If it's not written down it didn't happen, right? Enough of BLOG avoidance!

So, this has been a month to remember, but I have been putting off posting things on the blog.  Enough of the blog avoidance, here goes the post . . .

So the month began with seminary graduation and high school graduation for Willie and all of the other kids his age.  It was a time to reflect and look back on those amazing school years. Seminary graduation was just for the kids in our stake, the majority with whom Willie has attended elementary, junior high, and high school.  They have had classes together, played together, celebrated birthdays and other things like kids do.

Maddie Hunt, Willie, Tanner Lavendar, Josh Gandy, Cassie Curtis

Then we moved on to the graduation from high school week which includes yearbook day and all of that stuff.  We had a good week!  Willie set up camp for the yearbook night complete with his own chair so that kids would have to come to him for signatures (the president can do that you  know).  The afternoon of graduation we took a few "congrats" cards around and ended up at Austin King's house where he and his family and a few friends were getting ready to open his mission call letter.  We hung around to watch the event as Austin read the assignment, "Nevada, Las Vegas West Mission".  (I can't think of a better place for Austin.  It's not far from home (but far enough) his dad knows where it is and can send him things and get the Christmas phone calls without too much difficulty.)

When we arrived at the Maverick Center for the big graduation at the same time as Austin and Tanner.  Tanner and Willie had been friends forever when finally in 4th grade, we convinced Tanner to play on Willie's junior JAZZ b-ball team.  In 5th grade, we met Austin through little league football and he, too, was recruited  to play b-ball.  So the three boys have been good friends for a long time and have played hundreds of basketball games together which includes playing on the Region 2 Championship team. Plans for the immediate future -- Tanner, mission call, California, Riverside; Austin, mission (mentioned above); and Willie, semester at the "U" and then a mission.

Willie, Tanner, and Austin

Willie gets so much support from his family.  There was a big group at graduation which included -- Karl, Haley and James, Annie and Ross and all three boys, Cindy and Parker, Karen and Wade, Lee Ann, and Emily (our adopted daughter).  The Maverick Center was packed!  I can't say it was the best graduation ever because of the poor sound system and and noisy audience, but it was good.

Close to 600 graduates!

Then came the week of weeks -- Petersen family party (which was very nice); U of U overnight orientation for Willie; meeting at Snowbird one day and one at Wasatch High School (Heber City) the next; then youth conference for Willie; a guest teaching assignment for me at the "U"; dinner with Dad @ Village Inn; Elliott's baseball games; and building the block wall @ Dad's (all in one week). It was all good. Whew!

As the month progressed, I knew it would be time for the inevitable, Leigh Ann McCann's retirement.  Leigh Ann has been my colleague and good friend at the district office since 2001-2002 school year.  We came into the office the same year and have in reality created our positions and laid the groundwork for the College and Career Readiness Department. Leigh Ann's husband retired from Union Pacific Railroad about three years ago, and she has been itching for the opportunity to be home more with him.  Although her last "official" work day was June 14, she has been either in the office or in contact with me every day since.  Although she will no longer be across the hall, she will still remain involved in the counseling business teaching at the "U".  But, I will miss her.

Me and Leigh Ann at the Capitol, Washington, D.C.

So, there you have it!  It is written down!

It's here, graduation day!

Graduation from high school, finally!  I never thought I'd make it!  It's tough to explain what an adventure it has been getting three kids though high school and now, finally, we are at the finish line.

We celebrated Willie's graduation tonight at Mimi's Cafe with 13 of us -- Karl, Judy, Willie, Grandpa, Annie, Ross, Elliott, Wyatt, Quinn, Haley, James, Molly, and Jack.  We decided to do graduation dinner tonight because we could - and, because it was our regular dinner night with Grandpa.  Mimi's has a wide variety of choices in the menu and is kid-friendly.  We had a nice time and all is well.

Tomorrow comes the graduation itself (the action or ceremony of receiving or conferring an academic diploma, where students become graduates); "pomp and circumstance" that will likely be "full of sound and fury"  and all in all the event we call graduation actually "signifies nothing"  (sorry Will Shakespeare).

