ONE week of laundry... this mountain of clothes, plus the towels and sheets that are not added in this pile, will sort into 12-13 loads.
Can anyone out there compete with that????
6 days ago
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Laundry Day....
ONE week of laundry... this mountain of clothes, plus the towels and sheets that are not added in this pile, will sort into 12-13 loads.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
What we have been up to.....
I don't want to bore everyone to death with tons of writing, so I am just going to post lots of pictures and write a little snippet about them.... HERE GOES NOTHIN'!!!!
This is a picture of my Grandma and Grandpa Barton dancing on March 27, 2010 when we had a great Barton Family Reunion/ 60th Wedding Anniversary/ 80th Birthday party for my grandpa. We drove up to St. George, Utah and I got to see aunts, uncles and cousins I hadn't seen in years. It was a wonderful time! I love my Barton family.
The end of April was a great trip for us Barton girls. We headed up to BYU for Women's Conference where we all enjoyed each others company, learned much from the spirit, and had some super late night chats!! Such a nice break, and a FUN TIME!
On May 7, 2010 our family, along with most of Davids siblings and parents drove over to Thatcher AZ and had the wonderful opportunity to walk thru the Gila Valley Temple. The kids were all EXTREMELY well behaved, and we could tell that they were touched by the spirit. The Thatcher area has very special meaning for me and David. It is where we went to college, met, dated and where I changed my perspective around and gained my testimony. I love the Thatcher area, and always feel like I am coming home when I am there, just like President Monson said.
The beginning of June was a bit crazy, but so much fun. Here is a picture of our Young Women that came to girls camp this year. We are standing behind a HUMONGOUS pile of pine needles that we raked up from around the cabin behind us. What a great time to get to know my girls better, and feel their spirits.
Just a day after girls camp, my whole family came together for our annual Heber Cabin Reunion. This pic shows many, but not all of the crew that was there. All my siblings, their spouses and kiddos, and our parents where there. Tons of fun, many games, so much good food, and memories are always made when we get together at the Heber Cabin. 
In the middle of May, this little project began. Aubrey brought home 2 baby chicks from school. The idea was planted in Davids' head and thus we began our little chicken farm. At one point we had 11 of them, but now we are down to 7. Four have died (two by the dog, DUMB dog). The ones pictured here are Heart Love and Delilah, and the dark one in the background is Black Sun. No, I did not name them... that was my kids. =) Maybe we shouldn't get too attached, because we are raising them to eat eventually..... oops. 
Here we are at the 4th of July Parade up in Show Low this year. It was lots of fun to get to see my parents and family friends, the Larsens up from Mesa. We met up and had a nice visit at the parade and then the next day at our ward. The parade was LoNg, with Halloween amounts of candy thrown, and WAY TOO MANY politicians kissing babies, but the kids sure had fun. We also had a BBQ with some friends from our ward, and went to the Taylor Rodeo and fireworks too. I have sure learned to love a good rodeo; its in my blood.
