Birthday, again!

So it's my very own birthday today.  I am getting up there . . . . . 61!  Can you believe it?  I can't!  I am not sure what 61 is suppose to feel like, but I feel pretty good.

So what is there to celebrate about being 61?  Well, let me see . . . .

• I have a good life - not rich and famous by any means, but I am rich in family, friends and neighbors.  Let's see . . . there's Karl who takes pretty good care of me  . . . he does the wash and takes care of the yard work (not many around who get that kind of support).  He's my first assistant with projects for family, work and church, and he will do whatever at the drop of a hat (but I must admit he does need a nudge now and then). He's the best dad any kid could ask for and could be rated as a top grandpa if he could just recognize that the children who come to visit are his grandchildren and not his children. 
• I have been blessed with three children who are strong, good looking and above average in so many ways.  All three are accomplished at something I gave them - the talent or capacity for which they can forever thank me. Annie is my #1 and that means chief family boss.  She is more creative and artistic in words and actions than anyone I know.  She can cook and sew and write and design and manage a home of boys.  She has good taste in everything and she is rock solid in all she does. Haley is my #2 and with that birth order rank comes commitment and obligation. She has always been my "Haley on the spot."  She is so musically talented at the piano and with the guitar and banjo and can tackle the most difficult math problem or life circumstance with success and confidence. She is always the champion of a good cause and always has a political or social opinion to share.  Willie is #3 and the youngest.  I must say that he is the recipient of many things his sisters didn't get or experience, but rest assured, he missed out on a lot of early Petersen family adventures and activities.  He is amazing in every definition of the word. This one and only son came into our family as the caboose and has been the recipient of love, and more love than can be imagined.  He is strong and handsome and funny and crazy and has friends and followers of all nationalities and backgrounds.  He's like the pied piper.  He loves to sing and play the ukulele, knows a few tunes on the piano and he is a basketball junkie.  
• I have been blessed with two amazing sons-in-law who have been sealed to my daughters for time and all eternity in the House of the Lord.  They are also strong, good looking, educated, dedicated and make me a very proud mother-in-law.  Ross and James are helpful and handy and willing to take on my weird requests like building a block wall and patio at great-grandpa's house and humoring me when I give their children more candy and sugar than they'd like them to have.
• I have these five additional people in my world I call grandchildren.  They are simply mini-versions of their parents and they are delightful!!!  They are called grandchildren for a reason - they are splendidly pleasing and impressively amazing!  I love them to the moon and back!
• I have a very nice home - not a mansion with all the bells and whistles of modern technology, but a home that is comfortable and welcoming.  The door is always open, and  . . .  always . . . drinks in the fridge, food in the pantry, candy in the candy dishes and ice cream in the freezer. My yard is beautiful - lawn is green an most flowers grow.  
• I call my work an extension of my life.  I love what I do duing the "work day" and the best part of all is that I get paid for it
• I believe that there is Heavenly Father who created this world of ours through His son.  I know he loves all of his earthly children and has blessed me and my family above and beyond in so many ways.  I thank Him daily and worship Him on Sundays.  I am not a religious scholar nor do I profess to have read and studied all there is to learn about His church.  But, I am a believer and the strength of my faith is evidenced through my willingness and (nearly worry-free) commitment to send my young son some 6,000 miles away from me, and all who love him so much, for two (2) years to serve Him and share the message of hope and light of Christ to any and all who choose to listen.

Well, there you have it!  My bullet list of reasons to celebrate this birthday, #61!  Pretty good life I have been blessed with!  Happy Birthday, me!

Happy Anniversary

So what do people do when they celebrate 39 years of marriage?  When you don't know, you can always Google!

The 39 year Anniversary Facts and Figures

On the 39th anniversary of your marriage you would have been married for 14,235 days or 341,640 hours or 20,498,400 minutes which is over 1,229 million seconds!  During this time you would have shared, on average, over 106,700 hours of snuggle time (sleeping!) or about 12 years, 2 months; assuming you don’t work together you’ve been apart for over 82,461 hours which is about 9 years, 5 months. You would have by now shared about 31,100 meals together which equates to approximately 2 years, 1 months of continuous eating!

According to the website, lace is the modern theme for 39th wedding anniversary gifts.

Well, enough of all that.

So back to my initial question, what do people do when they celebrate 39 years of marriage?  Well for us, we ventured out to dinner Monday night at Ruth's Diner in Emigration Canyon.  We were seated outside on the patio and enjoyed a yummy dinner (yes I know it is a do not eat out week for the Healthy Living Challenge but anniversaries only come once a year) and live music.  A beautiful young guitarist/vocalist and her dad guitarist/vocalist performed some folksy tunes for the diner quests.  It was very relaxing and made for a very nice evening. The cool canyon air was crisp, pine-scented and fall-like. When we got back home, I ran a few errands and Karl payed bills.

So there you have it a 39th year anniversary celebration.  Maybe for our 40th anniversary we will make it to Niagara Falls and Karl will give me a ruby something, or not, and that's just fine.

What did you do for summer vacation?

Fantastic Five - Quinn,  Jack, Wyatt, Elliott and Molly

August, hmmmmmm . . . . .

So what about August?
It's the 8th month of the year.

