The longest day!

Today was absolutely the longest work day in many days.  It started out with snow-packed and slippery roads, power outages at intersections, and a slow drive to work.  The radio kept me (and all of the other drivers) informed about road closures, airport closures, accidents and more.  After 2, yes 2, hours to make an 11 mile drive, I was wiped out and not ready to get going on anything.  The clocked ticked by and finally at 3:30 I wished everyone a nice evening and headed home.  Oh my goodness!

December!

I need to record the events and experiences of the past few months.  If I don't, I am not likely to remember them at all or tell anyone about them. I am home chilling for a few hours before my meeting schedule begins for the day.  I have a pretty amazing life filled with blessings of family, good health, associates, work, church service and more that lead to ongoing happiness, purpose, meaning and substance.

Family Party

Saturday, December 7, we hosted the annual Petersen Family Christmas Party.  We had a good crowd but were missing more family than in previous years.  Annie created the menu, Haley and I were support staff and everyone there had a nice family evening which included several rounds of TREE (Bingo for Christmas) with prizes for all.

Who'd have thought . . . 

I grew up in a small community only 1.9 miles from where I currently live.  It was a pretty positive upbringing for the most part, not perfect, but good parents and religion moved all 8 kids in the family along. Last week, Friday (December 6), I sat on a pretty high profile panel of education, workforce, and government leaders to talk about the future of young people using Pathway to Prosperity as our reference.  The author of the Harvard document was the key panelist.  The panel was organized to speak with attendees of the national ACTE conference (Association of Career and Technical Education) held in Las Vegas.  It was a pretty amazing experience, to say the least.

In October, I made a lightning-speed trip to New York City to sit on a panel of large district, school counseling leaders from across the country at the Fall Forum of the College Board.  My charge there was to share how school counseling is experiencing a transformation to emphasis the importance of college and career readiness for all students. While right downtown in NYC I found my way to the top of the Empire State Building to the center of Rockefeller Plaza.  I had an interesting cabbie, Vido, who provided a travel/historical dialog to the airport. 

Grands!

Having now five grandchildren is quite an accomplishment and so much fun.  I had some alone time with all of them after Thanksgiving. What cute little chillins!  Elliott is so smart and wants to be helpful and has a million questions and ideas.  Wyatt is very strong-willed and a little on the stubborn side but so endearing.  Molly is my "golden granddaughter" and she is always so good when it's just the two of us.  Jackity-Jack is s sweet little boy who manages to understand and communicate in his own language.  And, Quinn is my chubby-wubby who patiently waits for me to look his way to share a huge smile. 

Lithuanian Express

Willie's Fantasy Basketball Team is affectionately call the Lithuanian Express. Preparing a missionary is a new thing for all of us.  When the "call" came in September, I thought "why so much time to prepare"?  Now, with just a little over two months from MTC time, I am feeling a little pressure.  Willie is ready! Now, we just need to get the shopping done -- for two years!  We are all excited to send a missionary off; but our excitement pales to what Willie is feeling.  He's ready!

U of U Student

One semester down and seven or eight to go.  With concurrent and AP credit and one semester nearly completed, Willie has enough credit to be considered a sophomore!  It's amazing how he has made the transition from high school to the college scene.  He's focused, he studies hard, and it has been a good life prep program to give him some substance to draw from as he moves to a new life experience.

The day after Thanksgiving

So, it's the day after Thanksgiving and a beautiful day!  Not sure about how the rest of the world celebrated but we had a huge group at Dad's for dinner.  I think there were close to 50!  We overprepared and over planned and there was delicious turkey and all the fixins for all; and seconds, and thirds, too.

It was a great day!

50 years ago, and I can still remember . . .

I was in third grade and at recess at Webster School in Magna, Utah.  When we returned to class, Mrs. Thacker reported that everyone would be going home early because President Kennedy had been shot and killed and Mrs. Kennedy wanted all students sent home from school, all students across the country.  I was very sad; I liked the Kennedys. Not too many months earlier, President Kennedy was in Salt Lake City and visited with Mormon church leaders.  His motorcade was scheduled to head to the airport after the meeting going west on North Temple.  Mom and Dad loaded the five girls in the car and we headed to SLC to find a parking spot on the side of the road to watch the motorcade.  I remember the event pretty vividly -- black fancy convertible with the President inside, waving.