At least the event will involve my son, so my attention and focus will be on him and some of the kids I know who have worked very tenaciously through their public education experiences in order to participate.

Ongoing change and growth . . .

Hunter High School Student Body Officers 2012-2013

A year ago seven amazing students were elected student body officers at Hunter HS.  For the most part, they knew eachother but were not friends.  Over the past school year, however, I have watched them change and grow into amazing young leaders.

It all began last June, I volunteered to help drive the SBOs to a leadership camp at USU.  We met at the school at 7:00 a.m.  The kids had to pay their way and some had to make payment that morning (to the grouchy bookkeeper who didn't see our urgency -- another story for another day) before leaving.  We were on the road by 7:30 a.m., or so, but not without stopping at McDonalds for a frozen something first.

There was little if any talking on the way to Logan.  The five kids in my car whispered now and again; but no crazy loud stuff that usually comes with teenagers.  To be honest, I think all the kids were a little (extremely) nervous about spending a week with strangers and thousands of kids from other schools.  When I picked the kids up days later, they came bouncing to my car and Sambat Kim even attached a new name to me -- "mother Petersen" which carried all year. 

Over the next 11 months, I saw these seven kids become leaders, friends, and more.  Their amazing advisor, Mr. Klein, gave them latitude yet support.  He helped them learn to plan and prepare, to feel success and taste disappointment, to lead and to be appreciated.

On Thursday evening this past week, Mr. Klein and his family (wife an baby boy) hosted the SBOs and their parents to a Cafe Rio dinner in the school's library.  It was very nice!  I just sat back and watched evening unfold -- organization, good company, high energy, reminiscing, funny stories, awards, a video presentation and more.  The kids shared gifts and friendship.  Their growth over the past year is difficult to describe; you just had to be part of it to know how it happened.  But, Karl and I and all of the other parents there, saw it all and couldn't be prouder.

"No, we can't give that to you, your son is 18."

So, Willie was sick last week and we payed a visit to Insta-not-care to have a strep test done.  I called to get the results and was denied. 
Conversation:
"No we can't give that information to you, your son is 18." 
"But I am his mother." 
"Sorry, it's a HIPAA thing; we can call him." 
"He doesn't answer his phone, can you text him the results?"
"No, we don't text - we can call him."
"He won't know what to do with the information."
"We are sorry."

(So, I sent Karl and Willie back to Insta-not-care to get the results in person.  No strep but a bacterial infection in his throat and mouth.  He needed a prescription and allowed a parent to fill it for him -- no need to follow the "18 rule" at the pharmacy.)

So Willie needed a copy of his SLCC transcript for a scholarship.  (Last time we needed a transcript, I drug Willie out of school and took him to SLCC and went through the whole "get a transcript" process (he was 17 then).  The person at the SLCC transcript place told me that next time I could just get it for him.)  Using the previous transcript retrieval process experience, I ventured on my own to get the SLCC transcript.  I paid for the transcript at the cashier's desk (they took my $5 with no question). Little did I realize that being 18 puts him in a different transcript category.
Conversation:
"Last time, the person in charge told me I could get his transcript for him."
"Sorry, he was 17 then."
"So what do I need to do?
"Well, you could get him to sign a paper giving you permission to get it for him."
"But I am here now."
"Sorry, we need something from him giving you permission, he is 18 now."
"So, how do you verify that the person I get a transcript for has written the note?"
"Well, we don't."
"So, I could go out of this office, write a note for my son giving me permission to get his transcript?"
"I guess so, but we would know you did that and we wouldn't give it to you."
"Hmm . . . well, I am not going to do that."

So, I called the school and asked the attendance secretary for a favor. She tracked Willie down in his humanities class, had him write a note giving me permission to get his transcript, faxed it to SLCC.  I waited and within minutes left with the transcript.

What a difference a year makes!

A year ago today, I was sitting in a meeting in Washington, DC waiting anxiously for a call from Willie in anticipation of  his report of the HHS student body election.  It was about 1:00 p.m. EDT when I got the call reporting, "Mom, I won!"  My eyes welled up and we shared a pretty special moment 2500 miles away from each other.