• Sunflowers are in full bloom, everywhere, especially in my front flower garden.
• The weather is beautiful!!!
• August nights are nice and cool.
• Corn stands are up around the neighborhood stocked with only the best straight from the farm.
• Football practice is in full swing (as I've mentioned before how no other sport out there requires more practice than football).
• August is the last full month of summer.
• School starts on August 19 for GSD -- early start means early out.
• Recent graduates are headed on missions or to some kind of post-secondary experience.
• August offers some interesting "days" ----
• August 1
  
  • National Raspberry Cream Pie Day
  • National Girlfriends Day
  • National Minority Donor Awareness Day
  • Respect for Parents Day
  • National Jamaican Patty Day * – First Saturday in August
  • National Mustard Day – First Saturday in August
  August 2
  
  • National Coloring Book Day*
  • National Ice Cream Sandwich Day
  • National Kids Day – First Sunday in August?
  • American Family Day – First Sunday in August
  • National Friendship Day – First Sunday in August
  • National Sisters Day – First Sunday in August
  August 3
  
  • National Watermelon Day
  • National Grab Some Nuts Day
  August 4
  
  • National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day
  • National Coast Guard Day
  • National Night Out Day – First Tuesday in August
  August 5
  
  • National Underwear Day
  • National Oyster Day
  August 6
  
  • National Root Beer Float Day
  • National Fresh Breath Day
  • National Wiggle Your Toes Day
  August 7
  • Purple Heart Day
  • National Lighthouse Day
  • National Raspberries N’ Cream Day
  August 8
  
  • National Happiness Happens Day
  • National Frozen Custard Day
  • National Sneak Some Zucchini Into Your Neighbor’s Porch Day
  • National Dollar Day
  • National Bowling Day – Second Saturday in August
  • National Garage Sale Day – Second Saturday in August
  August 9
  
  • National Rice Pudding Day
  • National Veep Day
  • National Book Lovers Day
  August 10
  
  • National Lazy Day
  • National S’mores Day
  August 11
  
  • National Son’s and Daughter’s Day
  • National Presidential Joke Day
  • National Raspberry Bombe Day
  August 12
  
  • National Julienne Fries Day
  • National Vinyl Record Day
  • National Middle Child Day
  August 13
  
  • National Filet Mignon Day
  • International Lefthanders Day
  August 14
  
  • National V-J Day (Victory of Japan Day)
  • National Creamsicle Day
  August 15
  
  • National V-J Day (Victory of Japan Day)
  • National Relaxation Day
  • National Lemon Meringue Pie Day
  August 16
  
  • National Tell a Joke Day
  • National Roller Coaster Day
  • National Airborne Day
  • National Rum Day
  August 17
  
  • National Thrift Shop Day
  • National I LOVE My Feet Day!*
  August 18
  
  • National Mail Order Catalog Day
  • National Ice Cream Pie Day
  August 19
  
  • National Aviation Day
  • National Soft Ice Cream Day
  August 20
  
  • National Radio Day
  • National Chocolate Pecan Pie Day
  • National Lemonade Day
  August 21
  
  • National Spumoni Day
  • National Senior Citizen’s Day
  August 22
  
  • National Tooth Fairy Day
  • National Pecan Torte Day
  August 23
  
  • National Ride With The Wind Day
  • National Sponge Cake Day
  August 24
  
  • National Peach Pie Day
  • National Waffle Day
  August 25
  
  • National Kiss and Make Up Day
  • National Secondhand Wardrobe Day
  • National Banana Split Day
  August 26
  
  • National Dog Day
  • National Women’s Equality Day
  • National Cherry Popsicle Day
  August 27
  
  • National Pots De Creme Day
  • National Just Because Day
  August 28
  
  • National Cherry Turnovers Day
  • National College Colors Day 
  August 29
  
  • National Chop Suey Day
  August 30
  
  • National Toasted Marshmallow Day
  August 31
  
  • National Trail Mix Day

I Lava You!

 

To Willie from Me:

"I Lava You"

On Saturday morning, we skipped the Magna Parade, again, and went to a movie instead - all 11 of us.  We saw Pixar's new animated feature film, "Inside Out" and it is very well done and cute and all and the chillins seemed to really enjoy it.  The Pixar short shown before the movie, however, was exceptional!!!  It was called "Lava."  It's a "musical love story inspired by the beauty of tropical islands and ukulele music." The love story is of two volcanoes, Uku and Lele. It features a song, "Lava", which will be one of your favorite tunes when you see and hear it.  It is a cross between the Hukilau and "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole's  "Over the Rainbow."  The only musical instrument used in the soundtrack is the simple strumming of a ukulele (ahhh, how I miss your strumming).  You will love it!!!!  It will be a favorite for sure!!!!!  Imagine a little ukulele music to the following:

 

The chorus,

I have a dream, I hope will come true

If you're here with me, and I'm here with you

I wish that the earth, sea and sky up above

Will send me some one to lava . . . .

 

At the end of the story the song changes up a little to . . . .

I have a dream, I hope will come true

That you'll grow old with me, and I'll grow old with you

We thank the earth, sea the sky we thank, too

I lava you, I lava you . . . .

 

Willie, I have never really talked to you about this before, but I wonder what kind of beautiful young woman you will marry (and lava).  Yes, I know I am weird, sorry.  I know you will marry someone who is smart, beautiful, strong in the church, preferably tall (for tall grandchildren), and likes all of us.  Sorry, the song just inspired me to mention something like this.  I hope you are not laughing hysterically.  I just lava you!!  Ok, I will stop now.

