Life's Little Moments

Camping at Strawberry Res 2009

2010-06-02T21:48:00.008-06:00

DO THEY EVER GROW UP..??

LAST SUMMER WE WENT CAMPING FOR

BART'S ANNUAL BIRTHDAY PARTY,

IT WAS RAINY AND CHILLY,

BART DECIDED WE NEEDED TO HANG A TARP

OVER OUR EATING AREA.

THERE WERE ALL KINDS OF YOUNG GUYS

TO CLIMB THE TREES TO HANG THE TARP

BUT "NO" BART COULD NOT LET THEM SHOW UP

HIS TREE CLIMBING SKILLS.. HAHA

SO UP THE TREES HE WENT..

I REALLY DON'T THINK SOME MEN EVER GROW UP..

BUT WE WERE DRY

AS LONG AS WE TOOK A BROOM TO THE TARP EVERY 5 MINUTES..

WHAT A GREAT WEEKEND

MATT CLIMBED UP THIS BROKEN LOG

TO HANG THE LOW SIDE OF THE TARP,

I THINK THE LOG BROKE JUST AS HE WAS DONE.

BART AFTER HE FELL OUT OF THE LAST TREE..

ACE WAS HAVING A GREAT TIME

RUNNING OFF WITH THE ROPE.

BART AND SOME OF THE BOYS WENT OUT IN MATT'S

BOAT TO FISH ON THE LAKE..

IT STARTED TO RAIN, OTHER BOATS WERE PASSING THEM

BY TO GET BACK TO THE DOCK, MATT'S FISHING

BOAT JUST HAD A LITTLE TROLLING MOTOR ON IT,

SO IT WAS NOT VERY FAST. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE

GARBAGE BAGS THEY TOOK FOR RAIN PONCHOS DID NOT WORK

VERY WELL AND THE GUYS CAME BACK DRENCHED THROUGH.

IT WAS ANOTHER CLOSE CALL IN THE ADVENTURE

WE CALL : LIFE WITH BART.. :)

SHE'S HERE...

2009-08-25T22:03:00.002-06:00

Kendall Marie Peterson

August 20, 2009

8 lbs. 4 oz.

19 inches

She is beautiful and healthy..!!

RUB A DUB DUB

2009-08-25T21:52:00.002-06:00

RUSS BABY " T "

TAKING HIS BATH..

WHAT A CUTIE...

FISHING ON THE LOGAN

2009-08-25T21:17:00.002-06:00

WHILE WE WERE VISITING UTAH THIS PAST

WEEKEND. WE TOOK OUR OLDEST

GRANDSON FISHING ON THE LOGAN RIVER.

NOW I DON'T KNOW HOW WELL MOST OF YOU

KNOW THE PETERSON'S, BUT YOU

PROBABLY KNOW THAT THEY ARE

VERY COMPETITIVE... AFTER I CAUGHT

THE FIRST FISH AND LET ACE REEL IT IN,

I MOVED UP RIVER A FEW FEET.

I CAST MY FLY INTO A GREAT RIPPLE

AND SURE ENOUGH A LARGE

CUTTHROAT ROUNDED OVER MY FLY.

I SET THE HOOK AND I MISSED.. ( I RARELY MISS)

AND I HEARD BART MAKE A COMMENT

THAT I WAS GETTING SLOW. I CAST AGAIN

AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I DID THAT

ABOUT 6 TIMES. BART HAD CAUGHT A

FEW LITTLE ONES THAT HE LET ACE REEL IN.

WE WERE GETTING READY TO GO DOWN STREAM

WHEN I WENT TO HOOK MY FLY ON MY POLE,

AND TO MY FRUSTRATION IT WOULD NOT HOOK.

THE HOOK PART OF MY FLY HAD BEEN BROKE OFF.

OH THE THINGS THOSE PETERSON'S WILL

DO TO WIN...!!!!!!

MATTHEW AND TREAVER STOPPED

BY ON THEIR WAY DEER HUNTING

AND MADE FUN OF ME... SO I HAD BART

THROW A ROCK AT THEIR FEET TO GET

THEM WET.. IT WORKED, IT SPLASHED THEM GOOD.

THEY YELLED THAT BART WAS LUCKY

THAT I WAS BY THEM OR THEY WOULD

RETURN THE FAVOR... THEN BART TOLD

THEM THAT I WAS THE ONE THAT TOLD THEM

TO THROW THE ROCKS...

SO YOU GUESSED IT...

ROCKS CAME FLYING AT ME..

THEY GOT MY HAIR WET..!!!!

AND I THINK I MIGHT HAVE BROKE A NAIL... HAHA

FYI: THE DATE IN INCORRECT ON THE PICS

MY CAMERA WAS STUCK ON THIS DATE..:)

OUR YARD, FOGGY JULY MORNING, BABY QUAIL

2009-08-05T09:32:00.002-06:00

MOST MORNINGS WE HAVE ANYWHERE FROM

5-25 QUAIL IN OUR YARD

ON THIS MORNING WE HAD A LOT OF BABY QUAIL

I COUNTED 21 QUAIL AND ONE TWEETY BIRD.

THIS TWEETY BIRD WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THE QUAIL

EATING OUT OF IT'S BIRD HOUSE.

IT KEPT CHASING THE QUAIL AWAY.

IT WAS FUN TO WATCH.

THIS LOOKS LIKE A GREAT FATHER AND SON MOMENT. :)
WE WOKE UP TO FOG IN LATE JULY.
YOU CAN BARELY SEE THE FOG RAINBOW
THAT APPEARED TO BE HOVORING OVER THE HOUSE.
THE PICTURE DOES NOT DO IT JUSTICE,
IT WAS COOL.

THE FINISHED FRONT YARD.

BART IS A PERFECTIONIST WHEN IT COMES

TO HIS LAWNS. THEY HAVE TO BE LEVEL

AND PERFECT BEFORE HE WILL PLANT.

AND IT PAYS OFF WITH A BEAUTIFUL

FINISHED LAWN.

I BET HE IS GLAD THAT THAT PROJECT IS DONE.

WE HAVE A WONDERFUL YARD THAT WE CAN ENJOY.

UPDATED JUST LIKE YOU ASKED...!!!!!!

2009-08-05T09:11:00.002-06:00

OKAY LORA... JUST LIKE YOU ASKED...

YOU SAID: UPDATE YOUR BLOG

WITH CUTE PICTURES OF ME....

HAHAHA

HOPE IT MEETS YOUR CRITERIA

The Yard is almost there... Just a few more projects... YEAH..!!!!!!!

2009-05-27T17:01:00.003-06:00

THIS PAST WEEKEND BART AND I

SPREAD 25 TON OF ROCK

AROUND IN OUR GARDENS.

IT WAS WINDY AND RAINY

BUT THE DOWNPOURS SEEMED TO DANCE

ALL AROUND US.

LIGHTENING AND THUNDER

FLASHED ON ALL SIDES.

IT DID NOT START TO RAIN ON US UNTIL

MONDAY NIGHT AS WE WERE

TURNING OFF THE PORCH LIGHTS

AND LOCKING UP.

WE STILL HAVE A LITTLE BIT TO DO.

WE WILL BE HAPPY WHEN IT IS ALL DONE.

EVEN IF IT MEANS I HAVE TO MOW THE LAWN...:)

2009-05-27T16:34:00.003-06:00

ON MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND,

WE WENT TO UTAH FOR SEVERAL THINGS.

GRANDMA'S 75TH BIRTHDAY,

RUSTY'S BLESSING DAY,

BREAKFAST ON MOTHER'S DAY,

MOTHER'S DAY PARTY'S

SOFTBALL GAME

AND

WORKING IN FRANK & KAYLA'S YARD

FRANK RAN THE TRENCHER

PAPA AND ACE RAN THE BOBCAT..!!

THANKS JED FOR LETTING US USE IT.. :)

AS YOU CAN SEE, ACE LOVED IT..!!!!

THIS IS JUST A SAMPLE OF THE FUN BART HAS...

NOTICE HOW CLOSE HE COMES TO THE DOOR OF MY CAR..

I WAS TRYING TO GET ACE HOME TO WESTPOINT SO

I COULD BABYSIT ACE AND RUSTY WHILE

THEIR MOMMY AND DADDY WENT OUT ON A DATE.

BUT PAPA KEPT HIM A GOING ON THE BOBCAT... HOW FUN

ACE SANG WHEELS ON THE BUS ALL THE WAY HOME...

I LOVE FLOWERS AND GARDENING

2009-05-27T16:15:00.002-06:00

I LOVE TO GARDEN

AND I LOVE FLOWERS

I HAVE TO PLANT MY FLOWERS

IN POTS HERE IN

PUEBLO WEST.

BUT IT STILL

GIVES ME A CERTAIN PEACE

WHEN I AM DIGGING AND PLAYING

IN THE DIRT.

AND THEN THIS IS WHAT YOU GET

BEAUTY

MY LITTLE RUSS "BABY" T

2009-05-27T15:54:00.003-06:00

MY RUSS " BABY " T

AS HIS BROTHER ACE CALLS HIM.

HE IS SUCH A FUN CUTE BABY.

I CAN'T WAIT TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH

RUSTY AND ACE

IN JUNE.. :)

OH.. AND THE REST OF MY KIDS.. HAHA

OUCH..!!!!! THIS POST NOT FOR THE SQUIMISH.. :)

2009-05-27T15:32:00.003-06:00

ABOUT A MONTH AGO.. MY HUSBAND,

THE "GENERAL MANAGER"

WAS MANAGING A GEAR BOX AT WORK.

ABOUT 1/2 HOUR AFTER A SAFETY MEETING

ON PINCH POINTS MIND YOU...

WELL...

THE GEAR BOX SLIPPED OFF THE SUPPORT

AND YOU GUESSED IT..

PINCHED BART'S FINGER..

CUTTING IT ALL BUT OFF.

IT BROKE IN TWO

JUST PAST THE 1ST KNUCKLE.

HANGING ON BY A TENDON, NERVES

AND SKIN.

I TOOK HIM TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

WE WERE LUCKY THAT A HAND SURGEON

WAS CLOSE BY. HE DRILLED A PIN

STRAIGHT DOWN BART'S FINGER.

I GOT TO WATCH AND THE DOCTOR

EXPLAINED EVERYTHING IN DETAIL

WHILE HE WAS DOING IT.

THEN HE SEWED THE FINGER UP

AND TOLD MR. GENERAL MANAGER TO

GENERAL MANAGE FROM HIS DESK... :)

WE WERE LUCKY, WHEN THEY TOOK THE

BANDAGES OFF, IT WAS STILL PINK.

AND ALTHOUGH HE HAS AN INFECTION IN

HIS BONE AND LOTS OF SWELLING.

IT SEEMS TO BE OKAY.

TODAY THE DOCTOR TOOK THE PIN OUT.

I WANTED TO GO TO WATCH,

BUT WE WERE HAVING ROCK DELIVERED.

THE DOCTOR KNEW THAT MR. GENERAL MANAGER

WAS NOT MANAGING FROM HIS DESK

BY HOW BENT AND TWISTED THE PIN WAS.

HE IS NOW ON HIS 3RD ANTIBIOTIC

AND SHOULD RECOVER WITH HIS FINGER

INTACT.

AND HOPEFULLY HE WON'T FEEL HIS

HEART BEAT IN HIS FINGER MUCH LONGER...:)

2009-05-07T19:55:00.002-06:00

I'm Bored and riding in a car...
I tag anyone who reads this!!

All you do is answer these questions

with one word answers!!

Have fun!!
1. Where is your cell phone? Cubby
2. Your significant other? Driving
3. Your hair? Swept
4. Your mother? Wonderful
5. Your father? Generous
6. Your favorite thing? Husband
7. Your dream last night? Truck
8. Your favorite drink? Fresca
9. Your dream/goal? Utah
10. The room you're in? Vehicle
11. Your fear? Alone
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Utah
13. Where were you last night? Yard
14. What you're not? Thin
15. Muffins? Poppy
16. One of your wish list items? Grandchildren
17. Where you grew up? Layton
18. What are you wearing? Clothes
19. Your pet! Barking
20. Your computer? Lifeline
21. Your life? Wonderful
22. Your mood? Meloncholy
23. Missing someone? Children
24. Your car? Expedition
25. Favorite thing to wear? Jeans
26. Favorite Store? Penny's
27. Your summer? Busy
28. Your favorite color? Red
29. When is the last time you laughed? Earlier
30. Where do you go over and over? Utah
31. Where would you like to go right now? Utah
32. Who will re-post this? Tami ????

Go ye, go ye into the World

2009-04-15T23:12:00.003-06:00

. . . Go ye, go ye into the world

and preach the gospel to every creature

that cometh under the sound of your voice.

We are proud of you Elder Peterson!!

Thanks for the Pictures Elder Peterson

Thanks for labeling it Sis. Judy.. :)

could not have said it better myself..!!

SMILES FOR GRAMMY..!!

2009-04-15T14:19:00.003-06:00

AFTER CHANGING RUSTY THIS MORING,

I HAD TO GET A BURP CLOTH OFF THE COUNTER

AND WHEN I CAME BACK TO THE COUCH

THIS IS WHAT I WAS GREETED WITH..

HOW CUTE IS THIS..

BIG GRINS

KELLY HAD LEFT HER CAMERA ON THE COFFEE TABLE

SO I WAS ABLE TO GET HIM

TO SMILE FOR THE CAMERA AGAIN..

HE IS SO SWEET..

SNOW DAY FUN

2009-04-15T13:42:00.002-06:00

WHEN WE WOKE UP THIS MORNING IT WAS RAINING

AND SNOWING IN WEST POINT

AFTER GOING THROUGH ALL HIS TOYS IN HIS ROOM,

ACE SETTLED ON PLAY DOH.

IT WAS FUN LISTENING TO HIM SING AND TALK

WHILE HE MADE SHAPES AND CUT THE DOH.

NOTICE THE CONCENTRATION.

WHEN I ASKED ACE WHAT HE WAS MAKING HE SAID:
WORM EGGS AND CHICK NUGS..
EVEN THOUGH OUR PLAN TO GO TO THE PARK TODAY WAS DAMPENED, WE FOUND SOME FUN RIGHT HERE IN THE HOUSE... :)
HOW MUCH FUN IT HAS BEEN TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH THESE TWO LITTLE ONES. ACE HAS HIS JAJA WRAPPED AROUND HIS LITTLE FINGER. I WISH I LIVED A BIT CLOSER SO THESE LITTLE MOMENTS COULD BE CLOSER TOGETHER..

THE EASTER SWING

2009-04-15T13:11:00.002-06:00

EVERY EASTER WE GET A PICTURE OF THE GIRLS ON

"THE SWING"

EASTER 2009

WE ADDED A LITTLE FEATURE THIS YEAR

RUSS BABY "T"

WHAT BEAUTIFUL GIRLS I HAVE.