November 22 is my cousin Scott's birthday and back in 1963, a birthday was a time for family to gather and this birthday on a very somber day was no different.  However, the excitement of a birthday party was stifled a little as the grownups in the room talked about the events of the day and watched the recaps on a black and white TV.  Some important family members were missing that evening, Grandma and Grandpa Eccles. They were in Pittsburg, PA visiting Uncle Blaine and his family.  I remember feeling very nervous that they weren't there.  I was worried that they would get shot and killed.

The days that followed were heavy -- no school until after the funeral.  Hours were spent watching TV and listening to the radio.  As much as was possible 50 years ago was broadcast so all of the US could be involved.  I will never forget the funeral procession, Mrs. Kennedy and the kids and others walked to Arlington Cemetery accompanying the horse-drawn carriage with the casket.

Fast forward and as an adult I have visited Dallas, Dealey Plaza and the Schoolbook Depository building; I have walked the path taken by the funeral cortege to Arlington and viewed the eternal flame at the Kennedy graves site.  I have visited the Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston. Then and now when November 22 rolls around I remember very vividly the day President Kennedy was assassinated.  It was a very sad and solemn then and feels that way 50 years later.

First Snow!

Yesterday was a beautiful Indian summer day nearly 70 degrees and clear sky.  This morning we awoke to a quiet snowstorm with over an inch on the grass. It's a peaceful snow storm - no wind or ice just jumbo sized flakes and the sidewalks and roads are still warm enough there's no need to shovel.  It's one of those days where you just want to stay home and make cookies.

Life is good!

I live in a small neighborhood in a nice home among hard working middle class type people.  I have an amazing job, I go to church on Sunday, I am nice to most everyone, and I have good health and blessings (too many to track or count). However, the most amazing and important pieces that make the puzzle of my life complete are my family members -- Karl, the kids and kids-in-law, grandchillins, my dad (and Mom and Ardith), siblings and siblings-in-law, many nieces and nephews, adopted family members (they know who they are), and others . . . .   At the end of the day, family matters more than anything.

I usually start my grocery list on Saturday night after I get home from the store and realize everything I forgot to buy.  My grocery list was on the desk in the kitchen on Sunday and that's the day all the family comes to dinner.  After work today, I needed to add something to my list and there on the paper Elliott had written his name.  Grandson #1 is into leaving notes here and there.  A couple of weeks ago, he left two sticky notes on my dresser "I (image of a heart) you".  A heart warming and tender feeling consumes me when I see his awkward first grade handwriting messages, just for me!  It's stuff like this that makes my life complete!  I don't know why Elliott added his name to my grocery list, but just the fact that it is there will remind me to get him and all of the kids a special something when I go shopping.

Life is good!

Birthdays usually come and go, but not this year

So, I celebrated another birthday with family and others unlike ever before.  Cards in the mail, gifts and cards delivered in person, visits at home and the office from family and friends, text messages and phone calls, random people wishing me "Happy Birthday" -- awesome for me, but a little out of the ordinary.  Then the truth came out!  Willie posted a couple of pictures announcing to the social media world that I was celebrating a birthday.  Go figure -  he has a "following" and they and others let me know they knew.

So this afternoon, I was at the credit union and the transaction took a little longer than usual.  When the teller returned she said, "I noticed you just celebrated a birthday, and I have a gift for you."  She sent a card through the drive-up tube and in it was a $2 bill.  I am not implying that the teller is on Willie's social media circuit, but it was a random occurrence.

Thank you to everyone for a great birthday - obviously still celebrating!

October is a good month!

I turned the calendar from September to October and thought - October is a good month! It's kind of confusing because it is the tenth month but its root is "octo" meaning eight.  I guess it was the eighth month in the ancient days.  January and October always start on the same day of the month (interesting).

National Pizza Month

National Popcorn Popping Month

Special Days 

Independence Days for Cyprus, Croatia, and Nigeria

Stock's Anniversary - 10-9-8

Columbus Day

Thanksgiving in Canada

Halloween

I like the fall colors of October - orange, brown, red, yellow.
I like fall activities -- football games, soccer games, sitting outside on Sunday afternoon, driving to see the fall leaves in the mountains, . . .
I like that I get to celebrate my birthday in October.

Looks like a missionary to me!

If you read the Petersen family blogs you are likely to know by now that Willie has a mission call.  He will be serving in the Baltic States Mission - Lithuania.  It's pretty exciting and a great opportunity for Willie, our family, and friends, and ward members, and others.