 

To Me from Willie:

I like the ukulele.

 

Oh man... Come on Mom! Not the marriage talk...

.......gross.......

 

(I can just see him going crazy about what I wrote to him.  Oh, I "lava" that boy!!!!

Listen to the song, or better still go see the movie!)

 

You know you're getting old when . . . .

For many years, I helped organize and host the "senior sisters luncheon" in our LDS stake.  It's an annual event for sisters 60+ to get together and share in the bonds of old age.  It was always a nice experience but not one that I hoped for or planned for.

• A week or so ago, I received an invitation to the annual event.  Me? What? A senior sister? 

A few weeks ago, Karl and I attended the very well-organized and impressive "Spartan Station Pre-School" program where we enjoyed a patriotic themed event complete with little toddlers reciting, memorized lines of the Declaration of Independence and quotes of famous Americans. 

• A video of the children came at the end of the program where one of many background songs was a Beatles classic:

 

When I'm Sixty-Four

 

When I get older losing my hair
Many years from now
Will you still be sending me a valentine
Birthday greetings, bottle of wine?

 

If I'd been out till quarter to three
Would you lock the door?
Will you still need me
Will you still feed me
When I'm sixty-four?

 

You'll be older too
And if you say the word
I could stay with you

I could be handy mending a fuse
When your lights have gone
You can knit a sweater by the fireside
Sunday mornings, go for a ride

 

Doing the garden, digging the weeds
Who could ask for more?
Will you still need me
Will you still feed me
When I'm sixty-four?

Many of my generation in the world of work are retiring.  My dear friend and colleague, Leigh Ann, retired a couple of years ago.  This month, more of my close work friends are calling it quits.  Retirement is just not one of my goals or plans for the future.  I love my work and I hope it continues to be valued and important.

• On Wednesday, I am scheduled to attend my first-ever retirement meeting - and all-day event to tell me all of the intricate details of retirement planning in the Utah State Retirement System.

This list can go on and on . . . . .

 

I don't consider myself old - I am just 30 with 30 years of experience!! Ho hum . . . .

 

May

The family - September 2012

Well it's may and I have become the worst blogger around.  I am not keeping up with the times and the events and the things going on with me and my family.  I need to get back to blogging regularly because it is a very good way to keep track of all things related to me and my family.  Things I am thinking about:

• Willie has been serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for 14 months.  He had had 7 companionships and is now in a Zone Leader companionship with Elder Hall (Cache County).
• My sweet nephew, Parker Stewart Wood, received a mission call to the Texas Houston East Mission.  It is a perfect mission call for him - in a part of the country he has never really visited SE Texas and SW Louisiana and where he will meet some pretty interesting people for sure.  He reports to the MTC on September 2 (birthdays for Great Grandpa Huber and Quinn).
• Karl has a new church calling - Young Men's President.  He has been serving with the young men all but 3 or 4 years since we've lived in the Hunter 1st Ward and under 4 different Bishops.
• I am teaching an online counseling/college and career readiness course for the U.  It's been a good thing (Disneyland $$). 
• The grandchillins are keeping busy with baseball/t-ball.  Sitting on a ball field watching them follow instructions (or not), try their best, run and jump around and watch to see if I am watching them is pretty awesome.
• Devin Stock (Red Emily's husband) is graduating from the college of Pharmacy at the U.  He has worked really hard for as long as I have known him to reach this milestone.
• My daughters are amazing mothers to their sweet children.  I am so very proud of them. They are married to good men and I am proud of them, too.
• I love the rain.  It was supposed to rain tonight, but the storm blew over, again.
• Karl and I have joined the "healthy living challenge" group.  I am terrible at doing it.  I was in last place week 1.  I have crawled into second to the last place this week.  I know I eat a lot of stuff that is on the "unhealthy" list.  I am doing my best this week.  Avoiding sweets (candy, cookies, chocolate) and drinking water (64 oz. a day) are next to impossible, but I am trying. 
• For the past few months, my dad has been preparing for dialysis. After his broken neck experience last year and being on a feeding tube for 3 months he was faced with kidney failure.  Well trust my dad to beat the odds.  His kidney function is actually improving, gradually.  He is prepared for dialysis with a fistula in his right arm, but if he does what he needs to do (limited fluid intake and keeping his weight stable) he will be dialysis free.
• Annie has been sewing up a storm!  She is mainly into making bags - amazing cute bags.  Grandma Petersen would be so proud.
• Meranda has a male friend, Pedro Sanchez.  He is a very nice young man.
• Emily Stapley is getting married on May 20.  We had a bridal shower for he on Saturday.  she got some really nice gifts for rooms in her home-to-be.  Excited for Emily!
• Many May birthdays!  Happy Birthday to all!
• Haley and James finally sold their town home - yippee!!!

Well, there you have it!  A nice post for May.

April showers, where are you?

Everything is so very dry.  We went for a little ride this afternoon and out in the south part of the valley the dust is blowing here and there.  Worked in the yard a little yesterday and the ground is hard as a rock and dry.  We haven't turned on the sprinklers yet - usually we wait until the first part of may.  I hope the trees, grass and flowers don't die or stress before then.

There just may be a storm coming this week - I will keep my fingers and toes crossed.

It's a great day to be a U of U alum and basktball fan!