The SBO president experience has been amazing.  I have watched my son grow and develop in ways never expected nor anticipated.  He has carried out his responsibilities with confidence and courage and tenacity and commitment and at very high levels.  He has experienced ups and downs and downs and ups -- he has given it his all!  Early morning assignments and late night poster-making parties have been woven in among football, basketball, and tennis practice; homework for AP and concurrent enrollment classes; family and church commitments; time with family and friends, and more.  He organized painting the "H" in the student parking lot; brought excitement and enthusiasm to assemblies and activities; implemented lunchtime activities, blood drives, food drives, and spare change collection for Toys for Tots.  He also organized a winter "beach party" dance and a couple of meetings for all class leaders and club and organization leaders to keep them up to date on school activities and events. In addition, he made television and twitter headlines when 700+ students left class to do their rendition of the Harlem Shake with Big Buddah of Good Morning Utah Fox 13 News. He is leaving very big "SBO" shoes to fill (literally - size 14).  He has tweeted and texted his fingers to the bone to make sure students and events were recognized and so school spirit would improve. Whew!

Today, a year later, I am, again, away form home.  I got a text this afternoon that the results for this year's SBO election had been announced. The report came from a very mature 18 year old who explained that there were some surprises but mostly the election went as expected. 

I think he is ready to move on to university-level experiences and church missionary service.  He has goals and plans for the future and that makes his family very proud (especially his mother, me).  Rejected by Stanford and not wanting to move away to KU, he will accept a 4-year (8 semester full tuition) scholarship at the "U" and move forward.  My baby boy is becoming a man!  Wow! What a difference this past year has made on his growth and development as a leader and more -- he is such a good boy!  And, I love him!

Pieces of April

This old 1970's Three Dog Night song (Pieces of April) was the theme of a high school junior prom.  It's weird how I can remember stuff like that now and again.  I went to a few junior proms but they were mostly insignificant.  In fact, most of the popular high school stuff is forever insignificant 40 plus years later. 

April is a good month -- it's generally warmer and crisp and clean. I love the spring that comes with April -- daffodils, tulips, buds on trees, green lawns.  I find it refreshing and relaxing to know that when April comes winter is far behind and the days of cold are dwindling away.

If you read my daughters' blogs, you will know that we made a family trip to Disneyland last week.  It was very nice!  It was nice because we were with family for three days -- from 7 in the morning til way past dark!  I am not much for going on the rides and all that Disneyland stuff, but I love to be with family.  Disneyland creates an atmosphere of fun and excitement and watching the kids and everyone get so excited over the "castle" and Star Tours and getting wet and eating is just what I needed for a few days.  I was the go to support for all of the kids at some point in our adventure and loved it.  When stuck with Grandmama, they got kisses and hugs, and "I love you" over and over and over.  I got to know the little ones better than ever.  (Sunday afternoon for a few hours doesn't do justice to getting to know the grandchillins.)

The Madness of March

March is a great month! 

• When March comes around it means only two months left of school.  (This year that means only two months left of public school for Willie.) 
• March is usually a good month for warmer weather.
• St. Patrick's Day is March 17th -- I love green things and this is very much a day for wearin' the green.
• March is also my baby brother's birthday - he will be 41 tomorrow.  I remember the day he was born!  I was in 11th grade, my older sister was a first year U of U student.  My sisters and I weren't all that excited about having a baby in a house full of teenagers; but we did and it was great!  Little did I know then that I would be watching my girls have the same baby in the house as a teenager experience.  They did and it was great! 
• March means spring!  Not sure of the exact day spring begins, but it does begin in March.
• My parents were married in March -- 62 years ago.  While Mom is only with us in spirit and as an angel coming once in awhile to carry us through hard things, Dad is here and March 19 will forever be a day of significance for me.
• March is also a big basketball month -- NCAA March Madness tournament.  It's been awhile since the Runnin' Utes have seen a tournament, but their showing in the PAC 12 tournament this week has been pretty impressive and that we will likely see the return of Runnin' Utes competitive basketball next year.

New this March!

