I’m Four and A Whole Lot More . . .

Well folks, we DID it! We have managed to make it to 4 years old with Quade. Quade is the most amazing kid I’ve ever been around. He seems so much older than a 4 year old. His conversational skills are incredible and I just get such a kick out of listening to him tell his stories. I hope he always keeps his imagination and outgoingness. He also is quite the comdedian. He has this crazy sense of humor that is way beyond his 4 little years. He has a way of making me laugh when he’s in trouble which in turn gets him out of (a little bit) trouble. I can happily report that he no longer stores his food in his cheeks. He hasn’t been doing this for almost a year, but this is a very big accomplishment for him! He still is ALL BOY! He is absolutly amazing at riding his quad. He loves his little hunting trips with Jordan. And he really is proud of himself for helping Mommy and Sissy when Daddy is at work. He always says that Daddy left him in charge and he is a big boy and needs to help Mommy with whatever she needs. This year when I’ve subbed at the preschool I am able to take him with me. He is so ready for preschool in September. And he really wants to just skip the whole preschool thing and go right into Kindergarten. I usually make copies of Austyns homework so he can foloow along with us at homework time. He does amazing. He usually finishes before she does. But their throttles are set at different levels too. He still has quite the temper. But he knows how to control himself and he can usually work his way through a fit all by himself. Im just in aww sometimes about the amount of control he has. He puts himself in a time out and when he has calmed down enough to think clearly he comes out and says whatever peace he needs to say and then goes on with his business. I’m thinking that he has had so much practice with time outs and discipline that he really is a pro at it. HA HA! One thing that I absolutly love about Quade is that he is so outgoing and polite. He will talk to anyone and use the best manners while doing it. I love taking him to stores he just talks to everyone all the way through the store. It’s adorable.
He has asked for tools for his birthday so he can help Jordan work on things in the shop. And the other request was another Mimication (Driftwood Shores in Florence)! He absolutly loves this place, as do I. We request the room closest to the pool which also is like a 30 second walk right out the patio door of our room to the beach. The set up couldn't be better. We’ve spent about a month explaining to him that if he chooses Mimication then there wont be a party with his buddies. He is admit that this is what he wants to do. So that is what we will be doing.

I’m so excited to see where life takes Quade. He has the potential to do anything. My hopes and dreams for him is to follow in Jordans footsteps in every way. And I truely believe he can do just that and more. I love you Quade. Thank you for always putting such an interesting spin on our little life.

Thank You 2016, Hello 2017 ...

  2016 went by so incredibly fast. It seems like just yesterday I was writing a blog about my resolutions for 2016. Last year was very good to our family. We had highs and we had some lows, but I find that the bumps along the way teach us so much more than the smooth sailing parts. I'm always so greatful for the pot holes in life. It's a great reminder of how extremely fortunate my life is the majority of the time. It's very rewarding to look back on a difficult time and see how much I learned from that situation. 

  I feel like December was only about 2 weeks long. It is so sad how fast the Holiday season goes by. We had an amazing Christmas. We were able to see all sides of the family throughout the month and Austyn got an extended Chritmas break due to SNOW DAYS!!!!! We all got extremely spoiled as usual for Christmas. The kids enjoyed their Elf returning for a month of Hide and Seek and funny shinanagins. I made the kids a scavenger hunt while we went and looked at Christmas lights. They had to find things like a penguin, nutcracker, snowman, etc. It was so fun, it's going to be a yearly tradition. We also enjoyed the hunt in our jammies with Hot Coco! 

  This last month was filled with the usual family outings and events. The kids were invited to participate in a Chritsmas program at my Brother and Sister-in-laws Church. They loved it and were the most adorable Angel and Shepard there. Since I didn't get to make the kids Halloween costumes I enjoyed making their costumes for the play. 

This year we picked out our biggest tree yet. And we still had room to go. Every year gets better and better with the kids. They now have opinions and prefer different things. I love it. Our poor tree didn't do so well neighboring the woodstove. I was so nervous about the tree going up inflames that we promptly threw it out the morning of the 26th. So scary!

For my Birthday we went to Sisters to eat at my favorite place and play in the snow. We also got a few antique shops in too! 

We went for a random Craig's List trip to La Pine where we found the absolute best place I've ever experienced for sledding. The conditions were perfect and the hill was just the right size for the kids. We had the best time. Also snuck some antiquing in on this trip too. 

He took a header into the snow

Another fun thing we were able to do on Christmas break was GOING ICE SKATING! It was the best time ever. Such an easy and close activity. We will definitely be doing that again soon. Quade was so good it was mind blowing. He didn't ever hang on to the wall and he ran across the ice like he'd been doing it for years. Austyn was a natural too. I'm am still so proud of those two. 

