Changes...

I've come to the end of my hose with Petersen911...

You can find me at:  petersens911.blogspot.com

It will take me a few days to put it together so be patient with me : )

Roadblock!

It seems I can't blog anymore because I've used up all of my "free" space so until I decide to pony up, I will be on forced excile...Meaning, I can still write I just can't add photos.  : (

Jeffrey's First Homecoming

Jeffrey went to Homecoming a couple of months ago.  I know, I'm a little behind but better late than never, right?   He got his friends Bailey and Kale together and they asked 3 cute girls, and they all had a blast!  Dinner at Malawi's Pizza, bowling, the dance and a movie at Kales house.  

Bailey, Jeff and Kale

Jeffrey and his date Kandice

The group!

Parts and Procedures (part 2)

Just a quick follow up to the parts and procedures post from a month ago.  If any of you "older" women out there are thinking about this ablation procedure, I would definitely recommend it.   

My experience so far has been great. The sum total of my first post-op cycle was like the last day of my previous cycles...you know what that means.  Plus an added bonus was that it only lasted 2 days!

A word of caution though, you will still have PMS (because you still have your ovaries) and all that that includes...breakouts, emotions, etc.

Other than that, it's awesome!!

Now I can finally "Have a HAPPY period"!  : )

Ticket, Ticket, who got a Ticket?

It only took a month and a half after getting HIS license and this is fairly old news but it is still "news worthy" for my blog.  It is purely for record keeping and has nothing to do with public humiliation : )  At least that's what I told Jeffrey. 

In our lovely state, new/young drivers cannot give rides to friends for 6 whole months, which I think is a great idea.  One day, Jeffrey decided to test this law and...it didn't go well for him!  The policeman stopped him for speeding and not signaling but let him off the hook for those two infractions.  He was only sited for the "graduated license" infraction.  Now, that said, he is a better, more cautious driver than the older sisters, combined, but he's definitely not as lucky as they are.  
 

It's AWESOME to get letters from the District Court!!

Good news for Jeffrey though, the portion of the ticket that he was nailed for was NOT considered a moving violation and therefore it doesn't go on his record and even better, won't raise our insurance, because if that had happened...he would have been called  

BUS RIDER Jeff.!!!

Which, for a nearly 17 year old boy/man, would have been hysterical a real bummer!

Parts and Procedures

So this post might prove to be too much information for some readers.  It involves female parts, a surgical procedure, tests and squished parts.  If this sounds like too much for you, then I would suggest you stop reading and move on to another blog or Face Book.  

Don't say I didn't warn you!

It all began when I was 14...just kidding.  I'm not going to talk about my entire menstruation cycle.  It's a rather disturbing, pain in the arss that I plan on talking to God about when I get the chance.   

I'm posting this for all of my friends who are approaching the age of ...

"I'm done having babies and SICK of having my period"!  

This is where I have been for, oh say, 13 years now.  Only YOU will know when you are to that point.  Don't let anyone else tell you when.  

For that last 3 years, that time of the month has become increasingly awful.  Crazy schedule, sometimes lasting up to 10 days, very heavy flow, cramping, low energy, etc.   Can you say SICK & TIRED of dealing with it?

I've had 2 very good friends have this procedure that basically cauterizes the uterus so that you no longer have periods or very mild ones at least, but it doesn't take away the hormones that the ovaries provide.  It's called an ablation of the uterus.  They're are a couple different ways to do this.

The first friend to have this done had the balloon procedure done.  I can't remember what the technical term is but the gist of it is that they insert a balloon (I'm sure it's not your average everyday party balloon) fill it with very hot water until it pushes against the walls of the uterus and burns/cauterizes it.  Sounds unpleasant, I know!  She was awake during the entire thing, taking only a Valium and some ibuprofen!!  She suffered later at home when she couldn't get her body temperature down until she laid on her cold tile floor almost naked.  She also endured major cramping much like labor pains but with no baby at the end of it.  I felt so bad for her!!  

The second friend had the Novasure procedure done with a laser, while she was under general anesthesia.   Basically, they knock you out, laser the inside of your uterus and then wake you up.  She had some pretty strong cramps too but they sent her home with some good drugs!  

