Couldn't be prouder . . .

As you start to organize a family -- marriage and then children -- your thoughts might be about how you want to get an education and a job that will take care of your family.  Once the children arrive your thoughts focus on them:

• How you want to be the best parent ever
• How much love your children and want to teach them and always be there for them
• How you want the best for your children
• How you want your children to be strong and smart and good looking
• How you want them to be nice and honest and courteous and humble
• How you want them to accept your beliefs about God and life and the good things that religion and gospel offer and then they can develop their own testimony of it all
• How you want them to know about and act with faith, hope, and charity
• How you want your children to be outgoing and positive and hard working and willing and able to take on any life challenge
• How you want your children to take on challenges with confidence and courage and all of those other intrinsic values they have
• How you want your children to experience disappointment and discouragement and see how they bring about new opportunities
• How you want your children to learn about the importance of work and then work hard in everything
• How you want your children to grow up with more than you had/have; with better education and opportunities and . . .

As I look at and think about my children every minute of every day I see that my some great miracle they are living examples of everything I (we) have wanted for them forever.  They are not perfect (nor are their parents) and there are times when I have to be a little stronger and opinionated with them than I'd like; but, it's because they are here by our choice and as gifts from God and they are mine (ours)! And, we all have things to learn and do and be; but how thankful I am for them and doggonit, I couldn't be prouder.

New to Me!

Have you ever used the word histrionic?  Well, it's a new vocabulary word for me.  A colleague described someone she knows as a little histrionic.  That means he is a little dramatic, theatrical, melodramatic, etc.  There is even a personality disorder referred to as HPD (histrionic personality disorder) characterized by excessive emotionality and attention-seeking.  Interesting . . .

Do you know what a box and whiskers plot is on a graph?  Well, I do now.  In reviewing some assessment data the other day, student growth was reported using a box and whiskers plot.  An example below -- looks like boxes with whiskers.

Practical Gifts

Yesterday I took Elliott to swimming lessons.  It was raining so I grabbed the big umbrella out of the garage -- Wyatt and I didn't want to sit in the rain while Elliott swam.  Mom gave the umbrella to me several years ago -- one of those practical Christmas gifts that came from VF Factory Outlet. 

Today Annie and Haley and their kids and I went on a little picnic to Sugarhouse Park.  We took our stadium blankets to use as ground cover.  All were gifts from Mom/Grandma.  Annie and Haley have their names embroidered on their GAP blankets never to be mixed up (even though Haley has had Annie's for awhile). 

I mended a pair of pants a few weeks ago using stuff from the best sewing kit I have (complete with all mending supplies).  It was a gift from Mom a year or so before she passed away.  It's a little red basket with an apple pin-cushion for the top. 

Mom made sure we were well informed -- Reader's Digest, National Geographic, and National Geographic Kids were renewed annually.  Socks (3 pairs of white and 3 pairs of colored) were part of every Christmas gift because she didn't ever want us to wear darned or mended socks.  She also made sure we had coats and gloves and warm things to wear in winter. 

While dejunking my house this past week I've stumbled on things Mom gave me and the kids over the years that are just so practical even today and mean so much more than they did then.

Thank you, Mom!

This son of mine . . .

Boy's State Friends (Viewmont, West, Monticello, Sambat (Hunter), Willie, and the kid on the left end who just stood in the picture)

Willie is a busy kid but this past month was the busiest I can remember for him.  He attended Boys State @ WSU the first week of June.  (That makes all Petersen children having attended this American Legion activity.)  Why go?  Well, you have to attend to get what it's all about -- it's about making new friends from all over the state; developing a greater appreciation for our country and those who serve in the military and in political office; learning from veterans themselves about their service and sacrifice; actually learning how government works, and more.  Boys State is not for the ADHD kids of the world because there is a lot of sitting.  All reports indicate that Willie had a great time and it was a really good experience.

Next came leadership camp @ USU.  Seven Hunter High SBOs and Mr. Klein (their advisor) spent 3 nights and 4 days learning how to lead students and engage them in school spirit.  This was so good for all of the kids who attended.  Willie knew some of the SBOs from other schools through athletics and Boys State.  The kids were kind of shocked to hear some of the comments (negative) about Hunter.  They were asked if they had seen a stabbing or kids with guns.  (West Valley just gets a bad rap in everything including student government.)  All in all, it was another great activity and learning event for Willie and the other kids who attended.

Finally, it was basketball camp @ Dixie!  I think it fills the "best kind of camp ever" for my son.  A dozen games played over the course of a week (10-2 record); hanging out in "the hotel" (private joke); and having Karl Dad as the coach made it a great week.  Willie loves basketball!  All of the kids had a blast! 

So this son of mine now has football for the remainder of the summer.  He is working on an online class when I can get him to sit at the computer.  He tweets sometimes 4-5 times a day, and works a few hours a week @ Shavy Jones.  He is excited about everything and is the best son I'll ever have.