A Final Personal Reflection on 2010

What a year this has been.  Sweetie and I joke with each other as we watch fireworks every New Years Eve that in two weeks, we'll be barbecuing and watching 4th of July fireworks from our balcony.  It doesn't seem like a joke anymore.  The speed of time increases with each year and for the life of me, I can't figure out why, or how to slow it down (let alone stop it).  My babies aren't babies, and they are reaching milestones I thought was centuries away.  My oldest is now working hard to obtain her Young Womanhood medallion so that she can obtain her learners permit in a year.  (A YEAR!!!!)  My oldest son is now a priesthood holder and we're looking at our final year of Cub Scouts with our youngest child.  (Personally, I won't be sad to see that one go.....).
All of these milestones have made me realize I need to figure out who I am beyond Mom, which is why I'm back in school.  I love the fact that I'm learning so much and that the things I'm learning will hopefully benefit many children besides my own.  I also love that when I work hard, put my priorities in the right order, I CAN do well in school.
One of my personal highlights this year was getting a 100% on a Geometry test.  (I didn't have to do any proofs, which is why I did so well.  I'm no help to my daughter in this field as she is taking Honors Geometry...poor girl.)  The other highlight is getting an A- in my Anatomy and Physiology class.  I worked sooooo hard and to have that hard work pay off is immensely satisfying.  I am most grateful to my Heavenly Father for His help in this class.  I had many priesthood blessings, and made sure that I read my scriptures and took care of my church responsibilities BEFORE I would study and I'm absolutely convinced that is what made all the difference.
One thing I've also learned this year is that my Heavenly Father loves me.  I have had to rely on Him more than ever with my calling and as I've turned to Him in prayer (sometimes in overwhelming tears), I know He heard me and that His hand is evident in all that I do.  I have seen that more keenly than ever and for that, I am grateful.
I am so grateful to be surrounded by a supportive husband and children, and good women who are such fabulous examples of grace, spirituality, motherhood and womanhood.
I look back and I know that I am not the person I was when 2010 started.  I'm more sure in my testimony of my Savior and more determined to serve Him because of all He has done for me.  I'm a better student of both secular and scriptural works.  The Spirit speaks to me and all I have to do is listen.  Just be still and listen.  (Unlike my husband and dog right now....they're playing and she's barking her heart out.  They're not being very still.)  Time with my family has become even more precious than ever and I do whatever I can to protect that time.
So here's to 2010...all the good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful moments.  Hopefully the bad and the ugly moments will fade from my memory and the good and the beautiful moments will become even sweeter with time as I look back on them fondly.  2011 no doubt holds many adventures for me and my family and I hope to report that I'm not the same person at the end of 2011 as when I started the year.  That means that I'm progressing and becoming who my Heavenly Father sees I can be.
Happy New Year all!

Peterson Family 2010

Top Five Favorite News Stories of 2010

As a former journalism student, I used to think of myself as a news junkie.  Frankly, I don't have time for that anymore.  I do well to glance at an AP headline as I'm scanning the internet for homework or church information.  I watch the news when I can, but I have to filter it so that my children don't get a headful of doom, gloom and smut that makes the news these days.  There's always bad news, but I want to focus on the good things, the news items that made my heart smile and gives me hope in the future and my fellow man.  Here's what caught my attention this past year....

5.  New Orleans Saints winning the Super Bowl
This is something that this city desperately needed after the horrors of Hurricane Katrina.  It's taken so long for them to recover, and it will take years still until they're fully functioning.  But this was a fairy-tale story for a group of people who needed the boost.  Good on them, I say.

4.  The Winter Olympics in Vancouver
I always love watching the Olympics, beit Summer or Winter games; from curling and speed skating in the Winter Games, to the marathon and gymnastics of the Summer Games.  I'm a sucker for the backstories of the athletes and I root for underdogs and cheer for the USA (sometimes those are the same things!).  My favorite sport this past Olympics was watching the snowboarders fly through the air, twisting and turning and challenging gravity.  Simply awesome, dude.