OH AND ONE HANDSOME YOUNG MAN.. :)

POPCORN...FIRE...FUNNY

2009-03-21T12:39:00.007-06:00

THIS LAST CHRISTMAS WHEN WE WERE IN UTAH STAYING WITH MATT AND KELLY, LORA ASKED HER DADDY TO MAKE HER SOME "REAL" POPCORN..

WELL OF COURSE HER DADDY SAID YES DEAR... BART WAS COOKING THE POPCORN IN KELLY'S PAN... WHICH WAS QUITE A BIT SMALLER THAN OURS. HE PUT IN THE SAME AMOUNT OF POPCORN AS HE DOES AT HOME IN OUR LARGER PAN.. WHEN THE LID STARTED POPPING OFF THE PAN, HE PICKED UP THE PAN TO DUMP THE POPCORN INTO THE LARGE BOWL.. WHEN HE DID THIS, SOME OF THE POPCORN FELL ONTO THE STOVE TOP, WHICH IS GAS, AND CAUGHT ON FIRE.. THE REST OF US WERE WATCHING THIS FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COUNTER AND MY CAMERA WAS HANDY. SO I STARTED TAKING PICTURES.. SOME ARE KIND OF BLURRY DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WAS LAUGHING MY GUTS OUT.. HE THEN TRIED TO MOVE THE POPCORN THAT WAS ON FIRE WITH SOME KIND OF UTENSIL AND JUST MADE IT WORSE.. SO HE PUT THE PAN BACK DOWN AND WAS GOING TO TRY TO CLEAN UP THE FIRE AND IN PICKING UP SOMETHING OFF THE COUNTER HE ACCIDENTLY GRABBED THE UNUSED POPCORN BAG SPILLING THE UN POPPED CORN ALL OVER THE COUNTER AND FLOOR... SO NOW WE HAVE POPPED CORN AND UN POPPED CORN ALL OVER AND A FIRE UNDERNEATH THE PAN THAT IS STILL POPPING POPCORN ALL OVER BECAUSE HE DID NOT PUT THE LID BACK ON IT.. EVERYTHING HE TRIED ONLY MADE THE PROBLEM WORSE... US GIRLS WERE LAUGHING SO HARD WE COULD NOT EVEN TALK... IT WAS TO FUNNY.... WATCHING BART POPPING THIS POPCORN WAS THE FUNNIEST THING... HERE ARE THE PICTURES OF THIS ADVENTURE THAT BART TOOK US ON WITHOUT EVEN LEAVING THE KITCHEN... THANK YOU HUN FOR MAKING LIFE SO MUCH FUN.... :) KELLY WILL BE FINDING POPCORN IN HER HOUSE FOR YEARS... IT WAS EVERYWHERE... SORRY KELLY...!! BUT YOU HAVE TO ADMIT... THE POPCORN WAS FANTASTIC... EVEN THE BURNT ONES... HAHAHAHAHA

AWARD AWARD AWARD.. YEAH..!!!

2009-03-19T07:39:00.003-06:00

The LOVE YA award:
THANK YOU SHELLY FOR THIS AWARD

I GOT AN AWARD, I GOT AN AWARD, I GOT AN AWARD

HEY HEY HEY HEY..!!!

“These blogs are exceedingly charming.
These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends.
They are not interested in self-aggrandizement.
Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut,
even more friendships are propagated.
Please give more attention to these writers.
Deliver this award to eight bloggers
who must choose eight more and include
this cleverly-written text into the body of their award"

ANOTHER TAG I THOUGHT WAS CUTE FROM SHELLY
IS THE PICTURE TAG...
Choose the sixth picture in your sixth folder and tell about it.

BART AND ALL THE KIDS BY THE BIG SEQUIA TREE ROOT IN CALIFORNIA, WE WENT THERE OFTEN WHEN WE LIVED IN CALIFORNIA. LOOK HOW SMALL THEY ALL ARE.. AND OH MY BART LOOKS SO YOUNG... AND YES MATT CANNOT STOP BOTHERING OR POKING AT LORA LONG ENOUGH FOR A PICTURE... HOW CUTE

I TAG : LORA, CAROLINE, KELLY,

LEZLI, KAYLA, BECKY, DEBBIE, TAMI,
AND ANYONE ELSE THAT WANTS

TO JOIN IN ON THE FUN.. LOVE YOU ALL

PAY IT FORWARD

2009-03-14T10:54:00.005-06:00

BART AND I HAVE TRIED TO LIVE THIS MOTTO.

WE HAVE BEEN HELPED THROUGHOUT THE YEARS

AND HAVE ALWAYS TRIED TO PAY SOMETHING FORWARD.

I AM MARRIED TO A VERY GENEROUS MAN

THAT IS ALWAYS THINKING HOW HE CAN HELP OTHERS.

THIS IS A FUN WAY TO SHARE OUR TALENTS.

TELL YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO TAKE A LOOK.

SO.... LEAVE A COMMENT... PLEASE

I WANT TO SEND YOU SOMETHING.. !!

Pay it Forward Exchange
This is how it works: Pay It Forward Exchange is based on the concept of the movie "Pay it forward". I will send a hand made gift to the people who leave a comment to this post on my blog requesting to join the PIF exchange. All the gifts will be made and posted out 'sometime within the next year'. How exciting to not know when your surprise package will arrive! What you need to do in return, is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. This Exchange is only open to those with active websites or blogs. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PROMISE TO POST THIS SAME 'PAY IT FORWARD' MESSAGE ONTO YOUR BLOG, WHICH MUST BE ACTIVE IN ORDER TO PLAY. YOU WILL PAY IT FORWARD TO THREE PEOPLE WHO COMMENT ON YOUR BLOG. I'd love for you to join me! Will you? Other comments are welcome, but only the first three will be my Pay It Forward recipients. Come and join me who doesn't love a gift or giving gifts???

I will say that I changed the wording... It was to the first 3 that left a comment.. But I changed it to ALL those that leave a comment.. This is going to be so fun... I can't wait ... What I have in mind to make is a personnal item for each person that comments.. not generic.. So leave a comment and I will pay it forward... :)

IF YOU DON'T HAVE A BLOG, MAKE ONE, IT ONLY TAKES ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND IT IS A WONDERFUL WAY TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT ARE NOT CLOSE TO YOU.

GRAMMY AND HER TWO LITTLE BOYS

2009-03-05T23:58:00.001-07:00

Papa reading to the BOYS.. but look who feel asleep..!! You guessed.. it was PAPA

2009-03-03T21:38:00.004-07:00

Papa was reading to Ace the other night.

Ace loves his Papa.

I decided to put Rusty in with them

and take their picture.

how fun these little kids are.. Ace loves to read.

He sits in his room and reads all kinds of books..

It is really cute..!!

Notice the title of the book they are reading.

I guess Grammy better get out of the room.
I think Papa put himself to sleep reading...
Ace making his get away...!!!!
Papa was so tired..!!!
2 Yr olds wearout
51 Yr olds..

Ace thought Papa needed to be tucked in...!!

What a fun little guy...!!

Oh we are going to miss them so much...!!

Ace and Rusty

2009-02-22T22:58:00.003-07:00

ACE HOLDING RUSTY..:)

How cute is that.. He looks like he loves that little guy

RUSTY MICHAEL PETERSONRUSTY'S FIRST VISIT TO THE DOCTOR

GRANNY SCOFFIELD HOLDING RUSTY

2009-02-13T13:32:00.001-07:00

RIGHT BEFORE GRAMMY AND PAPA LEFT UTAH

FOR COLORADO IN JANUARY,

WE TOOK ACE FOR ONE MORE RUN SLEDDING,

WE CAN'T WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR

WHEN WE WILL HAVE 3 LITTLE BUDDIES TO GO SLEDDING WITH.

BEING GRANDPARENTS IS THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF LIFE.

RUSTY MICHAEL PETERSON

2009-02-06T20:11:00.007-07:00

RUSTY JOINED OUR FAMILY A COUPLE WEEKS EARLY

ON FEBRUARY 3, 2009

WEIGHING IN AT 6 LBS. 15 OZ.

19 3/4 INCHES

HE IS SPENDING SOME MORE TIME IN THE NICU.

TO HELP HIM WITH SOME BREATHING ISSUES

AND AN INFECTION.

WE HOPE AND PRAY THAT HE WILL GET TO GO HOME

SOON. BUT NOT BEFORE HE IS HEALTHY.

GRAMMY AND PAPA ARE EXCITED

HE IS A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE BOY

WITH LOTS OF DARK BROWN HAIR.

WHAT A WONDERFUL ADDITION TO OUR FAMILY

BABIES ARE SO SPECIAL.

RANDOM PHOTO

2009-01-16T15:04:00.002-07:00

BART WILLIAM PETERSON

GREATEST BOSS IN THE WORLD

2009-01-16T14:35:00.002-07:00

BART HAS TO BE THE BEST BOSS IN THE WHOLE WORLD

WE HAD SOME OF HIS OFFICE STAFF OVER

THE DAY BEFORE WE WENT TO UTAH

AND SINCE WE DON'T HAVE KIDS AT HOME

ANYMORE, BART ALWAYS

HAS FUN WITH THOSE THAT COME

VISIT US.. WHICH DOES NOT HAPPEN TO OFTEN..

HERE HE IS MAKING

POPCORN BALLS WITH BILL'S LITTLE GIRLS

HOW MUCH FUN HE HAS WITH LIFE..

AND THESE KIDS LOVE COMING TO OUR HOUSE

THEY ARE REALLY CUTE

SUSANNAH.. GRETCHEN.. GRACIE..

HELPING GRACIE PUT BUTTER ON HER HANDS

SO THEY DON'T GET BURNED BY HOT POPCORN

THEY MADE SEVERAL AND PUT THEM IN BAGGIES

TO TAKE HOME WITH THEM.. :)

I LOVE HOW HE ALWAYS FINDS A WAY TO

MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE HAS A GOOD TIME..

AT ANY PARTY, YOU CAN FIND

BART IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THE KIDS..

CHRISTMAS LOVE IN OUR HEARTS

2008-12-30T13:30:00.007-07:00

CHRISTMAS IN UTAH...

WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME

IN UTAH WITH OUR KIDS

FOR CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS

CHRISTMAS HAS ALWAYS BEEN

ONE OF OUR MOST FAVORITE

HOLIDAYS...

ESPECIALLY WHEN WE CAN BE

WITH ALL OUR KIDS.

ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS WAS

SEEING ACE OPEN HIS PRESENTS FROM SANTA

AND THE BIKE HIS PAPA BOUGHT HIM

WE ARE HOPING THE WEATHER WILL BE

MORE COOPERATIVE IN FEB.

WHEN WE GO BACK FOR NEW BABY BROTHER.

SO PAPA CAN TAKE ACE FOR A RIDE

IN THE CHURCH PARKING LOT..

SANTA BROUGHT HIM THIS COOL

TOOL BENCH THAT REALLY WORKS

ACE LOVED BEING THE ONE TO

HAND OUT PRESENTS

HE REALLY LIKED THE TOOL BENCH. IT HAS A

CAR THAT YOU CAN TAKE APART.

HE LOVED THAT..

PAPA GIVING ACE HIS BIKE..

HE RODE IT IN THE BASEMENT

WHILE PAPA STARTED FINISHING

HIS PLAYROOM. KELLY HAD MENTIONED

THAT THERE WERE SO MANY TOYS

THAT ACE NEEDED A TOY ROOM,

AND BEFORE THE END OF THE DAY, SHE HAD WALLS.

THEY GOT IT ALMOST

READY FOR SHEETROCK IN TWO DAYS.

ACE HAMMERED RIGHT ALONG WITH DADDY

AND DAN.. I DON'T KNOW WHO

WAS HAVING MORE FUN, ACE OR DAN.

I THINK IT WAS PROBABLY BART..

MAYBE WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET SOME

MORE DONE IN FEB.

ANOTHER BIG HIGHLIGHT...

WE GOT TO TALK ON THE PHONE

WITH OUR BABY BOY IN ZIMBABWE..

IT WAS GREAT TO HEAR HIS VOICE

HE SOUNDED SO HAPPY..

HIS 1 YEAR MARK WAS DEC. 27TH.

WE ARE HOPING HE GETS TO COME HOME

A FEW DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS NEXT YEAR.

WE WILL HAVE TO SEE.

HE GOT TO TALK TO ALL THE KIDS,

EVEN JORDON AND CAROLINE,

WE HELD THE TWO CELL PHONES UP TO

EACH OTHER ON SPEAKER PHONE..

IT WORKED OUT GREAT.

IT MADE MY CHRISTMAS TO HEAR HIM SAY

I LOVE YOU MOM..!!!

I COULD ALMOST FEEL

HIS BIG BEAR HUG AS WE SAID GOODBYE.

WE HAD A GREAT TIME WITH ACE

WHILE WE WERE IN UTAH...

WE SPOILED HIM.. AND TOOK HIM SLEDDING.

I THINK WE WILL MAKE THIS A FAMILY TRADITION.

WE WENT AGAIN THE LAST DAY WE WERE THERE

AND I AM HOPING TO GET PICTURES

OF MATT AND KELLY GOING DOWN THE HILL

WITH ACE... YES, EVEN 8 MONTHS PREGNANT

KELLY WENT FOR A RIDE..

HOW MUCH FUN IT WAS FOR US ALL.

I LOVE MY TIME WITH MY CHILDREN,

AND THIS LITTLE GUY...

I MISS THEM SO MUCH.

LET IT BE CHRISTMAS EVERYWHERE

2008-12-16T16:45:00.004-07:00

I received this Beautiful Poem in my e-mail today
it touched my heart in a special way.
I don't really know why I feel so strongly
about what these wonderful selfless men and women
do for us.. But I am sure grateful that they do it.

A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS POEM

The embers glowed softly,
and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room
and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep,
her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me,
angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell,
a blanket of white,

Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy,
my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment,
or so it would seem,
So I slumbered,
perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud,
and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough,
I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps
outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble,
I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door
just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold
and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood,
his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled,
some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine,
huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark,
he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me,
and my wife and my child.
'What are you doing?'
I asked without fear,
'Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack,
brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home
on a cold Christmas Eve!'
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced
with a warm fire's light.
Then he sighed and he said
'Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice.
I'm here every night.'
'It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here
like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at
'Pearl on a day in December,'
Then he sighed,
'That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.'
My dad stood his watch
in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son
in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures,
he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue...
an American flag.
I can live through the cold
and the being alone,
Away from my family,
my house and my home.
I can stand at my post
through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole
with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life
with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front
against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.'
' So go back inside,' he said,
'harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right.'
'But isn't there something
I can do, at the least,
'Give you money,'
I asked, 'or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son.'
Then his eye welled a tear
that held no regret,
'Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights
back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch,
no matter how long.
For when we come home,
either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.'

PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor
of sending this to as many people as you can?
Christmas will be coming soon,
and some credit is due
to our U.S service men and women
for our being able to celebrate these festivities.
Let's try in this small way to pay
a tiny bit of what we owe.

Make people stop and think of our heroes,
living and dead,
who sacrificed themselves for us.

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC,
USN 30th Naval Construction Regiment OIC,
Logistics Cell One Al Taqqadum, Iraq

AS I READ THIS POEM, I CRIED..
AS WE CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS
LET US ALL REMEMBER THE ONE THAT
GAVE THE MOST..
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS

LET IT BE CHRISTMAS EVERYWHERE

OUR CHRISTMAS TREE

2008-12-10T19:44:00.004-07:00

DECORATING OUR CHRISTMAS TREE HAS ALWAYS BEEN

A WONDERFUL TRADITION AT OUR HOME..

AFTER SEARCHING FOR JUST THE RIGHT TREE,

BART MAKES IT PERFECT BY ADDING BRANCHES WHERE

THE TREE IS LACKING OR CUTTING OFF WHERE THEY

MIGHT BE A BIT TO LONG.. THEN HE SPENDS HOURS

PUTTING ON 100'S OF LIGHTS.. WE LIKE THE MULTICOLORED

ONES... THEN I GET OUT ALL MY ORNAMENTS..

WE HAVE A TON OF ORNAMENTS.. IT TAKES ME HOURS

TO PUT ON THE OLD, NEW, HOMEMADE, FANCY, PLAIN, SHINY,

MATTE FINISH, SILVER, GOLD, GLASS, WOOD, FABRIC,

CUTE, ROUND, SQUARE, & GLITTERY ORNAMENTS.

EACH ONE SEEMS TO HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE..

AND I LOVE STARTING OUT WITH A PLAIN TREE

AND LOADING IT WITH SO MANY MEMORIES..

BART HELPED WITH THE HIGH ONES.. HE HAD TO CLIMB

A LADDER TO REACH IT. IT IS 10 FT TALL...

IT IS FINALLY DONE AND WAITING FOR SOME

BEAUTIFUL PACKAGES TO SIT UNDER IT..

IT TURNED OUT BEAUTIFUL AND FUN...

WE LOVE TO PLUG IT IN AND TURN OFF ALL THE LIGHTS

IN THE HOUSE AND JUST SIT AND STARE...

HERE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITES..

FLOWERS FROM LORA'S WEDDING

SILVER TINSEL FROM LORA'S WEDDING TREE

AND CLEAR ORNAMENTS WITH ALL THE LIGHTS

A SEE THROUGH GLASS ORNAMENT I RECEIVED FROM A FRIEND

NATIVITY FROM SIS. BRULE'

A PAINTED SLEIGH, PRETTY FLOWERS AND BLOWN GLASS BALLS

THE FINAL PRODUCT..

THIS PICTURE DOES NOT DO IT JUSTICE...

SO IF YOU READ MY LAST POST,

YOU WILL KNOW THAT THE GUEST

BED IS MADE AND READY FOR A VISITOR

MERRY CHRISTMAS..

CHRISTMAS TREE HUNTING 08

2008-12-07T23:25:00.004-07:00

WOW... HOW STRANGE IS THIS.. BART AND I LOOKING FOR A TREE WITH NO KIDS.... SINCE WE MOVED TO COLORADO, WE HAVE GONE WITH THE KIDS TO CUT DOWN OUR OWN TREE.. WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL FUN TIMES HUNTING FOR THE PERFECT TREE.. FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DON'T KNOW, BART IS PARTICULAR ABOUT HIS TREES. THEY HAVE TO BE JUST RIGHT.. ONCE WHEN THE KIDS WERE LITTLE, WE DROVE FROM OGDEN TO SALT LAKE CITY TO FIND JUST THE RIGHT TREE... WE ENDED UP BACK AT THE FIRST LOT WE STARTED AT IN LAYTON... ONE YEAR, BART HAD 2 BROKEN ARMS (LONG STORY) WE WENT UP TO SAN ISABEL MOUNTAINS WITH JORDON, CAROLINE AND CORT TO FIND OUR TREE.. WE FOUND ONE BUT ONLY AFTER BART WITH HIS ARMS BROKEN FELL DOWN A STEEP HILL IN THE SLIPPERY SNOW.. ANYWAY AS YOU CAN TELL, WE GO TO GREAT LENGTHS TO FIND JUST THE RIGHT ONE FOR BART... SO WE SET OUT TO FIND JUST THE RIGHT TREE.. BART AND I ARE ALONE NOW.. SO WE PUT THE DOGS IN THE EXPEDITION AND HEADED UP TO SAN ISABEL.. WE WERE READY FOR A HIKE.. WE DROVE JUST PASSED THE FORREST SERVICE SIGN AND PULLED OVER AT THE FIRST TURN OUT... LET THE DOGS OUT.. AND STARTED TO HIKE.. IT WAS THICK COVER AND MY DOG (LEXIE) HATES WALKING IN THE WOODS.. SHE WENT RIGHT BACK TO THE TRUCK.. I HAD TO GO PUT HER AWAY SO SHE WOULD NOT GET RUN OVER. WHEN I CROSSED BACK OVER TO THE HILL, BART YELLED THAT HE FOUND OUR TREE.. I WENT TO THE TREE AND SAID YES... WE WERE LESS THAN 50 YARDS OFF THE ROAD AND WE HAD IT CUT DOWN AND DRUG BACK TO THE CAR IN LESS THEN 20 MINUTES...

WOW.. THAT IS A FIRST... TREE HUNTING ONLY TOOK 20 MINUTES.. :)

HMMMM I WONDER HOW MANY PERFECT TREES

BART PASSED UP ALONG THE WAY ALL THESE YEARS

JUST TO HAVE THIS QUALITY TIME WITH HIS CHILDREN... :)

I JUST HAVE TO SAY THAT I DON'T KNOW IF I LIKE

THIS DECORATING WITHOUT KIDS RUNNING UNDER FOOT OR HELPING...

I LIKE LETTING THEM PUT THEIR SPECIAL ORNAMENTS ON THE TREE

AND HANDING THINGS TO ME WHILE

I STAND ON THE LADDER TO REACH THE HIGH POINTS...

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE WILL HAVE TO GET USED TO..

UNLESS WE CAN CONVINCE CORT

THAT HE DOES NOT EVER WANT TO LEAVE

US WHEN HE GETS HOME NEXT YEAR... :)

I USUALLY TAKE A COUPLE DAYS TO DECORATE THE TREE...

SO I WILL POST A PICTURE OF THE FINISHED PRODUCT..

BUT OF COURSE... IT ALWAYS LOOKS SO MUCH BETTER IN REAL LIFE..

SO THE GUEST ROOM IS VACANT

IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO COME SEE IT.. :)

Thankful, Grateful & Still Hoping Someday..

2008-12-02T10:42:00.008-07:00

I wasn't going to blog this... because I thought that it

was a bit to depressing... then I read a short story..

that made me realize how blessed we are here in America..

The day before we left for Utah.. I read an article

about Zimbabwe..

I saw pictures of children

searching through dumps and Roach hills

for food and scraps to take to their families

to eat.. It was so sad.. These pictures were not

a long time ago.. They were taken this last month..

I cried thinking how hungry they must feel..

How hopeless there hearts must be..

Then I read this short story.. and I thought

that they must have some kind of hope..

some kind of spirit that makes them search

through garbage to find their food...

Something tells them that life is worth living...

That our Heavenly Father wants them here...

I mentioned to Bart how sad it was..

and I worried about Cort for a bit.. but then i got busy.

planning and packing for Utah..

This Thanksgiving, I cooked

a wonderful meal.. I had my little helper..

and my big helpers. We had so much fun

working together.. We set the table..

There was an empty seat across from me..

it was suppose to be for a friend of Matt's

that ended up going to another house for dinner..

As I finally sat down to eat..

I looked at the empty place at the table.

My thoughts immediately went to my

Baby Boy In Africa...

Where I know he does not get to much to eat..

I looked down at my full plate..

I felt a little ashamed to have such a plateful..

I picked at my food.. and was Sad..

I was trying real hard not to show it

to the others at the table..

I struggled with eating such a bountiful meal..

Then something told me to be grateful for what I have..

I know that I can't change the conditions in Zimbabwe...

And I know that I should not let it affect my hope.

I pray that they will get a leader to help them again be

the productive Country they once were..

And I know that we should always be

grateful and thankful for all that we are given.

and say thank you..

As the days in Utah were getting closer to us leaving,

I was again feeling sad that we had to go..

I did not want to leave..

I want my grand kids to know

Grammy's house...

I want them to come to my house

and get spoiled with hugs and homemade cookies..

I can't help those feelings..

they are my hopes and dreams..

But that does not mean that I can do it right now...

which brings me to the story that made me think...

And tells me that I need

to think about what I do have

and not what I don't have..

The Story..!!

According to legend, a young man

while roaming the desert

came across a spring of delicious crystal-clear water.

The water was so sweet he filled his leather canteen

so he could bring some back to a tribal elder

who had been his teacher.

After a four-day journey

he presented the water to the old man

who took a deep drink, smiled warmly

and thanked his student

lavishly for the sweet water.

The young man returned to

his village with a happy heart.
Later, the teacher let another student taste the water.

He spat it out, saying it was awful.

It apparently had become stale

because of the old leather container.

The student challenged his teacher:

"Master, the water was foul.

Why did you pretend to like it?"
The teacher replied,

"You only tasted the water."

I tasted the gift.

The water was simply the container

for an act of living-kindness

and nothing could be sweeter."

Self-motivation without gratitude is impossible.

Our energy is "sapped" when our entire focus

is on what's wrong instead of what is right with our lives.

One of our greatest challenges is to live and love

in spite of pain and disappointment...

to find gratitude in the midst of it all.

Reflect for a moment

on this beautiful quote from Melody Beattie:

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.

It turns what we have into enough, and more.

It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order,

confusion to clarity.

It can turn a meal into a feast,

a house into a home,

a stranger into a friend.

Gratitude makes sense of our past,

brings peace for today,

and creates a vision for tomorrow.

I know that someday I will have my Grammy House..

But I also know that

I cannot dwell on what I don't have..

And at this moment, I have a beautiful home

and a Husband that loves me and takes care of me,

9 Wonderful Kids, that love me..

and a Grandson I get to go play with once and a while..

I am Grateful for what I have now...

AND I HAVE A VISION FOR TOMORROW

"SOMEDAY"

101 THINGS YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME.. :)

2008-12-01T22:45:00.007-07:00

1. I WAS MARRIED AT THE AGE OF 16 TO A WONDERFUL MAN... ( we celebrated our 30Th anniversary this year..)

2. I HAVE VERY NATURALLY CURLY HAIR...

3. I HAVE 5 CHILDREN. 4 AWESOME BOYS & 1 BEAUTIFUL GIRL...
4. MY HUSBAND IS MY BEST FRIEND... ( we spend a lot of time together.. we work together and play together... We have fun in all we do...) Life is an adventure.. Enjoy the journey.. !!
5. I LOVE TO SHOOT GUNS & BOWS... (a lot of my extended family thinks that i do it because Bart wants me to.. but that is not true... I love it.. and I have fun... )
6. I LOVE TO GO BOATING... I always have.. as a young girl my daddy took me on the boat.. I would hang my purple dinosaur over the edge and say faster daddy faster... as a teenager he would take me and my friends out to water ski.. I love fast ski boat rides.. I love jet boat rides up the river.. I love slow raft rides in the river.. and I love to go on the house boats in Lake Powell... None of which I do very often.. but when I do.. I love it...
7. I LOVE TO DO YARD WORK... I love to get my hands dirty in a flower garden... I love to mow the lawn in two directions (when we have a lawn )... I love to plant things and watch them grow... We once won a contest in Clinton, Utah for the prettiest flower garden...
8. MY "UP NORTH" (that is a place where you can forget everything) IS FLOATING DOWN THE SNAKE RIVER IN A DRIFT BOAT...
9. I LIKE TO READ... I like to read just about anything... I steal books from my Mommy when I visit... My favorites are mystery novels... or who done it's... I love to try to figure it out... Most of the time I guess right... Books take away the hardness of the World and Leave us with a Smile...
10. I HAVE 3 GRANDCHILDREN... and 1 on the way in Feb.. we are so excited..
11. I LOVE IT WHEN MY HOUSE IS SPARKLING CLEAN... (it does not happen to often.. more now then ever, because all the kids are gone.. I think I could get used to the messes again if it meant that my kids were here visiting me...)
12. I LOVE THE SMELL OF LEMON STARCH...
13. I LOVE PEPPERMINT CANDIES...
14. I AM SCARED OF SNAKES, MICE & LARGE ANIMALS...
15. I TOOK LIFE SAVING (SWIMMING) WHEN I WAS A PRE TEEN...
16. MY FAVORITE FOOD IS STEAK, SHRIMP & GREEN SALAD...
17. MY FAVORITE DESSERT IS CHOC. TORTE'...
18. I LOVE SHOES... (I don't have nearly as many pairs as Lora does.. but I still have a lot..)
19. I LOVE CINNAMON SUCKERS...
20. I AM HAPPIEST WHEN I HAVE MY HUSBAND, CHILDREN, THEIR SPOUSES, AND GRANDSON ALL IN THE SAME PLACE AT THE SAME TIME... (does not happen very often.. specially with Cort in Africa.. )
21. I AM A LEAD FOOT.. I DRIVE FAST...
22. I LOVE TO SCRAPBOOK...
23. I HAVE A HARD TIME COOKING IN A DIRTY KITCHEN... (I make sure the dishwasher is empty before I start... so I can put dishes in it as I use them... )
24. I LOVE FIREPLACES... (I want one in my kitchen with one of those pot holders that swings out.... So I can cook my famous deer stew over the fire..)
25. I PREFER VISITORS TO CALL BEFORE THEY COME OVER... ( I love company, but I prefer that they call first... )
26. I HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO RELOAD THE DISHWASHER... (I am a little fussy how it is loaded.. and if things aren't how they should be, I will reload it.. if I catch it... ha ha)...
27. I LOVE MY LONG HAIR... ( In the 30 years I have been married, I have had either really short hair, or really long hair... a few years back, I decided to try something different.. I cut my hair shoulder length... I kept it that way for about 2 weeks... "I" hated it... I quickly remembered why I liked it short or long.. I asked my husband if I should grow it out, or cut it shorter... He said he liked it either really short or long... So I cut it short because he asked me to.. not because he told me to... I then grew it back out... because that is the way that "I" like it best.. No shoulder length hair for me... with it being naturally curly, shoulder length took 3 times longer to style... Short Short or Long is the best... I am glad that my husband suggested it... )
28. I HAVE NEVER GONE OUT OF THE HOUSE IN SWEATS OR PAJAMA'S...
29. I VERY SELDOM GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT MAKE-UP ON...

