MMM

Looks like I need to start updating again.... Sorry I have neglected this site.... must repent... maybe next week!!

Hi KIM!!!

This ones for you babe du du du du this ones for you babe

January 31, 2008

A MOUNTAIN TOP EXPERIENCE

Last night was one of the most tender and special evenings of my life. After having a wonderful choir rehersal where there was a lot of memories and songs about, by, and beloved by Pres. Hinckley, we had the amazing opportunity to have a private viewing of the Prophet.


We were escorted to the Conf. Center where apx 400 of us surrounded the casket and got to spend a few quiet moments in our private thoughts. Then Elder Hinckley spoke to us and told us of Pres. Hinckleys love for the choir and expressed the families gratitude for bringing such happiness and joy to their father.

Then we had the blessing of being able to sing. We sang "We Thank The Oh God For A Prophet", "Abide With Me 'Tis Eventide", and "God Be With You". It was a very tender few minutes which reminded me of the wonderful blessing it is in my life to be in the choir. I am blessed beyond words to experience moments like this. I do not know why Heavenly Father granted me this blessing, but I recognize His hand in it, and am thankful for it.




After singing and passing by the casket again, we walked past the flowers and memorials that had been set up. I was very impressed with the simplicity of the arrangements by the family. Large vases of just long stem roses and tulips. Nothing extravagant and traditional in the large family arrangements that usually are present at funerals. But, on each arrangement was notes of love and gratitude for a loving father, grfather, and gr-grfather. I particularly love the Gr-grchildren's arrangement. Again simple vase of flowers.... but attached to it was a large letter that said (I paraphrase):

We will be Grateful.

We will be Smart.

We will be Clean.

We will be True.

We will be Humble.

Because we Love you.

and then it was signed by each of the families and the Gr Grandchildren.


It was very beautiful and touching.


A beautiful evening of blessings and remembrances of an amazing man who touch my life as well as millions of others in a very personal way.

A wonderful Christmas Holiday

This holiday will be remembered as a tradition starting one. We had the wonderful oportunity to be all together for an extended period of time and strengthen the bonds of our family. We were blessed to have a family friend loan us their cabin for a week and we did the first "Jan and Brent Petersen Escape Reunion" I know that is a long name... we are open for suggestions!! But that is exactly what it was. We ran away from the world and spent time with just each other.

We were able to create some wonderful traditions and have a laughing good time. Here are some of our favorites:

1. The Balloon Room. Kim had the great idea to fill up a room with balloons and then play!! and we did. It wasn't just L & C that had fun... as you can see by the pictures... it was a free for all and fun for all.

M is still too young to enjoy playing the balloons this year....... but just wait until next year... she will be right in the middle of it!!

Aren't these the cutest kids in the state!!!! (oh wait... Brent said that was wrong.... it has to be the world.... at least!!)

#2 Gingerbread houses. There was major creative juices flowing that night. We had mansions, trains, cabins, and houses. Here is the process and then the results.

#3 Snow Play. Snow played a major part in this party. We pushed cars out of snow banks, snowshoed, tubed, went sledding, and of course snowmobiling. Those from out of state really loved the opportunity to play in the cold and white stuff.

Doesn't it look like fun!!

Here are some after Christmas memories. L &c are playing under the biggest and most exciting Christmas Tree we ever had the pleasure of decorating. It began it's life as our Christmas tree about 30 years ago in the old SW Drive house. We bought it in a bucket and as soon as Christmas was over, we planted it across the street from our old house where we thought we were going to build our new one. But things didn't work out there and we built here. So a few years later we had a friend go over there with his front loader and move it to our front yard. Now 30 years later.... it had started to struggle and it was time to take it out. So, of course.... it had to finish it's life as a Christmas tree again. We used only the top 15 feet of the 40' tree and brought it in. It was an adventure.


And to top the holiday off, it was time for L to get her official name and blessing. It was another celebration with lots of friends and family.

So, after that long discription.... no bragging.... just fact, you can see it was a most wonderful holiday at the Petersen household!

Happy New Year

Kim -

This one is for you. I am posting so that you can't say no one has posted for months and months. I know I just saw you all, but hey!!

the rest of the tour??!!??

It is a little down the road and a lot of stuff that has been going on since, but to keep our promise we decided we had better finish the choir tour on the blog.

Leaving Cleveland and the Blossom Festival we head for the Windy City of Chicago. We had to drive into the city early in the day to avoid traffic, so we were given time to visit some of the sites of Chicago. We chose to go to the Natural History Museum. And guess who we saw there??