In my research to solve my problems, I spoke with both of them plus roamed the internet for information and comments from women who had this procedure done.  I made an appointment with a female doctor (I like them for female junk just because they KNOW what I'm talking about), we did the exam and told me that I'd be a great candidate for the Novasure procedure.  She ordered blood tests to check my hormones and thyroid and a mammogram (this is the squished parts part).  Got to love those!!  Good news, everything was "within the normal range" what ever that means.  I'm just happy they think I'm somewhat normal!

I scheduled the procedure, Dave took me in, they knocked me out, woke me up, waited until I could make it to the bathroom, and sent me home...with some good drugs!  I waited and waited for the horrific cramps/labor pains to to knock me down, but they never came.  I have had 4 babies with NO epidural so I was expecting the worst.  That is a pain that you NEVER forget!  

I took ONE pain pill, slept the anesthesia off, had a little discharge and was back up a going 2 days after.  Pretty dang slick!  I feel very lucky to have had such an easy recovery.  

My first friend said that she'd do it again even though it was pretty bad.  Her results were worth it.  The second friend said she's thrilled with the results and so far, so am I.  If you are to that point in your life, I would recommend this.  It doesn't stop you from going through menopause, which is another beast in and of itself.  I think that our Creator has some splainin to do to us women types.  Just sayin.

Possibilities!

Okay, so my last post seemed a little, shall I say, SAD.  It was just one of those days.  What can I say?   Since I've already established that my head is swirling with thoughts of my impending "unemployment", I decided that instead of focusing of the bummer parts of having the kids grow up and out, I would focus on the positive instead, and there are plenty.  These are MY possiblities.  Things that I can now explore.

Classes...photography, landscaping, design, decorating, real estate, cooking, history, travel, religion, computer, graphic design, cosmetology, sketching,

Jobs...travel agent, landscape designer, realtor, interior designer, volunteer.

For my health...cardio (start using my treadmill again), weights, drink more water (I'm really bad at this), friend therapy, taking more time with friends by making that phone call right when I think about it, no hesitation,  mug on Dave more often (it's for my health after all), go for walks with Dave, get a pedicure 4 times a year.

These are just some of MY possibilities!  My future is looking up...

Life is Interesting Isn't It?

I have come to a place in my life where I'm a little bit in limbo.  Well, the truth be told, a lot in limbo.  I have been doing the wife/mother thing for about 23 years now and with each passing month, I seem to be looking down the barrel of the "you're fired" gun.  Perhaps that is too harsh...  How about the "your services are coming to a close" gun.  

This concept seems so foreign a me since I've been doing this mother shtick for over half of my life.  I haven't held a paying job since I was pregnant with Sarah, which I had to quit because an office worker who turns green and runs to the bathroom is really of NO use.  I never got my college degree, never took classes, never branched outside of raising our kids and I was mostly wingin' it for that.  Hey, they're all still alive, healthy, happy and in need of very little counseling.   If they end up needing shock treatments to cope with their mother's issues, I apologize in advance.  

I have defiantly NOT been perfect in my mothering but I believe I did the best I could.  Some days are better than others.   Motherhood is NOT for with weary or faint of heart.  It requires a steady hand, and big heart and LOTS of understanding and patience.    A referee shirt and whistle might have come in handy too, but true to form, I'm a day late and a dollar short on that idea!  

I love my kids!!  I adore them more each day.  I admire them for who they are and what they will become.  I appreciate them for what they have taught me and for letting me occasionally teach them. 

I know that I will always be their mother and that they will always need me in some capacity, in fact, I have told them that I will haunt them forever whether they like it or not!  Don't all moms tell their kids this? 

They really are my pride and joy.  My one REAL accomplishment in life.

 

So, now what??  My head has been swirling for weeks now.  What the heck to I do when they all leave me?  I know that I still have some time left until they're all gone but I've got to prepare.  I've got to plan for that day.  I've got to find another hobby or skill.  I've got to figure out what I want/need to do for the second half of my life.  

I've got to GET A LIFE!!!  

