The Petersen's

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

2009-03-01T16:45:00.001-08:00

I found this "Cities I've Visited" site which is cool because you just add all the places you've visited. I didn't realize how many places I'd been until I started doing this and I keep thinking of more! Some I flew to, some I drove to, others I boated to, and still others I caught a train to. Many with fiends, a map, a Eurorail pass and my backpack. Most were spur of the moment. ALL were a blast!

Create your own travel map or travel blog

Travel Info at TripAdvisor

Down Under!

2009-02-04T13:41:00.000-08:00

We are outta here! I found an amazing deal on tickets to New Zealand with a free stop-over in Australia so I quickly did my taxes to make sure I had enough money - and what do ya know, I do! The tickets are booked, the excitement is palpable, the wait is unbearable. Especially for the kids. They ask me every day "when are we going?" "Well we don't leave until school is out in June so it's going to be a while." It was driving me nuts so I gave them each a calendar now they can stinkin well cross off the days for themselves, and leave me alone. Aren't I a nice, kind, patient mother? There is much to do. We have to get new passports because, of course, they expired at the end of last year. I only have one suitcase because I keep lending them out and now they are scattered world wide. Oh and I have to practice driving on the other side of the road so if you see me on the wrong side, don't worry, I'm not drunk, I'm just practicing. I am so excited. Now you know why you hear "Land Down Under" by Men at Work on my play list.

Here's a picture of Ash's missing two front teeth. He could be a "Cullen" with that fangish smile.

Queen of Procrastination

2009-01-27T12:46:00.001-08:00

I am supposed to be studying chapter 3 in my overly large biology book. It has a great picture of a chameleon on the cover. If I'd bought it at the SLCC bookstore I would have paid $193 but I got it off KSL and only paid $70 ("only"). Anyway, I'm supposed to be learning about covalent bonds. My mind keeps wandering. In fact, it just wandered all the way into another room and onto the computer. I've been checking my email: reading and replying. I've also been Google-ing random things. Did you know that gasses escaping a body being cremated sound like a scream. I bet that's a change of underwear experience for the first day on the job. I've told the boys off a couple of times for fighting over the Nintendo. Dinner crossed my mind - that can surely wait. Or perhaps I should check out the Food Network, they've always got good ideas. I like the "stick of butter on everything" lady. Judge Judy is on later. Perhaps I'll tune in and count how many times she calls someone an idiot. Hey, isn't American Idol on tonight? Simon will surely tell someone they sound like a dying cat. That's classic. My mother should be awake right about now, I think I'll call her. It's been a while. I wander what the weather is like down there? Oh, I just got an email from Asher's class about their Valentine's party. Looks like I get to read stories to the kids. Excellent. I like making up parts, it keeps them on their toes. Anyone have a favorite story I can read to the kids? Did I call Jilly back? Have I checked out everyone's blogs yet?

OK! OK! I'll get back to it. But before I do, I just have to add a picture of my kids watching The Polar Express 3D at their cousins house. Then I'll quickly fold some clothes, clean the kitchen, and pick up the toys. After all, class doesn't start until 5:30.

Saved by the Blog

2009-01-07T07:45:00.000-08:00

I just logged on to delete my blog as I haven't even looked at it since August of last year. But as I started reading my blog and the comments people have made, I decided that I just couldn't do it. So, here I go again. Maybe this should be my new years resolution, write in my blog. I know there are people who have given up on me because of my infrequent postings, but maybe I'll woo them back with all the amazing and interesting things I do in a day (ha ha).

By way of an update, I passed Math 1010 with an "A". This did not come without much sweat and tears, not to mention many calls to Angela Vosti (thank you!!!!!). Rex was a big help too. I am so glad that my education path now does not include Algebra. I am done mixing numbers with letters YEE HAA! I also passed my Finance class with an "A". This makes me a straight "A" student. What a nerdy nerd. I never did this well in high school. Actually, the first two years of high school I topped all my classes then I bought a car and never showed my face in class again so my grades were pretty terrible. I start school again next week and will finally get my teeth into some biology and chemistry. Could this be the end of my "A's?"

The kids are all back in school. We had such a good Christmas break. This was our best Christmas ever. We didn't spend a fortune, the kids loved and appreciated their presents, there was no drama, and I didn't burn the food. Rex took the boys ice fishing and shooting. They love hanging out with their Dad doing this manly man kind of stuff. As for Cicilee and I, we went shopping and out to lunch. Now that is a civilized way to spend a day. Glad you had fun guys.