• Willie was honored at the State Basketball Tournament with nine other Academic All State players.  Pretty awesome!
• Tennis is underway and Willie and Parker are both playing varsity doubles.
• Willie is in his last month of Student Body President responsibilities.  The last big SBO activity is the Talent Show on March 26th.
• I have two more grandchildren than I had last March, and that is very cool!
• My good friend and colleague, Leigh Ann, has decided to retire in June.  I will really miss her, but I am excited about and supportive of her decision.

Looking forward to April!

• We will be doing a family vacation to So Cal to Disneyland.  It's like a land cruise, actually.  All of us in the same place having fun and doing everything together!

The many faces of Willie Petersen

Senior Willie

 

Ready for a Robber

First Tradition

Letterman

Homecoming Willie

Speaks for itself!

First Formal Dance

Tennis Willie

Winning Team Player

Uncle Willie

Student Body President

"Scooby Doo Where are You?"

Las Vegas Guy

Never underestimate the power of God . . .

Remarkable Women

After months of planning and planning and worrying and planning our Hunter Central Stake Women's conference went off without a hitch.  Yesterday was they day and around 250 Remarkable Women came together to enjoy each others' company, to be taught, inspired, empowered, and motivated to do what we need to do to be the kind of women, mothers, daughters, wives, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, etc. that Heavenly Father wants us to be.

Our theme, Remarkable Women came about in an interesting way mostly with the help of my dad.  (Another story to post someday.)

• A Deseret News article March 16, 2012 “Training the mind to be positive helps your life” was brought to my attention. 
• Church News article, May 21, 2012 “we cannot escape the influence our lives have upon the lives of others. Ours is the opportunity to build, to lift, to inspire, and indeed to lead.”
• Church News article – September 2, 2012 “Remarkable Women” of the scriptures can teach us how to deal with today’s challenges. Next to it was an article about angels and how they are co-workers with mortals in the work of the Lord. Bro. Donald W. Parry a BYU professor “angels can minister among us without us knowing it”.
• Finally, for my birthday in October, Karl gave me a gift not knowing at all the thought and prayer we had been giving to Women’s Conference. It was a small book calleed The Remarkable Soul of a Woman – that was it! Remarkable Women would be the theme for our Women’s Conference.

What makes a remarkable woman? As a presidency we discussed the characteristics – HOPE, Strong Character, Love, Faithful Devotion, Wise, Smart, Prepared, Courage and more – these characteristics became the topics for our workshops.

Then we turned to Daughters of My Kingdom, preface for Chapter 10 – and put it on the cover of the program – ". . . live up to your privilege and the angels can not be retrained from you."  - Joseph Smith

Now this probably doesn’t make any sense to you, but it does to me (and my Stake RS Presidency). We planned a conference for Remarkable Women of our Stake to be taught by remarkable women of quiet strength and deep-seeded testimonies.  It was amazing!

Our concluding speaker/performer was Julie de Azevedo Hanks (another story to tell).  She is an amazingly talented LDS woman, actually remarkable!  She spoke and sang and spoke and sang. She had only a few notes and performed without a sheet of music or any fancy dancy sound system.  She shared the stories that inspired the songs she performed. 

The only way this whole thing came off like it did is because of the power and love of our Heavenly Father - I know that for a fact!

Super Bowl Sunday!

Well, it's Super Bowl Sunday!  We are having Sunday dinner as usual but a little more relaxed because of the game.  I don't really care much about the Super Bowl, but it has really become a day of celebration for many people.  So we may as well join in the broo-ha-ha!  Any excuse to get the family together for food and fun and good company is fine with me.

The HHS Wolverines basketball team did it!  They beat Kearns HS in Friday night and it was an amazing win.  The team came from behind to beat the Earns Ougars!  You can read all about it in the DesNews or the Trib.  Next up is another big game vs Viewmont on Friday, February 8th, 7:00 p.m. @ Hunter HS.

One game away from a winning season!

I hope my blog post doesn't jinx the HHS basketball team -- one game away from a winning season.  The record as of today is 9-9; the same number of wins as losses.  So tomorrow win determine the direction of the season vs. the KHS Cougars (or EARNS OUGARS as we call them). 

I am excited and a little nervous.  The Wolverines are 5-0 in Region 2 play.  Can they keep winning, yes! 

