Happy Birthday, Son of Mine!

Well, today is your birthday!
It's finally here!
You are 16!
I remember so well the day your were born! It was a cold winter day and you arrived a little after Noon. Once you were born your dad and sisters left the hospital to get something to eat at Crown Burgers and then headed to a Utah basketball game. There we were, just you and me in the hospital, celebrating your arrival. It was one of the best days I can remember.

I am not quite sure what to think about your 16th birthday because that means you are just that much closer to independence from me and your dad. You are a good boy and smart and good looking, too. You make us happy and keep us busy. You have passed your driving test and are just waiting until then end of the semester to get your permit to get you license. You are a sports junkie and yet you study hard and get the best grades ever. You go to church and do most everything you are asked to do. As tall and strong as you are, you still like to sit on my lap for a big hug and hope that I can rock you to sleep. That doesn't last long, however, because I get close to passing out, and you move to another spot.

Your birthday will be spent doing what you like most of all -- playing basketball! And, I think we can add some pizza and cake and ice cream to the day when the Hunter Wolverines walk away with 3 wins!

Happy Birthday to YOU!

Christmas is Coming!

Christmas is coming and my stress level is ever pushing upward. I am just the classic Christmas procrastinator. I hold out waiting for a Christmas bonus to use to purchase gifts, waiting for the best inspiration on what to get everyone, waiting to clean my house before getting the decorations out, waiting for something else to occupy my life instead of Christmas.

I love the holiday season and all it's festivities, but I am always slow to get going. While some have their Christmas "everything" checked off and relax and enjoy the month of December, I am out sometimes on Christmas Eve tracking down that last item I just know someone is wishing for.

Ups and Downs

November has been a month of ups and downs.

Up -- Willie survived the first term of high school and four months of football!
Up -- A quick trip to Washington, DC for some leadership training
Up -- Happy Birthday, Karl
Down -- Uncle Blaine passed away the night I returned home from DC
Up -- We saw family and friends we had not connected with for many years due to Uncle Blaine's passing
Down -- Mom's health diminished -- any stress puts her over the edge and losing her brother was very difficult for her
Up -- Willie made the high school basketball team!
Up -- Willie was a main speaker in church -- excellent talk!
Up -- I had lunch with a good friend!
Down -- My good friend is battling pancreatic cancer.
Up -- This friend who has cancer looks really good in her wig!
Up -- Attended an excellent meeting at UVU on Women and Education
Down -- The meeting focused on how our young women in Utah are delaying or choosing not to pursue higher education
Down -- Attending the Bye, Bye, Birdie production at the high school
Up -- Tending Molly while Haley attended a math conference
Up -- Sunday dinner at Annie's
Up -- Watching the "double tts" while Annie attended a staff meeting
Up -- Attending the Joesph production at another high school
Down -- Not attending the Nutcracker (niece and nephew performed) because of a crazy snow storm and icy roads
Up -- Short work/school week -- Thanksgiving Holiday
Down -- A colleague's wife passed away -- brain tumor
Up -- Utah's basketball team looks good and is playing pretty well
Up -- Karl had a job interview with a medical device company (keep your fingers crossed)
Up -- Family for Thanksgiving dinner at my house -- it was very nice to have the Petersens together
Down -- Preparing for Thanksgiving dinner at my house was exhausting -- but a good exhaustion
Up -- Sleeping in the day after Thanksgiving
Down -- Willie has more homework than any teenager should have -- reading, note taking, memorizing a 50 line poem, math assignments and preparing for math tests, French projects, physics problems, and driving (all this month)
Up -- Willie gets very good grades!

Up -- Willie is a very good driver!
Up -- Utah actually beat BYU in football today
Down -- It was the "ugly Betty special" (to quote Joe Cravens) -- a terribly played game
Up -- It's Saturday night and I have time to do some blogging
Down -- Only one more day and then back to work!
Up -- Christmas is less than 30 days away!
Up -- Life is good!

Arrggg!!!

I have intended to be a good blog poster for NABLOPOMO, but good intentions in my mind don't necessarily transfer to posting. As I have mentioned before, I feel like my life is a fast forward button pushed down and never released. (I think that is a simile with personification.) Well, it's been on super fast this week!

I am gearing up for the first ever Thanksgiving dinner at my house. Karl's family is coming and we are all very excited! Not to say I haven't prepared Thanksgiving dinner before. Every other year we go to my parents' home for the big day and for the past years, my girls and I have spent the entire day preparing the dinner. But this year, it's just different because it's here!