So, there you have it!  U of U men's basketball team made the brackets for the 2015 NCAA B-Ball Tournament - really the first time in a few years. This year however, marks the 16th time they will have made it to the "sweet 16" -- 16 top teams in the tournament.  They did so with interesting and somewhat impressive wins vs. SFA University and Georgetown.  Pretty exciting. 

The Twitter comments were all over the place as the UTES cinched the win over Georgetown -- by many former UTE b-ball players like Keith Van Horn, Jimmy Soto, Josh Grant and even Jason Washburn.  It's been a fun season to say the least.  We've had season tickets since Annie and Haley were very young (likely the same ages as Molly and Jack).  We've been in the same seats - Section TT, row 37, seats 8-11 for all those years.  Now there are 11 of us attending the games, same section and area and it couldn't be more fun. 

Willie is living the season via his dad's lengthy, weekly emails.  He has a copy of the brackets and Karl will give a full tournament report and play by play to the smallest detail in this week's letter.  I suggested going to Las Vegas to watch the PAC-12 tourney and then to Portland for the first round of the tournament and he said he's rather wait and go with Willie (sniff, sniff - I know where I stand).  the picture is UTE player Jacob Poeltl (Cindy says he reminds her of Willie).

Are you wearin' the green?

St. Patrick's Day is one of those no stress holidays.  All you need to do to celebrate is wear a little green and think about your Irish heritage or lack thereof.  We celebrated this day a little early with Sunday dinner with a little green Koolaid, ham and creamed potatoes with green peas, green asparagus, green salad, and of course a special St. Patrick's Day cake for desert.

Irish Blessing for March 17, 2015

May the road rise to meet you...

May the road rise to meet you, 
may the wind be ever at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face, 
and the rains fall soft upon your fields. 
And until we meet again, 
may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Turning Point

We have reached a turning point in Willie's missionary service.  A year ago this past week we watched him walk away from us, up the sidewalk of the Provo MTC to be out of sight for the next 24 months. Oh how sweet it was to turn the corner of his service this week.  Counting forward to this one year mark has felt like ten years but it's just been the days served since February 26, 2014. Well, now we can change our perspective and begin counting down the days until his return - 351 days from today to be exact.

I am not a worrying mother by any means.  I let my daughters drive across the country in the summer of 2001, on their own.  They were 23 and 21 at he time.  They left late one afternoon and returned almost two weeks later.  They drove through too many states to count and spent a few days in NYC.  I remember my mother asking if I worried about them on their trip.  I replied, "Not really."  You see I have good kids who have learned to be independent and strong.  They have learned to stand steadfast and immovable in their actions and beliefs.  While they were gone, we talked on the phone a couple of times.  They had a cell phone with them but service was unstable and the phone didn't hold a very long charge.  I was very excited for them to go off on an adventure as young adults.  I had confidence and faith that they would have a great time and that they would be healthy and safe.

Sending a son on a mission is a little (a lot) different.  Two years is much different than 2 weeks.  A 6,000 mile distance to a far off land is much more compelling than 2,000 miles across country in the USA.  No verbal communication or contact is trying to say the least.  However, I can't say I worry so much about Willie as much as I just miss him.  I have faith and confidence in his independence and his ability to make good decisions and choices.  I know that in tens of thousands of prayers offered each day he is (along with all missionaries) remembered, prayed for unlike anything I can wrap my mind around.  I know he is ok.  The hardest part of this separation is just missing his energy and excitement for every day; his laugh and positive attitude; and his rolling on the floor in hysteria at something so amazingly funny to him that he can't get words out to explain.

With a full, successful year of experience completed I feel relieved and validated that he will soon return home in 351 days.  I think not so much about that last image of him walking up the sidewalk at the Provo MTC, but now imagining how he will look and be all grown up when he walks toward all of us upon his return at the airport.  These next 300+ days will go by fast and furious.  He has much to accomplish and so do I.  We are so very excited for the turning point of this past week.



Provo MTC February 2014

Klaipeda by the Bay February 2015

What a week!

I am excited to bring last week to an end.  It started on Monday with a crisis.  A young 22 year old shot himself on the playing field of a local junior high (he died).  He has two siblings still in school one of whom attends said JHS.  While there doing crisis response on Monday morning, a woman brought a tiny young man into the school claiming she was the young 8th grader's aunt and that his mother died on Sunday and left him at school.  He also has a sibling in a nearby elementary school.  And the death was a result of a drug overdose – likely the student's Ritalin and other narcotics she had convinced doctors to prescribe her.  So a crisis day it was!

Then, that same day I was in a meeting and one of the directors in attendance took my phone, claiming something was wrong with it.  I told her it worked fine but she insisted on playing with it and eventually disconnected the LCD screen from the circuit board in the phone.  I could hear my phone working but could see nothing.  This director then said “get 'so and so' to order you a new phone.”  I replied, “this is my personal phone not a district phone.”  “Oh, sorry,” she said, "you will need to get a new phone." 