The BIG problem for me is that I have a REALLY difficult time focusing on ME!   I've never wanted to be the center of attention.  Never wanted to be perceived as selfish, self absorbed or self promoting.  I don't understand the moms who take ,what seems like, a massive amount of time away from family to focus on themselves, their bodies, their "girl time" or the next race.  On the other hand, perhaps I should start to focus a little more on myself, my body, my health etc.  It's just such an uncomfortable place for me.  I know there's a balance, I just haven't found it yet.  

I never wanted to be put in a position of choosing between my family or a job/school.   This has been my internal struggle for several years now.  What if I cant make it to...a game, a dinner, a concert, a whatever, because I have to be at school or work?  I know that I'm a very blessed woman that has been able to have that choice that some do not.  I know this!  

I can take classes at BYU (for free) but I have issues with that.  Here's just one..."it's not fair that I take up a seat that might be occupied by a serious student".  There are more where that came from and YES, I know that they're ALL cop-outs!!   I have so many thoughts that sometimes I think I should rename myself Sybil for crying out loud!!  For those of you younger types that (lovingly) blog stock me, it was a movie in the 70's about a crazy lady with multiple personalities, 8 to be exact.  


When it all boils down to it, it's FEAR!!  Yup, I admit it.  I'm a scardy cat.   I am working though it and I will do something with my life, but it might take some time, which fortunately, I have a little of.   Until then, I'm going to try to be a better wife, mom, sister, friend, and anything else that comes my way. 

Great Day

Petersen's Great Day!

August 25th 2012 was a very good day.  Busy, but good.

We got to bless our new little Owen AND Jeffrey got his Eagle Scout Award.

Sorry the photos are blurry.  Becca did her best...

Summer is Over

Summer is officially over at the Petersen house.  The two younger kids are heading back to school today.  Secretly, I think they are both pretty excited about seeing their friends again and in Jeffrey s case, I think he's excited to be a junior.  He'll be even more excited when I has his DRIVERS LICENSE, and that should happen on Wednesday!   Of course, that means our insurance will skyrocket!  I've told him and the older girls, that he is our best driver so far.  He is very cautious and doesn't appear to be a speed racer.  We will see if he can maintain that good behavior and avoid the same fate as his older sisters.

Sarah got pulled over multiple times, honestly, I can't even remember how many times but she was always able to talk her way out of the ticket, mostly because we lived in a very small town and knew the Judge from working on school things together.  She also hit (very hard) a curb that caused her tire to POP.  Although this happened in front of several of the baseball team so I figured that that was punishment enough.  They teased her for days on that one.

Amanda, on the other hand has "bumped" more things that she should have.  She has bumped/hit the curb causing her tire to flatten and the wheel to bend. She paid to have that fixed...ouch, $70.00!!   She has "nudged" other cars, leaving "love marks" on them.  And bless her heart, she doesn't limit herself to trashing our cars, she has also crumpled our dear friends car, but she swears up and down it wasn't her fault.  There are some truths you just can't ignore...IF YOU FOLLOW TOO CLOSELY TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOU, YOU WILL EVENTUALLY HIT A CAR!!!  It's Murphy's law!!  And the kids wonder why we have them drive 20 year old cars....Hummmmm?

Anyway, today Jeffrey returns as a BIG JUNIOR and Becca returns as an EIGHTH grader.  My oh my, how time flies.  Amanda will start at BYU next week and Sarah, Chris and baby Owen will head back North (Rexburg) in about 2 weeks.   Then, after I cry for a day or two, I plan on digging into some house projects like painting, doing a tile back-splash in the kitchen, etc.  A girls got to do what a girls got to do!

Gone are the days of toothless grins, new backpacks and excited faces on the first day of school.  This was all I could get this morning...

Splish Splash!

 Mr. O likes to take baths.  He often falls asleep while 

in the bath.  He soaks in the 

kitchen sink, because he fits...for now.

  This is him falling asleep

And, he's asleep...

 Hangin' out with dad!  Scrub a dub dub...

Feet from Heaven!!

 Yup, he just threw up on Aunt Manda and is now fast asleep.  Life is good!  

We call Amanda 

"The baby whisperer" 

because she can always get him to sleep

Girls Camp

Amanda, Becca, Dave and I just returned home from a few days at girls camp.  It was great!!  This was the first time going to girls camp up here in Utah but I was a "regular" at girls camp down in Mesquite.  It's interesting how different, yet similar, each one was set up and run.  