I am excited for Christmas. I have great gifts in mind for my kids (sons-in-law included) and grandkids. I am excited to decorate my house and all that stuff. And, I love the sugar cookies, fruit cake, fudge, and other treats I don't usually have around during the year.

Friday is my favorite day of the week and guess what -- that's today. I go into Friday always relaxed knowing that I will have two days away from the pressures of the working world. I love my work, but I love days off with my family even more!

Mr. Lincoln Exudes Inspiration

I am in Washington, DC, for a couple of days with my assistant superintendent attending a meeting hosted by the College Board.

I love this city! The drive from Reagan National Airport into the city on Monday evening was compelling! The taxi entered the city from Arlington Bridge which connects Arlington Cemetery to Lincoln Memorial. Washington Monument was in full view as was the Capitol. We headed NE to DuPont Circle to the DuPont Hotel (accommodations and meeting site). The Kennedy Center and the Watergate Hotel were well lit in the evening cityscape.

The meeting today was excellent! It was all about making a more intentional commitment [school districts] to improve college and career readiness strategies and instruction for students. After the meeting ended, the 20 or so counselor leaders and superintendents of some of the largest school districts in the country were treated to dinner.

I have been to enough out of town meetings to know that hanging out in a hotel room after a day of meetings is not all that fun, so after dinner at a restaurant on Connecticut Ave., another attendee and I headed on a brisk walk to experience the monuments at night. We headed south on Connecticut Ave., past the Coccoron Museum and the Red Cross headquarters to the WWII Memorial, then we walked along Lincoln's reflecting pool to see Mr. Lincoln himself. We headed back to the hotel via the GWU campus. It was a great night -- I wish you all could have been with me! I love this city and all that it is about --the politics, the history, the museums, the people, the buzz and commotion and more. I am so thankful for all of the opportunities I have! Never did I imagine that I would ever have so many amazing opportunities come my way. And have a family that supports me in every way possible.

Happy Birthday, Karl!

Another year -- more candles to blow out on the birthday cake! You are the best around -- pretty good husband, dad, grandpa, and basically my best friend, ever! Hope you've had a great day!

NABLOPOMO Redemption

I am going to try and redeem my NABLOPOMO postings and make a strong attempt to get something down for each day the remainder of the month.

Willie is a good writer. He had an essay assignment to finish tonight on The House of Mango Street. He had to write about some of the figurative language elements and style characteristics of one of the vignettes in the book. He did a nice job -- it's kind of fun helping with English homework. As an English minor person, I like literature and the analysis, but I must admit I am much better at it all now than 30 plus years ago. I hope the students I taught learned something.

I taught French, English, and reading many years ago at Eastmont Middle School in the then Jordan School District. It was fun! I loved being a teacher, I taught some great kids. We had fun in class and I hope the students learned something along the way. I remember I always assigned a lot of homework (sorry former students). I now know that homework is tough even with parents who kind of know what's going on. However, I do like essays to be completed at home that way students can take their time and do their best.

November 2, 2010

Just when you think you are making progress, you are not. I thought on Monday night -- nablopomo 2010, no problem. Posted my first posting of the month and Tuesday came and went, so that means 2 postings today.

It's a black-out game of the week for Utah football vs. TCU, Saturday, November 6. Willie and I went up to the "bookstore" after school/work to see about getting some new black stuff to wear o the game. It was a hoppin' with people getting stuff and it was Touchdown Tuesday -- everything 20% off!

NABLOPOMO

Yes, it's that time of year -- a blog posting every day of the month -- I hope I can remember to do the posting!

Football is over!!!!! After June, July, August, September, and October it is now over! No more games (sniff sniff). Willie had a great season! Tonight was the first night of the school year without football practice and tons of homework. We didn't know what to do, so we wasted the night away.

For the months -- November, December, January, February -- there will be high school basketball. And then there will be March Madness followed by spring AAU in April and May.

Going to the State Football Playoffs!

Not only is the Hunter High Sophomore Football team amazingly awesome and the Region II CHAMPIONS, but the varsity team defeated Layton High this afternoon in a state "play-in" game and now get to play Bingham on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. (How was that for a run-on sentence!)

Congrats Hunter Football!!!!

What makes a great birthday?

Family and others who make it special for you -- dinner, gifts, cards, visits, phone calls, text messages, voice messages, e-mails, treats, and hugs, smiles, special treatment, and more.