This is a picture of my Grandma and Grandpa Barton dancing on March 27, 2010 when we had a great Barton Family Reunion/ 60th Wedding Anniversary/ 80th Birthday party for my grandpa. We drove up to St. George, Utah and I got to see aunts, uncles and cousins I hadn't seen in years. It was a wonderful time! I love my Barton family.The end of April was a great trip for us Barton girls. We headed up to BYU for Women's Conference where we all enjoyed each others company, learned much from the spirit, and had some super late night chats!! Such a nice break, and a FUN TIME! On May 7, 2010 our family, along with most of Davids siblings and parents drove over to Thatcher AZ and had the wonderful opportunity to walk thru the Gila Valley Temple. The kids were all EXTREMELY well behaved, and we could tell that they were touched by the spirit. The Thatcher area has very special meaning for me and David. It is where we went to college, met, dated and where I changed my perspective around and gained my testimony. I love the Thatcher area, and always feel like I am coming home when I am there, just like President Monson said.Just a day after girls camp, my whole family came together for our annual Heber Cabin Reunion. This pic shows many, but not all of the crew that was there. All my siblings, their spouses and kiddos, and our parents where there. Tons of fun, many games, so much good food, and memories are always made when we get together at the Heber Cabin. In the middle of May, this little project began. Aubrey brought home 2 baby chicks from school. The idea was planted in Davids' head and thus we began our little chicken farm. At one point we had 11 of them, but now we are down to 7. Four have died (two by the dog, DUMB dog). The ones pictured here are Heart Love and Delilah, and the dark one in the background is Black Sun. No, I did not name them... that was my kids. =) Maybe we shouldn't get too attached, because we are raising them to eat eventually..... oops. Here we are at the 4th of July Parade up in Show Low this year. It was lots of fun to get to see my parents and family friends, the Larsens up from Mesa. We met up and had a nice visit at the parade and then the next day at our ward. The parade was LoNg, with Halloween amounts of candy thrown, and WAY TOO MANY politicians kissing babies, but the kids sure had fun. We also had a BBQ with some friends from our ward, and went to the Taylor Rodeo and fireworks too. I have sure learned to love a good rodeo; its in my blood.Well, no more pictures, but still lots of things going on before school starts up again on the 11th. I swear, school is starting earlier every year. When I was a kid, it started like the 27th or so. YUCK, poor kids. Although, Nathan is super excited and has been counting down for weeks now. What can I say, he loves to learn. More to come.
I am really loving this Internet thing! =)
Monday, July 12, 2010
Back from the Dark Ages
After almost a year hiatus without Internet, a guy came out this morning and re-introduced us to the world wide web. And of course, since then I have been busily wasting my day revisiting and updating myself with what the heck has been going on in the world lately. I am super excited to be back in touch with technology a bit, and have information at my fingertips again. (instead of having to drive to the library or wait 'til I am somewhere that has Internet). In the very near future I will update and revamp the blog with pictures and other goings-on at the Peterson household, for those of you who care to read. YEAH INTERNET!!!!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
FOUR months later....
Yes, I know... miracles do happen, and I have finally decided to update my blog...and add pictures.
So, hmmm, where did I leave off, and what have we been up to the last four months of our life? I will try and go in chronological order, more for my brain then anything.
THANKSGIVING: David and I packed up the kids, and took a four day trip up to Ben and Amy's house in Provo. We had so much fun visiting, laughing and trying out our first Thanksgiving dinner alone, together. It turned out really good, and I think that Amy and I did a pretty darn good job. Here is the only picture I have of our weekend there on my jump drive:
While we were up in Provo we went to the Salt Lake temple for a session. It was so good to finally go to that temple. My parents were married there and I honestly could not remember the last time I had been there, at temple square. After our session, Ben, Amy, their two boys, and my kids all walked around temple square, looking at the Christmas lights. It was incredibly crowded, but very beautiful too. It was a great trip and we all had a good time together.
While we were up in Provo we went to the Salt Lake temple for a session. It was so good to finally go to that temple. My parents were married there and I honestly could not remember the last time I had been there, at temple square. After our session, Ben, Amy, their two boys, and my kids all walked around temple square, looking at the Christmas lights. It was incredibly crowded, but very beautiful too. It was a great trip and we all had a good time together. The morning after we had driven all day home from Provo, Nathan came in , SUPER early (like always) and said, "The hallway is wet, and I didn't spill anything". I, of course, rolled over and went back to sleep, cursing the dang dog in my mind. David, being a morning person, and me NOT, got up to see what he was talking about and to start a fire in the wood stove. Well, Nathan was right. Long story, short.... our water heater exploded in the night and was pouring water down the hallway, into the bedrooms and the main bathroom. It was a NIGHTMARE. I made phone calls all morning, and gratefully, our insurance company was super quick and very nice and everything was sucked up and drying out by noon. So, in the end, we got a very nice sized check for replacing all the drywall in the area affected, and flooring for the entire house! Gotta love that.
