A Day in the Life of the Petersens

The girls had softball try-outs. They were a little bit rusty but did well.



After softball, we went to the YMCA to get our membership IDs. Then we crashed a KB Home carnival. We saw signs for free food and bumper cars and decided to go. It was a blast. The BBQ was great. The funnel cakes were even better. Here are some photos of the face painting. Enjoy





Yes he is growling.












- Posted from my iPhone

Funny

So we have an unusual relationship with our trash man. He comes twice a week and the kids always run out to meet him. He looks forward to this. Once Joe ran the trash out and the kids weren't there. He asked where they were. He always honks hello and goodbye. He also talk to them while throwing the trash. The kids love it. Well, yesterday I was changing a diaper while the trash was being picked up. When the kids came in I said it was a bummer I missed the trash. I asked Ethan to take the diaper out to the trash. He came back very out of breath. He had run down the trash truck and thrown the diaper in. The trash guys just laughed. The simple joys of life.

So, I decided since it was already the end of January, I best put the kids winter clothes away. Yep, I spent this morning filling the kids drawers with shorts and tee shirts. Funny to me. Hope you are enjoying your weather. Don't worry, when I am melting in the summer, you can all laugh at me. Then, I will go to the beach and cool off. He He.

Trappin Bears in Florida

Mom and I had a delightful time in Florida to share in Chloe's baptism. Walking the beach was one of my favorite things. I think I walked over two miles. It was calming to my soul and gave me time to ponder on things that I have stewardship for. After the baptism and lunch, we were just sitting around and as you know, when that happens, traps can be sprung. We enjoyed a rousing time of bear trap. Funny thing, there were no "uncles" cried the entire time and the "bear" actually called the truce. He figured that it would never end. It was really fun.

Thank you Heather, Joe and family for welcoming us to your new home and sharing Chloe's baptism with us.

Guys. I was doing my Book of Mormon reading/homework and I thought of something. Let me know what you think. Our assignment was Alma 43 - 51. Alma 47, I'm sure most of you know is about Amalickiah and how he was able to get himself to be crowned king. Now, maybe this is just my brain only half functioning at 11:00 at night, but it definitely reminded me of Hitler. Weird, yes, I know, but think about it! He used subtle tricky things that appealed to the people, but in the end, he just killed people and only he got gain. There wasn't a genocide or anything, but on the outside it seems to the people that he has such good intentions, and then he goes and stabs them in the back! almost literally... I don't know. I'm not sure what else to say. If you have anything to add or say about it, feel free lovely family. :)
Also, you might know this is the Lehonti chapter. Yes i read it, and yes, Mom, every time I read it I think of you. And James, too, seems he brought it up the other day. :P
Love you all tons. I hope you are sleeping well, and are all healthy.

AND!
CONGRATULATIONS TO CHLOE!!! Cutie all baptized! I would like to see some pictures and a lovely blog!! Even if it includes the beach.... what an advantage you all have. Gosh. haha Love you!

Another Perk

I'm deciding to tell you all of the exciting things (minimal) that happen to me at work. Here is one more. It's short, and just goes to show how tactful I am. Anyways.


I'm sure you all know who that is, but if you don't, it is Sister Elaine S. Dalton. She is the Young Women General President. Well, I did meet her. But not formally. Here is the strange/embarrassing story:

I was walking downstairs to clock out after a Basketball game one night. The Event Staff room is on the floor level where all of the special guests/floor seating people enter and exit. Well there was a backup at the elevator. In the elevator hallway were most of those people who bought expensive seats. In the other hallway were mostly event staff workers like myself rushing to get through and check out. Well, there was a lady squished up against the back wall trying to let all these workers get past her. I got to her and the line stopped, so I said "Don't worry, I won't squish you." Yes. that lady was Sister Dalton. I'm so great. Anyways, I couldn't figure out who she was, so I kind of stared at her, because I knew that I knew her, but I couldn't figure it out. I tried not to stare too long, but it was probably just long enough that she could tell I was staring at her. Anyways. then the line started moving and the girl behind me was just as excited as me, and together we remembered her name. Highlight of that game.

