I don't ever get tired of seeing this little face.

Mac SO loves him some Karate!

Thankful

How thankful we were to have the Bishop's come and join us for Thanksgiving. We hadn't seen them for almost a year and a half, but the kids picked right up and had a great time together. Olivia and Jilli especially took an immediate liking to one another and it was so fun to watch them interact for three days.

Our family feels so blessed. We have each other, the gospel, our home, good health, opportunities to grow and develop, a great job and more things than I could actually list. My heart is full of gratitude to the Savior for His hand in our lives!

Aggie basketball season has officially begun!

Jaxton shared an experience with me that I thought was so sweet.  He said that he woke up in the middle of the night and was really scared from a dream that he had.  So he told me, "I knew the best thing for me to do was get on my knees and pray, so I got out of my covers, knelt on my bed and prayed.  And do you know what happened?  I wasn't scared anymore and I went back to sleep."  My heart swells with joy when I see my children's testimonies and faith grow.

I found Jilli admiring her cousins the other day. She still knows each cousin's name and can point to each person correctly.

Jilli offers the sweetest prayers. It consists mostly of a lot of mumble jumble and then she abruptly announces "AMEN!"

L.O.V.E. this girl!

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Mac:
His Math test scores were so high that the AIG teacher (gifted and talented) asked Miss Merrill if she could pull him weekly with one of her groups even though AIG testing isn't actually done until 3rd grade.
The AIG teacher did logical thinking exercises with the 2nd grade for 7 weeks while Miss Merrill scored the students.  In the end, Mac had one of the highest scores and was pulled for 4 weeks to do more logical thinking activities.
His strong points continue to be Math and Writing.
Miss Merrill said that he is very nice and is always the first one to come to another's aid or help someone out.

Jaxton:
His strengths are Reading, Math and Behavior and he scores above grade-level in these areas.
Ms. Sutton says that no matter what she models (anything from problem-solving to writing a certain way) Jaxton puts everything immediately into action.
He is a thinker.  He can inference and make connections very well.
He often comes into class singing a song to himself and bobbing his head up and down -- the teachers have to turn away from him to hide their giggles.
Ms. Sutton seems to have very high expectations for Jaxton and what he can attain.

Jaxton’s Talk – October 9, 2011

The theme for October is “Prayer is reverent communication between God and me.”

When I pray to Heavenly Father I try to remember that I am actually talking to a heavenly king.  I bow my head, fold my arms, close my eyes and try to speak calmly.  If I were talking to a king face to face I would not act silly, yell, or wiggle around, so I shouldn’t do those things when I am praying to God either. 

I love my Heavenly Father and I know that he wants me to pray to him.  I know that when I pray reverently that it shows respect for God and that he will listen to me. 

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Mac just said in his bedtime prayer, "and please bless that I can get a whole bunch of candy trick-or-treating and that I won't get any cavities!"
Beckam added in his prayer, "and bless that we won't forget our costumes!"
Halloween is definitely on our minds around here!

At Time Out for Women we met Bret Bryce from the singing group Jericho Road.

We bought Jilli some big girl underwear and when we got home I asked if she wanted to put them on. Her idea of putting them on was a bit different than mine.

Last week at Stake Conference one of the speakers said something about them having eight children. Mac immediately looked up at me and said, "Eight kids! You can barely handle four!"

Nate saw Jaxton skipping and said to him, "Jax, you're a really good skipper!" To which Jaxton replied with, "I'm so glad you mentioned that because my teacher says I'm the best skipper in my class"

Beckam is loving preschool, even if it's a class of all girls and him.  When I went to pick him up on Thursday he was digging up the sand inside a playhouse when I heard one of the little girls say, "Hey honey . . ." to which another little girl replied, "What?"  The first girl then said, "No, not you!  I'm talking to him!  He's SO cute!"  Miss Patty says that she overheard the same little girl earlier say, "It's time to come home, honey!" and Beckam came running.

Miss Patty also said that Beckam walked up to her in class and quietly said, "I'd like to dance for you."  So Miss Patty put on some music and she said that before she knew it Beckam was rolling around on the ground, hitting poses and doing the robot dance.  She even videoed some of it with her phone and sent it to me.  I guess Beckam has a little more of Mac in him than we thought.

I talked to the Spanish teacher at the gym and she mentioned how different Mac and Jaxton were.  She said that while Mac loves to be the center of attention and the funny guy, Jaxton is very serious about getting his work done and doing what he's supposed to.  It's so interesting to see my little guys develop their personalities and find themselves.

This last January when our family sat down to write out our New Years resolutions, Nate piped up and said that he was going to run a half marathon. I responded with, "Are you sure?!" Well, his race came, he ran and finished (with very little training) and now I think he's sighing with relief knowing that he really did do it. Go Nate!