Christmas was nice this year, and got to visit a lot of family and see several people that we don't normally get to see. Here are a couple pictures that were part of the season...
You have NO IDEA how long it took me to get five kids, aged 2-7, looking, semi-smiling and staying still enough to not be a blur! I chased my kids around for about two hours one night trying to get a couple decent shots of them all together. This one is by far the best, and I really like it. I guess patience pays off....eventually. New Years came and went, and so did most of my resolutions...I figure that as long as I am trying to be loving, and my kids are alive, dressed, fed and well, I am doing just fine, and I should stop trying to be some "Super-mommy", because I'm not, and that is okay.
I got 100 Peruvian Lillies for Valentines Day, and they are VERY pretty. I gave David lots and LOTS of candy, and he is still making his way through his large bag of candy. YUM.
Me and the kids are currently in Mesa for the second time this week. We came last Saturday for my niece's baptism, and are now here AGAIN, because my sweet hubby, my father-in-law, and brother-in-law are busily working on getting my flooring in. HALLELUJAH!!! Having 5 kids running around on freshly laid tile is not ideal, so David kicked us out and told us to stay away for a few days. So we are back at my parents house, again. I am eagerly awaiting Saturday afternoon when we get to go home to a beautiful finished floor....something I have not had since right after Thanksgiving.
Our house has been a huge project, but I can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. It will be so nice to enjoy my new kitchen, fresh paint, new flooring, and my family and life getting back to normal. (if it is possible for us to be normal... I mean, good grief, who in their right mind has 5 kids in 5 years!!!!!!!) =)
Well, its late, and I'm tired. So, I am going to climb into my bed... the same mattress I had all through junior high and high school. It is a comfort, coming home.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
October Updates
Life has been plugging along fine this month. We have had a few bumps and bruises, a few runny noses and even a surgery. Here is the details, one at a time:
David: He is doing well after a surgery on the 14th. He went in for yet another operation on his nose. He and I agree that it will be the last one. There has not been as much success as we were hoping for, and after a minor complication, we both agree that we will have to find another way to help him breath.
Valerie: I am just trying to keep sane, and keep up with my kids. My STINKIN' pink eye infection from way back when is still hanging around. Just when I think I have got it beat it flares right back up again... UUGGH! So, it will be yet another week (or month, who knows?)with no makeup and glasses. I look really pretty... hah!
Nathan: He has had the most violent month. He has a half inch gash in the back of his head from getting knocked into the corner of a wall. He probably could of used stitches, but we opted for steri-strips instead. Then just a couple days later he got shoved hard (gotta love a little sister) and his face slammed into a bed post. He bled pretty bad, and now looks like he was punched HARD on his right cheek. Now all he needs to do is break his arm and CPS will be at my door for sure! He has a goofy looking grin that matches the holiday. He looks like a jack-o-lantern... either that or an old man who is losing his teeth.
Aubrey: She is doing really great. She loves playing soccer, making friends with anyone and everyone, and is doing incredibly well in school. She had a strange bout of sickness, with fevers and headaches. She seems to be over it now... so that is good.
Emily: She is Little Miss Destruction lately. She is happy and well, and a really good helper while Nathan and Aubrey are at school, but I have seen quite a bit of defiance creeping in.
Betsy and Jay: They are both doing well, and both are talking up a storm. They are constantly busy making sure I have messes to clean up. Both are smack dab in a fun little phase called "terrible twos" But, they are still my sweet little babies.
In other news, I got back last week from a fun trip down to Mesa to visit my family. It was the kids Fall Break, so we took advantage of it. David stayed home and worked. We are busy getting prepared for winter, and will probably be lighting our first fire in the wood stove in the next week or so. I HATE WINTER. I can feel the depression creeping in already....
David: He is doing well after a surgery on the 14th. He went in for yet another operation on his nose. He and I agree that it will be the last one. There has not been as much success as we were hoping for, and after a minor complication, we both agree that we will have to find another way to help him breath.