What a nice day! Thank, you! Thank you!

10-10-10

Do you utilize the international sign for plugged toilets at your house? For longer than I can remember, we have had toilet clogging issues (every home has their fair share). You know -- too much toilet paper, lack of intermittent flushing during usage, and other details that can remain unmentioned. Well, I don't know who invented the "sign" but whenever toilet clogging happens in our house we just close the lid and drape a long section of toilet paper on the closed lid. It's the sign that the toilet is out of operation -- it's used internationally -------

Somehow the "duty" of getting the toilet flushing again after clogging falls on our dad. There is nothing more exciting than to have him walk down the hall to use the facility, close the door, and then come out into the hallway grumbling the following -- "who was the last person to use this bathroom????" No one will ever take credit. The toilet manages to start working, again, like magic.

What can I say?

It's another Saturday night -- end of another busy week.

A Typical Saturday

So I got up Saturday morning and greeted a pretty spectacular day -- the most beautiful weather and in a most comfortable home. All seemed to be good at home and in the neighborhood. Karl did the yard work and I went to my neighbor's to have her do something to my hair. I checked in with my girls, and we agreed on doing something new for Sunday dinner.

I fixed breakfast for the boys, straightened up the house, and then headed to the parentals' home. On the way there, Willie and I stopped for his lunch and my DC (we left Karl home to do "Friends of Scouting" and studying).

I mowed their lawn, watered their flowers, swept and blew the leaves and stuff in the backyard while Willie stayed inside and played the piano. Haley and Molly were there (they helped with the housework), then came Cory and Conner (to do the yard work [oops!] and decided to stay and visit), then John and his girls (John worked on the pool), and we all had a nice visit.

Later on, Willie and Karl headed to the U of U football game (Karl wore a long sleeve shirt, took a jacket [he didn't want to get cold], and Willie put sunscreen on his face) --I headed to the cleaners and the grocery store (I went to Harmon's). I was suppose to go to the General Women's RS Meeting -- but, I decided to stay home and watch it on TV -- the rebroadcast that is. It was very good and the messages were inspiring -- serve others, love others, don't judge, do your visiting teaching, and basically -- be a good person.

Mom made it to 80!

Happy 80th Birthday!

Your 80th birthday, well some say that’s great!
Another year older, hey just a minute, just wait.
Your 80th birthday is special we know,
So to you, our dear mother, our love we will show.

Your children are many they now number eight,
Their spouses and children do make your life great!
With Dad at your side, you have nothing to fear,
But only because you both struggle to hear.

But because you are 80, not hearing is okay,
You've told us to always the good only say.
So now that you’re 80 and words you can't hear,
Just know that they’re good words and bringing you cheer!

You’ve been the best mom that eight kids ever had
You’ve loved us and scolded us in good times and bad
For all the long hours you’ve fretted over us,
We pledge to be good kids in your honour, please trust.

Your grandchildren love you like none other around,
Your home is a place where sweet refuge is found.
They love the red fish and the cookies and pop,
But more than the goodies, they love YOU a lot!

So a very happy birthday we share with you today,
We pray and we hope that your days go okay.
We want you around for more years to come,
Because you, our dear Mom, you are 80 years young!

High School Football

So the Hunter Wolverine sophomore football team finally got a win on Thursday -- 34-6 over West. The team played well and the kids seemed to be more connected as a team vs. individual superstar wannabe performances than in previous games. It's the teamwork part that makes it okay for my boy to play sports. Working together for a common goals is a pretty high-order task. Not everyone knows how to do it or how to make it happen. A team comes together when each player understands and works toward the same expectations. Consistency and continuity only lead to better teamwork -- everyone knows their role and works hard to do their part by working toward the expectations. I hope Willie will always work hard to be a good teamplayer -- if it ever seems like he's out for his own gain in any sport -- we will need to have a long talk.

In contrast, the Hunter Wolverine varsity team is struggling. The team membership consists of some very good players and a couple of them have signed letters of intent to NCAA Division One schools. But, sometimes super star players do not a better team make. And figuring out how to get all of the players to play together toward common goals and expectations and at the same time is challenging -- especially when the goals and expectations don't appear to be very clear to the players. I guess what I am trying to say is that the varsity game was out of sync -- I hope the players and coaches can get their stuff together or it's going to be a very long season.

34 Years Together -- Oh My!

September 1, 2010
Some said it would never last. Granted marriage is an on-going experience in maintaining a relationship, and Karl and I have worked hard (for most of the 34 years) to make our marriage stronger and our family the focus of our lives together. It's actually been pretty fun!

