Flashback Friday

Ten years ago I married my best friend.  Geoff, without you I truly wouldn't be the person I am today.  The adventures I've been on, the places I've seen, the people I've met....

It hasn't always been happy, but without being in some of the less-desirable places we wouldn't be as sure of ourselves and what suits us.  All-in-all it's been quite an adventure these last ten years.

We were such kids.  It's amazing how far we've come.

June 16, 2001

 I look forward to seeing where the next ten years takes us.

I love you, Geoff!

Thank You Thursday

1. Thank you, Brenda, for being such a good sport with the girls.  Abby loved being your assistant, and Lauren loved riding in the chair.  I'm so grateful the girls have started their dental visits on the right foot.  {And with a clean bill of oral health!}

 

2. Thank you, Papa, for getting the girls bikes to ride in Minnesota, for getting them ride-ready, and for getting Abby going.

3. Thank you, Grandma, for breakfast this morning at Perkins, and for spending time with us.  Just hanging out with you is a real treat!

4. Thank you, Grandpa, for all of the little treasures you left behind for us to discover. Lots of good finds in his shop today, but my favorite might be the Sears catalog, circa 1983.  Nothing tops a velvety gold sleeper sofa!

5. Thank you, Mom & Dad, for taking me out for supper to celebrate our ten year anniversary.  Time sure does fly.  It would have been nice if Geoff could have joined us, but it was a yummy night at Plaza none-the-less.

10 Tips on How to be a Good Kid

My New Year's resolution this year was to clean out the clutter, and that included extensive attention to the mass collection at Mom & Dad's.  First up, my desk.  I was able to eliminate a lot the mess, and stumbled on some great keepsakes, too.

One of the little treasures was a Dear Abby article my mom clipped from the newspaper and saved for me dated Sunday, October 16, 1983; I was in kindergarten.  What better time than now to ask my lovelies, one exiting, one entering kindergarten, how to be a good kid:

Lauren says....
1. That you be nice to people.
2. If they're crying then you say, 'Please can you stop crying.'  That's being a nice friend.
3. Be very nice to bears. {Giggle}
4. Give a present to your teacher.
5. That you clean up your toys & hug your mom.

Abby says....
6. Do what your mom tells you to do & clean up.
7. Be a good citizen.
8. Treat others how you want to be treated.
9. Good kids help their moms.
10. Offer your mom something.

In case you're curious, I'm including the three lists from the article.  Great advice from the mouth of kids....

From a 16-year-old girl in Dallas:
1. Show appreciation.  Most parents give more than they can afford.
2. Take responsibly for your own actions.  If you want to be treated like an adult, act like one.
3. Remember, parents are human; they get tired, have their bad days and make mistakes, too, so forgive them like they forgive you.
4. Don't lie and sneak around, then expect your parents to trust you.
5. Do your homework and chores without having to be reminded.
6. If you have a change in plans or know you're going to be late, call and let your parents know.
7. Say "Please," "Thank you" and "Excuse me" at home, and you will do so automatically everywhere else.
8. Be willing to work for what you want.
9. Take pride in the way you look.
10. Let your parents know that you love and appreciate them.  Tomorrow may be too late.


From an 8-year-old boy in Florida:
1. Help with chores.
2. Say, "Yes, ma'am" and "Yes, sir."
3. Do what your parents say.
4. If you hurt someone, or hurt their feelings, say you are sorry.
5. Be nice to guests.
6. Don't say bad words.
7. Use good manners everywhere.
8. Be nice to your brother or sister if you have one.
9. Say your prayers every night.
10. Love everybody, especially your parents.