The Perks of Work

Hello family. Yes I know I'm a horrible updater. Oh well. I still have an hilarious story for you that happened last week at work. Many of you have already heard it, but it's still funny to hear again. :)

I was asked to take someone's shift for a Women's Basketball game last Wednesday. Now, you probably know that women's games are not near as well attended as men's. Well there was an unusually "large" crowd because it was against BYU's rival, the University of Utah.

I was taking tickets like usual, and there weren't many people so I went to the bathroom to warm up my hands because if you didn't know, it's quite COLD here at night. I am standing in the bathroom running water on my hands, and I hear these monkey sounds coming from a stall. ... They don't stop.

Then this little girl, (couldn't have been older than probably 6), popped herself out and started making the sounds at me... so I made them back. Then she made other sounds and I had no idea what to do, so... I laughed in an unsure way (ha...haha...ha.....)... I wasn't sure if she actually talked or what. And she didn't laugh or giggle or anything when I made sounds back and laughed. She just stood there looking at me. It was actually kind of awkward...

Then she said "I never tell anyone I can do that voice. Just you." Not the monkey noises. The other noises. It was SO cute.Well she just kept standing there so I asked her if she needed anything. (We were the only 2 in the bathroom). She said yeah she needed help with her tights. She was wearing a little red Utah cheer leading uniform. Apparently she came in to change her own pull-up and couldn't put her tights back on. So I went over and helped her put them on. And then her pants... and then she told me all about her shoes that she only wears for ballet and when she wears her cheer leading uniform. It was great. As I was helping her out, she was talking to me and said "I like BYU". So I said "me too." (of course!) and she said "yeah, but don't tell my dad or he'll get mad." whaaaat? It was SO funny!!! I also learned all the times when she does wear her pull-up and when she doesn't. She doesn't wear it to school.

So I helped her get soap and wash her hands and she said, "I like you." I was SO flattered. I love it when little kids like me. :) It was so cute! So we walked out of the bathroom and I asked if she needed anything else just to make sure and she was like, "will you walk with me to L?" Apparently she was sitting at Portal L and this was the closest bathroom she could find. ... I was at Portal A. There are bathrooms at almost every portal. Either way, I wasn't going to let her walk back by herself and have something happen to her, so I walked her back and she talked to me the whole time.

"I like BYU but don't tell my dad." That was just about my favorite.

So much, so little time

I am so ridiculous. I still haven't posted Christmas. Ahhhh. I think of it often and tell Mom I will post. I think me posting is now kind of like Mom sending mail. OH CRAP! Before I forget the most important reason for this blog, STOP BUYING DIAPERS AT THE STORE. Did you hear me? I have discovered beautiful amazon mom subscribe and save. Whew, what a mouthful. My diapers and wipes are now delivered to my door within two days for same or less cost than walmart. I think I hear a Hallelujah. I have ordered others things too. I plan to buy most of my household supplies through this site. You set things up to ship automatically every 1, 2, 4, or 6 months. Something like that. Wait, don't panic. You always receive an email prior to processing, in case you want to make a change. Love it! More free time to .... oh that free time thing was funny. I must have slipped into dreamworld temporarily. Forgive me. I also don't go to wally world to buy diapers and come back with way more. I can't seem to find a downside. Yes, it really is that good. Check it out even if you don't have kids in diapers. Yes James, it is amazon mom, but we must look past their inability to recognize a Father's part in the home to save money! Me like saving money. For anyone who has recently purchased such items from the store, I apologize for my snail like reflexes in saving you money. Start now. Save, save, save! Yes, I really do love it that much. You would be amazed what is available and the cost. You know you want to.

Moving on. I AM SO STINKIN TIRED! My goal is to get more than 2 hours consecutive sleep tonight. Ethan had the flu a week ago and now Collin has it. Yep, the FLU. 104+, 7 day, falling apart flu. If that wasn't enough, David still doesn't sleep all night. So, I officially disclaim any stupid things I may do or say until I get some sleep. I figure that pretty much covers me until forever.