 

After the meeting, I took my broken phone to a T-Mobile store on 3300 and State.  I felt like I was in a quick change – bait and switch – charge this woman a lot of money place.  The sales people helped me file an insurance claim, set up a loaner phone ($50), and told me to come back with the new phone and they would transfer data from phone to phone. The new phone was delayed (supposed to be overnighted) due to snow storms back east.  I finally got it on Wednesday afternoon.  So I took everything old and new to the T-Mobile place on 5600 West.  (I was out on the west side doing school visits.) The sales person there kindly explained that the store on State Street is an “express” store and not an official corporate T-Mobile (even though there were no indicators as such and the sales people had on the same black and pink shirts) and that they likely did lead me astray.  This person was able to set up my new phone using the SIM card from my trusty little green “dumb” phone and told me “sorry” that I would need to take the iPhone someplace else to have the data transferred because the data transfer is dependent upon a working screen.  Arggggg!!  Well this young salesman, Jakie, sensed my frustration and told me about a place in T-ville where I could possibly get some help.  So, I bundled up all of my stuff and headed to the T-ville hood – 1875 W 4700 S.  There in the deep dark corner of a strip mall was Action Wireless Repair Shop.  Owner/fixer, Charlie, was most helpful and very nice.  Come to find out, he could have fixed my broken phone for $100 bucks by just putting on a new LCD screen.  (The deductible for the replacement was $150.)  We talked over possible solutions and decided he would fix the broken phone temporarily with a used screen, transfer the data from old to new, kill the old phone (because I have to send it to the insurance company) and $45 dollars later I would be good to go.  So, around 5:00 p.m. Wednesday I was finally reconnected to the wireless communication world.  Altogether, it cost me a little over $250 and a lot of anxiety.

 

Add to all of this - my basic day to day confusion, my diminishing memory, full-time work, a missionary son 6,000 miles away from home, concern for all of you and Grandpa and I get to the end of a week exhausted.  Exhaustion is not all bad – it represents that my life is busy and full and amazing and I love that.  However, I could have done without the broken phone wild goose chase.

 

Thanks for reading.

A new year and all is well . . .

2014 went by in a flash.  I didn't record much on my blog compared to previous years so I will try to make amends this year and be more diligent is keeping a record of the comings and goings and happenings and all that.



Last Sunday, Jan. 11, I ventured out early to the Fruit Heights 7th Ward where I listened to Elder Michael Stuart's mission report.  He was Willie's companion in Kaunas for just a few weeks last fall.   He is a very nice young man.  He spoke a little about the country and the difficulty of the mission.  He expressed his love and appreciation for all of his companions and shared how his service helped him grow and develop.  He has a very calm personality and is a little on the nervous shy side.  I can see common characteristics among the three Baltic/Lithuanian missionaries I now know. 

Afterwards, I approached him (I am sure he thought who is the old lady coming toward me).  I introduced myself as Elder Petersen's mom and he lit up with a huge smile as he told me that Elder Petersen was his best companion ever.  I met his dad (who appeared to be a little older that me).  It seems that Elder Stuart is the youngest in his family with 18 years difference in age from youngest to oldest.  I could see how he and Willie could relate/connect in so many ways.  Of course I asked home about his goals and plans for the future to which he eagerly reported that he wanted to study engineering at Weber State University.

I have met two companions now in real life not just through pictures and Skype. What fine young men they are!  So fortunate my son has had the opportunity to serve with them.



It's now December

The past months have been crazy busy and somewhat challenging to say the least.  I have so many opportunities and experiences through family, church and work that sometimes I don't get to documenting things like I should on my blog.  This blog is a journal of sorts for me.  I have other journals but they are pretty random collections of thoughts describing ideas and comments on what's happening in the moment.  My blog on the other hand can be a synthesis of events and experiences and feelings.

I spent the last few days of October in Chicago attending a meeting on school climate and behavior.  Our school district was awarded a multi-million dollar Federal grant to be used over the next five years to implement strategies to improve school climate and behavior in our secondary schools.  The premise or hypothesis is that if school climate is more engaging and students know what their expectations are for behavior that learning will improve.  Kind of interesting, don't you think, that we have to have a grant to get schools, students and staff focusing on climate and behavior?  It will be interesting to see how things roll out.  I am a co-chair over the grant which is interesting, too.  Not sure why we need $$$$ to impact this area of our schools. Basically, I think we can get everything done by just emphasizing the importance of being nice and kind to all and making sure we hire teachers and staff who love kids and accept them unconditionally.   Go figure.

My dad insists on keeping as many of Mom's family traditions going as possible.  For Halloween, that means a chili dinner for all interested in celebrating.  It gives me an opportunity to make homemade chili and get things ready for a party and that's fine.  The difference is that the grandchildren are now married and have children of their own.  Most of them aren't really chili lovers and so we order pizza for them.  It's a nice party but I am not sure how much longer to keep it going.

The entire KD Petersen family enjoyed Disney on Ice in the middle of the month.  Two hours of ice skating is good for most, but the littlest children (Quinn and Jack) got tired after an hour or so.  But, it was fun to sit and enjoy each others company and watch the kids faces as some of their favorite Disney characters skated around. 

I have been involved in a White House initiative to improve school counseling and college access for all students.  I attended a meeting in Cambridge, MA, at Harvard in July (convening number 1) on the issue. And then spent a couple of days at San Diego State University for convening number 2.  Michelle Obama is taking the lead on the initiative called Reach Higher.  She has attend both convenings via a pre-recorded video message and her "person" assigned to oversee everything, Eric Waldo, has been more involved.  I support the effort to improve school counseling and college access but I believe there is far more to do in helping young people know what their future options are, identify what they are interested in doing, and then mapping out a plan to make things happen. 