3.  Chilean Mine Rescue
When I first heard that these miners were trapped this past summer and that they would be stuck underground for months, I was convinced that they couldn't possibly survive that long down there.  Either the mine would collapse, or they would run out of supplies, or they would just drive each other crazy and kill one another.  Miraculously, none of those things occurred.  So, as each miner was brought to the surface, it was another evidence that God is in control and that our time to meet Him is appointed by Him and no one else.

2.  World Cup Soccer in Africa
Our house LOVES World Cup soccer, and now that we have a big screen TV to watch it on, it was even better.  I love the sportsmanship, and the goodwill that seems to flow at the matches.  We rooted on the US as they took on the manky Brits and although we lost, it was a fun match to watch.  I hate that it happens only once every four years....couldn't we do something like what they've done with the Olympics?  Every two years?  (And yes, I did download a vuvuzela app just to fit in with the crowd noise.  Absolutely irritating, but fun.)

1.  Elizabeth Smart kidnapping case
I realize that this is a case about something terrible and horrible that happened to a little girl, but to see her stand up with grace and dignity and determination that this will not define her is nothing short of amazing.  She is proof that you can survive unspeakable things and not turn out bitter and angry.  She chose to be better, and not bitter.  She is truly an example to me and I hope the Lord blesses her as she continues to deal with these issues in the future.

Top Five Favorite Gadget/Techie Things of 2010

I don't think of myself as a tech/gadget guru (as you'll see later), but there are some things that I used this year that I won't live without from now on.  They're just that cool!  So here goes.....

5.  Rival Crockpot
Yeah, this isn't a new one, but as my church responsibilities have increased, as well as the intensity of the classes I've been taking, I've found myself relying on Mr. Crockpot more and more.  My family loves him, too.  I get to make healthy meals ahead of time for my family, which helps our waistlines AND Mr. Checkbook, too.  (Mr. Checkbook and I are often at odds with one another, but that's a story for another day....)

4.  Mac AirPort
I'm an Apple girl.  I grew up Mac and for the years that we had a PC, I longed to be back where I belonged....with Mac.  We finally got our Mac Mini about four years ago and I've never been happier.  When I went back to school, it became apparent that we needed a second computer to share in order to have everyone get their homework done in a timely manner.  We were lucky enough to have one of Sweetie's tutoring families GIVE us another Mac Mini a year ago.  But we needed a way to link to the internet and to the other computer wirelessly.  So, we purchased some cheap router, thinking it would serve our purposes.  Wrong-o.  Within a few months, I was having to reset the dumb thing constantly.  I should have known better, but Mr. Checkbook hung over me.  I gave Mr. Checkbook the what-for and purchased a Mac AirPort.  It has worked flawlessly and I once again am in love with Mac.

3.  Roku
No, it's not a Chinese noodle dish.  It's how we stream movies and music to our TV (the one Sweetie got for his birthday....).  We love Netflix and I've wanted to be able to watch movies and TV shows on our television and not just the computer, so I asked for this for my birthday and my wish was granted.  I love it.  It was super easy to set up and we get all our Netflix shows and Pandora music streamed instantly.  I know that Netflix streams through many different gaming systems, but we have a PS2 and that's upstairs where the kids hang out and play.  I'm very happy with where it's at and what it does.

2.  Shutterfly
Since my free time is limited, I need to be able to preserve our family memories as fast as possible.  Scrapbooking takes time and paper and embellishments and glue and money...things that I just don't have a lot of anymore.  Shutterfly allows me to upload our pictures and turn them into books fast.  If you take into account the time and money it takes to purchase all those things for a scrapbook, it all evens out  (at least to me).  I highly recommend them.  It's awesome!

1.  iPhone
I used to mock those who had the iPhone.  I thought they were costly to get and then you have to have a data package with it....costly to maintain, too!  Sweetie found one by the side of the road as he was running one morning earlier this year (that's the absolute truth!) and after trying to find it's owner, I claimed it.  I used it as an iPod touch for a while, loving it's convenience.  Then AT&T changed their data package pricing and I turned it into an iPhone.  I will never go back.  It's the original iPhone, so there's not a lot of storage, but it has me totally hooked.  I've warned Sweetie that when this one dies, I WILL be buying a new iPhone, Mr. Checkbook be darned.  I've got my music, internet, ward stuff, and phone all in one slick package.  I'll say it again.  I love Mac and I'm a Mac girl.