I am putting the finishing touches on the basement bathroom. It has been a long project but it is at least usuable. We still have a little tiling left to do in the double headed shower but we're getting closer to having the kids out of our bathroom.

Well, happy new year all. I hope you have a fantastic 2009. May you all keep your resolutions, at least for January.

Breaking Dawn to read

2008-08-13T08:41:00.000-07:00

I finished Breaking Dawn this morning. Anyone else? Anyone want to discuss? Call or email me - I'd love to chat.

August Already!!

2008-08-10T10:03:00.000-07:00

Cousins - honest!

Great grandbaby #5

Sisters, Shorty Mother & Nephews

Me and my Mummy

4 of 10

More of 10

Mickey, we love you!

I can't believe how quickly July came and went. It was a busy month with family, and lack thereof as Rex was working hard and never home. We missed him a lot but luckily I had my mother around to hang out with. Getting together with my family always comes in concentrated form. Of the 10 of us, 3 live here in Draper/Sandy, 1 drives trucks out of Iowa, and the rest are scattered world wide. So when there's an occasion, like my nephews wedding, they all come over at once. Between the three local houses, we manage to find beds, food, and entertainment for everyone. Each day consists of more food than should ever be consumed in one sitting, lots of laughing with David, embarrassing memories, photos, and running to the mall or Costco. Not to mention several trips to and from the airport. This time around was no exception. We even had a baby, Jack, born to oldest grandchild, Wade, in the middle of all of this. My mother now has 37 grandchildren and nearly 6 great grandchildren (one more due next month). YEEE HAAA!!! My mother left last Saturday. She was the last to go. It was hard to say goodbye. She says she'll come back for Ash's baptism in 2 years. I'm going to hold her to it. My house is back to just the normal daily chaos. It really is too quiet around here (which is saying something because Juddy is running around with a noise maker as I write this). I look forward to the next event so we can get together together again. In the meantime, I'd better clean up this place!

Hey, Cicilee just pulled out Asher's first loose tooth. Way to go guys. Better get to bed early tonight Ash so mum and dad can write the Tooth Fairy an IOU ha ha.

Summer is ...

2008-07-09T22:09:00.000-07:00

Being crazy

Lounging around

Going to the dogs

Ssssssssensational

15 minutes of fame

Pyromania

Sparkling fun

Family walks

All in the same boat

The girls

3 Stooges

BUGS!!!!!!

Keeping cool

Cicilee and Christian have been out of school for one month. We have managed to keep busy and happy. There has been lots of swimming, playing with friends, hanging out with cousins, family walks, a fire at the pond, interesting pets (like 3 snakes Cicilee brought home from church - what was that lesson all about?), fireworks, and hanging out. We look forward to my nephew's wedding next week, and all the fun and family that will bring. The best part is that my Mother is here! I have legal custody of her beginning Sunday 13th. I can't wait. We're going to go shopping, have our nails done, go to lunch, hang out ... I am excited to have her come play at my house.

Hows your summer going?

Father's Day

2008-06-18T13:46:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day! Cicilee wrote this note for Rex and put it in his gym bag so he could find it the next day when he went to work out. How cute is she? We all love Rex. He is a great dad and an awesome husband. What other guy would just let his wife rip apart their bathroom? I love you Rex.

Here's a poem I printed out for my Primary class to make cards for their dad's with. I thought it was really cute.

Walk a Little Slower

Walk a little slower, Daddy,
Said a little child so small.
I'm following in your footsteps
And I don't want to fall.

Sometimes your steps are very fast,
Sometimes they are hard to see;
So, walk a little slower, Daddy,
For you are leading me.

Someday when I'm all grown up,
You're what I want to be;
Then I will have a little child
Who'll want to follow me.

And I would want to lead just right,
And know that I was true;
So walk a little slower, Daddy,
For I must follow you.

70's Music Quiz

2008-06-03T08:49:00.000-07:00

OK, I'm a child of the 80's but being the youngest of ten, I am also up on my 70's music too. I took this quiz and did alright. See how you do. It's fun.

I scored a Far Out
90% on theQuiz by SheGoddess: quick weight loss

Mum, I can see!!!