Thanksgiving for the Petersen family was at my home this year.  We had 28 for dinner.  It was such a nice day complete with good company and everything tasted delicious.  I am so blessed and thankful for all that we have and for family and friends who still like to get together.

Now it's December. Somehow, Karl and I were assigned to be in charge of the ward Christmas Party.  I can't remember all of the ward dinners and parties we have taken the lead on.  This time however, we were only to be the "in charge" people.  Well, you know how that goes.  In charge means the night before you get the church ready for the activity -- chairs and tables to set up and decorate, roaster ovens to get in place, last minute set up for Santa.  The day of means texting back and forth with all involved to make sure the turkeys are cooked and all of the trimmings for the dinner are ready to go.  At 9:00 p.m. Friday evening we finished up and headed to McDonald's for a Diet Coke.  I think is was a nice party -- we had good support and help.

Just yesterday I finished getting most of my decorations out and placed around the house.  I ended up getting a fresh tree for the family room and put my big artificial tree in the living room.  I love the freshness of an old fashioned tree and the perfect and well-light artificial tree.  If I could, I would put a Christmas tree in every room - I love them.  Haley and Cindy and I spent time at Dad's getting his home ready for Christmas.  He has a new tree this year.  The old flocked one got a little too yellow for our liking.  He has a green artificial tree.  I don't think he likes it that much.  Sorry, Dad.

December means Christmas dishes for Sunday dinner.  It means a home extra cluttered with all of the things that go with Christmas.  December is extra special with the little ones around.  They are so very excited for Santa and all that is involved with the sleigh, reindeer and good/bad list.  December is all about drives through the neighborhood after dark to see all of the "lights" on the houses.  December is the last month of the calendar year and a time to finish up whatever in preparation for a new year.

This December is definitely different without all of the family close by.  There is this one big, handsome blonde kid who is only 6,000+ miles away for Christmas this December.  Although he isn't here physically we will get to Skype with him and feel his amazing spirit in our home through his emails and everything.  I am excited for December, too, because we celebrate Willie's birthday.  Can't figure out where the 20 years he has been around have gone -- they have zipped by.  I am so very excited for his future.  He is a special person in our family and to so many others.  Great things are in store for him.

Happy December to all!  Enjoy each day of the month and the spirit for the person this month is all about, Christ.

10-12-14

So, today is significant in that it is 10-12-14.  Something to think about that won't occur ever again.  Our good friends Emily and Devin were married on 10-9-08 - easy to remember.  One of the ladies at the office has a daughter who wanted to get married on 12-12-12 -- but she didn't.  Then she was hoping to get married on 11-12-13 -- but she didn't.  The next significant sequencing of dates this year will occur on 12-13-14 and then who knows what will come next . . . .

I am having a birthday this week and it is a significant birthday for me.  According to scripture, "They shall bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing," (Psalm 92:14) aging is okay.  President Gordon B. Hinckley wrote, "Age is more a matter of how you feel, how you think, and what's gong on in your head than what's going on in your feet."  I am not sure what to think about reaching an older, ripe, "fat and flourishing," age this week.  But it will come and go and I will still be the same, I hope.

On or around my 50th -- Karl and I took Willie to Sea World over the fall recess break.  We drove in the rain to St. George late on a Wednesday night and to San Diego the next day.  We made it home that Saturday in time for a Halloween celebration at Mom's.  Karl gave me a nice mother's ring with three dark sapphires instead of the birthstones of the kids.  I wear it every day.  I also finished up more schooling around this time -- yes, going to the university at age 50 was a little crazy but the resulting administrative license led to good things.

At 40 -- I was very pregnant with a baby boy and on my birthday made an announcement to family members that "he" would be arriving sometime late December or early January.  Many of them were in shock when they heard the news.  Others had suspected as such with unusual weight gain in a concentrated area.  I had just taken a new job with the Utah State Office of Education and wasn't sure what would happen with a new baby in the house.  As you are well aware, with the love and support from amazing sisters and a faithful Dad we raised this baby who is now serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Lithuania.

At 30 -- I enjoyed time at home during the day with my daughters - Annie was 6 and Haley 4.  I was in the middle of a master's degree program in school counseling, taught pre-school in my home during the day, and taught in the adult education program at both Granger and Kearns High Schools.  I also took care of my niece, Melinda.  I think I was also the Primary President in the Lake Ridge 4th Ward. Life was crazy but good.

At 20 -- I was a college coed and making plans to do a summer abroad program in France.  I worked weekends at Huber's Market and pretty much did the normal stuff 20 something people do.  I'm sure I thought I was really cool.  I remember going to concerts and singing in the U of U Women's Chorus and then U of U A Cappella Choir.  I was pretty boy crazy and although Karl was in the picture, he was serving a mission in the Netherlands/Belgium, so I did date now and again.  It was fun -

At 10 -- I was in 4th grade and my teacher, Mrs. Nelson, was a little crazy.  She made the newspaper when she used masking tape to more securely attach an out-of-control student to his desk.  I am not sure I learned anything in her class, but she was nice.

I know the day I was born was a great day!  I became the second daughter of Jerry who was the second child of Fern who was the second child of Anne. Interesting how numbers began this post and numbers end this post.

A great birthday it will be.

What to write . . .

