Valentines Day

We had a quiet Valentine's Day at our house. Reed was out of town, so I got to share it with my two boys. Saturday afternoon, the boys and I headed up to my Grandparents' in Tennessee where we were spoiled beyond our wildest dreams. It was the perfect combination of new legos, favorite foods, cable and babysitting. Thank you, Thank you G & G it was almost perfect.

Now,The last thing I need for things to be perfectly perfect are for this guy to come home

(I pick him up at the airport in an hour :)

Happy (late) Valentines, I love you.

Good times, good times...

Here's a much needed Christmas update. We had a wonderful vacation filled with great food, friends, family, snow and nerf wars. What can I say, these little guys fill our home with so much joy and life that it makes everything easier.

The 4 F's of Coping

1. Family

I'm blessed to be at the point in my life where I have three families. The family I grew up in who know me inside and out and can nurture me accordingly, laugh at my jokes and assure me I'm not crazy. The family I married into who make me feel like a queen and adore my boys and finally the family we've created. Somewhere along the last 10 years Reed has become my rock; my partner, my helpmeet and my love. Add to that an angel in heaven to keep us on track and two boys to fill our house with life and laughter and everything is easier.

2. Friends

Amendment: I've been blessed with 4 families, some just aren't related by blood. With family so far away, friends are absolutely essential. While in Atlanta we've developed friendships that will last a lifetime and have been an absolute lifeline.

3. Food, glorious food

Anyone with foreseeable hardtimes should join the LDS church if only to enjoy the massive, fabulous amounts of food that will ensue. Few things are better than a delicous, nutrious meal at the end of a hard day, especially if it just magically appears.

4. Flowers

It may be shallow, but I love them and they make me feel better. I especially enjoy seeing what arrangements people choose to send as they always reflect a part of who they are. Thank you to one and all who know that I like pretty things and they make me happy.

Life's Tough Lessons

1. Life is unpredictable. Unfortunately, little baby Peterson will not be joining our family. At our 16 week appointment they weren't able to find a heartbeat. We're obviously a little blindsided and a lot heartbroken. It's interesting how attached you can get to a little peanut in just 4 months.

2. To steal a cheesy country song there are "angels among us". Through these last 4 rough months I had to humble myself and ask for help. In return I was humbled by the generous and loving natures of our friends, coworkers and neighbors.

3. God hears and answers prayers. Although this is the last lesson you'd expect to learn from hardships it always seems to be the most resounding and longest lasting. As I piece together the "tender mercies" that we have already experienced I can't help but be grateful.

4. #2 and #3 notwithstanding . . . this sucks.

Boys

This may be way too much information, but I got such a good laugh out of it I had to share.

We're justing getting started on potty-training Gray. Nothing too intense yet, just preliminary, get comfortable on the toilet stage. Well, today as Gray was "practicing" he looked down in delight and exclaimed, "Geeson. Shoot gun. Pow, pow."

Nice.

Please, oh please, let this next one be a girl :)

Life Lessons

Still no camera cord, so still no Christmas pictures. I'm thinking I'll just save them for next year :). So, to pick up the pieces and return to blogging I've made a list of the things we've already learned in 2009.

1. On the sixth day, in addition to man, God created Legos. God created Legos to make the seventh day of rest possible.

2. If you're a 2 year old being a "bad-guy" can be a good thing. How else could you illicit such a great reaction from your 5 year old brother and his friends by taking a single step towards them?

3. Disney Channel is miraculous. As our sheltered son, Matts, uttered in astonishment over Christmas, "Mom, the movies, they just keep coming"

4. Apparently Superman's newest outfit is his birthday suit. I've discovered this every night as I change Gray into his pj's and he escapes to jump off the bed shouting "Superman!" at the top of his lungs. (Repeated as many times as possible before the evil mommy can stop him)

5. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT give away your infant car seat and maternity clothes until you are 110% sure, definitely, unequivocally, done having children. Doing so will really upset your frugal husband when you have to rebuy them for the newest little Peterson due in July.

Merry Christmas to all!

We had a wonderful Christmas filled with family, food and festivities. The past week has been the perfect balance of relaxation and activity. Unfortunately, I left my camera cord in Atlanta so pictures will have to wait.

In the meantime let me sum up our Christmas with two words: NERF GUNS.

*sigh*

Our life will never be the same.