30. I SECRETLY LIKE TO SPEAK IN PUBLIC... (dang... I guess it is not a secret anymore..)

31. MY DREAM IS TO OWN A DAYCARE FOR BOTH OLD FOLKS AND YOUNG KIDS..

32. I LOVE WATCHING OLD MOVIES AND OLD TV SHOWS..(my favorite is the Walton's).

33. I WAS BURNED AS A TEENAGER.. (I missed almost 2 years of Jr. High, and had a tutor that did nothing but have me read the newspaper and write about the articles...)

34. I WANT A SWIMMING POOL... ( I love to swim and lay in the sun... it is so relaxing... and sun is good for the happiness soul..)

35. I LOVE WALKING ON THE BEACH... (don't do it nearly enough)...

36. I LOVE STAKE CAMP...(it is in the Uintah Mountains.. we went there on our honeymoon and have only missed 2 years in the last 30.. It is one of my kids' favorite places to go. they even chose it over a vacation one year... So many memories...)

37. I AM LEARNING TO LIKE HIKING... (I have foot problems.. Had them fixed, so I can hike with only minimal pain now... )

38. I PAINT... Tole painting, oil painting & house painting...

39. I KNOW HOW TO FINISH CONCRETE...

40. MY FAVORITE COLOR TO WEAR IS RED...

41. MY FAVORITE COLOR TO DECORATE WITH IS GREEN/EARTH TONES...

42. I WEAR GLASSES... SOMETIMES :)

43. I LOVE DOING THINGS FOR MY KIDS... (when I go visit.. I love cooking, cleaning and taking care of them... )

44. I LOVE TO PLAN, DECORATE FOR & HAVE PARTIES...

45. MY FAVORITE CANDY BAR IS: BUTTERFINGERS...

46. I HATE TO SHOP... (I know.. this is not normal for a woman.. but I am the kind of shopper that knows what I want and I go in and get it and get out...)

47. I HAVE TO HAVE SOME FORM OF NOISE ON IN THE HOUSE WHEN I AM ALONE...

48. I LOVE COUNTRY MUSIC... (ALAN JACKSON)

49. I HAVE A- BLOOD...

50. MY HAIR IS ABOUT 90% GRAY...

51. I LOVE LAYING ON THE FLOOR WHEN THE SUN IS SHINING IN A WINDOW...

52. I LOVE MINT TEA...

53. I LIKE STRAWBERRY MILK...

54. MY FAVORITE FRUIT IS RASPBERRIES...

55. IN HIGH SCHOOL.. MY FAVORITE SUBJECT WAS HISTORY...

56. FALL IS MY FAVORITE SEASON...

57. I LOVE TO GO ON CAR RIDES... (this last summer Bart and I drove through 24 States..) I love seeing new places right here in America.. I love Sunday drives in the Mountains the best... And our rides to Utah... Never get tired of that one on the way... but always get tired of the ride to Pueblo.. hmmmm go figure...

58. I HOME SCHOOLED SOME OF MY CHILDREN... LOVED IT.. I LEARNED FAR MORE THEN THEY DID.. FUNNY HOW THAT WORKS...

59. I LOVE TO RIDE WILD RIDES AT AMUSEMENT PARKS.. ONE TIME BART GAVE ME A BLACK EYE RIDING A ROLLER COASTER AT LAGOON IN UTAH... :)

60. I WOULD SOMEDAY LIKE TO TAKE A HELICOPTER RIDE...

61. MY DREAM CARS ARE FORD F-150 4 DOOR/ FORD MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE (DARK RED) ...

62. I HAVE TO GET A NEW TOOTHBRUSH EVERY MONTH...

63. I LOVE MY HAIR PLAYED WITH.. (when I babysat.. if the kids did not want to lay down at rest time... they could sit and brush my hair... another reason i like my hair long..)

64. MY BIRTHDAY IS IN AUGUST.. I AM A LEO.. HMMMM NO WONDER I LIKE TO BE IN CHARGE....

65. I LIKE TO BE IN CHARGE... AND I HAVE A HARD TIME DELEGATING..

66. I PLAYED THE VIOLIN WHEN I WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL.. AND THE PIANO...

67. MY GRANDMA GRACE'S WAS MY FAVORITE PLACE TO GO AS A CHILD...

68. MY DAUGHTER WAS THE ONLY ONE OF MY CHILDREN THAT I DID NOT KNOW THE SEX OF BEFORE SHE WAS BORN...

69. I LOVE TO FLY.. AND SIT IN AIRPORTS..

70. I AM A PEOPLE WATCHER.. I OFTEN TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY DO... NEVER KNOW IF I AM RIGHT THOUGH...

71. I BEAT THE 50 YARD DASH RECORD IN JUNIOR HIGH.. BUT IT WAS DURING P.E. SO IT DID NOT COUNT...

72. I HAD A FEW GIRL FRIENDS IN HIGH SCHOOL, BUT MOST OF MY FRIENDS WERE GUYS...

73. I LIKE DIET COKE WITH SPLENDA...

74. I LOVE TO LIGHT CANDLES OR PLUG IN MY SCENTSY CANDLE...

75. MY FAVORITE FRAGRANCES ARE SPICY... MUSK...

76. I DON'T LIKE MY LOTION TO SMELL LIKE FRUIT...

77. I AM TENDERHEARTED... UNLESS I AM DRIVING.. THEN WATCH OUT...

78. I LOVE TO WEAR FRESHLY IRONED CLOTHES...

79. I CANNOT WEAR A DRESS WITHOUT NYLONS... JUST DOES NOT FEEL PROPER...

80. I LOVE TO SURPRISE BART WITH A LUNCH OR DINNER WHEN HE IS NOT EXPECTING IT...

81. I MAKE MY BED AS SOON AS I GET UP... EVEN IF I PLAN ON GOING BACK TO BED..(I lay on top with a blankie) ...

82. I LOVE POSITIVE QUOTES...

83. I HAD A BLANKIE THAT I TOOK TO BED WITH ME.. UNTIL ONE DAY IT DISAPPEARED... HMMMMM I THINK BART THREW IT AWAY....

84. I LOVE PURSES... I HAVE ABOUT 4 THAT I TRADE OFF AT ANY GIVEN TIME.. I BUY THEM ON CLEARANCE.. LAST PURSE I PAID $3 FOR...

85. I HAVE CAMO PAJAMA'S... AND YES THEY ARE SILKY...

86. I LOVE TO MAKE HOME MADE GIFTS AND CARDS...

87. I WAS BORN IN OGDEN UTAH..

88. I AM THE YOUNGEST OF 3...

89. I ADMIRE MY PARENTS... BOTH OF THEM ARE UNSELFISH AND GREAT PEOPLE...

90. I CAUGHT A MAGPIE WHEN I WAS 10 AND KEPT IT IN A BOX IN THE FAMILY ROOM UNTIL IT WAS BIG ENOUGH TO FLY ON IT'S OWN...

91. I HAD A PET RATTLESNAKE.. UNTIL I FOUND MY BROTHER'S FRIENDS RACCOON SNACKING ON IT ON THE FRONT PORCH...

92. I SPENT MOST OF MY SUMMERS IN JACK POT NEVADA ON THE WHEELER RANCH WITH MY AUNT AND UNCLE ISAKSON.. FUN TIMES...

93. RIGHT AFTER WE GOT MARRIED, I HAD TO HELP OUR LANDLORD PULL A CALF FROM IT'S MOTHER WITH A WENCH AND A TRUCK... HE WAS SURPRISED THAT I KNEW HOW... REFER TO #92

94. I LOVE TO FLY FISH...

95. I COOK ALL THE ANIMALS THAT WE HUNT...

96. I LOVE TO DECORATE...

97. I LOVE ALL ANIMALS WHEN THEY ARE BABIES... BUT THEN THEY GROW UP... :)

98. I LIKE TO DO PUZZLES...

99. I AM STRONG WILLED... SOME CALL IT STUBBORN...

100. I HAVE LIVED IN 3 STATES... UTAH, CALIFORNIA, UTAH, COLORADO...

101. I LOVE MY LIFE AND WOULD NOT TRADE IT FOR ANYTHING... AND YES I WOULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN... ESPECIALLY IF I KNEW WHAT I KNOW NOW.. LIFE IS GOOD...

I TAG ANYONE WHO WANTS TO TRY THIS... IT IS HARDER THAN IT SOUNDS....

A WONDERFUL HELPER

2008-11-27T11:52:00.008-07:00

WE HAD OUR THANKSGIVING DINNER

MADE BY A WORLD RE NOUN CHEF...

HE HAS BEEN COOKING FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS..

HE IS A PERFECTIONIST AND OUR MEAL

WAS WONDERFUL

HERE HE IS WITH HIS HIRED HELP

GRANDPA...

EXPERTLY BREAKING BREAD FOR OUR STUFFING

HE EVEN ALLOWED US TO VIDEO HIS EXPERTISE

THEN AFTER A RELAXING HOT TUB,

HE SHOWED CAROLINE HOW TO MAKE PUMPKIN PIES..

MAKING SURE THAT JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT

OF PIE FILLING WAS ADDED.

THEN THE NEXT MORNING,

HE SHOWED GRAMMY HOW TO COVER

THE SWEET POTATOES WITH MARSHMALLOW'S.

AND HE EVEN SHOWED LORA & KELLY HOW TO ROLL

THE CRESCENT ROLLS

THEN HE SHARED HIS EXPERTISE

AT THE DECORATING,

SETTING OUR TABLE..

HE DID A WONDERFUL JOB...

HE SITS AT THE HEAD OF THE TABLE.

READY TO SERVE US

OUR THANKSGIVING MEAL

PREPARED BY THE MASTER CHEF HIMSELF

ACE PETERSON

HE EVEN STUCK AROUND TO WATCH

TOY STORY WITH THE GUYS..

(WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO FOOTBALL?)

WE HAD A WONDERFUL DINNER WITH OUR

KIDS.. WE MISSED FRANK, KAYLA & CORT,

AND PRAY THAT CORT

IS SAFE AND WELL..

WE ARE SO THANKFUL FOR ALL

THAT WE HAVE AND ALL THAT WE ENJOY.

ESPECIALLY OUR WONDERFUL FAMILY

DUCK PARK HAS MORE THAN DUCKS..

2008-11-25T21:47:00.005-07:00

WE TOOK ACE TO THE LAYTON PARK

IT IS KNOWN AS DUCK PARK

HE FED THE DUCKS, GEESE, SWANS AND SEAGULLS

WE HAD SO MUCH FUN..

ACE WAS A BIT APPREHENSIVE AT FIRST,

BUT HE EVENTUALLY STARTED

THROWING BREAD WITH GRANDPA.

WHEN THEY RAN OUT OF BREAD,

SOME OF THE BIRDS FIGURED IT OUT

AND MOVED ON.

BUT NOT THE SWANS...

BART GOT A CANDY BAR AND BROKE

IT UP INTO SMALL PIECES..

ACE WANTED TO EAT HIS PIECE,

THE BIG SWAN CAME AND TOOK IT FROM HIM

HE KIND OF BIT THE TIPS OF HIS SMALL FINGERS..

HE CRIED FOR A BIT, GRAMMY KISSED IT BETTER,

THEN HE YELLED AT THE BIRDS..

IT WAS TO CUTE..

AFTER FEEDING THE BIRDS,

WE WALKED OVER TO THE TOYS

ACE HAD TO TRY EACH TOY..

SLIDES, ROPES, FIREMAN'S POLE

MERRY-GO-ROUND

TRACTORS AND THE CHAIN WALK.

HE LOVED GOING TO THE BRIDGE

AND LOOKING AT THE RUNNING WATER.

AS MUCH FUN AS ACE WAS HAVING,

I THINK HIS GRAMMY AND GRAMPY

WERE HAVING TWICE THAT MUCH FUN.

WE DON'T GET TO HAVE THIS TIME WITH HIM

VERY OFTEN... SO WHEN WE DO...

WE SPOIL HIM.. :)

Merry Christmas to you..

2008-11-24T01:04:00.001-07:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

BIG BOY BED

2008-11-23T11:20:00.003-07:00

ACE GOT A NEW BIG BOY BED

HE LIKES TO SHOW IT OFF...

HE COMES AND GETS ME BY THE HAND

AND TAKES ME TO SEE IT AT LEAST 4 TIMES A DAY..

HE IS GROWING UP WAY TO FAST

AND WITH A LITTLE BROTHER ON THE WAY

HE HAD TO GIVE UP HIS BABY BED.. :)

Darling Daughter of mine.... and a Handsome Son..

2008-11-19T16:41:00.003-07:00

Recently My Daughter Lora and her Husband Dan

went to visit

Jordon and Caroline in Idaho..

Jordon took them fishing...

Here he is teaching Lora a thing or two about casting...

Lora... You are a darling girl...

I love how you have fun with everything you do..

I stole these pics from Caroline..

She said I could.

You are Beautiful.. and I love the hair...

2 Peterson's to Yuma X 2

2008-11-17T10:08:00.005-07:00

BART AND I DECIDED TO HEAD ON OUT TO YUMA AGAIN THIS WEEKEND.

WE HAD SO MUCH FUN..

I LOVE THE SCENERY. SOME OF IT, LIKE THIS WINDMILL, SEEM TO MAKE US THINK WHAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE TO LIVE 100 YEARS AGO..

THIS WAS ONE OF THE UNIQUE FIELDS WE HUNTED, WE DID NOT ACTUALLY SEE A PHEASANT IN THIS FIELD, BUT IT WAS SURE BEAUTIFUL.

THE WIND WAS BLOWING AND IT WAS CHILLY, YOU KNOW THAT REFRESHING KIND OF CHILLY.. BRRR... BUT INVIGORATING AT THE SAME TIME..

BART IS EVEN BUNDLED UP

LOTS OF LAYERS AND A LEOPARD SKIN EAR WARMER.. WHAT EVERY HUNTER NEEDS.. HA HA

THIS ONE WAS FOR DAN..

THIS TRACTOR WAS SITTING OUT IN A FIELD, I THOUGHT OF MY SON IN LAW WHEN I SAW IT AND MADE BART TAKE MY PICTURE FOR HIM.

WELL... MAYBE THE NEXT FIELD WILL BE MORE SUCCESSFUL.