All the family and a few welcomed extras went to the Utah State Fair on Monday. The weather was overcast but comfortable and no rain. We had such a nice time walking around exploring the animals, the displays, and watching the kids giggle and smile at everything. We looked at the world's largest (dead) alligator whose owner said she only feeds it once a month.  We pushed our fingers into the sheep's thick wool coats and stared at the cows' rear ends and their bodily functions in full operation. We admired the flashing lights of the carnival rides but only let the kids do the gunny sack slide - it was a hit.  Our walk around the fair also included the live sound of  the Surfin USA - Beach Boy concert.  They sounded pretty good and it was kind of energizing listening to the "old duffers" perform.  Food tasting included a bag of doughnuts, funnel cake, caramels, corn dog, pizza, lemonade, and more.

Longest blog post ever . . . .

So what do I do in my spare time now that Willie is on a mission and our washing, cleaning, eating, talking, entertaining, going, doing, washing more, talking, eating more, etc., have been minimized?  Well I manage to see each day whisked away with about the same limited time left for getting things done. By the end of the day, I still have things to do and no time to get them done.

I am a mom or grandmamma to 10 and wife to one. I am a daughter to my dad.  Sister to seven, sister-in-law to 14 and aunt, great aunt or aunt-in-law to around 43.  I think about all of these people every day.  I pray for them and hope that they will all make good choices and be nice and kind to everyone they meet, encounter, work with, go to school and church with, etc.  I make sure we have dinner as a family almost every Sunday.  I communicate with my kids nearly every day.  We go to Utah basketball games as a family and attend the grand chillins' soccer, t-ball, basketball, baseball, dance, pre-school programs, and more as many as possible. I talk to my dad or visit him every day.  I fix dinner for Dad every Wednesday and invite whoever to join us. I help Dad get ready for bed on Wednesday and Thursday evenings and spend a fair amount of time with him on Saturday. I go out to his house on Sunday mornings to help him with buttons on his white shirt and make his bed.  (Dee usually takes him to church.)  I also cut his hair every three weeks and buzz his ear hair every Saturday.

For the first time in 13 years (while living in Hunter) I am not in a leadership calling in church service.  I teach Sunday School to 10 or so amazing young people ages 17 and 18+.  I have learned more in my time as a Sunday School teacher than I have in many years of church leadership.  My first church calling came at age 13 when I was called to be a co-teacher in Primary with Veda Hill.  We taught the Co-Pilots (not sure of the age but it was fun).  Primary was during the week so it didn't interfere with my age-group assignments.  As a young adult, I taught a Sunday School class and managed to get roped into being in charge of a road show or two.  As a married person I served as a Young Women's leader and in the Primary.  While living in Lake Ridge, I taught Primary and Young Women and served as the Ward Librarian.  I also took on the Primary Presidency a couple of times, did a few more road shows, served as the Bishop's wife and with Karl as the Stake Specialists over a play and other activities. I also had a brief opportunity to be the Primary chorister, my all-time favorite church calling.  Over the years Karl and I have also been in charge of ward dinners and stake and ward activities.  You need to know that whatever calling I (we) do, my (our) family also does it and visa versa. When I total up all the years it's like 47 years of serving in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Pretty cool!

I work full-time and have done so for 32 years (not ot mention part-time for 6 years) as a professional educator.  I actually started working at Huber's Market at age 12, but I can't really call that work because it was really hanging out with my grandparents every day (summers only).  When I started to drive, work at the grocery store extended to Saturdays and then Friday afternoons and Saturdays.  I think I worked at the grocery store longer than any of my siblings (they got better jobs).  I also spent some time working for Valley Bank (back in the day).  I never could balance my till - no wonder I am always running out of money.  Good thing Karl never spends any $$$$.

I currently spend my work time as an administrator at the Granite School District Office where I oversee school counselors and social workers K-12 and the programs they implement, AVID and LIA, a US Department of Ed counseling grant, Positive Behavior Supports and really anything related to high school graduation and college and career readiness in Granite District.

I take a class whenever I can.  In May I completed a 9 week course on how to facilitate an on-line class for graduate level students.  It was very rigorous and took a lot of time, but I am glad I did it.  Last summer I took an online course on college and career readiness.  For the degrees and licenses I have, I spent 13 years in post high school courses.  I have taught at the pre-school (in my home), junior high, high school, adult education, and graduate levels. 

I am a Past President of the Utah School Counselors Association (USCA) and have served on the USCA Governing Board until recently.  I have also served a three-year elected term as Guidance Division Vice President of the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) and as a member of a policy committee for that organization off and on for 15 years or so.  I have been a PTA Board member, a room mother, and helped with field days, maturation programs and other PTA stuff.

I love the ocean.  This summer I have seen both the Pacific and Atlantic and I must say I prefer the Pacific.  There are no surfer-type, Beach Boy beaches in the world like Huntington Beach (a.k.a. the HB).  I like to cook, really, for my family.  My specialties are high in calories and served on Sunday - roast beef/roast pork, mashed potatoes (or brown betties), and gravy; beef brisket and fried potatoes (bacon fat); ham and au gratin or yummy potatoes; and hot rolls to go with every meal.  I also make a pretty mean lasagna and a few other things. I love music of the 50's and 60's - my mom always had the radio on in the car and records playing on the stereo.  I don't really have a most favorite musical group but I like the Beach Boys and Beatles and America and all music that inspires and motivates.  My favorite colors are earth tones/autumn colors in my house and red for most other things.  Annie and Haley used to tease me that my favorite color was tan or black and white checked things.