A Collection from Other Lists Submitted:
1. Don't swear, drink or smoke.
2. Don't ask your parents if they had lovers before they were married.  It's none of your business, and you probably won't get a straight answer anyways.
3. Don't complain when you're served spaghetti three times in a row.  It beats going to bed hungry.
4. Always be totally honest in what you say or do, even if it means getting busted.
5. When you're wrong, admit it, and take the consequences.
6. Pick up after yourself.  Your mother is not your maid.
7. If you parents' marriage breaks up, don't act like they've ruined your life.  They may have improved it.
8. Take good care of the body your parents (and God) gave you.
9. Do your best in school.  Your future depends on it.
10. Include your parents in your prayers.  You are always in theirs.


I couldn't have said it better myself!

Ten on Tuesday

1. Hair cut. Check!

2. I'm not sure if Abby left the dentist office excited or disappointed.  She has two teeth now that are making their way into her mouth, but no baby teeth departures to speak of.  I think she was hoping he would pull them out today.  I'm just happy she's sporting a mouth full of healthy teeth!  Tomorrow it's Lauren's turn to take the chair.

3. Going through Grandpa's stuff.... a lot of hidden treasures wrapped in years of dust.  Truly, my heart smiles.

4. The girls have discovered The Whoopee Cushion.  "It sounds like a fart."  Giggles.

5. Hy-Vee's bakery buns.  There really is nothing like them.

6. Looks like we have a date for Cousin Night on Friday.  Love those!

7. I took the girls through the barn today at Grandpa & Grandma's.  They couldn't quite grasp the connection between not having animals in there and not killing them off.  I just let the issue die.

8. Seems like Bingo is one of those sports that gets people of all types and generations excited.  Maybe I wasn't too far off in my conception of a Bingo clothing line.  Perhaps I'll start small with the Live Strong inspired bracelets: What Would Shiny Dobber Do?

9. TPAW, Vanilla.... Maybe Bill O'Reilly was onto something when he called Governor Pawlenty vanilla.  If this presidential thing doesn't work out he could always go into a career as a serial rapper.


10. I have been spending WAY too much time with my dad already.  The stale jokes in no. 7 & 9 could have come right from his playbook.  Yikes, the summer has only begun.

Don't Blink

Another member of the family has now joined the ranks of OHS alumni.  And while it is always bitter sweet to see the hockey arena drown in a sea of our school colors, today I looked at my two girls and smiled at the adventures that will lead them to their commencement day.

If I remember one thing from this day, it will be the words that spilled out of my Aunt Karen as she put on her best smile and held back her tears.... "Don't blink."

{Welcome to the Club}

 

{Amanda Peterson}

{The Little Girls & the Grad}

 

{The Sister Jump}

{The Peterson Family}

{Amanda & Lauren}

{Future Graduate}

{Congratulations, Amanda!}

Flashback Friday

Ahhh, yes.  The day Jack arrived at Grandma & Papa's and Lauren discovered she wasn't the baby around here anymore.  So many great memories in these pics.... the old TV Guide, Abby & Grandma's golf balls, Abby's hats, Lauren's need to get into that car seat, and finally a healthy Baby Jack!

July 14, 2007

 

Thank You Thursdayish

Wow!  Big day yesterday.  First road trip in my new ride. All 723 miles & a handful of bathroom breaks in under 12 hours!  As soon as we pulled into the driveway and gave the anxious grandma our hugs & kisses, everyone pooled together to get The Beast unloaded, then it was off to pick up Great Grandma and head to town for supper.... There really is no place like home!  I'm so at home I fell asleep snuggled up to Lauren on the couch last night.  So here it is, Thank You Thursdayish....

1. Thank you to the god of travel.  Another safe and time-effective trip under my belt.

2. Thank you girls for suffering through George W. Bush's audio book, Decision Points.  They were less than thrilled when I said the words, "Okay, now it's time for George."

3. Thank you Acadia for fitting all six of us in you on our way to town last night.  It's so nice not to have to take two cars!

4. Thank you, Mom, for supper.  And to my parents and Grandma for the company.

5. Thank you Minnesota weather.  How I've missed sleeping with the windows open and breathing in the fresh air!