WE ACTUALLY SAW MORE PHEASANTS THEN IN ANY OTHER YEAR PRIOR.. THEY JUST SEEMED TO FLY UP WAY OUT AHEAD.. WE'LL GET UM NEXT TIME.. :)

WE SAW SO MANY FUN THINGS ON THIS TRIP.. WE SAW ABOUT 30 PHEASANTS, MULE DEER, LARGE WHITE TAIL BUCK,GREAT WINDMILLS, BEAUTIFUL SUNSETS, BUNNIES, GREAT OLD TRACTORS, COOL OLD BUILDINGS, MILES OF FARMED FIELDS, AN OLD CHEVY TRUCK, CHILDREN HUNTING WITH THEIR DADDY'S, AN OLD WATER WELL PUMP. BUT THE MOST AWESOME THING WE SAW WHILE PHEASANT HUNTING THIS YEAR ON THE COLORADO PLAINS... WAS.....

A 4 POINT BULL ELK...

BART WAS HUNTING IN A FIELD.. I WAS BACKING THE EXPEDITION UP TO MEET HIM AT THE END OF THE HILL, WE HAD SEEN A MULE DEER IN THIS AREA EARLIER IN THE DAY, AS I WAS LOOKING IN MY SIDE MIRROR, I SAW AN ANIMAL IN THE ROAD ABOUT 400 YARDS BEHIND ME.. I THOUGHT WHAT A LARGE DEER.. THEN I LOOKED AGAIN.. IT WAS NOT A DEER, BUT A BULL ELK.. I WAS IN SHOCK.. HAD TO LOOK A FEW TIMES TO MAKE SURE I WAS SEEING WHAT I THOUGHT I WAS SEEING.. HERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EASTERN PLAINS OF COLORADO (FARM LAND) I WAS LOOKING AT A BULL ELK.. I POINTED TO IT AS BART ALSO SPOTTED IT, WE DROVE TOWARDS IT.. IT WAS RUNNING THROUGH THE FIELDS.. WE THOUGHT THAT IT WAS GONE WHEN WE WERE HEADING BACK YO YUMA. WE LOOKED TO OUR LEFT AND HE WAS RUNNING PARALLEL WITH OUR TRUCK ABOUT 500 YARDS OFF.. IT WAS AWESOME.. WATCHING THAT BULL RUN AT FULL SPEED.. I WAS GOING 55 MPH AND HE WAS KEEPING UP WITH ME. WHAT A MAJESTIC BEAUTIFUL ANIMAL.

AND WHAT A WONDERFUL MEMORY FOR BART AND I.

Nar-rate: to tell (a story), relate

2008-11-12T20:44:00.004-07:00

FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DON'T KNOW BART... HE REALLY LIKES TO TELL THE STORY WHEN HE IS VIDEOING.. BUT HE REALLY LIKES TO TELL THE STORY WHEN OTHERS ARE VIDEOING... HE STARTED THIS HOBBY 11 YEARS AGO IN HAWAII.. A SCANTLY CLAD INDIVIDUAL WAS VIDEOING HIMSELF ON THE BEACH.. HE WOULD SET HIS CAMERA UP ON THE SAND.. AND HE WOULD RUN DOWN ON THE BEACH.. IT WAS HILARIOUS.. I THOUGHT BART AND JAY WOULD DIE... BART SLOWLY WALKED OVER BY THE VIDEO CAMERA.. AND WHEN THE MAN GOT OUT OF HIS EAR SHOT, HE SQUATED DOWN A BIT AND STARTED NARRATING THE VIDEO FOR THE GUY.. IT WAS SO FUNNY WHEN HE CAME BACK AND TOLD US WHAT HE SAID.. WE LAUGHED FOR DAYS... OKAY WE STILL LAUGH.. ( YOU WILL HAVE TO ASK HIM WHAT HE SAID. BECAUSE NOBODY CAN TELL IT QUITE LIKE HE CAN..) OH TO BE A FLY ON THE WALL... WELL........ GUESS WHO HE GOT NOW...??? YES.... ME.... THIS SUMMER WE TOOK 2 VACATIONS.. 3 IF YOU COUNT WHEN WE WENT TO IDAHO TO DROP OFF JORDON AND CAROLINE'S HOUSE... ONE: WE DROVE FROM WEST VIRGINIA TO NEW HAMPSHIRE AND HIT ALL THE STATES ALONG THE WAY... EVEN VENTURING INTO MAINE THE FINAL DAY. TWO: IDAHO... GOING 45-55 WITH A TRAILER FULL OF J & C'S HOME... HA HA THREE: WE WENT TO ARKANSAS AND BRANSON MO. GHESSS I AM GLAD HIS COMPANY SENDS HIM PLACES... :) THIS WAS ONE OF OUR STOPS.. I LAUGHED WHEN I SAW THIS LATER.. HE IS STILL UP TO HIS OLE SHENANIGANS... I THINK THAT IS WHY I LOVE HIM SO MUCH... HE HAS TAUGHT ME TO LAUGH AT MYSELF.. SO HERE GOES..........HA HA

HIGH SCHOOL TAG

2008-11-11T15:17:00.004-07:00

High School Tag...
1. DID YOU DATE SOMEONE FROM YOUR SCHOOL? YES
2. WHAT KIND OF CAR DID YOU DRIVE? I GOT A BROWN FORD PINTO FOR MY 16TH BIRTHDAY.. ONLY I WAS 15.. I HAD TO HAVE SOME WAY TO GET TO DRIVER'S ED...!!
3. DID YOU PASS YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE TEST YOUR FIRST TRY? YES.. 100% AT THE END OF CLASS AFTER DRIVING MYSELF TO DRIVER'S ED ALL SUMMER AND PARKING ON WASATCH DRIVE.. COACH HANSEN SAID... CARRIE.. DRIVE CAREFUL ON YOUR WAY HOME.. I THOUGHT I WAS SO SNEAKY.. HA HA
4. WHERE YOU A PARTY ANIMAL? OF COURSE.. WHAT IS HIGH SCHOOL WITHOUT A PARTY...
5. WERE YOU CONSIDERED A FLIRT? YES
6. WERE YOU IN BAND, ORCHESTRA, OR CHOIR? NO... UNLESS YOU COUNT MY COUSIN'S FAMILY ROOM SINGING AND DANCING MARATHON'S TO 45'S .... :)
7. WERE YOU A NERD? UHHH.. NO
8. WERE YOU ON ANY VARSITY TEAMS? NO
9. DID YOU EVER GET SUSPENDED/EXPELLED? NO
10. CAN YOU STILL SING THE FIGHT SONG? UMMM YEAH IF SOMEONE GOT ME STARTED... LAYTON HIGH WITH PRIDE.. I THINK THAT IS HOW IT GOES.. HELP ANYONE...???
11. WHO WERE YOUR FAVORITE TEACHERS? MR. GRAY..
12. WHERE DID YOU SIT FOR LUNCH? IN THE FRONT SEAT OF MY CAR.. DRIVING HOME OR TO LEZLI'S.. OR WALKING TO LIBERTY BELL ICE CREAM PARLOR FOR A FLOAT... :)
13. WHAT IS YOUR SCHOOL'S FULL NAME? LAYTON HIGH
14. WHAT IS YOUR SCHOOL'S MASCOT AND COLORS? LANCERS... DK BLUE AND BLUE
5. DID YOU GO TO HOMECOMING AND WITH WHO? JUNIOR YEAR: BART PETERSON. WE DOUBLED WITH JAY MOORE AND SOME GIRL THAT LOOKED LIKE JONI CUNNINGHAM FROM HAPPY DAYS... HA HA
16. IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND DO IT AGAIN WOULD YOU? NO... I LOVE MY LIFE.. I HAVE 5 KIDS 4 NEW KIDS AND 4 GRAND KIDS.. COULD NOT IMAGINE STARTING OVER...
17. WERE YOU IN ANY CLUBS? NO UNLESS THE FRIDAY NIGHT STOMPS COUNT AS A CLUB.. I DON'T THINK I MISSED ONE MY SOPH YEAR... :) DANCING WITH LEOTA AND WALLER... WHAT FUN..
18. HAVE YOU GAINED SOME WEIGHT SINCE HIGH SCHOOL? GAINED WEIGHT... LOST WEIGHT... GAINED WEIGHT... LOST WEIGHT... GAINED WEIGHT... LOST WEIGHT... YOU GET THE PICTURE... YO YO
19. WHO WAS YOUR PROM DATE? SOPH YEAR: DAVE RAY.. JUNIOR YEAR: BART PETERSON ..SENIOR YEAR: MARRIED TO MY PERMANENT PROM DATE.. :)~ BART PETERSON..
20. DID YOU HAVE A JOB IN HIGH SCHOOL? YES.. TACO TIME... KOSMOS BURGERS...

WE SALUTE YOU

2008-11-11T12:23:00.008-07:00

THIS MORNING AS MY WONDERFUL HUSBAND

WAS ON HIS WAY TO THE AIRPORT,

HE SENT ME A TEXT, REMINDING ME

TO PUT THE FLAG OUT BECAUSE IT WAS

VETERAN'S DAY..

IT WAS STILL KIND OF FOGGY OUT

A VERY PRETTY MORNING

I HUNG THE FLAG ON THE FRONT PORCH.

AS I WAS HEADING BACK INDOORS,

I TURNED JUST IN TIME TO SEE A SLIGHT BREEZE

MAKE THE FLAG WAVE.

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SYMBOL OF OUR FREEDOM.

BEING HOME ALL ALONE, IT GETS QUIET.. TO QUIET.

SO I TURNED ON THE TV.

PRESIDENT BUSH WAS SPEAKING

TO A GROUP OF VETERAN'S.

I DID NOT HEAR HIS WHOLE SPEECH.

BUT, I DID HEAR HIS FINAL WORDS..

MAY GOD BLESS YOU (SPEAKING TO THE VETERAN'S)

AND MAY GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA..!!!

HOW WONDERFUL IT IS TO LIVE IN THIS GREAT NATION.

THE FREEDOMS WE HAVE . THE OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE.

AS A GRAND DAUGHTER, DAUGHTER,

DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, NIECE, SISTER,

AUNT, COUSIN AND FRIEND OF SEVERAL BRAVE

HEROES THAT HAVE SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES,

I WANT TO SAY "THANK YOU"

WITHOUT YOUR SERVICE WE WOULD NOT HAVE

OUR FREEDOMS

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK

A NUMBER OF FAMILY MEMBERS THAT SERVE

RIGHT HERE IN OUR OWN CITIES..

I COME FROM A FAMILY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

THAT PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE DAILY

TO KEEP US SAFE.

MY FATHER, 2 BROTHER-IN-LAWS, SISTER, 2 NEPHEWS

MY NIECE AND SEVERAL COUSINS

EACH DAY THEY PUT ON A UNIFORM

AND HAVE TAKEN AN OATH TO

SERVE AND PROTECT US.

TO THEM I WANT TO SAY THANK-YOU..!!!

I LOVE YOU ALL..

AND FINALLY, AS A MOTHER OF A YOUNG MAN

SERVING OUR HEAVENLY FATHER,

I CAN'T HELP BUT FEEL GRATEFUL AND PROUD

OF THEIR SERVICE OF PEACE..

THEY GIVE UP TWO YEARS OF THEIR LIFE

TO SERVE THE LORD

WHAT A WONDERFUL TESTAMENT TO

OUR HEAVENLY FATHER..

TO ALL THOSE WHO SERVE SO WE CAN REMAIN FREE

THANK YOU

AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU

When did they lose themselves..???

2008-11-10T15:27:00.004-07:00

About 2 weeks ago Bart and I had to go to the County building.

On Our way back to work,

Bart decided he wanted a drink on ice...
so we stopped at Loaf n Jug..

As we pulled into the parking lot,

A very grubby, dirty, sad looking Man came out of the store.

I said to Bart at that moment..

When do they lose their hope..???

and pointed at the homeless Man.
Bart did not have an answer.. He just said it's sad isn't it..?

I decided to wait in the Truck while Bart went inside.

I was looking at the Electoral paperwork that we had to study.

As I did this.. I saw movement out of the corner of my eye.

I looked in the direction of the movement, and I saw the homeless man

a little unsteady on his feet trying to open a pack of cigarettes.

I watched as an employee of Loaf n Jug, smiling,

helped him open his package.

She patted him on the back and sent him on his way.

She herself looked a little ragged and worn.

I thought to myself what an unselfish person.

She was cleaning the parking lot with one of those sweepers

like you see at a carnival,

with the little attached dust pan,

She did not have to help him, But she chose to..

I smiled and looked back at my papers..

I raised my head to see which direction this man went..

I noticed he had sat on a small retaining wall by the sidewalk..

As I watched him.. I again thought out loud..

Why do they lose their hope..? What makes them like this...?

I did not have an answer... I felt something for that man...

As he sat on the retaining wall, several people passed him..

2 ladies walked by him, spoke to him, smiled at him,

which he smiled back at..

Then i noticed another lady,

dressed a bit more nicer then the first two...

She was walking towards us pushing a bike..

She stopped abruptly on the sidewalk when she saw the man..

I watched as she looked to the road and to the parking lot behind him...

She chose to go up a small dirt hill into the parking lot

as opposed to walking past him...

Oh, I prayed he did not see her pause..!!

It bothered me that she would let his looks

make her change her direction..

When Bart got back in the truck, I stated...

Where do you think that man has Thanksgiving dinner..???

Who makes sure that Santa visits him on Christmas Eve..???

Where are his family..???

I am sure Bart thought I was crazy..

If he had only seen the look in this man's eyes

when those first two ladies and the employee

had made him smile..

I have thought about him a few times this last week..

And tears comes to my eyes...

What would I have done if I were walking down the street..???

Would I have been the one to smile..???

Or would I have been the one to walk behind and avoid..???

I don't really know..

I try to smile at people I don't know..

but would I have looked him in the eye...???

I don't really know.. and that bothers me...!!!!!

I would like to think that I would not only look him in the eye..

but I would tell him that his Heavenly Father loves him..

I still have questions..

and I know we all have choices.. but, do we..??

Doesn't everyone need someone

once in a while to build us up..??

I know I do...

Was someone missing the day he needed to be built up..??

Or, Did someone kick him when he was down..??

Or did he just decide to quit..???

Is that the time that he lost himself..???

Is that when he decided he did not fit in..???

Is that when he became helpless to help himself..???

We will probably never know..

But does that mean that God loves him any less then me.. ???

NO..

I believe Our Father in Heaven holds a special place

in his kingdom for these people..

I don't agree with giving up...ever..!!!!

but I don't believe we should judge others...!!

We should just try to care for them..

I was trying to find some answers to some of these questions..

and I came across these photo's..