Valerie: I am just trying to keep sane, and keep up with my kids. My STINKIN' pink eye infection from way back when is still hanging around. Just when I think I have got it beat it flares right back up again... UUGGH! So, it will be yet another week (or month, who knows?)with no makeup and glasses. I look really pretty... hah!
Nathan: He has had the most violent month. He has a half inch gash in the back of his head from getting knocked into the corner of a wall. He probably could of used stitches, but we opted for steri-strips instead. Then just a couple days later he got shoved hard (gotta love a little sister) and his face slammed into a bed post. He bled pretty bad, and now looks like he was punched HARD on his right cheek. Now all he needs to do is break his arm and CPS will be at my door for sure! He has a goofy looking grin that matches the holiday. He looks like a jack-o-lantern... either that or an old man who is losing his teeth.
Aubrey: She is doing really great. She loves playing soccer, making friends with anyone and everyone, and is doing incredibly well in school. She had a strange bout of sickness, with fevers and headaches. She seems to be over it now... so that is good.
Emily: She is Little Miss Destruction lately. She is happy and well, and a really good helper while Nathan and Aubrey are at school, but I have seen quite a bit of defiance creeping in.
Betsy and Jay: They are both doing well, and both are talking up a storm. They are constantly busy making sure I have messes to clean up. Both are smack dab in a fun little phase called "terrible twos" But, they are still my sweet little babies.
In other news, I got back last week from a fun trip down to Mesa to visit my family. It was the kids Fall Break, so we took advantage of it. David stayed home and worked. We are busy getting prepared for winter, and will probably be lighting our first fire in the wood stove in the next week or so. I HATE WINTER. I can feel the depression creeping in already....
Saturday, September 12, 2009
DISNEYLAND!!!!!
I just got back from a super fun trip to Disneyland for my 28th birthday. A few weeks back my mom called me with a wonderful idea. She wanted to take me to Disneyland on my birthday (free admission) with all my sisters! So after a bit of persuasion, David agreed to play both daddy AND mommy for a few days (bless his heart), and I took a "girls trip" to California with my mom, my sisters Heather and Heidi, and my sis-in-law, Heather. SO FUN!!!!!! It had been over 10 years since I had been and it was SO worth it. I will post pictures as soon as I find my plug-in.
MEMORIES:
*swapping seats on the way up to avoid the hot one.
*the squeaky bunk beds that Heather and I slept on.
*games and TONS of giggling
*waking up at my normal time (about 6am) and then rolling over and going back to sleep.
*the excitement of GOING TO DISNEYLAND!
*having tons of people telling me "Happy birthday, Valerie!" even though I didn't know them (I wore a big 'ol pin that said it was my birthday).
*going on Thunder Mountain at least 8 or nine times (the last time was the best!)
* randomly meeting up with some of the Higginsons and having lunch together.
*no kids!!!!!!!!!! just us girls.
*ScReAmInG my guts out.... just for fun.
*very SORE feet, legs and hip by the evening.
*fabulous fireworks and light show.
*the foot rub my mom gave all of us.
*getting carsick on the way home, and eating only a few sips of soup and saltines for lunch.
*a quiet, relaxing evening at my mom and dads before the drive home Sunday morning.
.....and tons more.
THANK YOU girls for being my sisters, my mom, and my friends. I LOVE YOU!! What a great way to spend a birthday! There will definitely be more girls trips!
MEMORIES:
*swapping seats on the way up to avoid the hot one.
*the squeaky bunk beds that Heather and I slept on.
*games and TONS of giggling
*waking up at my normal time (about 6am) and then rolling over and going back to sleep.
*the excitement of GOING TO DISNEYLAND!
*having tons of people telling me "Happy birthday, Valerie!" even though I didn't know them (I wore a big 'ol pin that said it was my birthday).
*going on Thunder Mountain at least 8 or nine times (the last time was the best!)
