chocolate vanilla salt

What? Never heard of it? It's the best snack around.

See what it looks like:

M just whipped it up this afternoon. Ya know, just a little bit of this and a little bit of that. I was lucky enough to get to try some. He is quite the little chef, wouldn't you say? 

sometimes it is good to just chill

I'm still sick. And despite my efforts, I think I passed on my cold to M. It seems like when one of us gets sick, it is inevetable that we will all get it.

Anyhow, it has been a terrible week for productivity here at home. I haven't made too much progress on my laundry piles. I have been in survival mode with the laundry. You know, where as long as Jake has clean clothes for the next day, we are good to go. We have watched way more television than is healthy, but we have eaten and showered each day, so we are doing okay, right?!

And as much as the house needs to be cleaned, I have quite enjoyed just lounging around with M. I don't do that enough with him. And while I hate to see him sick, it is so nice because he will actually slow down (not much, but a little) and cuddle with me.

And wow, he is such a good cuddler when he wants to be.

So, what's my point of this post? I don't know, it is late, and I imagine it is a little all over the place. But I will say it is kind of nice to just sit and chill with M. Often I get so caught up in what I think "needs" to be done in a day, that I forget to just sit and smell the roses with my little guy.

Yeah... it is late! And I am sick, so I should be in bed. So I guess this is the end.

back to reality

After playing non-stop for two weeks (at least M and I), we are back home. We are happy to be back.

Well, mostly.

Miraculously, I was completely caught up with the laundry before we left. After unpacking today that is not the case. Oh well, I was caught up at least once this year. 

Also, I caught Jake's cold. You can't go on vacation without getting sick. Thankfully, Jake was over the worst of his cold when I got to New York to meet him, and I didn't start feeling the cold come on until our last day or two while in New York. At least I can experience the worst of it while at home.

I can't complain too much, though. We have had a wonderful two weeks filled with family, friends, and fun. I'll post more on the fun later.

Feeling thankful (and slightly miserable with my laundry pile staring at me with my head cold) for the last two weeks. Any takers to help with the piles?!

It was a much needed vacation. So much so, that even M was tired from all the fun!

loved it!

One of the items on my bucket list has been to see Wicked, the musical, on Broadway. This week, I got to check it off.

I loved it, absolutely LOVED it! It was so worth the wait! Jake isn't too sure about musicals, but he thoroughly enjoyed it as well--which says a lot about how great it was. If you ever get the chance to go, take it. You will not be disappointed! Seriously, I had chills...

Okay, one more thing... Did I mention I loved it?!

I did.

girls' night out

A couple of times each year, the girls from the Petersen family get together. We did that last week at a baby shower for my cousin's wife, Bailey. It was a lot of fun because some of the cousins who have been living out of state, and the country, were in town. Unfortunately, we still have some who aren't in the area, and we missed you ladies (Gena, Amy, Jesse, Amanda, Katie, and Sarah)!

One thing is for sure when we all get together: there will be laughing, and there will be a LOT of it! So, of course, this gathering did not disappoint. We have some real comedians in the family.

Many stories and thoughts were shared. Lots of love was felt. Many, many, many laughs were had. Testimonies of faith and prayer were shared.

At one point during the night, the topic turned to Grandpa Pete. One of my cousins shared how she made a major life decision based on what she knew my Grandpa expected of his grandchildren. Understand, my grandfather is the kind of grandpa who will love you no matter what you are doing in life. And these "expectations" have never been vocalized per say. Yet as his grandchildren, we all knew that he, and my Grandma, expected us to make good decisions. Through his and my Grandma's examples, and the testimonies they have shared with us in conversations over the years, we knew their hopes and expectations for us.

Along with that, the older cousins have been wonderful examples of making good choices and living their lives in a way that is consistent with those "expectations." I have thought a lot about that conversation this week. It is a blessing to be in a family with high expectations.

I think it is safe to say we all enjoyed ourselves. We left at 1 AM, and the party was still going! 

Love, love, love these women! I will be forever grateful for the influence they have played in my life. 

Independence Day

This year was our first 4th of July that we weren't with family. We missed being with them, but it still turned out to be a fun day.

 We started with the city parade. There was actually a lot of candy thrown from the floats, so M got more than enough to last him throughout the day. Don't let the picture fool you--he enjoyed the parade and the candy!

 After getting some lunch, we went to watch the new Monsters University movie. It was alright. M was a little restless throughout the movie, but he did okay. It was fun to go to the theater together.

 The Dunns were so kind to invite us to their BBQ that night. As always, we had a good time being with them! After the BBQ, we all headed over to a firework show put on by some of their family.

One of the little girls who was at the BBQ was so good to play with M. They had a lot of fun running around the yard at the firework show!

Thank you Dunn family for being so good to us!


How thankful I am to be an American. How thankful I am for the men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice, and continue to put their lives on the line, in order for us to enjoy the freedoms we have. I know I don't fully understand the sacrifices they and their families make in our behalf, but I am so thankful for their decision to do so.

God bless them and the USA!

when a former student dies

A few days ago a former student of mine passed away. He was one of my guinea pigs--a student I taught my first year of teaching.

After hearing the news, I felt sadness and disbelief--sadness for his family, and disbelief that he could have actually died. He was only 16; he had his whole life ahead of him. With hundreds of students my first year, my thoughts quickly turned to self-analysis: 

-Did I treat him with kindness?
-Did I make him feel welcome in my classroom?
-Did I take the time to get to know him...his interests?
-What do I remember about him?
-What do I remember about his family?


I did not worry about what I had taught him concerning writing, literature, and grammar. But instead, only how I had treated him—a reminder of what really matters in life: people, relationships, how we treat others, and how we make others feel. Life is too short to be unkind.


Tyler,  

I hope and pray I treated you with kindness.
You smiled and laughed a lot in my class, so I hope that was a sign you felt welcome.
If my mind is not mistaken, you loved motorcycling and your older brother.
I will always remember your big smile and your helping, friendly attitude.
I remember that your Mom came in to get the work that you would miss while you and your family went on a cruise. She was a little worried about you missing that much school. Very vividly, I remember responding, "He will miss some things, but he can make them up. Life is life and it has to be lived." I imagine that trip created happy memories that she will cherish forever.

I am thankful for the blessing of meeting and associating with you in this life.
Thinking of you, your loved ones, and your golden smile this week. 

-Mrs. B.