Missionary service is a pretty amazing life activity.  Making a commitment to go away from what you're used to and comfortable with for two years is one commitment; taking on the responsibility of inviting others to "come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end," is a tall order to take on.  Like so many in our church, Willie will take it on and give it his best.


Willie is maturing and growing up more every day and really looking like a missionary!

Happy Birthday, Mom

Another year has come and gone and it's Mom's birthday - but not without a celebration.  Mom had this thing about keeping the deceased around and alive in our minds and hearts.  She always recognized the birthdays and other events of those who had passed on.  These days always included a story or two and a visit to the graves of those closest to us (in relation and distance).

All in the family who could met at Mom's grave this evening.  We put some flowers on her grave, Dad said a few words and then gave a nice prayer.  Then we (42 of us) headed to Crown Burger for food and good company. It was a nice evening and I didn't have to cook or clean up afterwards.

Not a day goes by that I don't miss Mom.  Most days come and go with a thought here or there.  Some days are just tough - no getting around it.  On rare occasions I sense she is close by like when I leave Dad's late at night and drive home in the quiet dark.  A tear or two will well up in my eyes and I feel a warmth and a feeling that she is not too far away and thanking me for checking in on Dad.

Happy 83rd Birthday, Mom!  Love you!

Rainy Days and Sunday

Random August

I wanted to upload a few pictures since my last post, but they have disappeared on my camera.  Who knows where they are?  If I had them, I would show you a picture of one of the baby quail that hatched a few weeks ago.  I would share a photo of Willie on his first day of school at the U.  I have a couple of pictures of the grandkids and others.  Oh well, just imagine what they might look like.

Willie started school at the U of U on Monday.  The first two days were a little rough.  He's basically been the "big man on campus" in high school for the past year; knowing everyone and everyone knowing him.  This summer, he has gradually moved from being number 1 to one of 30,000+ student at the U.  Sure, he knows a few U students -- Jesus, Natalie, Emily, Preston, Travis, Ahmud, Mason, Adam, some kid named Allen from orientation, Stephanie, Arob, and a few others.  But the first two days he was basically a little fish lost in a very big pond.  Once Wednesday came, however, he was back in his element.  He couldn't say enough about the classes, the professors/instructors, the people, and the university environment.  He picked up his scholarship check, signed up for ASUU first year council and tennis intramural, and has become a master at TRAX.  He's mentioned thinking is a big part of his new school experience (imagine that) -- no more worksheets and extra credit.  It's serious learning.

A week ago, I went with Willie and Jesus on TRAX to the U to make sure we knew it would be efficient and get them where they needed to go.  It was fun!  I don't know if they liked hanging out with an older person, but they didn't complain.  We TRAXed it to the U, walked all of the classes, bought some stuff at the bookstore, and headed back to TRAX.  Because if was the week before classes there were booths and things around campus luring students: join the University Credit Union, set up an account with Wells Fargo, etc., and they all offered prizes.  We walked away with a tee shirt, chap stick, pens, popcorn, and Otterpops.

Dinner with Grandpa has been fun this summer.  Some Wednesday nights we (the children and grandchildren) have all met at Grandpa's for swimming and a BBQ.  The kids have had a blast and they have shown off their sweet swimming skills. One night we all met at Mountain Mike's Pizza for dinner in honor of Shavy Jones.  Another Wednesday, we did Village Inn (free pie Wednesday).  And, this past Wednesday, all 13 of us went to Crown Burgers.  It's fun getting together to do what we know best -- eat.

Willie is getting ready to meet with the Stake President as part of the LDS mission call process.  He hit the "send" button to the Bishop on August 19 (the whole process is now online).  The Bishop interviewed him on Sunday, August 25, and he just needed the medical paper work (held up at Dr. Havlik's office for an immunization update) in order to hit the "send" button to the Stake President.  Hopefully, that will happen this week.  My baby boy is ready to give a semester of school his best and then leave for a yet to be determined mission assignment.  Getting the dental exam, medical exam, patriarchal blessing, and everything done has been fun.  We are anxiously excited at what the future holds for Willie.

Summer Stuff

A few weeks ago I ended up going to a training seminar in San Diego (of all places). The meetings were held in a variety of hotels in the Hotel Circle area which meant I would be about 8 minutes from the ocean -- a beach.