There is really nothing better in this world than spending time with my family - eating and talking and laughing and singing and just having fun.  I am who I am because I have an amazingly supportive and responsible husband and three of the best kids in the universe.  I so appreciate all they have done to make my life what it has been and will yet be. 

The End!

How blessed we are!

Looking back on June and July is really a look at all of the blessings that come our way.  Too many to list or to write about; just know that our family is blessed.  The greatest blessings come for our children.  They are smart, obedient, and somewhat good looking.  I consider all members of my immediate family my children (except Karl of course) and that includes Annie, Haley, Willie, Ross, James, Elliott, Wyatt, Molly, Jack and Quinn.  I love them.

In Sunday School today our lesson centered on keeping a record of your life experiences so that your family can learn from it and better know you.  I am not a very good journal writer or blogger for that matter, but I am going to try to get going on some journal writing.  Needless to say, I have had many experiences I have not necessarily shared with my family.  Sometimes I think they will be bored or uninterested.  But I need to get some of these things written down, especially those that have been influenced by a divine power.  Who knows, someday someone may read what I've written and be influenced for good.

Willie has been serving in the mission field now five months.  He reports to us every Monday and his letters are informative, inspiring and motivating.  I can feel his love for what he is doing through the words he writes.  I so look forward to Monday morning emails.  They make Monday the very best day of the week. 

In the past couple of weeks we have connected with two missionaries with whom Willie has served.  I spoke with Sister Trejo (from Tucson, AZ) on Wednesday afternoon (July 23)!  What a nice person and a teacher!  She wanted me to know that my son is an exceptional missionary.  She also asked for my email and in return sent me some photos and two movies of the Siauliai group!!!!  The movies are so out of this world awesome -- in one, all of Willie's group (plus two others) are in a train compartment with bunk beads and the other movie is of Willie, Sister Trejo, and Elder Marshall singing, "How Can I Be".  It is truly off the charts good!!!!  I have watched it a hundred times.  They sound very good together and very harmonious.  Willie also has some nice jive moves as he accompanied with the uke -- reminiscent of his poly friends. 

 

Still more, . . . . . Saturday morning (July 26) I got this random text, "Sister Petersen, this is Elder Marshall, I was your son's trainer.  I just got home yesterday and I want to invite you to my homecoming Sunday if you are available.  It will be at 11:00 a.m. at 600 East 120 South in Smithfield, UT.  Let me know if you can make it.  It would be fun to meet you."  Oh my goodness -- I started to cry!  I replied, "We will be there!" and "PS, welcome home!"

 

Sister Trejo and Elder Marshall are on the right.

So last Sunday morning we got up early and headed to Cache County.  The Howdens decided to go, as well.  We got there a few minutes before sacrament meeting and Karl, of course, spotted Elder Marshall first and cornered him (politely).  He was quite a celebrity to all of us but just a returned missionary to his ward.  His talk was on the "Light of Christ" and I recorded it so Haley could hear it.  What a great day!

I think they sleep on the floor . . .

So last week I posted a nice photo of Willie's room -- the study center of their place.  This morning he uploaded some new photos to the drop box and I caught a glimpse of what this room really is -- bedroom, ET AL.

Willie's mattress with the blue manatee pillowcase

I thought they had a big apartment with separate study area, kitchen, living area, etc.  With what I can see in this photo there is really one big room for everything.  That's ok -- it looks neat and clean and somewhat organized.

3:00 a.m. and checking my email??? What!?

So I woke up suddenly at 3:00 a.m. this morning.  Not sure why.  Decided to check my email -- blurry-eyed and drowsy.  I had a sense that I may just catch my son in the act of emailing.  Sure enough, I did!

3:11 a.m. Me:  I know this is cheating, but are you there?
3:12 a.m. Willie:  Yes
3:13 a.m. Me:  How are you doing sweet son of mine?
3:17 a.m. Me:  Be a good boy! I am going back to bed in a minute.
3:19 a.m. Willie: I am good.  This really isn't allowed . . .  But I do have some questions, so we will call it a tender mercy.
3:20 a.m.  Me:  I know the rules, too.  Tender mercy or nice blessing is good.
3:21 a.m.  Willie:  Bank website still doesn't work - can you set it to the LDS email account? Can you send my retainer with the next package, whenever that may be. I think it would be a good idea. I read somewhere that if you do it for a month straight your teeth will go back. Maybe you could do some research.  Also, I don't know how we will work out shoes when mine die. There is no way I will find giant ones here.
3:25 a.m.  Me:  I will update your bank account profile; you have $$.  I am not sure where your retainer is but I will look around.  Are your teeth okay?  I can send you shoes -- no problem -- just tell me when to send them -  I will get on it now.
3:34 a.m.  Willie: Just nice classy shoes.  Stylish and black.  Order them, and I will tell you when to send them.  My teeth are okay, but I can feel the middle gap starting to come back.  I figure if I'm going to suffer death by retainer, I might as well do it now.  Thanks for everything!  I love you!
3:40 a.m.  Me:  Au revoir!  Laiminga diena!  (have a good day in Lithuanian)

Then is was over!  A conversation thousands of miles away with less than a minute required to send emails back and forth.  I love technology!  I couldn't go back to sleep so I watched an episode of House Hunters International.

 

Missionary apartment -- study center