Our Trip to Citi Field

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Mets Poster

We redecorated Danny's bedroom in NY Mets style.  When Brad & I went to NY in September, I took a zillion pictures of Citi Field so I could make a poster for Danny's room.  It is so cool!

Stuff I Should Be Doing Instead of This

1. Starting the laundry
2. Getting dinner ready
3. Reading for class
4. Reading the guide for proctoring the exam tomorrow
5. Reading my assessment materials
6. Spending quality time with my kids, who are busy relaxing
7. Sheets and towels
8. Clean my room
9. Pay the bills
10. Have a nap

Class Ring

Geoff's class ring.

Crazy Life

Monday:

• 6:30 laundry
• work 7 am - 4 pm
• 4:20 pm - 5 pm homework
• 4 - 6 pm laundry, laundry, laundry, dishes, clean out fridge, unpack from weekend trip
• 5 - 6 pm help Geoff design his class ring
• 6 pm go to Geoff's school and order ring
• 6:20 Five Guys for dinner
• 7:00 Math night at Danny's School
• 9 pm collapse

Tuesday:

• see a suspicious bug in the laundry room
• work 7 am - 3:30 pm
• 12 noon call exterminator, windshield repair, make appt. for state inspection and dog grooming
• 4 pm dentist appt. for Geoff - wisdom teeth coming in - and going to get pulled before they mess up thousands of $ worth of orthodonia
• 4:30 dentist appt. for Danny - one cavity, but it's a baby tooth
• 5:30 take dinner to a friend
• 6-7 pm online class
• 7 pm Brad and Geoff have choir practice
• 7 pm homework
• 8 pm laundry and brush the dog
• 8:30 pm see a suspicious mouse
• 9 pm collapse

Wow

Surprise - my blog is still here. I've neglected it terribly since I got dragged into facebook, I worked for the first summer in 10 years and I decided that since life is not crazy enough, I'd take a couple of classes.
I'd like to come back to it since I don't really want to elaborate on anything on facebook - too public and too permanent.
So let's catch up...

1. Geoff started 11th grade. He spends 1/2 days at the Advanced Technology Center where he is in the Computer Network Administration class. So far, it has been review for him, so the teacher has a special project for him - not a surprise. His technical talent has been in demand lately. He's fixed numerous computers and is about to GO LIVE with a brand new, built from scratch custom website for the student ministry, LBSM. It is super cool and I am proud to be considered the graphics department. By the way, he is driving, is about to order his class ring, and he is 6 foot ++, but he is still only 15. No one would believe he is only 15, but I think I was old for my age as a teenager too. (His dad, on the other hand has younger genes). This is going to be a great year for him.
2. Danny is still a firecracker. He is in 5th grade and is settling in slowly. He has a great teacher who is very suited to 5th grade. Danny is very into Legos and anything and everything with a screen. He asks me at least twice a week exactly when can he get a cell phone, and how old was Geoff when he got a cell phone. (I plead the fifth) Yesterday he asked me "when you and dad met each other, was it love at first sight?" (again, pleading the fifth) and that boy is watching too much Disney channel tween programing. He definitely has the tall genes too. We are updating his bedroom. We painted over the clouds and are going with a Mets theme! In case you are thinking about painting your trim Mets orange, it takes three coats.
3. Brad is busy with new projects at work, church and always working on our big, old house. He's wonderfully supportive of my job and classes. He has more energy than me, and is the best husband ever, I'm sure. We laugh a lot about being the parents of a teenager. It can be very amusing. Love to play 80's music to annoy the kids.
4. Well, I am crazy busy taking care of everything and everyone and classes and work. It's really fun and exciting and never dull. Right now the house is a disaster, but I'll get it back in shape as soon as I take a nap.
5. Brad & I took an anniversary trip to Long Island this weekend. We flew in Friday and back home on Sunday. The first night had me in sensory overload, from being squished in the plane with a drunk guy to dinner at the Sayville Applebees that was so loud we had to yell to each other and the rental car that smelled like someone had died in it. Saturday we enjoyed REAL bagels and then we went to Citi Field (with the windows down) to watch the Mets WIN! The stadium is awesome. I enjoyed the graphics and signs they used and took 100 pictures. I'll make a collage poster to put in Danny's new Mets room. Sunday was SO much fun catching up with the First Baptist Patchogue crowd. They have the best, most wonderful women there, (and the guys are pretty great, too). Oh, how I loved seeing Joan and Ida Mae and Trudi. My favorite person in the whole world, Linda, and wonderful friends Krista and Steve and Suzanne. It was a lot of fun hearing what all of the kids who grew up with my kids are doing now. Lots are at college, some are still finding their own way. What a blessing. We had to tear ourselves away from lunch to make our return flight.