Mac's Report Card

Mac got his Interim Report last weekend and his teacher's comment made me smile. "Keep up the great work! Mac has worked hard these first few weeks to consistently raise his hand and not call out."
The teacher in me thinks it was his teacher's nice way of saying, "Your child has a lot to say and he often says it during inappropriate times. Can you talk to him about this?"
Love that (talkative) Mac!

Here's one that should make our Grandma's happy.
Mac and Jilli were looking at a pamphlet with a bunch of headshots on it.
Jilli: "Grandma" (pointing to one of the faces)
Mac: (looking over her shoulder) "That's not our grandma. That lady is old."

The boys started riding the bus this year and each day they ride it I go outside and wait for them to arrive. After one particular day Mac greeted me with:
Mac: "Mom, it's embarrassing when you wait for us outside."
And then when he could tell that it hurt my feelings (could it have been my bottom lip quivering? :) he followed up with
Mac: "I mean I like it, it's just a little embarrassing, but I do like it, mom!"
Needless to say I haven't been back outside to wait for them.

Kristi told me about a conversation that she had with Beckam on the way home from school.
Kristi: (to Kylene) "Hey sweetheart!
Beckam: "Sweetheart?!?"
Kristi: "Yeah, that's what I call Kylene sometimes. What does your mom call you other than Beckam?"
Beckam: (After thinking thoughtfully for a second) "She calls me her Sunshine and she says "Hi Sunshine!" to me."

Before school started, I overheard Mac talking to Jaxton in the van.
Mac: Jaxton, let me tell you some things you need to know for Kindergarten. Make sure you don't ever fight or wrestle at school. It's not allowed and if you do it you'll get in lots of trouble.
Me: Mac, you sound like you know this from experience.
Mac: No, I don't. I've just seen other kids get in trouble when they wrestle. And even if you think you're teacher's not watching, she is. Somehow she can see everything you do even if she's not looking at you.
Hopefully Jaxton will take Mac's advice.

Jilli and I were watching a boy band video that a friend had posted on facebook. Surprisingly she was very interested and watching very closely when she turned to me and said, "this cool mommy!"

Jilli's key phrase lately for anything that surprises her is "What da heck?"

Nate and the boys were wrestling today when all of a sudden Jilli put up her fists and said to Nate, "You wanna piece of me?"

Last Saturday while Mac was at Carlo's for a play date he ran into a piece of equipment while walking backwards. Carlo's mom called me to tell me, but I had no idea how big the cut was until I saw him in person hours later. I really think he should have had stitches, but at that point it was too late. It kept oozing for hours, but Mac insisted it never hurt. This picture was taken a week after it happened and it still looks pretty yucky.

Here's Miss J doing what she does best. She's quite the girl!

I was at work so Nate had to take the other kids to Beck's soccer practice. While they were there Nate ran 2 miles while pushing Jilli in the stroller and Mac and Jaxton would run off and on with him as well. When they were all done Nate told them each how much they had run, telling Jaxton that he had run a quarter of a mile. When I got home from work, Jaxton excitedly told me, "Mom, guess what? I ran a nickle of a mile!"

Jaxton: Mom, did you know that Connor likes all the girls, but all the girls like me?
Me: (chuckling) You ARE quite the catch.
Mac: (because he can never be out done) Well did you know that at school ALL the Spanish girls like me?

Funny boys and apparently both well-liked.

Mac has been asking for a couple years to plant a garden and we finally did it this year. We started in little pots inside the house until we got the planter box put together. Unfortunately, I think we may have replanted a bit too late. So far we've got some peas growing and what I think is a cucumber (if my memory serves me correctly). I have found so much joy in seeing these little seeds evolve into bright green leaves and hopefully into something even more.

boy #2 lost tooth #1

About a week and a half ago Jaxton lost his first tooth. It had been loose for quite some time, but with the help of eating an apple and Mac knocking him in the mouth, it finally came out.

Now he goes around telling people that he has one tooth that's gone and one tooth that's golden (his silver cap). Nice, Jaxton!

Beck's 1st Talk in Primary

The Church of Jesus Christ has been Restored

Beckam Peterson – May 1, 2011

I have a piece of candy.  Now it’s gone or lost.  When I bring it back, I have restored it.   Like this piece of candy, the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored.  It was here on the earth, then was taken away after Jesus died and now it has been brought back through Joseph Smith.

I know this Church is true and I am so happy that it has been restored to the earth again!

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Beck did a great job talking in Primary.  Just like a true Peterson boy, he walked up to the podium with no hesitation, took hold of the microphone and spoke loud and clear.  The only problem was that he had a hard time with the word "restoration" -- unfortunate, since that was the main word of the talk. :)  He was adorable anyhow!

