Congratulations, Petersen Family!

Rich and I have a new niece! Welcome, Ainsley Kate Petersen, weighing 9 lbs. 8 oz. and measuring 21" long and born early early yesterday morning, just in time to share a birthday with cousin Carson. 

I think Carolyn deserves a major pat on the back for the size. I already feel a special bond with Ainsley because I was 9 lbs. 11 oz. when I was born. I think this makes her the closest niece or nephew to my own hugeness.

Look at those cheeks! So adorable!

Congratulations on your newest addition, Petersen family! Alex may have been rooting for a brother, but I'm sure this little one will be just as loved even if he can't play tackle football with her.

Crap, It's Back

Remember SPK? Well, it's back. And I foolishly thought that I got rid of those stupid spots on my cornea a year ago.

But now there's something up with my right eye. Again. Things are a little blurry (sometimes, but not all of the time) and I can't wear contacts. Again. I'm going to the ophthalmologist. Again. I'm probably going to cry in front of him. Again.

Obviously, my goal is not to cry when he tells me I have to wear glasses for whatever length of time. But, if you know my family at all, you know we get emotional pretty easily. And I really HATE glasses. Not a good combination for me.

I never thought I would seriously consider lasik because I really don't mind contacts. And, I still can't seriously consider it because that's a lot of money that we should spend on things like rent, maybe, or food. But, if Bill Gates were to give me a couple thousand dollars (he could afford to give me a couple million, so I'm really not even asking for that much), I know how I would spend it.

I hope that I won't be a permanent glasses wearer. If the doctor tells me that, my willpower will most definitely break, and I will be bawling in front of him once more.

Wish me luck for Friday!

Well, Here We Are

Rich and I moved from the oh-so-friendly Happy Valley about two weeks ago, so I am coming to you now from the not-as-friendly Salt Lake County. I've never been the type who absolutely adored Utah County, so I didn't realize how much I would miss Provo once we left. Now, I long to be back there. Where you are surrounded by fellow Cougar fans. Where it's not an accusation when people ask if are you a Cougar fan. Where you don't feel like you're going to have your window bashed in for having a Y sticker on your car. Well, take this Utes:

We're Cougars through and through.

But seriously, I mostly miss Provo for the people. And the familiarity. I miss being able to hang out with Cami and Ethan a couple of times a week, playing Block Party and having BBQs. And, though we didn't really get to experience it, I miss being around Andrea who just got to BYU. I miss BYU campus, and I miss my friends at work (though Jana, bless her, is the only one still working with RHA). I miss going over to the Durhams' for "Office" and "Community" parties and having Chase and Savannah come running out the door to say (a very shy) hello. I miss Y Mountain, Provo Canyon, and the Provo River Trail. I miss being able to go running from my house (it turns out Midvale is pretty ghetto and a little bit scary).

So, I'm going to start looking for the positives about being in Midvale. One, we're closer to my family. Loving this.

Especially since this one, Khloe, is now starting to walk.

 

And this one, Lola, is now crawling.

Plus, Max absolutely adores Rich. Two, we like our apartment (it's smaller than our last one but nicer, and our complex is adorable). Three... well, give me time. I'm working on it.

Anyway, I started student teaching, and that's going well. I haven't completely taken over in the classroom yet, but I have taught a few times. It's tiring, but it's much better than sitting in classes all day (although it requires lots of patience because teenagers do not know how to stop talking). In a few weeks, I will be the teacher of four US History classes and two Citizenship and Government classes until December. Rich has thrown himself completely into the job hunt. I don't think there's a job opening on the Wasatch front that he doesn't know about.

So, that's us for now. Life has definitely changed a ton. We'll see what changes the next little while will bring.