Look into their eyes..

What made them lose themselves...???

THERE IS SO MUCH GOOD IN THE WORST OF US,

AND SO MUCH BAD IN THE BEST OF US,

THAT IT ILL BEHOVES ANY OF US

TO FIND FAULT WITH THE REST OF US.

UNKNOWN

2 Peterson's to Yuma

2008-11-09T19:28:00.005-07:00

The Annual Peterson Pheasant hunting trip to Yuma.

Since we moved to Colorado, Bart and the boy's would head to Yuma, Co.

for Pheasant Hunting.. Bart and I held up that tradition this weekend..

I am now Bart's official Hunting Partner..

Bart and I packed up the Expedition with snacks, shotguns, shell vests, hunting clothes and of course Bogey..(the dog).. We headed on out to Yuma, Co.

I was excited to actually shoot at something besides a clay pigeon with my 20 gauge. We got in real late due to the fact that we missed our exit and had to back track a bit.. We checked into our Hotel and just got to sleep (1:30 a.m.) when Bart gets a phone call on his cell phone.. Thinking that it was a telemarketer, he is quite abrupt with the caller.. She must have said Cort's name because his tone changed and I think we both woke up real quickly at that time. (Cort had asked us to send him some money through western union, so he could get some gifts for Christmas. We have sent some western unions before and he was able to get them.. but this time we had to send them to a different country than Zimbabwe, and a member was picking it up for him.) She explained that she needed the number for the western union.. So at 2 a.m. Bart ran to the car and got my laptop.. we turned it on.. and could not get any service... unless.... Bart held on the wireless card and put his elbow on the wall and put his other hand on the right side of my computer... ha ha... ( It is funnier if you can picture Bart standing in his underwear holding onto the laptop while it is on top of the TV... and me standing on a chair in my jammies so that I could see the keyboard) and then when we tried to get to any page ( my email ) it took 10 minutes to upload each one.. so it took us a while to find the different emails and numbers that we needed.. and finally at 4:30 a.m. we got to turn the lamps off.. Well, Pheasant hunting was supposed to start at 6:30 a.m.. I think we got up just before 8:00 a.m.. We got ready to go and headed out to the walk in access areas.... I was not feeling to good when we left, sore throat and stuffy nose... But something happened when I got out in the sun and wind.. My eyes started watering and I could not open them long enough to hunt.. So Bart and Bogey took the first few fields. Bart or should I say Bogey was successful in the first field. He was a great hunting dog this year.. and very well behaved... Finally the Sun went behind a cloud and 8 sinus tablets later I was ready to hunt.. we came to a great looking spot.. I waited at one end of the field while Bart and Bogey came my way... and sure enough.. Bogey brought up another bird... I did not get to shoot at it because it flew right over Bart.. Bart got a few shots off... but the bird was successful.. Then we finished it off with a traditional trip to the Yuma Pizza Hut.. We have two birds sitting in salt water in the fridge waiting for me to cook them tomorrow night.. What a great weekend.. even if I was sick.. I had fun on my first real Pheasant Hunt..

WOW..!!! GREAT EXPERIENCE

2008-11-05T12:34:00.005-07:00

Yesterday, Nov.4Th 2008 Bart and I worked from 6 am - 8 pm working at the polls in Pueblo, Co. We have never done this... We had a good time.. Me more so than Bart, because he has a hard time sitting in the same chair all day long.. :) But me being an Office Assistant do it all the time... It was so much fun meeting and talking to People.. We had 5 precincts in our building and Bart and I did not get to work in the same precinct due to the fact that there had to be at least One Democrat and One Republican at each table.. But I was able to go bug him once in a while.. when it got slow.. I had fun with the two gentlemen I worked with.. They both had great sense of humors... and we teased and laughed all day long.. We shared our food that we brought.. Talked about our families, and just had fun.. Bart always enjoys himself no matter what he is doing.. It is one of the things I adore in him... He of course gave all the younger teenagers a hard time... There was one young girl in particular that came and told me how lucky I was.. and I agreed with her.. There were over 800 votes cast in this room.. and not one problem or disruption.. They warned us that people would get really upset.. and yell. We did not have any of that.. It was a very positive experience and I don't know about Bart.. but I know I will do it again... I had a ball... And although my Candidate of Choice did not Win.. I think if we pull together.. and fight for those rights that we believe in... No matter what happens, It will be alright.. even if we have to suffer a bit.. :) And tomorrow will come. The Sun will shine.. And we will always have our families to rally around.. I am proud to be an American... And I am Happy I got the opportunity to help and do my part...

Bart eating his snack and looking oh so excited to stay in one place all day... ha ha

he liked the experience, but said he is glad he does not have to do that every day... I think he has a whole new admiration for those that sit behind a desk and wait on Customers all day..

I don't know what it is... But I just pick up new Son's all the time.. Daniel was calling me Mom about 1 hour into the day.. I think it is because the Mother in me takes over.. :) He was eating a bunch of snacks.. and I made him eat an apple and a yogurt.. ha ha And Chuck teased me about my red jacket... and said I could borrow his glasses if I wanted.. What wonderful people there are in this world.. even if we don't agree on everything.. we can still sit together and have a good time for a great cause.. VOTING

HUSBAND TAG ( I DON'T LIKE THE WORD HUBBY )

2008-11-03T21:53:00.007-07:00

1. Where did you meet?

We met at Chaple street park in Layton, Ut. The first time we saw each other, I was playing Tennis with Judean Weaver.. and he stopped to say hi... The Second official meeting was playing softball with a group of mutual friends across the street from my house.. We still play softball there as a family when we are in Utah..

2. How long did you date before you got married?

We dated 7 months before we were engaged.. then we married 6 months after that.. so 13 months.. :)

3. How long have you been married?

June 16, 1978 so.. ummm 30 years, 4 mths..

4. What does he do that surprises you?

Keeps me around.. :)

5. What is your favorite feature of his?

Are Wrangler's a feature...?????

6. What is your favorite quality of his?

Charity... He is the most giving person I have ever known..

7. Does he have a nickname for you?.

Yes... Bimbo... It was given to me by my Mother.. She called me kimbo bimbo... hahaha

8. What is his favorite color?

Blue

9. What is his favorite food?

Steak and Potato's

10. What is his favorite sport?

Golfing, Fishing, Hunting, Softball..

11. When and where was your first kiss?

In his truck in West Layton..

12. What are the top 3 favorite things you do as a couple?-

---Working together... We have worked side by side throughout our marriage.. we get along well and seem to know what the other needs before being asked..

---Playing together... We hunt, Fish, Golf, Ski (I try- he laughs..) Hike, Explore.. Life is an adventure.. I can't imagine sharing it with anyone else...

---Relaxing.. We like to just sit and watch TV together..

13. Do you have any children?

Yes.. 9-- Matthew & Kelly... Jordon & Caroline... Franklin & Kayla... Lora & Dan... Cort (in africa on a mission)We don't do In-Laws at our house.. and we have three Grandkid's and One more on the way...

14. Does he have a hidden talent?

ummm yes.. If I told you it would not be hidden anymore... haha

15. How old is he?

16. Who said I love you first?

Bart did...

17. What is his favorite type of music?

Classic Country..

18. What do you admire most about him?

It is a toss up.. I can't choose one over the other...

His undying Love for Children... and the fact that he is always Happy and always looks for the good in life..

I Tag... Anybody that wants to spend a few minutes remembering why they fell in Love..

WE HAD TO EARLY VOTE :(

2008-11-03T13:32:00.004-07:00

BART AND I HAD TO EARLY VOTE... BECAUSE WE ARE WORKING AS ELECTORAL JUDGES ON TUE. NOV 4TH.. AND WE COULD NOT VOTE IN THE PRECINCT THAT WE ARE WORKING IN.. IT WAS GREAT TO VOTE.. BUT WE BOTH BELIEVE THAT THERE SHOULD ONLY BE ONE ELECTION DAY..

ONE BOBCAT SECOND WEEKEND SAME YARD

2008-10-26T20:12:00.004-06:00

OUR SECOND WEEK OF YARD PREP..

WE HAVE BEEN BUSY ALL WEEKEND

GETTING THE YARD READY FOR GRASS...

WELL.... THE SPRINKLERS SEEM TO BE WORKING GREAT..

EXCEPT FOR THE TWO

SOMEONE FORGOT TO PUNCH HOLES IN.. :)

THERE ARE 28 SPRINKLER HEADS IN ALL IN THE YARD..

AND THAT DOES NOT COUNT THE DRIP LINES..

WHICH WILL DO THE PLANTS AND BUSHES...

BART HAS DONE THE WHOLE YARD HIMSELF,

WITH TIDBITS OF HELP FROM ME

WHEN I GET THE INKLING TO SHOVEL DIRT AND GRAVEL..

WE HAD A FUN WEEKEND WORKING SIDE BY SIDE

TO GET THIS PROJECT WELL ON IT'S WAY

EVEN WORKING UNTIL WAY PASSED DARK..

LIGHTS ON BOBCAT MAKES IT A BIT EASIER...

WE NOW HAVE ABOUT 1/4

OF THE ROCK LAID IN THE YARD..

WE WERE WORKING LATE IN THE EVENING

TO TRY AND SPREAD THEM AROUND... FUN FUN

WHEN YOUR ARMS ARE TIRED FROM THE RAKE,

THEN YOU USE THE FEET...

WHEWWWWW... I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE 9000 SQ FT OF GRASS..

I AM SURE HE WILL THINK IT IS WORTH IT

WHEN THE GREEN GRASS GROWS NEXT YEAR...

UMMMM.. WHAT AM I THINKING...

I MOW THE YARD AT THIS HOUSE...

HEY BART..?? CAN WE JUST LEAVE THE WHOLE THING ROCK..???

MY ACE PUMPKIN HEAD

2008-10-21T13:35:00.006-06:00

THANKS TO GRANDMA JAN...

ACE RECEIVED A DARLING PUMPKIN BALLOON...

HE WAS PLAYING WITH IT REALLY CUTE.. LETTING IT

GO WAY HIGH THEN PULLING IT DOWN FAST

THEN HE PUT IT IN FRONT OF HIS FACE AND PULLED

IT AWAY SAYING "PEEK A BOO"

SORRY... IT WAS A CELL PHONE PICTURE..

NOT TO CLEAR

BUT YOU GET THE PICTURE.. :)

ONE BOBCAT ONE WEEKEND ONE YARD

2008-10-20T19:56:00.004-06:00

BOYS AND THEIR TOYS....!!!!!

ONE OF BART'S FAVORITE THINGS IS HAVING A FEW DAYS TO GET SOME THINGS DONE, THIS WEEKEND AND NEXT WEEKEND IT IS THE YARD.. HE IS GETTING THE YARD READY FOR PLANTING. NOW THAT THE SPRINKLER PIPES ARE IN WE CAN SPREAD SOME ROCK AND PLANT SOME SEED..

IF IT DID NOT LOOK LIKE HE WAS HAVING FUN

I WOULD CALL THIS WORK.. HAHA

BART RODE THIS BOBCAT FOR 3 DAYS, I THINK THE FUN RAN OUT OF IT HALF WAY THROUGH THE 1ST DAY.. THEN THE KIDNEY BUSTING STARTED. :)

BUT I AM SURE HE WILL THINK IT IS ALL WORTH IT NEXT YEAR WHEN THERE IS GREEN GRASS FOR HIM TO MOW.... HAHAHAHA

UMMMM WAIT A MINUTE.... I AM IN CHARGE OF MOWING AT THIS HOUSE...

WHAT AM I THINKING..??

HEY BART... I THINK WE SHOULD LEAVE IT DIRT....

THE POLAR BEAR CLUB

2008-10-17T12:35:00.008-06:00

THE POLAR BEAR SWIM AT STAKE CAMP

NO...!!! NOT THOSE KIND OF POLAR BEARS...!!!!

***************

CAN I JUST SAY THAT THIS WAS THE MOST REFRESHING SWIM

I HAVE EVER HAD.. :)

I HAVE WATCHED FOR ABOUT 25 YEARS NOW ALL THE FUN

EVERYONE HAS HAD DOING THE POLAR BEAR..

ALWAYS AFRAID TO GET MY HAIR WET OR CLOTHES WET..

NOT WANTING TO DEAL WITH THE COLD AFTER THE SWIM.

THOSE WERE ALWAYS MY EXCUSES..

****************

I WAS NOT ONLY DETERMINED TO DO IT THIS YEAR..

BUT... I WAS THE FIRST GIRL TO HIT THE WATER.

I HAVE SECRETLY ALWAYS WANTED TO JOIN IN..

BUT YOU KNOW SOMETIMES WE LET WHAT

OTHERS MIGHT THINK OF US GET IN THE WAY.

BUT THIS YEAR WITH THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF ONE

VERY PATIENT AND WONDERFUL HUSBAND,

I JOINED THE CLUB..

I HAD A BALL..

AND I THINK THE REST OF THE GIRLS DID TO..

***************

CORT WOULD BE SO PROUD OF ME I AM SURE.. :)

THANK YOU DEBBIE FOR SUGGESTING IT..

AND THANKS FOR BEING RIGHT THERE HELPING

ME TO OVERCOME ONE OF MY OBSTACLES..

THANKS LORA FOR STANDING RIGHT BY MY SIDE..

AND CAROLINE (POOR GIRL) FOR TRYING TO

HELP ME OUT OF THE WATER.

*************
WHAT A FUN TIME WE ALL HAD..

I AM ALL FOR IT NEXT YEAR TO..

I NEED ALL THE HELP THE REFRESHING COLD WATER

GIVES TO MY WRINKLES... :)

SLEDDING IN UTAH 2007

2008-10-16T23:05:00.000-06:00

HEY BATTER BATTER... SWING

2008-10-14T21:55:00.002-06:00

This little Batter Batter would go for hours.. I had to hide his bats so I could get some housework done while I was watching him for a week.. He sure has an eye for the ball.. but then again so did his Daddy and Grampy.. :)

IN HONOR OF LORA. MY DARLING DAUGHTER THAT TAKES A PIC OF HERSELF EVERYDAY.. READ HER BLOG FOR THE WHOLE STORY... KEEP TAKING PICTURES DARLIN GIRL

2008-10-12T16:59:00.001-06:00

THINKING OF LITTLE ANGELS

2008-10-10T09:39:00.001-06:00

CARTER CORT AND TORI LYNN PETERSON

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAMMY'S LITTLE ANGELS

TODAY WOULD HAVE BEEN THEIR 1ST BIRTHDAY HERE ON EARTH... HOW SPECIAL THEY ARE... A TEAR WELLS UP IN OUR EYES WHEN WE THINK OF THESE SPECIAL ANGELS.. WITH FEELINGS OF SORROW... FEELINGS OF MISSING THEIR SPIRITS... FEELINGS OF MISSING WHAT JOY THEY WOULD BE HERE ON EARTH TO PLAY WITH... TO TEACH... AND TO LEARN FROM....