Here's the breakdown:

Mesquite:
Tents for sleeping
Running water and a sink/kitchen at each campsite
Modern bathrooms with toilets and showers

Each ward planned, made and ate their own meals

Large steel frames covering "kitchen area" for tarps to be put over in case of rain
Shooting range
COPE course
Fire ring at each campsite (not usable every year due to fire danger)
Run on a generator
Dirt everywhere
Trees for shade
Bears?...We heard of one being there but it turned out to be Duane in a costume!
Mice

Koholowo: 
Dorm type cabins that sleep 18-20 girls on wooden bunks
Lodge/Mess hall for meal time, complete with professional kitchen and stage
Modern bathrooms with toilets and showers
No individual "kitchens" or place to cook and clean
Nice amphitheater, hardly used because most of our gatherings were in the lodge
COPE course
Run on a generator
Fire rings at each dorm area (not able to use this year due to fire danger)
Gravel/Bark paths and roadways
Bears!!  Really!  They had men patrolling all night, every night.
Mice
Trees everywhere

I've decided that I like some things about each camp and that if I could combine them, it would be perfect!  

Our theme this year was...

Super Heroes! Finding the Hero within!

All of the Stake leaders dressed up as the Incredibles!   So cute!!  

These 2 photos are of our Stake Young Women's Presidency

Each ward chose a superhero mascot...Ours was...Nacho Libre' ??

Oh Grace!!  You look Marvelous!!

Our Nacho Crew!

My Mr. Incredible!  The Stake leaders worked him to death!!

Our Camp director (Amanda) and her faithful sidekick (Grace)

 Super Hero Training:

Bomb detonating...

Balance and Endurance...

One tired super hero!!

Getting some certification done...

Our "super" presidency!

Becca and Dave at the Zipline...or course

Whip Cream Catching...

 
 Pinata!

Bonnie, Me and Krystal

Advisers: Kerri, Becky and Angela

Fearless Leaders...

Little man, Big men

When Jeffrey got home from camping, he met Owen.  Here are some photos of that day.

He was amazed at how small he was!

Amanda likes the little man a lot!  Except at night when he cries...

He makes a good napping companion.

A Grand Day!

Today, I became a grand...person, grand...ma'am, grand...mommy. I'm not sure what I will eventually be called by our handsome new addition and quite frankly, he can call me almost anything he wants to because... I say so. He kinda melts my heart. Why? Because I get to watch my family grow and support and love each other in a way that inspires me and because I love watching my big, "intimidating" husband be so tender and loving to Sarah and her new little guy. I get to watch as Aunt Manda and Aunt Becca take turns cuddling and cooing with him. I can hardly wait until Uncle Jeffrey meets him, he's on a scout camping trip but will be home Saturday. It will be fun to watch as he fumbles to hold Owen the right way and get nervous when he cries.  I get to watch as the new mom and dad get "trained" by the little guy as they jump to attention at every squeak, sneeze, or gas bubble.  

I have seen such growth in Sarah and Chris as they look to each other for support even when they both feel like they have NO idea what to do with this little one.  They do!  They are WAY better than we were with Sarah when she born.

I was able to be there at the birth and will forever be grateful for that experience.  And when I say GRATEFUL, it covers so many thoughts.  Grateful that both Sarah and Owen are healthy, grateful for an AMAZING doctor and nurses who took such care and took the extra time to walk Sarah (and Chris) through this life changing event.  I have witnessed several births and I'd have say this was probably the best one.  It was perfect!  I'm grateful that we are an eternal family and grateful that it was her and NOT ME!  haha!  No, seriously!  There is a reason you do this when you are younger.  

Here are some photos of that day:

We had to eat lunch for goodness sake!

This was the first trip to the hospital that day

Five hours later...we stayed!  Sarah, working hard!

In between contractions and before the epidural

Contraction!!

After the epidural!!

I love this picture!  It says it all!

Time he was born!  That's AM

Poor baby.  He did NOT like coming out of his warm place

Amanda was able to be at the birth too.  Love the hair!

Doctor Anderson, the best doc in the world!

Our little guy.

Best feet ever!

"Poppy" stopping by during lunch to meet his grandson

Owen training dad