Top Five Favorite Girly Items of 2010

I freely admit that I'm a girly girl.  I love makeup, hair products, and bath and body stuff.  There are a few products that I discovered this past year that I just love.  Some are splurges and some are drugstore items.  But all of these won my heart this past year.

5.  LUSH Porridge Soap
This soap smells like oatmeal on a fall morning and it's all I can do not to eat it.  I love how it lathers, how it's scrubby (beware the seeds at the bottom of the shower...they get everywhere!), and how it doesn't leave my skin feeling dry.  Divine stuff!

4.  Bare Escentuals RareMinerals Facial Moisturizer
I have finally come across a moisturizer that does what it should without breaking my skin out.  I'm in my 30s for crying out loud....zits are for my teenagers, not me!  This stuff is natural and wonderful.  It can be a little heavy for daytime use, so I use it at night only.

3.  MAC eyeshadow in Grain
Rarely do I use the same eyeshadow two days in a row, but this is the perfect nude shade that I can use as a base or on it's own in a neutral look.  It has a slight sheen to it and I use this daily.  This is one that I've repurchased...which means it's a definite keeper!

2.  Bliss Body Butter in Blood Orange + White Pepper
This is a definite splurge, but it smells sooooooo good and is a great all over moisturizer.  Don't let the White Pepper part fool you, it smells like oranges and is heavenly!  Since it is a splurge, I use it once a week after I've used a sugar scrub (I make my own!) in the shower.  My skin is so soft and smooth....lovely!

1.  John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Illuminating Shine Shampoo and Conditioner
I've finally found a shampoo and conditioner that thoroughly cleans and conditions my hair without weighing it down.  Whenever I use this, I almost always have a good hair day, AND it's not too pricey! I do color my hair (those grays are NOT welcome on my head), and it does not strip away the color.  My hair feels absolutely silky with this stuff.

Top Five Favorite Family Moments of 2010

2010 was a year of struggle for our family.  Financially, it could have been disastrous.  I'm firmly convinced that our dedication to our callings, each other, and the Lord, as well as paying our tithing saved us.  We also struggled as I continued my education.  The balance between family and school is a fine one for all of us but we stayed committed to each other.  Needless to say, I'm glad to see the year go and look forward to more good to come in 2011.  But I'll give 2010 props.  There's plenty to look back on and smile at.  So, without further ado, here are my top five Peterson Family Moments of 2010.

5.  Watching Noodle continue to bloom, grow and develop.
He amazes me.  His personality emerges more with each passing year and to see where he is now as opposed to where he was a year ago, brings me such joy.

4.  Our family vacation this summer.
We kept it simple, just a five day trip to Utah/Idaho where we saw family and friends.  As much as I hate driving in the car, I love being with my husband and kids.  We went to Lagoon and Hogle Zoo.  Simple simple things can bring such great memories and joy.

3.  Mundo turning 12 and receiving the priesthood on his birthday.
I don't know how much more proud I could have been of my oldest son on that day.  Turning 12 is such a huge milestone and he is turning into a terrific young man (my parenting skills notwithstanding).  In the seven months since then, he has truly started to become a young adult and I figure that by the time he's 13.....he'll be taller than me.  *sigh*

2.  Anner making it into the All-District Middle School Wind Ensemble.
This was something that definitely challenged her, from the audition to the performance.  I was so proud to see her finally not back down from something that was hard.  She is such a bright girl and many things come easy to her and if it's not, she just walks away from it.  But I told her that she would have a lot of fun doing this and she'd look back and be proud of her accomplishment.  So she rose to the challenge, and did it.  Definitely a Proud Momma Moment for me.