YET.. FEELINGS OF SWEET PEACE KNOWING THAT THEY ARE PERFECT.. HAPPY.. LIVING WITH OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN..

BART AND I HAVE THIS SPECIAL PICTURE HANGING IN OUR ENTRY.. WITH A STATUE OF CHRIST JUST BELOW IT, AND TWO LAMPS TO SHINE ON IT... IT IS A PICTURE OF JESUS WITH TWO SMALL CHILDREN AT HIS SIDE.. THEY ARE TODDLERS.. THEY ARE WHAT WE PICTURE TORI LYNN AND CARTER CORT DOING TODAY ON THEIR BIRTHDAY.. WISHING THEY COULD TELL US THAT IT WILL BE OKAY AND THAT THEY ARE HAPPY IN HEAVEN WITH THEIR BROTHER JESUS UNTIL WE GET THERE TO PLAY WITH THEM. THAT THEY MISS THEIR MOTHER AND FATHER. GRANDPARENTS.. AUNTS AND UNCLES AND COUSINS. HOPING THAT WE LEARN THE LESSONS OF ETERNAL LIFE AND ETERNAL LOVE... SO THAT WE CAN SHARE ETERNITY WITH THEM..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE ANGEL'S

WE LOVE AND MISS YOU DEARLY

WE CRY BECAUSE WE DID NOT GET TO HAVE YOU HERE

WE SMILE BECAUSE WE GOT TO HAVE YOU HERE

LOVE, GRAMMYCARTER CORT PETERSON OCT. 10, 2007

TORI LYNN PETERSON OCT.10,2007
TO THEIR LOVING PARENTS FRANK AND KAYLA.. WE WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT OUR HEARTS ACHE FOR YOUR LOSS AND THAT WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH... MOM AND DAD

RATTLE RATTLE

2008-10-07T19:17:00.001-06:00

RECENTLY BART AND I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT HIS OFFICE ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON... BART HAD HURT HIS BACK GOLFING AND HE REMEMBERED HE HAD SOME MEDICATION AT THE OFFICE THAT WOULD HELP.. SO OFF TO THE OFFICE WE GO... I WAS SEATED AT A SPARE DESK IN HIS OFFICE WHEN HE DECIDED THAT HE WOULD GO OUT TO THE DRINKING FOUNTAIN TO TAKE ONE OF THE PILLS... WHEN THE OUTER DOOR TO THE WAREHOUSE OPENED.. THERE WAS A VERY LOUD HISSING NOISE.. I SUGGESTED THAT HE HAD SOME KIND OF LEAK IN A HOSE... BART PROCEEDED OUT OF THE OFFICE DOOR LOOKING UP IN THE AIR TOWARDS THE CEILING... THINKING THAT AN AIR LINE HAD BROKE.. HE WALKED IN A COMPLETE CIRCLE.. NOT SEEING WHERE THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM. THEN..... SOMETHING CAUGHT HIS EYE DOWN BY HIS FEET... AND LOW AND BEHOLD... THERE WAS A 4 FT RATTLE SNAKE COILED AND RATTLING.. NEEDLESS TO SAY.. BART WAS BACK IN THE OFFICE VERY QUICKLY.. SHUDDERING AND I THINK A SWEAR WORD OR TWO SLIPPED OUT... HE COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT HE COULD WALK COMPLETELY AROUND THE SNAKE WITHIN INCHES... AND IT DID NOT STRIKE.. (BILL THINKS IT WAS BECAUSE HIS WHITE LEGS BLINDED THE SNAKE..) WE BOTH WATCHED AND TOOK MOVIES AND PICTURES OF THE SNAKE. THEN BART DECIDED HE HAD TO GET RID OF IT BEFORE IT BIT ONE OF HIS WORKERS.. HE WAS ABLE TO KILL IT AND HERE IT IS ON THE END OF THE RAKE THAT DID HIM IN.

LORA'S DAILY PICTURE TAKING OF HERSELF

2008-10-06T15:52:00.002-06:00

OKAY, RECENTLY I GOT A HOLD OF SOME OF LORA'S PICTURES THAT SHE TAKES OF HERSELF EACH MORNING TO MAKE SURE THINGS ARE JUST RIGHT.. HMMM SOME OF THESE MIGHT BE BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTO'S.. I CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHICH IS WHICH THOUGH... KIDDING DARLING DAUGHTER.. I LOVE YOU.. HAD FUN WITH YOU THIS WEEK... KEEP SMILING.. KEEP TAKING PICTURES.. KISS KISS

SOMETIMES SHE EVEN TAKES PICTURES OF OTHERS SO THEY KNOW THEY LOOK OKAY TO... HAHA

A BUZZ CUT

2008-10-06T15:35:00.000-06:00

WHEN I WAS VISITING IN UTAH.. MY SON MATTHEW ASKED HIS SISTER FOR A HAIRCUT.. AFTER LORA WAS FINISHED, MY DARLING GRANDSON ASKED FOR ONE TWO.. HE GOT UP ON THE STOOL AND SAID HE WANTED A HAIRCUT.. WHICH HIS FATHER QUICKLY TOOK TO DOING.. HE WAS SO GOOD.. HE JUST SAT THERE AND LET MATT CUT HIS HAIR WITH THE RAZOR.. I THINK HE LIKED HOW IT FELT ON HIS SKIN. SO HERE ARE SOME PICS OF ACE'S FIRST BUZZ CUT FROM HIS DADDY.. CUTE LITTLE GUY...

ELK HUNTING 08

2008-09-30T12:37:00.001-06:00

ELK 5

PETERSON HUNTING CREW 0

AGAIN WE HAD A VERY SUCCESSFUL ELK HUNT IN COLORADO.. AND BY SUCCESSFUL I MEAN WE GOT CLOSE.. SAW SOME ELK, HIKED OUR FANNY'S OFF ( I WISH ) 4 WEEKENDS IN A ROW. GOT TO WATCH THE CHANGING OF THE LEAVES EACH WEEK. SAT AROUND THE FIRE.. FOUGHT OFF THE RAIN.. BUT STILL HAD A GREAT TIME DESPITE NOT SHOOTING OUR BOWS.. (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MR. BILL ( OUR FRIEND ) THAT GOT A SHAKY SHOT ON THE LAST MORNING..) WE COULD HAVE HAD BETTER LUCK IF IT HAD SNOWED... THERE IS ALWAYS NEXT YEAR.. :) RIGHT BOYS..??? NOW YOU ALL HAVE SEEN WHAT WE TAKE UP TO STAKE CAMP. WELLLL... ELK HUNTING IS NO DIFFERENT... WE ACTUALLY HAD TO RENT A UHAUL TRAILER TO GET UP THERE THIS LAST WEEK-END.. I DON'T LIKE TO SUFFER WHILE I AM THERE.. HAHA .. BELOW IS SOME PICTURES OF WHY WE REALLY HAD TO RENT THE TRAILER.. BART GOT A WILD HAIR AND AQUIRED A TOTE GOTE... HAHAHA IT GOES REAL SLOW BUT LIKE A TANK UP AND DOWN THE HILLS.. HE WAS VERY OPTIMISTIC AND DECIDED IT HAD TO GO UP WITH US SO THAT WE COULD GET THE BIG ELK ONE OF US SHOT OUT OF THE HILLS WITH EASE... THE ONLY USE IT GOT WAS BART AND CAROLINE RIDING IT AROUND THE CAMPGROUND... AND CAROLINE HAD TO BE FORCED.. HAHA ALSO, YOU WILL SEE WHAT IT TOOK TO JAM ALL THE CAMPING STUFF INTO THE UHAUL TO HEAD HOME AFTER OUR HUNT... WHICH WAS KINDA FUNNY BECAUSE BART THOUGHT THERE WAS SO MUCH FORCE ON THE DOOR THAT WE DID NOT NEED A LOCK ON IT... YES BONNIE... WE LOST A FEW THINGS SHORTLY AFTER PULLING OUT OF THE CAMP GROUND... LUCKY FOR US, SOME GUY WARNED US AND WE ONLY LOST OUR CART THAT WE WERE GOING TO PULL BEHIND THE TOTE GOTE... :) FUNNY STUFF....

BART GAVE HER NO CHOICE.. I THINK SHE HAD FUN... :)

I THINK HE WAS RUBBING HIS HEAD

TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET IT ALL BACK IN THERE... HAHAHA

SINCE THE ELK HUNTING DID NOT PAN OUT..THEY TRIED THEIR LUCK WITH FISHING... AND THEY WERE SUCCESSFUL... FRESH COOKED OVER FIRE FISH WAS ON THE MENU SAT NIGHT... IT WAS GREAT... MAYBE IT WILL MAKE US SMARTER THAN THE ELK FOR NEXT YEAR.

BEFORE AND NOW...!!! NOT GOING TO SAY AFTER YET... ;)

2008-09-25T16:40:00.002-06:00

BEFORE: JAN. 1, 2008 NOW... AUG. 24, 2008

OH MY..!!!! I THINK I AM NERVOUS ABOUT THE AFTER!!

ELEPHANTS IN ZIMBABWE

2008-08-10T17:18:00.003-06:00

CORT WROTE US A FAMILY LETTER NOT TO LONG AGO.. WE HAD ALL BEEN ASKING HIM ABOUT WILD ANIMALS. HERE IS ONE PARAGRAPH THAT HE WROTE ABOUT ANIMALS..

SO I MYSELF HAVE SEEN SOME COOL ANIMALS OUT HERE ON MY MISSION. I HAVE SEEN LIONS, MONKEYS, ZEBRAS, MIRROR CATS, SNAKES, KAMILIANS. ( I SHOT A KAMILIAN OUT OF A TREE WITH MY SLING SHOT. :) DADDY'S LITTLE HUNTER). BUT THE COOLEST THING I HAVE SEEN IS AN ELEPHANT. WE WERE DRIVING FROM ZAMBIA TO ZIMBABWE, AND IN THE BUSH WE SAW SOME TWO ELEPHANTS, SO WE PULLED OVER AND TURNED AROUND AND WENT AND GOT PICTURES. AND ALL WAS GOOD UNTIL THE AP, ELDER PATTERSON, HONKED THE HORN AND MADE THE ELEPHANT ATTACK US, THAT WAS SCARY, BECAUSE WHEN THE ELEPHANT GOT ON THE ROAD IT WAS TWICE THE SIZE OF THE VAN. IT WOULD HAVE KILLED US FOR SURE. BUT ELDER PATTERSON GOT OUT OF THERE FASTER THEN THE ELEPHANT COULD CATCH US.. ( I WROTE THAT IN HIS WORDS AND SPELLING).. HAHA

I CANNOT IMAGINE THE FEELING OF BEING CHASED BY AN ELEPHANT, BUT I WOULD GUESS AS LONG AS ONE COULD RUN FASTER THEN THEIR COMPANION YOU JUST MIGHT GET AWAY... HAHA

PICTURES FROM AFRICA

2008-08-09T11:36:00.001-06:00

CORT'S FIRST BAPTISM IN ZAMBIA..

AT THE MTC IN SOUTH AFRICA

WHAT A HANDSOME BUNCH OF YOUNG MEN

ELDER PETERSON
ON P-DAY.. AT A WILD ANIMAL PARK IN ZAMBIA

I THINK I SEE ONE NOW... HAHA

Saying Good-Bye for the next 2 years

2008-01-22T12:17:00.001-07:00

On Dec. 26, 2007 We said Good Bye to Our baby boy... Elder Cort William Peterson

He left for Zimbabwe, Harare Africa... He will serve in Africa for 2 years as a Missionary. When your Child sends in their papers, several feelings go through your mind. and for about 3-4 weeks, you wonder where, and you pray that it will be where he needs to be (although the Mother prayers seem to be somewhere safe.. please ) then that envelope comes.. All those that have gone before him in the Family have gone to several different places.. So you really have no idea.. Two days before, Cort and I had a conversation. In that conversation, we were trying to guess where he would go.. we talked about all the different places that his cousins and friends had gone.. We were joking and he said he wanted to go foreign.. And I said to him to be more specific. or he would get called to a scary mission like Africa or somewhere like that.. and we laughed... Then he opened the envelope while all his brothers and sisters were waiting on several different cell phones on 3 way calls... He read his letter slowly.. and he got to the part that said Zimbabwe, Harare Africa... We were so delighted... and then we were rushing around trying to get ready for Elk hunting, and Cort kept stopping and just staring.. and he would say... **Africa** oh my.... Then he would call someone and talk to them about it.. Then he would stare off into space again and say ** Africa ** oh my... the hunting weekend was fun knowing where he was going.. and anticipating the experiences that he would have.. As a Mother, knowing what life experiences this Son would have I had to be brave and excited when inside my heart was jumping and worried... Let's just say this last son of mine has had it pretty good this last 2 years since Lora left the house... He is spoiled rotton... haha He is a hard worker, don't get me wrong, but he had everything done for him. His meals were handed to him on a plate and his laundry was done for him daily... I know he knows how to do them.. but he has not had to for a while.. Okay maybe he did them at least once in the last 2 years.. so I think he knows how... hahaha as far as the cooking... he will have to learn to cook what they eat over there... And as far as the laundry, it would not have mattered if he had learned.. He has not washers and dryers, so he does his laundry in the tub... I took him through a minor course on how to scrub his collars, but even I had a wringer washer growing up... haha I guess his companions will have to direct him on those things.. I do know that Cort is a hard working Young Man. He is greatly missed at work, (not to many work as hard as he does ) He was not only a strong worker, he was a dependable worker.. and in Pueblo, Co. they are far and few between... He sent me a letter from Zambia, Lusaka Africa, and thanked his Father and I for teaching him how to work, He said his companion went home after 1 week.. because he was homesick... I sent him a letter and told him that as a Mother I would hope that I made his life miserable enough before he left that he would never want to come home for 2 years... haha I must have succeeded... because he said that he could not imagine wanting to go home and not experience these years in his life.. How proud I am of him... Yes we will miss him.. But we know he is where he is suppose to be...

Merry Christmas 2007

2008-01-02T16:40:00.001-07:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2007

WAS ONE OF A LOT OF EMOTIONS... WE GOT TO GO TO STAY AT OUR SON MATTHEW'S HOUSE AND BE THERE WITH ACE. HE HAD SO MUCH FUN. BUT I THINK ME AND GRAMPY HAD THE MOST FUN. WATCHING HIM EXPLORE HIS PRESENTS AND SMILE. AND PLAY AND PLAY ALL DAY.. HOW WONDERFUL IS THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS. GIVING, PLAYING AND ENJOYING FAMILY. NOTHING ELSE LIKE IT... AND KINDA SAD, BECAUSE WE KNEW THAT THE DAY AFTER WAS THE LAST TIME WE WOULD SEE OUR BABY (CORT) FOR 2 YEARS..WE KNEW WE WOULD MISS HIM.. ALTHOUGH WE KNEW IT IS WHAT HE SHOULD BE DOING.
WHAT A DAY...!!

