School has started and it's almost Christmas!

 This is the first day of school.. I have a new bus driver who is named Julie.  That's easy for my mom to remember!   (because Julie is my sister's name.)  She is a really nice person.  

Here I am riding in the bus.  I have a really nice bus helper lady.  I'm enjoying the bus rides better every year.  When it was first after my accident, I HATED the bus.  Every bump and turn and slide, really bothered me, but now, sometimes I just put my shades on, put the ipod in my ear, and I just relax all the way to school.  I guess we all calm down as we get older.

Third time is the charmer

August 13, 2013

Third time is the charmer, I always say.  This will be my 3rd attempt to have a blog for Nathan, and this time, I will remember my password!  I will also remember the blog name and how to get to it.  So I guess we'll see how I do. 

This has been Nathan's 12th year since his accident.  Next summer, he has to have a major surgery to replace the Baclifin pump that he has inside of him for pain management.  So that will be one heck of a summer coming up.  But this year he is doing good.  Despite the fact that he seems to get pressure sores on his ankles or heels from the dafos that he wears, he is doing great. We use to have wild nights with him, where he was in pain all night long and he would cry out all night long, but those nights are so very far and few between now, that it almost seemed as though they never existed. 

On my birthday this year, Nathan smiled for me!  He doesn't smile very often.  I don't think it's because he can't, I think it's because his brain doesn't remember how to, and so every now and then, it just happens... It really made my birthday special.  

On Sundays, when we go to church, Nathan usually sits in his wheelchair and just listens.  Sometimes he listens with his eyes closed ;D  but lately he has been awake during the Sacrament.  One Sunday, he acted very upset with me and so I asked him why.  Of course, he can't reply back so I have to ask different questions on why he would be upset with me.  After only a couple of questions, did I get it right.  So now, if Nathan is awake during the Sacrament, it's because he wants to partake of it.  So for the last 4 weeks, Nathan has gotten to take the Sacrament and renew his baptismal covenants.  That makes me really happy.  Then after the Sacrament, he closes his eyes.. He really does know what is going on!  I never have questioned it, but some others do.  

So here is Nathan at this year's Father's and Sons Outing.  Our ward was going to a camp site that would have been really hard for Nathan and his wheelchair.  In fact, whenever the guys think about going.. they just dread it because the ground is so hard to roll the wheelchair around on it.

This year, Derek really wanted to go.  He wanted Dad (Mark), and Adam and him and Nathan and Brogden to all go and stay over night.  Dad wasn't so sure about the campground with the ward, but Derek really wanted to go.  He really didn't care if it was with the ward, just more bonding time with the family.  After talking about it, it was decided that they would pick a new camp site and just go as a family.  They would have one of Nathan's helpers come along, and then when it got really late, the helper and Nathan would head back home and Dad and the others would stay the night.  Staying there for Nathan would be very difficult and uncomfortable for him.  So Derek was in charge of picking the campsite, Dad was in charge of the food, and Adam was in charge of the entertainment.  

They had a great time!  Nathan loved it so much and really felt involved with the family.. Cudos to Derek!  I'm so thankful that Nathan has family that want him to be involved in everything they do.

Nathan and his helper Mark Rebilas

Derek and Brogden at the campsite                         

The Petersen men!  Mark, Nathan, Adam, Derek and Brogden.

December 2011     


Christmas is my favorite time of the year.  This year we had all the family here.  We had so many fun activities.  I enjoy spending this time with my family.   We did our 2nd annual "Deal or No Deal.  We copy the TV show and have prizes and money worth up to $100.  But the big deal was the 2 tickets to the Broadway show "Wicked".  Just so you know. ... no one won them.  But it was still fun.  Adam and McKenzie were the big winners this year.  They won the $100.00!  
Playing this game is very nerve racking.  It drives everyone insane because they worry about what numbers to pick.  It's intense... Mom loves it!  hahahah

My job in all of this was to hold the numbers that the "contestants" chose.  I was not suppose to let ANYONE see what was inside the envelope!  Very important job!

This is how excited they were that they won the money!

Adam and McKenzie with their prize paper

Me holding the next number

Derek and Katie choosing next.  Katie hates this. It makes her very nervous :D

They did better this year!  Good job!

This is when they picked the $100 envelope to get rid of..

Hey.. the gas card will get them back to Logan!