Jesus Christ Was Resurrected and I Will Be Too
McCade Peterson – April 23, 2011
Do you know what the Easter egg symbolizes at Easter time? It symbolizes “new life.”
Three days after Jesus died, He was resurrected, which means he was alive again. When He died, his spirit left his body, but when he was resurrected, his spirit came back into his body. Jesus was the first person to be resurrected.
Jesus is alive right now in heaven, and he will never die again
He made it possible for us to be resurrected like he was. This means that each of us will live again after we die
I know that Jesus loves each of us. Because of his great love for us, he suffered and died and was resurrected so that each of us can also be resurrected someday.
I hope that every time you see an egg today, you will remember Jesus and how he made it possible for us to all have a “new life” when we are resurrected.
Happy Easter!
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Jaxton's Testimony

It's not uncommon for Mac to bear his testimony, in fact, it's very unusual on a Fast Sunday for him not to get up and bear his testimony. On the other hand, I wasn't sure Jaxton would ever be as bold as Mac -- funny thing is, my kids never cease to surprise me. On Sunday I leaned over to Jaxton and said, "Do you want to share your testimony?" to which he immediately said, "Sure!" Even then I still wasn't sure that he really knew what he was doing, so I continued to ask him about it. All he wanted to know was how he was supposed to start it, to which I told him he could start with, "I'd like to bear my testimony . . ." After a few hesitations and his part, he finally took the initiative and went and sat up in front next to the bishopric to wait his turn. When his turn came, he walked up there, took the microphone in his hand, lip smacked a couple times (I could tell he was trying to remember how he was supposed to start), and then finally said, "I know church is true. I hurt my eye . . . Bless my family . . . Bless Jesus . . . In the name of Jesus Christ Amen." I was thrilled with him and his desire to share his testimony with others. When he sat back down he told me that everyone had smiles on their faces when he was talking and I told him that it's because they all loved hearing what he had to say. What wonderful examples my sweet children are. I only wish some of their boldness would rub off on me a bit.

Where Does the Time Go?

Jaxton's Camera

Jaxton received a camera for Christmas and he's loved taking pictures of anything and everything. Today we finally decided to unload it and put the pictures on the computer to free some more space up for him. I was pleasantly surprised at the treasures we found and think he just may have a future in photography if the whole "professional soccer player" doesn't work out for him.

But my favorite picture is one he took of our dear neighbor, Kristi.

Beckam a.k.a. Gospel Enthusiast

Kristi just called to relate the following story that happened today in primary.
She was in charge of Sharing Time and they were all talking about the Plan of Salvation (i.e. Who are we? Where did we come from? Where are we going) She had asked one of the questions and after a primary child gave the answer, Beckam popped up out of his seat, fist pumped in the air, and exclaimed, "YEAH, ba-by!" Kristi said it was so sweet and told him, "You're right Beckam. That's exactly the kind of enthusiasm we should have for the gospel."
Gotta love that Beck!

Beckam's a Sunbeam & Jaxton is FIVE!

Beckam started Sunbeams today. I'm not quite sure how I feel about that. On one hand I look forward to the day where my children are more independent and can do things on their own, but I also realize that when that day comes, I might feel super lonely. Each of my days is spent filling the demands of my children, but each day my children also smother me with love, kisses, hugs, smiles, and giggles -- a mighty fair trade! I hope as they grow and as they become more independent, they will still take the time to love their mom.

Jaxton turned 5 years old. Again, I'm not sure how I feel about that. Jaxton is such a love bug. He delights in a tickle war, or a snuggle, or a big hug. He's sensitive and kind and his confidence grows more and more every day. Jaxton is so polite and even when he's asked if he needs to go to the bathroom, he'll reply with, "No thanks, mom." He's everything wonderful and even though he's convinced that he doesn't need to grow any older than five, I'm sure that as he continues to grow he will become something super fantastic and that this world will be a better place because he's in it. Love you SO much Jaxton!
FYI: Jaxton weighs in at 48lbs. (90th%) and is 44 1/2 in. tall (75th%).

The other morning I was at the gym early to run when a guy who works on the other side came over to collect the laundry. We small talked for a minute about running and then he said, "So how much weight have you lost, because you really do look good." Slightly embarrassed I said, "Well, up until the summer I had lost a little over 20 pounds." He then continued the slightly awkward conversation with, "You look great. You don't even look like the same person." I replied with a giggle and a "thanks," but what I should've said was, "Have you forgotten that I actually had another human being nestled inside my stomach for 9 months?" Makes me wonder if he doesn't remember me being pregnant, but just remembers me 30 pounds heavier.

SERVICE

Since Nate's become EQ president, he's already had to move quite a few people in and out of their homes. This last week he was at a move helping the guy pack with a few other people when another man, who Nate didn't recognize, showed up. The guy said, "Hey, can I work?" and Nate assuming that it was a friendly neighbor replied, "Sure!" A few minutes into their work the man asks, "So how much are we getting paid?" Nate looked at him to be sure he wasn't joking and when it was clear that the man was serious Nate told him, "We aren't getting paid -- we're doing service." The man's quick response was, "SERVICE? I'm lookin' for work and if we're not getting paid, then I'm outta here."
I guess the man was looking for more than a good feeling as payment for his work . . .