Our last big decision in 2016 was to get a ....... PUPPY! We actually were not looking, wanting, or even remotely set up for a puppy, but the stars aligned and a sweet little puppy fell right in our laps. Or should I say the kids' laps. Her name is Gem. She is 2 months old now. She is 1/2 Rottweiler, 1/4 German Shepard and 1/4 Golden lab. Jordan and I had talked extensively about what our next dog would be and we both agreed that a mutt would fit our lifestyle really well. With all of KODAs health issues we thought maybe a mutt would be a bit more hardy in the health department. We have started her training just as we did with KODA, in hopes that she will take after her in every way except her smell, her fetching addiction, and her health issues. The kids are loving her and it makes me so happy to see them just sit and hold her. 

Austyn is doing amazing in school. She just got her first report card and she met and exceeded all categories. She was praised for being honest, kind, and respectful. I felt like we got quite the pat on the back as parents! 

Austyn was helping pick up sticks after the ice storm

Quade has become quite the comedian lately. I'm not sure if I've ever been around a 3 (almost 4) year old with as much personality as he has. He is so bright and quick it amazes me. 

Quade playing in the box from a Christmas present. There's a present you wouldn't want to return 😉

Jordan finished his last ODP Module. Now is able to take shifts and act as the Captain. He is very relieved to be done with studying for a while. He has started his old truck to old truck transformation. If only there were more time in the day for him to work and complete a project he starts. He is constantly getting pulled off HIS projects to help do other things. But he's always a good sport about it and loves helping anyone do anything. He has started the firefighter fitness challenge again. He always does such a good job with staying with the goals he sets. He is such and inspiration to me. And he also is competing in the Firefighter Stair Climb in Seattle again. 

And as for me, summer break can't get here fast enough. I got a little reminder of how much I enjoy Austyn being home everyday. It's not that I want it to be summer for the weather, but I just like hanging with my kiddos. They're so much fun. I'm still experimenting with different treatments for my back pain. So far yoga really helps relieve the sciatica pain. Slowly but surely I'm sure I'll get it back under control. I just need to keep a positive attitude, and stay motivated to become a better me. It sounds so easy when I write it down, but when it comes right down to it, it's tough. Especially to find the right help. 

I know 2017 will be an amazing year for us. I'm excited to see what lies ahead of us! I love the new year. I always feel like it's a reset button. I hope everyone had a great Christmas and I hope this year is the best year you've ever had!

The Petersen Latest . . .

  As usual, we have been busy with our simple little country life. We've had soccer, new kitties, jog-a-thons, Halloween, Mimication, and volleyball. 

Quade played soccer this year.

Quade had been talking about getting a cat for such a long time. He wanted an orange kitty and he was going to name him Grasshopper. So I ran across some cats that needed a home and of course we couldn't just get one cat. Jet is the black one and Lovey is the orange one. Super sweet kitties. But while we were gone on our Mimication we lost Lovey. My poor country kids are so cold to losing animals. They of course asked about it but it wasn't a big deal for them. I'm still crossing my fingers that she will wonder back home some day. 

When Austyn got her new bike for her Birthday, we transformed her old one into a new bike for Quade. Green is his favorite color, so we made him a John Deere bicycle. He is such a brave boy. 

Every year Austyn's school has a Jog-A-Thon fundraiser. It is so cute and I love that her school always lets Quade participate in all the activities. 

This is Quade on his unofficial first day of preschool. I've been subbing at Austyns school and when I work in the preschool I get to bring Quade along. He loves it and does so good. 

Austyn enjoyed dressing up in her Halloween clothes in October.

We got to go to a little rodeo with some great friends. The kids love rodeos and they look so cute all cowboyed up.

The kids and Jordan's pumpkins. Austyn designed and drew her own face on her pumpkin and Quade went with his favorite person, Spider-Man. Jordan always does such a good job carving the pumpkins.

I was so heartbroken that the kids didn't want me to make their costumes this year. They didn't even want me to spruce them up. But they still were the cutest Batman and Batgirl around. 

Austyn chose not to do soccer and wanted to volleyball instead. She is over the moon about it. I love watching her light up when it's time for practice and then talk about how much she loves it for days after.

Mimication 2016 was at the Great Wolf Lodge! My Mom is the absolute best mom and Mimi in the world. We stayed for one night and unbeknownst to us there was a Santa convention going on while we were there! How amazing is that! Every time you turned around there was a Santa and Mrs. Clause. The kids got a kick out of talking to each one.

Our next stop was Driftwood Shores in Florence for a night. The kids love it there. We were the only ones in the pool, so they could be crazy and loud. And it's just relaxing to be ocean front. It's my favorite place. After we left there, we went to Alsea and stayed a final night with some family from Reno.  They have an amazing home right on the river. The kids were amazing as usual, and it was just relaxing and great to be with just my Mom.

Austyn had pancake day at school and we went to eat with her. It was delicious. Definitely not how I remembered hot lunches. Quade thinks he needs to be in Sissy's class. He thought we were at a restaurant and asked the lunch lady, "May I please have, pancakes and sausage?" She looked at him like he was from another planet. He looked so cute with his lunch tray. After lunch he got to go to recess with Austyn and stay for math time in her class. He did unbelievable! He followed directions, he even raised his hand and gave answers. Almost brought tears to my eyes. 