* randomly meeting up with some of the Higginsons and having lunch together.
*no kids!!!!!!!!!! just us girls.
*ScReAmInG my guts out.... just for fun.
*very SORE feet, legs and hip by the evening.
*fabulous fireworks and light show.
*the foot rub my mom gave all of us.
*getting carsick on the way home, and eating only a few sips of soup and saltines for lunch.
*a quiet, relaxing evening at my mom and dads before the drive home Sunday morning.
.....and tons more.
THANK YOU girls for being my sisters, my mom, and my friends. I LOVE YOU!! What a great way to spend a birthday! There will definitely be more girls trips!
The kids
I would love to post a picture or two for y'all but I can't for the life of me find my computer plug-in, so sorry. But here is an update nonetheless.
Nathan turned SEVEN on the 31st, and just loves "being 7 like all the other 2nd graders". (yes, he is quite young for his grade)... but very smart too. He had a fun little party/ family home evening/ dinner with all the Peterson family and even my parents too (all the way from Mesa!) He got some pretty fun gifts, and a brand new Book of Mormon (just a cheap blue one) with his name on it. My cousin Jessica gave me the great idea of having your kids read the Book of Mormon all by themselves cover to cover BEFORE they get baptized. I presented the idea to Nathan and he has taken it full steam ahead. He is reading every night, "Just one page and a column". He is such a great reader and super smart, so I knew that it wouldn't be too big of a challenge for him...until he hits the Isaiah stuff!! He is now in soccer, and his first practice is on Monday. It will be his 3rd year, and he is getting excited, it is "his sport". I am also starting him on piano lessons next week.
Aubrey is really taken a liking to school. She is so excited to go everyday, and bummed on Saturdays and Sundays when she CAN'T go. It is so good to see her enjoying it. I had some serious fears about it. She is so happy to show me her papers everyday after school, and does so in a very strange way. She unzips her backpack, sticks her head inside and yells to me about each paper as she blindly hands it to me. =) It is a cute little ritual she started and I thought I would write it down...before I forget. Aubrey is also in soccer, and had her first practice on Wednesday. It is always very entertaining to watch a team play soccor for the first time. =)
Emily is still SO tender hearted. It drives me crazy sometimes. She has started being quite naughty lately, and so it is particularly difficult to try and discipline her. She just starts bawling and then is bummed for quite a while after. Even through it all I still love her like crazy though. It is super spooky to look at her lately, because she looks almost EXACTLY like me at her age. In fact, there is a picture of me in a little collage in the hallway of me at about her age, and even she thinks it is a picture of her! I always get comments about how much she looks like me... and heck, she does!!
Betsy is quite a character lately. Her personality is coming out in full force. She is very opinionated, does NOT listen well, and loves to just do her own thing, to her own rhythm. She has such a sweet little smile, that she flashes often. She is such a smiling child. Not only her mouth smiles but her whole face...eyes and all. When she shakes her head yes to a question I ask, her whole body shakes yes too. She has such crazy hair that WILL NOT be tamed, and feet that are two very different sizes (one foot is size 6 and the other is a 7 1/2). Weird huh?? What a wonderful girl, I wouldn't trade her for anything. I am going to put a serious effort into getting her potty trained this week... she is SO ready, and I am SO ready to have her out of diapers...so is our wallet.
Jay has just recently moved out of his crib and into a big boy bed. Yes, I cried taking that crib down for the last time EVER. It has held all of my 5 babies, AND David and his siblings too. (yes it is that old, at least 35 years old). We are passing it on to Davids sister Eva for her newest arrival who came on August 22. Thomas Reed Tenney. He is such a beautiful baby. Anyway, Jay has adjusted well to the bed (it took a few days), and is very much into climbing and water lately. I often find him on top of his dresser, or on top of the island in the kitchen. He loves to play with the hose out in the backyard and I am not looking forward to the day when he figures out how to turn on the spigot... that hose will NEVER be off. He has no fear, and is incredibly tough... which I have discovered is a pretty bad combination. =) He is acting like he wants to be potty trained too, so I might just do him and Betsy and him together. (We had Nathan potty trained before he was two, and it seems that Jay wants to follow that tradition too.) It tugs on my heartstrings almost daily, watching my youngest baby growing up... I wonder if all mothers feel that way? I just want him to stay little forever.....