1.  Scott's 40th birthday gift reaction.
I saved and saved and plotted and planned for a year to pull this one off.  You only turn 40 once, right?  So his gift was one that our whole family has loved and enjoyed (although he's LOVING watching sports on this): a 46" high definition flat screen television.  But his reaction was classic and one that is the highlight of my year.  The one thing I didn't catch on video was his questioning how much we owed on it and when I told him it was paid for, free and clear.....he was equally as shocked.  Yes, I CAN save money when I want to.

Christmas 2010

 'Twas the end of the year and all through the Peterson house 

Not a creature was stirring, just Scott on eBay and the computer mouse. 

The stockings were all hung on our staircase with care

In hopes that our cats will leave them there! 

The kids were all nestled, all snug in their beds, 

While visions of Christmas dreams come true danced in their heads.

Venessa had just climbed into bed and soon fell asleep

After studying and housekeeping and helping Relief Society peeps.

When off downstairs arose such a clatter 

It's surprising not everyone arose with a chatter! 

Scott came running, finding paper in flight 

As Venessa was trying to keep quiet in the night. 

The moon shone through the window telling us it was late 

"Keep it down!" called Venessa, "or the kids will awake!" 

When what did our wondering eyes doth behold? 

But a Christmas letter finally finished in bold! 

With so many paragraphs about a year of activities. 

Lots of wonderful stories about ourselves, the busy Petey’s. 

More words than a dictionary showed up on the papers. 

Venessa whistled and whispered as she read through the capers, 

"Scott started a business but sadly it went south,

But hopes of a revival still come from his mouth.

Venessa studied and worked hard in school

And now as Relief Society president, prayer is her tool! 

Bri started high school and seminary, too.

But getting up to leave at 5:30 a.m. Is really hard to do.

Zac got the priesthood on his 12th birthday

He also went to his first dance this year, hooray!

Now on Venessa read, about Devvin in fourth grade, 

While math may give him fits, when he reads to the class, he is unafraid!

Venessa read on about family trips in the summer

Seeing family and friends was not a bummer. 

Scott and Venessa realized how fast the year flew by

The kids are growing so fast, that we cannot deny. 

The printer finished its work and we looked at each other at last

2010 with it’s ups and downs was quite a blast!

2011 holds many exciting things to see and do

We’ll keep in touch and hope you will, too! 

 As we close this letter we want you to know

That we love you and miss you and our good wishes to you flow

We know He lives and His love for us has no end.

Our flaws and broken hearts one day He will mend.

So now the story ends with the words that are famous to write,

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!

A Great Helper

That's what my nine-year-old told me I was tonight as he hauled the upstairs bathroom laundry down the stairs and I followed behind him, bathroom towels in arms.  It's his week to bring down the Boys and Upstairs Bathroom laundry on Monday night and again tonight.
But his chore assignment this week is beside the point.
The point is that he is thankful for little things and recognizes when others do something nice for him, and is quick to give praise.
I didn't grow up that way.
That's not to say my parents were overbearing ogres that never expressed any emotion.  I knew my parents loved me and since I am the oldest of twelve, there were many household responsibilities that fell on me when my parents were not home.  (In hindsight, they were gone nearly every Saturday....no doubt to restore sanity to my poor mother.  I don't blame her one bit for that, do you?)  And I dutifully passed the buck on some of them to my younger siblings.  My sister Monique got stuck with the cooking.  But I digress.
However, my parents rarely said thank you for whatever I or my siblings had done, rarely praised us for a job well done.  It was just expected and that was that.  But I craved their praise, to know that they appreciated my efforts, to hear that I had done what they needed me to.  I think I still do in a way.  (I'm pretty sure I won't need therapy for it, though.)
But praise and gratitude is something that I am raising my children with.  I want them to hear that I appreciate when they help me the first time I ask, when they do something extra to help lighten my load.  They have picked up on that habit and regularly express thanks to each other when assistance is given.   I praise my children when they deserve it, but I also scold when they let me down, and I don't praise mediocrity.

When I'm gone from this existence, I want my children to hear my praises and thanks in their hearts.  And I hope they pass it down to their children as a legacy of love.