  Austyn is excelling in school. She is still priding herself with great behavior and the benefits it gets her in school. Her retention level for her age is outstanding. She picked this crazy pilgrim book from the library (very boring) and when I finished reading it, she could recite the correct dates and even the smallest details. I was blown away. I even had to thumb back through to check her accuracy. Her honesty and kindness are still some of her best qualities. However, we are beginning to see some drama/girly/hormonal craziness creeping in on us. I'm scared to death. I've never had many girl friends for just this reason and I am not looking forward to a full blown hormonal girl in the next 3-5 years. God help me! 

  Quade is growing up. I look at him and wonder where the time went. He's not a baby anymore. He's trying to wipe his own butt, doesn't use a booster seat at the dinner table anymore, has a big boy bike, and is just so independent. He also has taken leaps and bounds with controlling his temper. He might be one of the funniest 3 year olds there is. He has such a huge personality for his age and the funniest part is that he thinks and knows he is funny. 

  Jordan is a week or so away from his written exam. Then he will take his practical test and be done with this modules in his ODP. He will then start working (acting in capacity) as a captain for a year. Then his huge promotional test is next November. It will be nice when this module is over and he can take a break from studying for 6 months or so. He went Elk hunting with all the guys in my family. They we unsuccessful but had a great camping trip. He is looking forward to working on and fixing up his old Dodge truck when he's done testing in December. He also signed up for the Stairclimb in Seattle again in March. 

  And as for me, I'm trying to cherish and enjoy every moment with the kids that I can. It's going too fast, and I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to be at home with them and be involved with so much of their activities. I've been struggling lately with my back again. Recently I found out it's herniated  again. And the vertebrae has shifted back causing the spinal canal to be narrowed at that point. Which is in turn causing bilateral sciatica down both legs. Not fun. Makes for a very inpatient and cranky mommy and wife. I'm on a journey to heal myself. I'm trying some new methods and am very excited and hopeful that they will be as successful as the research claims it to be. Wish me luck and a few prayers wouldn't hurt either. As this year is coming to an end I always like to look back and reflect on my New Years resolutions. It was a goal to focus on my health/back issues. Well for 6 months I was good, and then it snowballed out of control when I fell off the wagon. It really showed me how my lifestyle needs to change to make me feel better. Which when I feel good I can be a good mom, wife, and person. And that's what's important to me. 

  That's it for us in the last month or so. I'm really looking forward to the Holidays as usual. And hoping for some snow this year!! Austyn is a full blown reader now, so I have to hide the Christmas list and ads for things already. I hope you all have a great and relaxing Thanksgiving. 

  

The Big Six ...

 My big girl turned 6 years old this month. She couldn't be happier to grow up and do big kid stuff. Me on the other hand am in pure amazement at how fast those 6 years went. Austyn has begun all day Kindergarten at Territorial Elementary School out here by us. She is loving the recesses, lunch at school, P.E. and music classes. All the things she's seen the big kids get to do for a few years now. There are a lot of incentives for good behavior in her school and she really prides herself for her accomplishments and rewards in that area. I can't begin to explain how proud I am of her kindness and honesty to all. Her manners are impeccable and no matter what she will always tell the truth. I love her happy glowing face and the excitement she has when I pick her up from school. She is so innocent and pure. And I just hope she can stay that way as long as she can. And I also admire her ability to talk to adults. She looks them in the eye and speaks right to them. Very sure of herself and brave. Besides school she has continued to lose teeth. She lost three so far and now she has three more to come out at any moment. She excelled in swim lessons this summer. And really worked hard to move to higher classes. She wants to continue to do swim lessons in the winter instead of soccer. She recently has became interested in the horse thing again. This time all on her own. I decided to back off and let her make the choice if that's something she really likes or not. We've riden a few times now and she has just about gotten back to her comfort level and riding ability as she had when we owned Chocolate Chip. Which naturally makes my heart happy. She enjoyed this summer just about as much as I did. We camped in the tent I the backyard, which is always a favorite. We went on lots of week long camping trips, fished, BBQd, watched the stars from the trampoline, rode little quads, went to the lake, parks, picnicked, walks, and the list went on and on. She definitely got to be a country kid all summer long. Austyn has found that crafts and baking is her favorite things to occupy her time. She is absolutely amazing at baking. She can do everything but the in and out of the oven all by herself. And she does so good at artsy craft stuff. I just love watching her sit and create her masterpieces that she is so proud of. She continues to add the sweetness to our family and is such a good role model for Quade and the rest of us. She thinks that she wants to be a "hair doer" when she grows up. I love to hear her future plans and how she sees the world from her 6 year old perspective. I hope to have the best and closest relationship with her as she grows up. And I hope she will learn me see how valuable family is. And maybe one day want to live right next to us.

First Day of School

Aquarium fun

Swim lessons

She chose to go camping for her Birthday this year. We went to Loon Lake. So we tried to do the usual decorations and Birthday fun as we usually do while camping. It was so fun and different. 

Birthday breakfast

Piñata time 

Her Brand new bike!!!