Nathan turned SEVEN on the 31st, and just loves "being 7 like all the other 2nd graders". (yes, he is quite young for his grade)... but very smart too. He had a fun little party/ family home evening/ dinner with all the Peterson family and even my parents too (all the way from Mesa!) He got some pretty fun gifts, and a brand new Book of Mormon (just a cheap blue one) with his name on it. My cousin Jessica gave me the great idea of having your kids read the Book of Mormon all by themselves cover to cover BEFORE they get baptized. I presented the idea to Nathan and he has taken it full steam ahead. He is reading every night, "Just one page and a column". He is such a great reader and super smart, so I knew that it wouldn't be too big of a challenge for him...until he hits the Isaiah stuff!! He is now in soccer, and his first practice is on Monday. It will be his 3rd year, and he is getting excited, it is "his sport". I am also starting him on piano lessons next week.
Aubrey is really taken a liking to school. She is so excited to go everyday, and bummed on Saturdays and Sundays when she CAN'T go. It is so good to see her enjoying it. I had some serious fears about it. She is so happy to show me her papers everyday after school, and does so in a very strange way. She unzips her backpack, sticks her head inside and yells to me about each paper as she blindly hands it to me. =) It is a cute little ritual she started and I thought I would write it down...before I forget. Aubrey is also in soccer, and had her first practice on Wednesday. It is always very entertaining to watch a team play soccor for the first time. =)
Emily is still SO tender hearted. It drives me crazy sometimes. She has started being quite naughty lately, and so it is particularly difficult to try and discipline her. She just starts bawling and then is bummed for quite a while after. Even through it all I still love her like crazy though. It is super spooky to look at her lately, because she looks almost EXACTLY like me at her age. In fact, there is a picture of me in a little collage in the hallway of me at about her age, and even she thinks it is a picture of her! I always get comments about how much she looks like me... and heck, she does!!
Betsy is quite a character lately. Her personality is coming out in full force. She is very opinionated, does NOT listen well, and loves to just do her own thing, to her own rhythm. She has such a sweet little smile, that she flashes often. She is such a smiling child. Not only her mouth smiles but her whole face...eyes and all. When she shakes her head yes to a question I ask, her whole body shakes yes too. She has such crazy hair that WILL NOT be tamed, and feet that are two very different sizes (one foot is size 6 and the other is a 7 1/2). Weird huh?? What a wonderful girl, I wouldn't trade her for anything. I am going to put a serious effort into getting her potty trained this week... she is SO ready, and I am SO ready to have her out of diapers...so is our wallet.
Jay has just recently moved out of his crib and into a big boy bed. Yes, I cried taking that crib down for the last time EVER. It has held all of my 5 babies, AND David and his siblings too. (yes it is that old, at least 35 years old). We are passing it on to Davids sister Eva for her newest arrival who came on August 22. Thomas Reed Tenney. He is such a beautiful baby. Anyway, Jay has adjusted well to the bed (it took a few days), and is very much into climbing and water lately. I often find him on top of his dresser, or on top of the island in the kitchen. He loves to play with the hose out in the backyard and I am not looking forward to the day when he figures out how to turn on the spigot... that hose will NEVER be off. He has no fear, and is incredibly tough... which I have discovered is a pretty bad combination. =) He is acting like he wants to be potty trained too, so I might just do him and Betsy and him together. (We had Nathan potty trained before he was two, and it seems that Jay wants to follow that tradition too.) It tugs on my heartstrings almost daily, watching my youngest baby growing up... I wonder if all mothers feel that way? I just want him to stay little forever.....
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