A lot of kids who grew up in the 60's like me developed an affinity for everything beach likely due to the Beach Boys and Beach movies (Beach Party, Beach Blanket Bingo, Blue Hawaii, Muscle Beach Party, Girls on the Beach, Bikini Beach, and How to Stuff a Wild Bikini). We saw the movies over and over again and imagined that we were there.  We laid out in the sun everyday during summer (in the back yard). We rode our bikes to Silver Sands Beach (Great Salt Lake) and stayed until we were burned to a crisp.  We knew all the crazy dance moves from the beach movies.  We dreamed of living on the beach.  We believed everything we were told about the Beach Boys; even that the kids who lived next door to Grandpa Eccles knew them personally because they were from California.

Fast forward a few decades and I still have an affinity for the beach!  Every time I get to So Cal . . . the geographical region of Southern California, a trademark, home to killer surf . . . I must head to the beach!  I love the sound of the waves, the surf (and surfer people), and the sunset.

Summer is slippin away . . . .

It's August 10, and the summer is peacefully slipping away.  

• Willie has been working as a grounds crew person for Granite School District.  I think he has had some fun and learned a lot about people and places and things.  The first learning experience was that his crew partner, who also just graduated from high school, is a dad.  He has two kids.  His two kids have different moms. He and his crew partner have had some good discussions about life and work and school and more. They have become good work partners.  Willie has also associated years of hard work in football, basketball, school, and more with good solid work ethic.  He can "find work" and keep going without having to be told what to do. He has had one promotion and if he were staying through October, he would have another.  I am very proud of his commitment and excitement for work; even when it's exhausting outdoor work in 100 degree heat.  He makes me proud!
• My #1 grandson, Elliott, started first grade a few weeks ago!  It's not just any old first grade, it's duel immersion first grade!  He goes to school all day like other first graders, but the first half of his day is completely in Spanish!  I can't imagine how stressful and anxious that would make me; Elliott seems to be handling the whole thing pretty well. I am so proud of him -- when he finishes elementary school in duel immersion he will be almost fluent in Spanish (spoken and written).
• My daughters are excellent mothers!  Annie and Haley have made sure their kids have had a great summer.  They've been to the Zoo, Thanksgiving Point, Scheels, Cabela's, local parks, and more! Play time in summer is so important to kid development and I am so proud of my daughters and how much focus they put on their kids.  They are "hands on moms" and love and teach their children with commitment and confidence.  It's not easy dragging kids here and there and everywhere, but they do it!  The benefit for me is an amazing family of above-average, strong, and good looking grandchildren. 
• My sons-in-law are amazing!  I don't devote much blog space to Ross and James but know that they are deserving.  They are such good dads and husbands and work hard for their individual families. They also support their extended family -- me, Karl, Willie, and Grandpa. When it comes to getting things done, I turn to them.  This summer, Grandpa has needed a few outdoor improvements.  When this request came they gave 100%; weeknights and Saturdays for family work and without a complaint (as far as I am aware).  The benefits for me -- Karl had a strong work crew to complete a planter box in Grandpa's driveway and a beautiful stone deck in the backyard.  So how do I show my appreciation for their goodness and everything?  I feed them!
• I need to post a few comments about Karl, too. This year marks 37 years of marriage; but this summer means more than 41 years of friendship and all that jazz.  Our first "date" was going to the 4th of July fireworks at Liberty Park, summer of 1972.  He had to call me from a pay phone to ask me to go because his mom wasn't too excited about me (I think she liked the "other" girl better). We went with some friends from Karl's neighborhood. We got to the park early enough to walk to my grandparents home (Kensington Avenue) so Karl could meet them.  I don't know that any of my siblings' spouses met Grandpa Huber but Karl. Over the years, we have had our ups and downs, but when all is said and done we "kiss and make-up" and move on.  I have the most supportive and accepting husband/friend around.  

Grandchillins -- pretty independent and sassy!

They will not pose for a picture, but I managed to get this one on Sunday afternoon.  They all looked so cute in their Sunday clothes I couldn't resist.  

Annie got a little better sitting.

I love them!

Quail in my flower bead!

A couple of weeks ago, a male quail greeted me as I drove into the driveway; he was perched on my mini flag stand in the front yard.  Willie and I tried to take a picture, but he scurried away across the grass.  Hmmm . . . what's up with that?

So, Saturday morning I was tying up some of my heavy-bloom flowers and I came across a next of eggs.  Ah ha!  Quail eggs -- daddy quail must have been guarding them (9 in all).  I continued working in the flowers when I nearly stepped on Mamma quail.