Kalynn likes me to be on her team.. She just can't seem to win the big money.. Maybe in 2013

Oh... darn.. they got rid of a good prize too!  Mom is the marker off person and dad is the banker.. of course.

We also decorate gingerbread houses.  In the past, we have had trouble with the houses caving in.  This year, I bought them already formed so all we had to do was decorate.  Takes a lot of pressure off that's for sure. The pictures are the finished project.

Mark, Melissa and Lizzy

Kalynn and her house

McKenzie and Adam and their house

Julie and Jon and their house

Derek and Katie and they added a garage on their house!  Cool!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matt helped me finish my house

We also had a special visit from Santa Claus.  He gave out gifts and candy canes.  I know as an 18 year old I should feel silly, but I rather enjoyed it too.  Candy canes taste really good!

Here comes Santa Claus!

Me?  What do I want for Christmas? hmmmm

Cole?  He NEVER goes to anyone, let alone a stranger!  Of course, Santa isn't a stranger.  Everyone loves him!

Brogden loved the candy cane, but wanted down fast!

Sammy like the candy cane and was thinking about the lap thing.

Lizzy was so happy to tell Santa what she wanted.. 

Next we had the "Night of the Aunts and Uncles".  It's a night where everyone does a talent.  Adam started it with a Spanish rendition of some song he learned on his mission.  Jon did a talent of "a student's first recital".  Julie and Lizzy played a duet.  Nolan did a magic trick, sort of..:D  Derek and Katie displayed "teach Brodgalina how to put on makeup and Kalynn did her talent with Nathan.. helping him sing and dance.  Matt helped her also.

Sorry that it is turned... Adam and his song

Nolan POOF!

Twinkle twinkle...

Jingle Bells!

Um... not sure WHAT to think!

Behind every pretty man is a better looking woman! 

 So that's it for our PRE Christmas festivities.  One of my favorites, which we forgot to take pictures at, was going to sing Christmas carols to my dear friend Evelyn Farnsworth.  It was a wonderful season!

 

Not what I wanted to be!

October 31 2011

Every year I go out to find the best costume for Nathan to wear.  This year, was no different, except it came to the fact that there was NOT a best costume to be found.  What  I find was a Potato Head Family costume and thought that would be so much fun!  But Nathan was NOT amused!  He just HATED that fact that he had to wear this costume.  How did I know?  Because he certainly could not tell me, was the body posturing.  hahahah.  Okay, so next year, I will start sooner and find better.. COME ON Nathan.. Cheer up.. it wasn't that bad!

Nathan tolerated the costume for the school carnival, and he seemed happier that night, probably because of the treats he got and the games he won... I think he looks FABULOUS!

Here are more costumes worn by his nephew

Brogden.. busy as a bee!

Derek and Katie 

Now THIS was way cool to be!  Plus I got to do my picture with my good friend Matt and my sister Kalynn!  Kalynn got me this costume when she went to Disneyland. 

Cute Cole!  Doesn't he look adorable?

September 2011

Nathan was chosen to be a Thursday Hero.  An employee of his, Rory Eyring, put his name in.  Rory worked as a practicing PT for the BYU football team.  He was majoring in Sports Medicine and had to have a semester of working with hands on in a sport.  He was chosen to work with the football team, which was his dream!  When he found out that the football team did the Thursday Hero, Rory, put Nathan's name in to be chosen.  Being chosen to be a Thursday Hero is a great opportunity.  Nathan truly is our hero!  For what he has had to endure in his life,  he has done it with a great attitude and a willing heart. What he has gone through, has helped our family and those around him to be better people.  It has opened our hearts and minds to better things.  But Nathan is not just our hero on Thursdays.. he is our hero EVERYDAY!

Nathan (in front) Matt, Kalynn, Mark, Becky and Derek

Mark and Nathan

The rock that the team chisels continually

BYU Players that have gone on missions and where they went

Those BYU football players who have gone to play in the NFL

Nathan, Mark and Kalynn

Nathan, Kalynn, Matt and Derek

Nathan, Kalynn, Mark, Becky and Derek

All the football team coming to meet Nathan

Coach Mendenhall meeting Nathan

Nathan receiving a BYU football jersey from the team captain

Becky with her BYU t-shirt

Nathan signing the flag that the team carries on to the football field

Nathan, Mark, Coach Bronco Mendenhall and Becky

Kalynn and Nathan and his flag

Nathan wearing his football jersey and hat