Our Angel Tori returned to play with Carter

2007-11-14T11:38:00.001-07:00

Yesterday Nov. 13Th Our little Sweet Pea Tori Lynn returned to Heaven to play with her little Brother Carter Cort. I cannot tell you how much this little Angel meant to all of us.. She is a wonderful spirit. She touched more people in one month then most of us do in a life time.. They will always be in my heart.. I have 3 beautiful grandchildren that I love very much.. I have been blessed.. Tori and Carter.. I imagine you as toddlers playing on green grass holding hands and laughing together.. what a beautiful way to think of you two.. Your Grammy and Grampy will never forget you... We Love you..

Frank and Kayla.. this is something that no parent should ever have to go through. But those two sweet spirits were so perfect.. Your Father and I are very proud of the two of you.. How you have handled things.. Looked at all sides, then made your decisions. Kayla, you worried about everyone else around you and how they were feeling, that is a quality that most of us wish we could have.. You truly are a daughter of God, and he loves you... Our prayers are with you.. We Love you, MOM and DAD

SUPERMANNNNNN !!!!!

2007-11-06T07:34:00.000-07:00

GRAMMY'S LITTLE SUPERMAN... THIS WAS ONE OF THE TWO COSTUMES ACE WAS FOR HALLOWEEN...HE WAS A PIRATE AND A SUPERMAN.. HE WAS SO CUTE SITTING NEXT TO THESE PUMPKINS.. AND WE HAVE VIDEO OF HIM RUNNING WITH HIS CAPE FLOWING BEHIND HIM.. GRAMMY DIDN'T GET TO SEE HIM.. BUT VIDEO'S AND PICTURES ARE GREAT.. LOVE YOU ACE...

GRAMPY'S BUCKING BULL RIDE... ACE LOVES HIS GRAMPY... HE HAD FUN ALL WEEKEND WITH GRANDPA GIVING HIM HORSEY RIDES... CHOCOLATE... ICE CREAM... COKE... AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST.. POPCORN..!!!! HE LOVED IT... GRAMMY GETS HIM WHEN HE IS TIRED AND WORN OUT FROM ALL THE PLAY... BUT THAT'S OKAY... CUZ I GET THE SNUGGLES...

WE DON'T GET TO SEE ACE VERY OFTEN, ALTHOUGH WE HAVE SEEN HIM A BUNCH THIS LAST LITTLE WHILE... HE IS FUN TO BE AROUND... HE IS SUCH A HAPPY BABY... AND WE MISS HIM BUNCHES WHEN WE ARE GONE... BUT WE MAKE UP FOR IT TONS WHEN WE ARE HERE.. IT PROBABLY TAKES HIS MOM WEEKS TO GET HIM BACK ON HIS NORMAL ROUTINE...

WE ALSO GOT TO GO DOWN AND SEE OUR LITTLE TORI LYNN.. SHE IS PRECIOUS... SHE IS GOING TO BE HAVING SOME SURGERY THIS WEEK TO TAKE SOME FLUID OFF OF HER LITTLE BRAIN... SHE OPENS HER EYES AND SHE EATS BUNCHES AND IS DOING GOOD ON THE BREAST MILK... THEY ARE GOING TO BE ADDING SOME MORE CALORIES TO HER DIET.. BY ADDING A SUPPLEMENT TO HER BREAST MILK.. THAT SHOULD HELP HER GAIN WEIGHT.. OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH HER ALL THE TIME... WE HOPE SHE DOES WELL.. LOVE YOU GRAMMY'S LITTLE SWEET PEA..

Life is lived in moments

2007-11-01T17:21:00.000-06:00

A FEW MONTHS AGO, I WROTE MY CHILDREN A LETTER.. AND I FEEL LIKE I NEED TO AGAIN EXPRESS TO THEM, AND MYSELF WHAT THE CONTENTS OF THAT LETTER WAS... IT FITS SO WELL WITH WHAT OUR LITTLE FAMILY HAS BEEN GOING THROUGH THESE PAST FEW WEEKS.. I AM NOT REPEATING THE WHOLE LETTER, JUST A FEW PARAGRAPHS.

REMEMBER, WE AS THE HUMAN RACE NEED CHOICES AND CHANGES TO KEEP OUR BODIES AND OUR MINDS MOVING... CERTAIN CHANGES CAN STRENGTHEN OUR STRIDE AND MAKE US LOOK DEEP WITHIN OURSELVES... CERTAIN CHANGES CAN HELP US LEARN A LOT ABOUT OURSELVES... IT CAN SHOW US WHAT WE ARE MADE OF AND SOMETIMES, WHAT WE ARE NOT MADE OF... ALWAYS WITH CHANGE THERE IS RISK INVOLVED.. RISK MAKES US STRONGER.. IT SHOWS OUR FAITH IN OUR HEAVENLY FATHER AND OUR FAITH IN OURSELVES.. NOTHING IN LIFE IS GAINED WITHOUT SOME KIND OF RISK... TAKING RISKS KEEPS US FLOURISHING AND ENJOYING LIFE... KEEPS OUR MINDS KEEN AND OUR BRAINS LEARNING... WE HOPE THAT AS YOU GO THROUGH CHOICES IN YOUR LIVES THAT THAT YOU WILL PRAY ABOUT THEM... JUMP AT THE ANSWER... THEN RUN WITH IT...

REMEMBER, LIFE IS NOT LIVED IN YEARS... LIFE IS NOT LIVED IN MONTHS NOR IN WEEKS NOR DAYS.. NOT EVEN IN HOURS OR MINUTES... LIFE MY DEAR CHILDREN IS LIVED IN MOMENTS.. IT ONLY TAKES A MOMENT TO LET YOUR LOVED ONES KNOW YOU CARE FOR THEM... A MOMENT CAN MAKE OR BREAK A PERSON... A MOMENT CAN SAVE OR TAKE A LIFE... THE MOMENT TO TRUST IN YOURSELVES IS RIGHT NOW.. LOVE EACH OTHER AT THIS MOMENT... LIVE YOUR LIFE AT THIS MOMENT... LET THE PAST BE THE PAST AND THE FUTURE BE THE FUTURE... DON'T PUSH LIFE AWAY BY LIVING FOR THE NEXT YEAR.. LOVE AND ENJOY EACH MOMENT NOW... ESPECIALLY WITH SMALL CHILDREN... THESE MOMENTS GO QUICKLY... DON'T LET THEM SLIP BY UN TREASURED... BELIEVE US... WE HAVE BEEN THERE AND WISHED THAT WE WOULD HAVE LIVED FOR MORE SPECIAL MOMENTS IN OUR LIVES... ALWAYS KNOW THAT YOUR MOM AND DAD LOVE YOU ALL VERY MUCH...

THIS LETTER WAS SOMETHING THAT I HAD BEEN FEELING FOR QUITE SOMETIME.. I MISSED SO MANY SPECIAL MOMENTS BECAUSE I WAS SO WORRIED ABOUT THE PAST OR THE FUTURE, OR WHAT OTHERS THOUGHT OF ME.. THEN I REALIZED THAT I ONLY NEEDED TO WORRY ABOUT TODAY.. AND CHERISH TODAY... AND THAT I ONLY NEEDED TO WORRY ABOUT WHAT I AND MY HEAVENLY FATHER THOUGHT OF ME... LOVE, MOM

Milestones. :)

2007-10-30T22:05:00.001-06:00

Who would have thought that simple little milestones would affect people so greatly.. Grammy's little sweet Pea.. is opening her eyes.. I cannot wait to get there to see the sweet spirit that I know radiates inside this tiny frail body.. hers eyes are not all the way open, but I know they will be next time I see her.. I miss her greatly.. I miss being next to her bed and just staring in awe at the miracle that she is.. She is so tiny, yet so beautiful. She makes me feel happy when I am near her..

Check out my Slide Show!

2007-10-30T22:00:00.001-06:00

To my Daughter Kayla

2007-10-25T17:42:00.000-06:00

Tiny Footprints on a Mother's HeartWhen a baby arrives,be it for a day, a month, a year or more,or perhaps only a sweet flickering moment-the fragile spark of a tender soulthe secret swell of a new pregnancythe goldfish flutter known to only you-you are unmistakeningly changed...the tiny footprints left behind on your heartbespeak your name as Mother.

To My Son Franklin

2007-10-25T17:40:00.001-06:00

Tiny Footprints on a Father's HeartWhen a baby arrives,be it for a day, a month, a year or more,or perhaps only a sweet flickering moment-the fragile spark of a tender soulthe secret swell of her new pregnancythe new glow of her skin; known to only you-you are unmistakeningly changed...the tiny footprints left behind on your heartbespeak your name as Father.

Life's Miracles

2007-10-24T17:38:00.001-06:00

There are two ways to live your life:

One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as though everything is a miracle.

Albert Einstein

EVERY MOMENT IS A MIRACLE :)

Grammy's Little Moments

2007-10-24T11:53:00.002-06:00

As we grow older we have more time to reflect on what we missed or passed up in our past. Oh how I wish I could go back in time and change lots and lots of things... but this is just not possible.. So I will move forward.. I would like this blog to be about Me, My Wonderful Husband, My Forgiving Loving Children and my beautiful Grand babies.. I want to share my special moments I have with them. I want them to know how much I love them and how proud i am of all of them.. My Heart is full of Joy as I think about my Family. My Husband Bart.. and the fun that he brings to my life. He makes everything fun and exciting. He reminds me to stay grounded and to look at the good things in my life. He is always happy. always joking and always finds the good in all people.. especially me.. He is my hero, the love of my life.. I am so grateful that he is a patient man.. We have five children. Matthew, Jordon, Franklin, Lora and Cort. Each one of them has brought something wonderful to our lives.. They all 5 have their different personality's and each one of them loves me the same.. How wonderful it is to have such great kids that you know are good people and that I know love each other very much.. A mother could not ask for anything more..... except...... Grand kids...

My oldest son is Matthew Bart. Matthew was born after 4 years of trying to have children.. we were so excited when we found out he was on his way.. The name Matthew means Gift from God. He truly was a gift from God.. He filled our home with expression, he had a million different expressions.. He was a happy baby.. growing up he was a perfectionist at everything he did, he loved making and building things, which is why he is so good at what he does.. Cabinetry. He married Kelly Wilcox Peterson (an identical twin) when he was 19. They live in Utah. They have my first Grandson.. Ace.. He is so much like his daddy.. he has a million expressions.. and he uses them daily. I love to spoil my bubby Ace.. Grammy loves you Acer... They have another little Boy coming in Feb. 09. we are so excited for them.

My second Son is Jordon Adams. Jordon came just 13 month's after Matthew.. we were thrilled when we found out he was on his way.. They told us that we might not get anymore real soon.. Jordon brought a tender heart to our family... He was a wonderful baby.. quiet, calm and he two had a smile a mile wide.. he was so tender with everything.. his big brown eyes lit up when anyone would talk to him which made him a chick magnet early on... haha. He was a determined boy.. and still is... He is a flooring salesman. He married Charlotte Caroline Wahlgren Peterson(a paternal twin). They live in Ammon, Id. They have not been blessed with children as of yet.. but lots of people are praying for them..

My third and middle son is Franklin Jay Peterson. Frank came 16 months after Jordon.. Again we were thrilled to have a third child.. After all they said that maybe we would not be lucky twice... ha we fooled them... Frank came into the world with a smile.. (unless you were taking his picture) He was a very quiet baby.. always joyful and happy.. He slept through the night from day one.. and only cried when he was really hungry... but he was determined (stubborn some might call it.).. once he was old enough he was very independent... he wanted to do everything himself.. I think in his own way he has not grown out of that.. He is a lot like his Father.. He is working as a plumber and going to school. He married Kayla Misrasi Peterson. they live in Utah.. Frank and Kayla recently had twins about 15 weeks early.. We said goodbye to our little angel Carter Cort Peterson, grammy's little punkin, who was just to weak to stay here.. His sister, Tori Lynn is in primary children's hospital.. she is 2 weeks old.. She is grammy's little sweet pea... She is beautiful.. An Angel Among Us... Tori Lynn passed away on Nov.13, 07 exactly one month after her little brother Carter Cort.

My fourth child and only Daughter is Lora Peterson.. Oh my.. she was born just 20 months after Franklin... and she brought tenderness and a spark of female flair to our home. She was a strong willed little thing... She was a good quiet baby until she turned 2.. then she learned to express herself. and that she did.. all the time... what a wonderful personality.. She knew she would need to be strong.. living with all brothers.. and she was... She always seemed to take care of herself.. but if one of them needs her.. she is usually the first one there.. she is a wonderful sister.. She works as a Patient Sdvocate for Select Health.. She loves her job... She married Daniel Mitchell.. They two have not been blessed with children as of yet.. but again.. our prayers are with them..

Our last son, Cort William Peterson was born just 16 months after Lora.. He weighed in at 8 pounds 9 oz.. He was born with a blood infection.. so he had to stay in the hospital for 14 days.. He was this huge baby in the NICU with all these tiny babies.. He was a good baby.. hardly ever cried.. and was strong from the get go... People would call him Arnold Baby.. by the window because he was so big and looked like a muscle baby compared to the other babies in the nursery.. When the doctors came to talk to me about him.. they could not believe how strong he was.. they just kept saying he had a strong grip... then when he was two, he would go to exercise with me and Lora and all the ladies could not believe how strong he was... they just kept saying how strong he was... When he was 8 his friend fell off a skate board, and Cort without a second thought picked him up and took him home.. I remember thinking.. Oh my he is strong... When he was in high school, he would get up to bat and all the people in the stands would comment on how strong he was... If he hits that ball it will go a mile.. they would say.. and when he hit it did go a mile... He was so strong.. He works now for LB Foster.. building track panels.. swings a sledge hammer all day.. his co workers comment all the time how strong he is.. He Is getting ready to leave on an LDS Mission to Africa.. I look at him and I say to myself.. How strong he is... Not the physical strength... but the spiritual Strength.. He is a spiritual giant... His muscles are big... but his heart is bigger...

Okay.. there you have some info on our children... they are all individuals and yet my love for each of them grows daily... Our family is growing, and we love them all... each wife or husband has been the perfect spouse for our kids... amazing how that works.. Kids: Your Father and I love you very much.. our prayers are with you always... MOM and DAD