A few hours later, I checked on the nest and there she was -- keeping them warm. Can't wait to see what happens.  I hope the cats, snakes, and our newest neighbor a big brown hawk, don't eat them before they hatch.

A new generation of missionaries . . .

In one month last spring a dozen or so of Willie's friends received their mission calls.  With the change in age requirements from 19 to 18 for boys and 21 to 19 for girls has had a huge impact on this newest generation of young adults.  The whole thing caught me off guard.  It wasn't until Willie came home from school and announced that Kendall Taylor had his mission call to Mexico; and he was due to leave two weeks after high school graduation that it hit me -- Willie is old enough to serve a mission!

The calls continued to come -- Quinn Parker to Mexico; Alexandro to Mexico; Stephan to Tacoma, WA; Paxon to Oklahoma City, OK; Cody to Cleveland, OH; Paula to Lyon, France; Travis to Indianapolis, IN; Steven to Ukraine; Josh to Mesa, AZ; Cory to Asuncion, Paraguay; and more . . .

Then it really hit me - Tanner got his mission call to Riverside, CA and Austin to Las Vegas, NV.  Willie and Tanner have been friends since 2nd grade and basketball teammates since 4th grade.  Austin entered the scene in 5th grade -- he and Willie played their first year of little league football together and he, too, became a good friend.

Fast forward 7-8 years and the three friends are grown-up and moving on.  This photo was taken in Tanner's carport after his mission sacrament meeting.  They are good boys!

Austin, Tanner, Willie

Grandma Camp #2

So we headed to the great outdoors -- Silver Lake (Brighton Ski Resort).  It took two cars this time because we all went.  It was nice and cool and peaceful and pleasant . . . . until our picnic lunch . . . then the kids were bothered by the bugs.

Ready to hike (Grandma Style)!

Not liking the bugs in the great outdoors is one of those family characteristics that spans generations.  When I was a young kid my dad was involved in building Mill Hollow (Granite District's summer science camp).  Mom loaded us up in the car one summer afternoon to take a picnic supper to Mill Hollow to join Dad.  KFC was our standard picnic.  We spread out a blanket in a shady area, got things ready to eat and then the attack of the slow moving deer flies ensued.  When I tried to shoo one off my forehead, it refused to fly away and there it stayed, splat.

The best part of Grandma Camp is actually just staying at Grandma's house.  We really don't need to go anywhere, the kids just like to hang out.  Its been fun having some days off just to "hang out".

A hut or a fort?

Jack loves remotes and phones - Molly in her "July" clothes

Grandma Camp

I took the big kids on an adventure Friday, July 5.  We loaded up the family truckster and headed to some goofy places like the DUP Museum, City Creek Center, and a picnic at Liberty Park.

The kids were very good and we had fun!

Fascinated by the two-headed lamb with one neck, two ears,  four eyes -

Shopping at City Creek - Disney Store

Cookie break - 

Cookie break -- 

Cookie break with "style"

Church Service Ritual -- Passing on the "Binder"

So on June 23, there was a change in the Hunter Central Stake Relief Society Presidency.  I, along with two counselors and a secretary, were released. This is not something I wanted to happen; I love every calling I have in Church service and I am content to stay put forever.  But, there comes a time for change and it is now.  Last Wednesday evening, we met at Village Inn as the outgoing presidency to reminisce and prepare to pass on "binders" to the members of the new presidency.  Some of the practices in the Church are a little weird and passing the binders in one of them.  The binder is usually a compilation of an individuals work in a particular calling that may or may not (mostly may not) help the new persons.  I gathered the binders and then met with the new Stake RS President on Thursday evening.  I gave her the "binders" for her presidency, turned over the Stake Center keys, showed her the RS closet, and talked a little about what the calling entails.  It was a great meeting and Sis. Brown, the new RS Pres., will be a great leader and an excellent example to all of the sisters in the Stake.

My work in Relief Society has spanned over ten consecutive years:

February 2003 -- Called as Hunter 1st Ward RS President
September 2007 -- Called to serve as 1st Counselor in Stake RS Presidency
November 2010 -- Called to serve as Stake RS President

Serving in the Relief Society has been good for me and my family.  We have received many blessings for our service.  Every calling in our family becomes a family calling.  It's hard to explain but we all work together to carry out the work we have been asked to do.  We enjoy doing things together and church services is always a top priority for family involvement.  I learned a lot about people, families, and the Relief Society in this calling and it's been a very awesome experience.

Next calling . . . not sure . . . but I know I will love it, too.