Well, I'll try to post some photos for anyone who is not on facebook soon.

Stuff that is Awesome!

1. Not one, but two wonderful friends are in the process of adopting Foster children. Wow.
2. Our friend Dave is looking and feeling great after his kidney transplant.
3. No jackets – summer is here! The pool is ready.
4. The hydrangeas are the same color as the pool water and the patio umbrella matches too. Martha Stewart’s got nothing on me.
5. I work at the prettiest place. The buildings are brick colonial, with lots of landscaping, brick paths through the trees, giant magnolias, flowers, crepe myrtles outside my window, a huge water fountain, and a fountain that is fire, not water. How great it is to enjoy my workplace environment so much!
6. Geoff is old enough to get his learner’s permit. – O.K., that is not necessarily awesome for me, but I think it is for him.
7. We had a wonderful vacation in Florida. We got to use the guest house with our own pool, go out on the boat on Memorial Day, play with the Cannata boys and girls, spent time with Craig and Helen, took lots of pictures, saw Hillsong in concert, went to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, and Downtown Disney. We had up close experiences with lizards, ants and an energetic frog. We all want to go back.
8. Only 8 days left of school. Then I’ll have a 5th grader and an 11th grader – gasp!
9. Company’s coming! Bryan, Lissa and the girls are coming in July and Mom in August. Maybe more?
10. I have some friends who are hurting, but I know God is with them along the way.

Vacation!

Wishing for Summer Weather...

Haircut Day

For a mom with no girls, having two boys with beautiful hair is a blessing. Except on haircut day. Geoff left behind a pile of wavy black curls and we saw Danny's forehead for the first time in his life today. He was born with a head full of thick blond hair and it's been long and straight. Until today.

Peterson Family Christmas

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Yummy Valentine!

I love my boys!

Family Updates

1. Geoff just applied to spend his next two years of high school (his LAST two years - gasp!) at the Advanced Technology Center. It's a high-tech learning lab sponsored by the city and Microsoft, Cisco and other tech companies. He applied to the Computer Networking class. He will graduate with an advanced diploma AND microsoft certifications.
2. Danny is just the same. Funny, exasperating, snuggly, bewildering, loving and driving me crazy. I thought I'd have a nervous breakdown doing homework with him last night. Then today, he zipped right through a big old pile of stuff with a smile on his face. Of course he has to exasperate his teachers too.
3. Hubby is working too much. He's short-staffed like everyone these days.
4. The weather has been crazy warm, even for Virginia. We've been riding bikes, going out for ice cream and opening the windows.
5. Poor old Summer dog got a nice haircut. She's acting very old and sleepy. I'm hoping the haircut will help, because sheltie hair is so heavy and thick in the winter. But she is still a sweetie. All she ever asks for is a dog treat whenever a door opens and closes. It's Pavlovian.
6. I've packed up my quilting and moved on to scrapbooking for a while. The dining room is a wreck. I'm working on digital and paper both. I'm not going to do any more paper albums, but I have all of the supplies for about 3 books, so I'll finish them. That should take about 5 years.
7. Can't wait to go to FL in May! We'll be staying near friends. We won a free ticket to Universal Studios during the Super Bowl. We were planning to spend a day there anyway, so that worked out great!
8. Getting ready to rip into the master bathroom! Anyone want a harvest gold shower or toilet? We picked out tile for the shower and the floor at the tile store, then went to Home Depot and found the same thing for 1/3 the price. Love Home Depot!
9. Danny and Brad are building a 1000+ piece Lego Star Wars ship in the family room. I've never seen so many grey Legos in my life!
10. Geoff is back to working on the Student Ministry web site.

Mood Swings

I've got to admit, since the election I've been very pessimistic about our country and our time on earth.
1. I am shocked at Congress' idea of economic stimulus. Their plan will leave our nation vulnerable by amassing huge foreign debt, while not strengthening anything except for their own political influence.
2. I am disheartened by the new president's attack on unborn children and schools that allow religious services.
3. On the recent "sanctity of life" Sunday, a representative of the crisis pregnancy center unrolled a scroll filled with tiny footprints. There were 18,000 footprints, representing the 9,000 babies who are killed by abortion each year in our area. The scroll went the whole way across the front of our huge sanctuary, and part way down both side isles.
4. The expression of Christianity is under attack while the practice of other religions is protected and celebrated.

But that is only part of the story. Here in this country where the Living God is becoming less popular and liberal agenda is steamrolling through congress, God is alive and well.
1. He still answers prayers and performs quiet miracles and triumphs over evil on a daily basis.
2. He heals, comforts, encourages.
3. The sun shines because He allows it.
4. Friends love one another, families support one another.
5. Crocuses and daffodils herald spring.
6. Churches and ministries continue to reach out to their communities. Faith based organizations feed the poor, clothe and house the homeless, provide medical care and counseling.
7. We have jobs, good health, great education, transportation, a safe home and beautiful children.

