly more than me. 

It went a little somethin like this 

K: Sits up. Lays down. Sits up. Holds still. 

R: "You okay?" (Mostly still sleeping and dreaming) 

K "Did you hear that?" 

R: "Yeah...." 

K: "What do you think it was?" 

R: "I don't know... Some Tupperware falling off the counter..?" (There was no Tupperware on the counter, but I did do dishes right before going to bed, hence the Tupperware on the mostly asleep brain) 

K: looks at me "Tupperware?" Like I'm an idiot. I was. Actually, I am. 

R: "Yeah... Just go to sleep" 

Kelly continues sitting up

K: "We'll don't you want to know what it was?"

R: I was waking up more at this point. "It was probably my frames falling off the wall.." 

That did the trick. He agreed it was the frames and we went back to sleep. 

But Kel was about ready to march down there with his gun. 

Those pesky Tupperware stealing picture frames....

So here you see round two of the frames because the first round of frames was found in pieces on the floor in the morning.

lazy housewife problems

The only way I will fold laundry...

>> Netflix for a distraction

>>Chocolate (preferably M&Ms or Cadbury eggs)

Please tell me I'm not the only one. 

We made a shelf. A big one.

We spent last Saturday making this gem of a thing.

Don't mind that sideways, smushed pillow. That is where I am sitting right this moment. 

That is real life for you.

And also, the decor on it is not permanent. Those are just things I had close that I could throw on there real quick.

Truth is, we are poor law student newlyweds living on pennies found in the couch and I have to slowly and carefully gather my knick knacks. 

Therefor, it could be months before there is a polished arrangement of "things"

OR, knowing myself as well as I do, it will constantly be changing for the two and a half more years we are here! Especially around holidays. Can't wait!

Point is....! We made that. 

Kelly assembled.

I stained.

Together we hung. 

Oh and that...

That's my handsome husband. 

Mmmm...

another post for my Ash

As you may know from many previous posts..

I have a best friend and her name is Ashlee

...that felt like the beginning to an awesome birthday rap which is perfect because 

TODAY IS HER BIRTHDAY

But I am not a very good rapper so I will spare you and stop typing (or tapping because that is what you do on an iPad) now.

our turn for some snow

Ladies and gentlemen,

this is ridiculous.

Before I even went to bed last night, the school district had called school off for a snow storm that was coming. It wasn't even supposed to start until 1 the next day. I woke up and that is what I saw out my window. 

So today I had a snow day. 

I mean, it did start snowing.

See?

But it's still not anything compared to snow storms I had to go to school in when I was a wee little one.

I only had one snow day in my entire school career.

This year, in Omaha, I have had three.

Oh, and tomorrow will be make that four because they already sent the email that we won't be going tomorrow either. 

So thanks to Mother Nature, I will be getting some reading done.

Yes, me.

The girl who has probably read 5 books total since the 6th grade.

I crave it every once in a while.

And Kelly asked me how I am going to get our babies to read if I never do. 

Valid point. 

"Kids, I never read when I was younger and look what happened to me. I turned out to be a college dropout idiot. Now go get your books and we shall read for 3 hours to make up for all of mommies lost time."

They're gonna love me!

Christmas break in February

I've officially been home for a month and am finally posting the few pictures I have of Christmas Break.

I suck.

Doug and Carolyn both have birthdays in December so we celebrated with good food and cake.

Baby R enjoyed sneaking cake with grandpa, too.

Please tell me I'm not the only one who packs like this...

I just would hate to forget something!

Or heaven forbid have to wear something twice!

That's my cute husband plowing the driveway.

I miss those Utah snow storms.

And my cute husband again.. On Christmas Day.

Looking out those storybook windows.

Christmas naps are necessary.

Every boy needs a toy on Christmas. No matter his age.

RC snowmobile.

COOOOOLEST wife :)

 

 

Some 5:00 am shopping for giveaways and super deals on the day after Christmas? Favorite new tradition.

Thank you, Alexandria. And sorry you missed out Victoria. Alli.. Where have you been?

 

 

Miss Jada. Who needs a fork to eat a brownie? Not to mention hands. Face down, doggie style is the way to do it.

 

 

He hates pictures.. hence the reason we don't have any.

And apparetly I am a ghost and Kelly recently took a trip to somewhere sunny.

 

 

My favorite kind of snow:

When you can see each individual flake and it's personality.

Every flake is different.

Makes me feel like I'm on the Magic School Bus.

I spend too much time with first graders.

 

 

We made a couple trips to the cemetary.

Breaks my heart every time.

Hate that I missed out on such a strong relationship.

 

 

That was just a small little sample of our break.

We always had somewhere to be!

We couldn't get enough of how much time we were able to spend with family and friends.

We love you allllllllll! To the moon and back.

that's all

You know you should probably stay home from work when the question of whether you should wear a bra today or not even crosses your mind.

 

TMI? Sorry.

 

Who is in for starting No-Bra-Hump-Day?

I don't mean hump as in the dirty hump..

I mean it as the middle of the week.

Getting over the hump.

Get it?

No-Bra-Wednesday is just too boring.

Omaha Shmomaha

Well, I did it. 

I flew all by myself. 

No husband to hold my hand and tell me where to go or the next step.

It only took me 22 years... 

I'm such a wuss when it comes to serious things like this. I take after my dad. 

ANXIETY

But I did it! Layover in the crazy Denver airport and everything! I even got myself a taxi when I finally arrived to Omaha.

My solo travel essentials

I cried.

Because I didn't want to leave my husband, let alone Utah. 

I mean, look at that.

Stunning if you ask me.

I haven't even been here for two weeks and I can't wait to go back. Summer can't come soon enough! 

I love you, Utah. 

My four dollar, five minute project

Love this kind of craft.

The quick, easy, no mess kind.

Okay... I'll admit it. I love ANY craft. Even if its something I do at work with the 1st graders. You can never get too old for some crayola crayons, safety scissors, and a purple glue stick.

ANYWAYS!! :)

I purchased two packs of these little arrow clips at Target in the dollar section. One single dollar. One of them. Less than you pay for the parking meter around here.

I got me some "kids craft magnets" at Walmart on my next visit (that's what the old toothless worker lady called them).

I scurried my little tooshie home; over the river (literally) and through the fog to my humble, frozen, and human-less house.

PS- Kelly, please come home.

PPS- that is probably not a correct usage of a semi colon. Over it.

I plugged in my glue gun to heat up while I munched on some carrots and did dishes.

It was finally time.... Creating time! Woot woot!

Simple... Glue, place, done.

And look how cute!