HHS Wolverine record -
Pre-Season

vs. East            - L

vs. Grantsville   - L

vs. Hillcrest      - W

vs. Juan Diego  - L

vs. Logan         - L (by 1)

vs. Lehi            - L

vs. Skyline       - W

Jordan Tournament  1-4

vs. Brighton     - L

vs. Pleasant Grove  L

Region 2
vs. Kearns        - W

vs. Viewmont   - W

vs. Taylorsville - W
vs. West          - W

vs. Granger      - W

Keep your fingers crossed for an undefeated Region 2 run!

There's something different about January . . .

There is just something different about January . . . .

• It's a very cold month!
• Women I know who have passed away in January -- Mom, Judy Whitaker, Sue Burkett, Great Aunt Norm, Great Aunt Helen, Phyllis, Yvonne, Maren Eccles (saw her obituary last week - don't really know her but she's a descendant of David Eccles).
• It's the first month of the year.
• It marks the halfway point for public school.
• We attend more basketball games than church meetings.
• Only a few family birthdays in January -
• On January 25th it seems like Christmas was months ago . . .
• Scouts always think they should go camping in January.
• There is always "inversion" (it scares me).
• I fall in the snow or slip on the ice (like I did yesterday).
• People set goals and make resolutions to do things and go places.
• Some people start thinking about Disneyland.
• Everyone tries to pay off Christmas bills.
• I feel extra fat from all the chocolate and goodies I ate during the holidays.

What makes this January different?

• It's colder than any other January.
• It's been two years since I lost my mom and my best counseling friend.
• Willie is now a senior and having me help him with a lot of after high school stuff.
• I helped plan my first ever "Feelin' Squatchy" high school assembly.
• I sell basketball t-shirts at every home game at HHS.
• Elliott is now 6!
• I have new favorite shows like Duck Dynasty, Finding Bigfoot, and Pawn Stars (you can tell I watch TV with a teenager).
• Willie is the third leading scorer on the HHS basketball team.
• Next January, Willie could be going on a mission.
• I have 2 more grandchildren than I had last January.
• Willie has "girl" friends who come to our house and bring him things.
• Karl finally has church callings with things to "do" not just take roll.
• The Huber family numbers 58 with another new great-grandchild coming in February.
• I have received more blessings this January than last.

The days go by way tooooo fast!

I had a few hours at home today because the kids are out of school -- last day of the term.  Willie had basketball practice and I had some things to do to help him with some scholarship stuff.  I glanced a the calendar and noticed it is already January 18th.  It seems like a year has gone by since Christmas and now we are halfway through the first month of the year.

Things are good at our house.  As far as I know Willie's grades are in order, basketball is going better, Karl likes his new position at work, and I am working on our Stake Women's Conference (coming up on February 23).  We are as busy in the evenings as we are during the day.  Annie and Haley and their families are doing well.  The little grandchillins are growing like crazy and they are happy and healthy and so much fun.  We love them all and they love us.

Happy New Year!

It's 12:51 a.m. - the first hour into 2013.  There are 7-8 teenagers in my kitchen and they are a little weird.  I am going to shoo them out in a few minutes becasue they probably need to be home by 1:00 a.m.

I am excited for the new year.  It will be a good one!

The Best Christmas Present Ever!

The very best Christmas present I ever received came 5 days after Christmas in the form of a squishy, gooey, hairless baby boy!  He was born a little after 12:00 noon on Friday, December 30, 1994, 7 pounds 7 ounces and 21 inches long. He has brought joy (emotion of good fortune and a source of delight) and happiness (pleasurable and satisfying experience) to our family now for 18 years -- it's his birthday today!



Fast forward to 2012 -- that little boy has become a pretty amazing young man.  He sings in the shower, reads his scriptures every night, says "please, thank you, may I be excused, and I love my Mom," all the time.

He giggles at crazy television shows that sometimes move him off the couch and on the floor with out-of-control laughter. He dresses up in weird costumes; wears manatee and Sasquatch socks in basketball games, and more. 

There is not a day that goes by without a goodnight hug.  Happy Birthday, Willie!