I remember the first time I noticed Karl -- we were in 8th grade and he was friends with my cousin. They were in Spanish class together. He was really tall in junior high -- taller than me!

Karl fell off of my radar screen until we were juniors in high school. Then it was the platinum blond hair against a chambray blue shirt over a white turtleneck that caught my attention. He was on the football team (#81 I think) and the junior varsity basketball team and was inducted in the honor society that year. We had common friend groups and ended up in the same places, a lot. We got to be pretty good friends.

By the summer between our junior and senior year, Karl finally asked me out and our first date was the 4th of July Fireworks at Liberty Park. Eleven dates later, he finally kissed me (on the lips), it was the night of the Senior Ball (I can't share the details, sorry).

We graduated from high school in 1973, and Karl went to Europe with his friend Bart for 6 weeks and when he returned home, he made plans for a mission. Before leaving on his mission (January 1974), he gave me a very nice birthstone ring (an opal for October) for Christmas -- it wasn't really a promise ring, just a nice friendship ring. Our friendship grew while Karl was serving a mission through letters and more letters. I attended the "U" and dated some while he was gone, but there was never anything special about any of those dates.

A little over four months or so after returning from his mission in the Netherlands/Belgium-Antwerp, Karl proposed to me on May 28, 1976. We'd been to see the musical "1776" (based on events leading to the writing and signing of the Declaration of Independence) at the old Promised Valley Playhouse on State Street. After the production, we walked down the west side of State Street between First and Second South past a Dee's Hamburger Drive-Inn (on the way to the car) to get my favorite snack -- fries and a coke. We waited until we got to the car to eat our snack. Karl politely opened the passenger door for me, carrying our fries and drinks with him to the driver's side. Little did I know that his mom had made a tiny pink velvet pouch for an engagement ring that Karl slipped into my package of fries. Once in the car, we talked about the musical and began eating. When I found the surprise in my fries, I knew something was up -- and yes, he asked me to marry him. And I accepted!

Yes, there is much more to the story of our courtship and our 34 years together -- I will save the details for another day (we could fill volumes). But know that we love each other very much. We are so blessed to have three intelligent, healthy, beautiful children; two amazing sons-in-law, and three grandchildren who are leaps and bounds above all other grandchildren in the universe, in every way. We live in a nice home, we go to church every Sunday, we try to be nice and kind to others, and serve together in whatever we're asked to do.

I've said it before and I'll say it again -- someone is holding down the time fast forward button, and I am having a hard time keeping up!

It's the last day of August, the 31st to be exact. I consider it the unofficial last day of summer with fall unofficially beginning September 1. That is just the way I see these two seasons. I don't know where the summer went, but it's gone and left are only the memories of some pretty awesome and inspiring events and activities.

It's not every summer (in the same month) that someone (like me) spends time on both the east and west coasts of the US. I love the ocean, any ocean, and to have seen both the Atlantic and the Pacific this summer was so amazing! Karl, Willie, and I actually ventured out in the Atlantic some 30 miles on a whale watching adventure out of Boston Harbor. I did a solo trip to an educational institute in San Diego the last week of July and with evenings free, I headed to some of the local beaches. I am passed the sun bathing era, but I do enjoy the calming tranquility of watching the surf and topping an evening off with a beautiful sunset.

The summer was also very family-event-filled -- two baby blessings (Cole and Molly); two weddings (Matt and Jenn -- Preston and Katie); two missionary calls (Eddie - Samoa, and Travis - Taiwan); a Petersen family BBQ; a trip to the zoo and a nice lunch with the my kids and the grandkids; family dinners (nearly every Sunday); time with Mom and Dad (the grandparents) working in their home, their yard, and helping them with doctor's appointments; Shavy Jones on Saturday nights with pizza at Mountain Mikes; watching the grandkids (but not enough); and, other things that I can't think of right now or don't remember at all.

The summer zipped by even more quickly with football practice or some kind of football conditioning nearly every week day. Football has been Willie's full time job during the summer especially in August -- some days it was like 10 hours of football. there is no sport in the universe that requires as much practice and conditioning as football. I have told Willie and Karl over and over again that if the football players spent as much time studying school subjects as they do getting ready for football games, we would have a school of geniuses at Hunter High School.

8-9-10

Only once in awhile does the date come in consecutive numbers. I guess that is pretty significant.