2008-05-23T11:40:00.000-07:00

Today Christian got his glasses. After months of squinting it was finally time to get his eyes tested. We not only found out that he is nearsighted, but also color blind! My father was color blind as are a couple of my nephews so I guess he got a little something from both families (Rex's family all need glasses - coke bottles at that!) Christian loves the fact that he can see. "Hey Mum, the mountains have bumps on them." I guess it was all just a blurr before. He's so excited with his new world. I'm so happy for him.

I'm also very relieved because on Sunday I convinced Christian that he needed a haircut. He'd been growing his hair long. He wanted to be a skater dude. I couldn't deal with it any more so after a little bribery out came the clippers. WELL, what a traumatic experience for both of us. It just kept getting shorter and shorter and, well, now I'm banned from going anywhere near his head! He was really upset about how short it was. I was upset because he said he was embarrassed and wouldn't go to church and school was out of the question. Moral of the story; just because you could shear sheep when you were five, doesn't mean you can do the same to your eight year-old. I love you Christian.

Where has the time gone?

2008-05-19T07:45:00.001-07:00

I just looked at my blog for the first time in, well 5 months. A lot has happened since then. I actually have had more car trouble, this time 4 of the 5 engine mounts holding the car engine in place were broken and I drove all the way home from San Diego with the very real possibility of the engine dropping out. YIKES! Thanks to another trip to PK Auto we're all fixed now. I think the "P" in PK Auto now stands for Petersen, we've spent so much money there we're part owners.

As for San Diego, we went there for a loooong weekend and had a fabulous time. We took the children to see Shamu, and by children I certainly mean me too. I had the best time. That place is awesome. Shamu waved at me and, yes, I got wet. We also played at the beach, the Zoo, and the Wild Animal Park. Christian's skin cleared up and was the best it's ever looked, as was mine. I think the beach air is good for us, time to pack up and move.

I passed my two Spring classes. In fact, I am a 4.0 girl at this point. Not bad for an old lady. Yay for me.

An update on my mother (thanks to all those who have asked about her) she is well. She is something of a miracle as the latest CT scan shows no sign of the cancer that so nearly took her life in July of last year. She's out and about, and even planning a trip to Utah in a couple of months. I can't wait to see her. I believe in miracles.

Happy Summer everyone.

Car Trouble

2007-12-05T14:05:00.000-08:00

This is definitely not the Christmas car surprise I was expecting. I was hoping for a big bow not a big deductible! Snow is beautiful but no fun to go sledding in when you're in a car. Cicilee and I enjoyed this adventure together. I didn't see my life flash before me, I saw hers. It was scary. However, all is well and this picture actually represents many blessings; no injuries (Cicilee and I are both fine), Rex was only concerned with our welfare not the cost of repair, no body damage (only a bent axle - I've done more damage backing out at Costco), no air bags were deployed (this one time Cicilee was sitting in the front seat and could have been badly hurt), the car didn't flip when we hit the curb, no one else was involved, people have been so generous (Troy and Jyl Pattee loaned me their minivan), I was not in control of this car when it went sledding but I am completely sure my angel was ... my Heavenly Father loves me. What a wonderful Christmas gift.

Christmas Decorating

2007-11-27T16:30:00.001-08:00

Last night we got the tree out. Today we finished decorating it. Has it really been a year already?! It is the same ol tree we've had for a few years now. It's definitely nothing special but watching my children putting the various nick knacks on each branch is so much fun. I don't care that it's not perfect because it's perfectly fun just watching their excitement. Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" is playing in the background. I'm thinking of all the Christmases I've had in various countries and homes. Bing was always playing, it was my father's favorite. Isn't it funny how we hang onto these traditions, find comfort in them even? And yet, my children were the one's to put this particular cd on. I guess Bing will play for many Christmases to come.

What an amazing year this has been. It has brought us some real doozies but always there is a safe harbor within the walls of my home. If there is one thing I have learned this year, it is this: just because it is right thing to do, it doesn't mean it is going to be the easiest thing to do. Change is good, unless it is happening to you. No, we have been blessed infinitely this year. Always as we "hindsight" events, there are the Savior's footprints in the picture. These footprints manifest themselves in the form of friends, family, a phone call at the right moment, the shoulder to cry on, the ever listening ear at the other end of the phone, the air miles to reunite you with your mother, the sincere expressions of concern, the "Hello", the hug, the laugh, the church calling, the A on the test, the priesthood blessing, ... the love of my Savior. I have not been forgotten this year.