Back to Back Games not a Great Idea

Wolverine basketball is up and going and the team is looking pretty good.  However, a good win on Thursday led to an unfortunate loss on Friday.  Some of our players just ran out of gas; others didn't have any in the beginning.  So, the season is 2-2 which is still pretty good.

I love basketball -- it is one of many favorite family activities (watching, that is for me playing for others).  At last night's game we had a little t-shirt stand set up by the basketball team booster club (so far we have only a few members and three of them are under age 5).  My amazing assistants/saleskids were at my side when I took my turn.  It's just how our family operates.  Whatever the event, the job, the activity, we are all in it together and it's fun.  The grandchillins are falling into the routine of being involved and doing things and having fun.  It's great.  Willie's fan club includes all of the Petersen clan and Cindy and Parker and Emily.  Sixteen games to go!

Count your blessings!

White Christmas is one of my all-time favorite movies!  The story line, the music, the vintage time-period, the actors, and everything about it I like.  It is truly a classic in my opinion.

I love a Rosemary Clooney -- her deep raspy alto voice, the deliberate and intentional way she delivers a song . . .

There is a theme song throughout the movie -- Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep!
It's time to listen to it again (and all of the other songs in the movie).  It's listening to good old stuff!

I love December!

I love December for so many reasons.  Basketball gets into full swing and the Hunter Wolverines and the Runnin' Utes are looking good.  I love snowstorms and winter and and hot chocolate and gathering in my home with family.  I love the colors of Christmas -- reds and greens are complimentary and rightly so.  I love the feel of excitement for Santa and all that it involves.  I love the special, subtle, tender spirit that abounds everywhere as people prepare in their personal and unique ways to celebrate what they choose during the month. I love the music; the melodies are familiar and the words inspiring. I love that December brings another year to a close and presents a perfect opportunity to reflect on expereinces, accomplishments, successes, and disappointments in preparation for new opportunities that come with a new year.

Give Thanks!

I have been back and forth across the country three times in the last 6 weeks.  It's been a little crazy (and exhausting) for me and my family.  But, as with everything, it's important to keep moving forward and make the very most of every situation that comes along.

At one meeting, I sat across the table from April, a young 30 something professional who works for the College Board.  During a break we began talking about Thanksgiving.  The course of the conversation turned toward family and somehow my very big family was disclosed (people are always so fascinated by our big families in Utah).  Once that number was identified, her next question was literally, "Tell me about Thanksgiving dinner!"  She and I talked for some time about getting all the family seated and eating a nice thanksgiving dinner -- how we managed it all and what it was like and how much fun it was. She wanted to know all of the details!  What did we talk about, what did we do?



Thanksgiving at Mom's 2009



April has as small family.  Her only brother and parents are deceased.  She has two nephews who live with their mother in New York City (she lives in Baltimore).  Her plans for Thanksgiving were tentative -- a small gathering with a few family members in New York.  She shared how when and if she got married that she wanted a big family and big celebrations for Thanksgiving.  We ended our conversation with well wishes and moved on.

We are so blessed (the Hubers and the Petersens) to have family by the tens and thirties and fifties!  At Quinn's baby blessing a few weeks back.  One of the sisters in the Howden's ward shared a sweet testimony highlighting the amazing family network that had gathered together to support Quinn.  She described the feeling of love and support that filled the chapel that day was likely because of Quinn. 

It's true!  Our family is amazing (58 Hubers, 34 Petersens, and more on the way).  As far as I know, we love each other and care for each other, wow! At this time of year, it is so very nice to get together and enjoy the company and feel the love and support of family.  How blessed we are to have such an amazing breadth of support in our family.  I give thanks every day for all of them!  They are truly the best part of my existence on this earth. 

Made it to Rice Eccles after all!

So Willie's football goal at the beginning of the season was for his team to make it to the "turf" at Rice Eccles Stadium on the U of U campus.  Well, the team didn't quite make it although they had a darn good season, but Willie will be there Friday afternoon to be recognized as an Academic All-State Football Player.  He reports to the 5A championship game and will be recognized with other guys at half-time.  Pretty cool!

I expect a full report and some pictures.  I hope he remembers to wear his letterman's jacket and stands up straight and tall.