School is going awesome. We are doing several classes together this year and it is way more fun. I am amazed what the kids retain. I think I have learned more history in the last week than in all of high school. Too bad that isn't really that big of an achievement. Still, I will take it. I have also gone down the healthy eating path again. I put my family through a 4 day cleanse. Yes, the whole family. No, it wasn't a cleanse to lose weight, just to cleanse. We ate hot cereal every morning. We had fruit for a snack; beans, rice, and a veggie for lunch; whole wheat bread and butter for snack; beans and rice for dinner. Everyone feels so much better. I might have also let them have a glass of eggnog everyday. They needed dairy and a little fat! It has been really fun trying to come up with different dinners. I started by cooking 3 crockpots of various beans. This time I used black beans (cooked separately so they don't turn everything black), pinto, black eyed peas, and small white beans. Stuffed cabbage, enchilada casserole (no cheese and homemade fat free corn tortillas), and bean and cornbread casserole were some of the dinners we enjoyed. All of them were dairy and meat free. They were all also virtually fat free. I love homemade. Joe said he had no idea eating healthy could taste so good. We have decide to have beans in at least one meal every day. We have eaten refried beans and rice for lunch everyday. My kids love it. The beans are the church ones, so the only ingredient is beans. Hmmm. NO, our house does not smell. If you eat beans more than 3 times a week, your body adjusts and doesn't have gas issues. Isn't food storage wonderful. Amazing how those long term storage items are so stinking healthy and good!

I am misspelling almost every other word at this point, I think I shall allow my impending crash. Until Collin wakes to be drugged and sponge bathed again. I love being a mom.

Musings of a Mother

As if you haven't noticed, so many of my ponderings lately have been about motherhood. Even though this may be caused by the fact that I am a newish mother, I imagine it will be something I will ponder for the rest of my life.

I wrote a piece I dedicate to Jaime, but also to all other mothers. I thought I'd share it with you.

Moments

Her life is sand flowing through my fingers. Grain by grain, I cannot get the moments back.

They come; they go. I see them pass and do not give the time I ought.

I want to cherish every moment forever. Can I capture this breathtaking angel? I think not.

A time must come when I will yearn to remember her this way. A dazzling smile that punctuates every movement and a laugh that delights my soul. I feel it will be easy for the impressions she makes on my heart.

But I know I will forget. Time comes so fast and I know I wont get these moments back. The task before me is a simple and devastating one. To love and care for her how I want to remember.

I love you Jaime Lynne and I will always be your mother.

Merry Christmas....

I know I'm almost a month late, but well, yep, just take what you can get. This was our crazy balloon Christmas, and the aprons I made. I know, hard to believe you are getting both a blog and pictures. We really had a great Christmas and the kids totally loved the balloons. I loved it too, especially when we popped them all and I could see my floors again. Can you tell I'm struggling with my picture placement. One tends to forget how things work when they blog only once every six months. That's definately my bad. If I ever blog again I promise to do better.

This Touched Me

An American who led the way.

May we remember.

Can you spot it?

I am currently in Sebring, Florida. What is wrong with this street sign?




- Posted from my iPhone

New Book Lists

Mom wants us to update our book lists way down there so we can share more of the things we love. I have to agree.

So, send me your book selections, both for children and adults, and I'll edit them in. You can comment here or post them or email them. Whatever, just do it. :)

And HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Book of Mormon Reading

As we approach a New Year we wanted to challenge the boys to read the Book of Mormon. We especially wanted Joshua to finish reading before he is baptized later this year, so I found (with the help of a friend) some great charts that they can fill in as they read. You and your kids may not be chart people but my kids are, well, mine and so they love a good chart. Here is a link to the charts I found if you are interested. Happy New Year!

http://bookofmormonblitz.blogspot.com/2010/02/reading-charts-to-color.html