Yep.... there he is! The Dino from Night at the Museum. That was probably the most exciting thing there. Dad really wanted to see the dioramas like in the movie.... and we couldn't find them... so we went and asked the lady at the help desk and she looked at us like we were from mars. She said that they might have some in the storage basement... but she didn't know what they were of, and that we would have to get permission from the director of the museum to even go down there. She really didn't think they had had one on display for decades. mmm..... don't think they filmed that part here.

The concert was pretty cool. The cicadas didn't end up being such a big deal like they thought it was going to be.... but we did see a few. The funnest part was Brent's interaction with the audience and watching their faces. He was laking to a couple behind him and they had a nice little chat, they were Catholic. They said they didn't believe like us, but they sure liked the choir. Dad told them that they would really like the encore. They were blown away with the concert, but when the Archbishop Francis Cardinal George appeared on stage to conduct us they were ecstatic. (The choir can really reach out and touch people of all religions and backgrounds)

On to Cincinnati. This is going to be one of our favorite stops because the Beazers are coming up to meet us and spend the night. We got to spend some time with them and go to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. They got to eat some Cincinnati chili while I was practicing and then off to the Riverbend for the Concert. It was really fun for Dad 'cuz he got to sit with them during the concert. My favorite part is when Lydia came up on stage with Grandpa and was standing in the wings during intermission saying hello to me!!! It made my day.

After Cincinnati was Nashville - I got to see the ORIGINAL Grand Ol' Opry and watch my first concert on tour from the audience. I had developed a cough and wanted to not only not cough on stage but also save my voice for the next day in Memphis where my cousin Anita was. It was the first time the choir was wearing the new dresses on tour and I was watching from the audience.

Next came Memphis, with Anita, Elvis and lots of things that we didn't participate in. Hold on.... I will explain.

Anita was on the ticket committee for her stake and so she was deeply involved in our coming. In fact, as soon as we got there, she picked us up and took us to a regional fireside that Lloyd Newell was talking at. And she gave the closing prayer. Then we went to her home and talked with her and her husband for a while. It was fun to get caught up with her and her family. The next day was ELVIS day. We went to his house and took the grand tour and listened to all the stories and saw all the displays. Truely... I was impressed. He really did a lot with his money and took care of his mom and others whom he loved. We spent the rest of the day driving Memphis and doing lunch. I really loved spending some time with her and feeling of her beautiful spirit. The choir was doing some extra stuff that we missed. One of them was singing for a 10 year old member who was there getting some cancer treatment. Someone in the choir new someone who knew her and knew she and her family wanted to go to the concert, but she couldn't because her body was do weak. So they ask a few to meet her in the hotel lobby and sing a few songs for her. Well I guess it ended up being over 1/2 of the choir. they filled the mezzanines and lobby.

The concert that night was another first. It was the first concert I left - ever - in the middle of. I started coughing and it was not a happy thing. So I left at intermission. I went to the dressing room (The men's hockey team changing room) I had hung my street clothes on one of the shower heads in the shower - there wasn't a lot of places to hang dresses in a hockey locker room.!! Low and behold the shower leaked!!! and my clothes were wet. So this evening got even more memorable. With no blow driers (in a locker room???) I just put on wet clothes and watched my second concert from the balcony.

Even though the last 2 concerts were weird. The trip was a great experience, lots of great concerts and people to meet and see. And Dad got to see CORBIN and LYDIA - oh yeah, Brooke and Q , too!!!

So there you have it Choir Tour 2007.

Love and hugs.

Mom and Dad

Family Reunion

OK all-

Just working on the Reunion. This is proving more complex than planned. Here's where we're at:

Beazers arrive the 17th of December. We are available that week or from the 28th to the 2nd. What works best for others? Mom pointed out that for Dad after Christmas would be better.

We have East Canyon reserved for the 17th-22nd. Can we see if it's open for the 28th through the 2nd? Everyone ask around for available cabins or other ideas -- we are open to whatever.

Home James

Sads -

Sick - Got a dumb cold from coworkers and roomates.

Happies -

Canada Trip

Conference!!!!!!

I get to have a life again . . . kinda

Talked to my new boss on Wed. and got real excited about what is comming up.


Love you all

Just around the corner...

5 more weeks, kim is here, another week and all the showers will be done, we hired someone for my job, our bassinette is set up, maggie continues to grow (and grow and grow) and move (and kick and push and poke), i'm starting to feel the braxton-hicks...i think this means that she's coming soon...AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Test

Just to update you all, Quintin passed the first of his Econ Master tests! I'm proud of him -- it was an ugly test and we're both glad to have it behind us. That means he's got 1/2 a Masters and after classes this year and one more test he'll have the full Masters. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!