So when looking at the dark side of life gets depressing, I just choose to celebrate the Light. That list is always longer.

Since I don't have any girls to scrap, I'll borrow some.

25 Random Things

1. I've totally loved Barry Manilow since i was 11. [I know, you're thinking - what a geek! :)]
2. I've totally loved my husband since I was 18 [gasp! how'd I get old enough to do anything for 20 years????]
3. #1 ice cream Mint chocolate chip Mmmmm.
4. #1 baseball team NY Mets
5. #1 football team Steelers!!!!
6. I'd rather be on a Caribbean island, in a hammock under a palm tree
7. When the kids have grown up, I want to learn to sail
8. I still remember my childhood phone number 676-8303. weird.
9. I have a pink beach bike - the kind with wide tires and a comfy seat.
10. I still love Disney World
11. I am trying to learn how to quilt
12. I will never learn how to use Photoshop!
13. Love to read fiction (especially scary books), hate to read nonfiction
14. Places I'd like to see: the grand canyon, Hawaii, Paris
15. I'm from Western Pennsylvania
16. I have a beautiful office at work, with gigantic windows (not bragging, just appreciating)
17. Next home improvement project - the master bathroom. Anyone need a harvest gold potty or shower stall?
18. I love Target - hate Walmart
19. My boys are awesome!
20. This is my 4th year as a VP on the PTA
21. I can't sing, dance or play an instrument
22. I will start my MBA next year
23. I have a license to teach middle school and high school math (again - geek!)
24. There are at least 9 operating computers in my house. There could be more, but I don't want to know about it.
25. Can't wait to watch Top Chef!

Brooke

New Addition

My friend is a foster mom. A new baby can arrive anytime. It's exciting and suprising each time. When we have a biological baby, God gives us 9 long months (really, 10 if you add it up) to prepare our hearts and homes. This little baby just popped in. And we'll love her even more because she has had a rough start.

New Year - New Outlook

The buzz on the blogs and scrapbook sites is all about two hot trends, both focused on the new year.

The first is the kind of movement that drives me crazy. In theory, it sounds good. It is called Project 365. The idea is to take a picture every day of 2009. It could be of anything, a sunny day, your coffee cup, the dog, slippers, computer screen or of course, people. Then you must scrap them and journal them so you have a lasting record of this year in your life. It sounds creative, nostalgic and CRAZY! Good grief, who needs more pressure, more things to do, more guilt about not getting them done? It looks like a set up for disappointment to me. I won’t get sucked in to that one!

The second trend is sort of like a New Year’s resolution, but simplified. You choose One Word to symbolize the changes you want to make in the new year. The word can encourage you, remind you of a goal, inspire you to create or whatever. I am not an introspective person. I’m more of a “what’s next on the to do list?” kind of person. I admire people who have time for self reflection, personal goal setting, and internal conversations but I just don’t have that kind of time. So I thought – One Word. That’s quick, easy, sort of inspirational. Maybe I could do that…

But it is a lot harder than it sounds. I know what I want to work on. I want to appreciate the life I’ve been given. I want to cherish my children and adore my husband. I want to enjoy the home we work so hard on and spend so much money on. I want to have less activities and more hanging out time. I want to enjoy my days, not just make it through them. I want to stop feeling guilty that I can’t do more – more cleaning, more activities, more things for the kids, more yard work, more PTA stuff, more blogging, more entertaining, more sewing. Every new activity just adds more guilt and pressure and disappointment in the end because I expect more of myself. I want to let go of always “doing” and just be content with “being”. I want to be proud of what I accomplish and not critical of what I haven’t. I want to celebrate my wonderful life, family, house, job, church, friends, and creativity.

Does anyone have One Word for that?

Here are some choices: Content, Adore, Delight, Renew, Treasure, Release, Trust, Value, Accept, Cherish, Joy, Shine, Sparkle (don’t know how to apply that one, but isn’t it a happy word?), Listen, Peace, Relax, Simplify, Appreciate.

Do you see the irony? Here is an opportunity to make a complicated resolution into a simple, memorable, encouraging reminder. Simple. Easy. Quick. But instead, I can’t think of a word that is good enough. So there is one more project that is hanging over my head, that I just can’t pull it all together and get it done. I can’t make my life simple because it is not. I can’t finish a project because I just can’t accept that it is not perfect. Maybe I need counseling. Maybe I should just pick a random word and live with it as an exercise in accepting my life the way it is. How about Hotdog?