Run, run, run

I guess summer is a good time to get out running, but our family isn't exactly the lace up the sneakers and go for a jog type. Instead, we've been running to keep up with a crazy-full schedule of lots of great events and destinations, that make one marathon of a summer.

Last week we were in Rapid City for the Methodist Church's Annual Conference. This was a big year for us, as Brandon was fully ordained as an elder (Pastor)! You can see pictures at our Picasa site on the right. The ceremony was really nice, formal and elegant. Brandon likes to compare this milestone to a college prof receiving tenure - as he now is employed indefinitely. That's sure nice security in this day of so many lay-offs (trusting of course that the Methodist Church won't entirely collapse during our lifetime - pretty unlikely!) The rest of the week at conference was fun too. We caught up with a lot of old friends, lots of Pastors and church leaders. Miranda survived her first hotel stay pretty well; she even patiently endured the regular schedule getting thrown way out of whack. It's good to know she travels well, as we have a lot more of that coming up! She also had her first trip into a big swimming pool - she wasn't a big fan of the cold water though, so it was a short trip.

Yesterday we drove to Winner, SD for Robbie and Vicki's wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony for an amazing couple. It was fun to see so many graduated college students there! I have never driven through SW South Dakota, it's gorgeous! Brandon and I parted ways there, as he drove onto Rapid City for a week of High School camp and Miranda and I drove home.

This morning and afternoon Miranda and I enjoyed the huge benefit and celebration for Pastor Brad at the Lutheran Church where I work. There were hundreds of people there, we didn't have near enough seats or food! We planned for 500, and that wasn't enough - how amazing! I haven't heard how much money was raised yet but there were wonderful gift baskets in the raffle, homemade items in the silent auction and fantastic baked goods for sale, on top of lunch and free will donations - I think the total will be very helpful in paying down Brad and Joan's increasing medical bills! It was great to see so many people from all his different churches drive into town just to see and celebrate him; this year is also their 30th wedding anniversary, and his 30th year in ministry! It was a good day.

This week will surely fly by with lots of evening meetings and work commitments while I try to manage single parenting with Brandon out in the Hills. When Brandon gets back he has a wedding to perform here in town, and then we're all off to Boston for an extended-family vacation. All the Peterson crew are meeting up at Scott's to cuddle and kiss our new little Alice! Can't wait! Let's hope Miranda will fly as well as she rides in the car.

Daddy's Home!

Brandon got home from Peru this week! He was gone for 12 days; but it sure seemed longer when trying to manuvre single-parenting. The trip was a grand success. It started out really rocky; with huge airline problems causing them to lose a full day stuck in Miami then another day in Lima waiting for the luggage that didn't come from Miami. So they were a couple days behind on work schedule in Chincha; but made up for it with hard dedicated workers. The pictures show lots of time spent with the neighborhood children sharing loads of hugs and giggles. I"ll work on getting some pics up for you; they're still gathering them together from all the students. The team was awesome; Brandon was very impressed with the great attitudes and servant mindedness of his students!

Miranda and mommy missed him, but did pretty well throughout the week. I'm grateful for friends in town and a fantastic babysitter that helped watch her when I had evening commitments. She tried really hard not to learn any big new things so Brandon wouldn't miss out. Below is a video of her playing; she's gotten pretty good at clapping now which is one of her newer skills.

Big news in the Peterson family - Scott and Lisa had their baby girl! Alice is one week and one day old now. She's home now, eating, sleeping, eating and sleeping. She's beautiful and I swear she's already smiling in some of the pictures! I can't wait to go out to Boston in June and cuddle her!

Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day all you moms out there. I'm very happy to be in the mommy club this year. It is a club, I feel, an unspoken understanding among Moms everywhere. It seems to me that any gathering of moms will contain conversation on those little annoying things kids do; whether it's babies not sleeping, toddlers not listening, or teens not caring, but everyone in the circle knows those kids we're complaining about are our children and we love them to the moon and back! There's always that tone of endearment amidst the frustration. So, this mother's day - enjoy your kids; the handfuls they are!

Miranda hasn't been sleeping through the night lately- so that's our frustration. But she is learning new things each day, which is so fun to watch! She has a full fledge individual personality now; and it's a pretty likable one. She likes to play games and be silly. One of our favorite games is peek-a-boo; specifically when someone hides behind the couch and pops out on different sides, or unexpected places. She watches, and leans from side to side looking, then sqweels with delight when you appear. (I just explained peek-a-boo, as if you were all so unfamiliar with the concept!) Anyway, it's fun to make her laugh. When she wants to be silly she shakes her head from side to side like no-no-no-no and dances her legs a bit. She fully expects you to laught at this - so the jokes go both ways. Unfortunately personality comes with assertion and Miranda will certainly let you know what she wants in no uncertain terms; whether its a toy, or to be picked up, or food - she wants it now! Brandon thinks she gets that from me; could be.

We decided our Mother's Day/Anniversary tradition should be family photo shoots. Since May is almost half a year from Miranda's birthday this could ensure we have good pictures twice a year, of her on her birthdays and all of us on Mother's Day. So, we took our first outing to the park yesterday to attemp some colorful pictures. Conditions weren't good, windy, very bright and sunny, and baby was a little cranky. But, there were about 6 or 7 good shots in the whole ordeal. We actually got better ones in our own backyard later in the evening. So, that makes Mom happy! Visit the "Web Albums" link on the right to see these.

The big news around here is, of course, Brandon's trip to Peru. He left this afternoon with a few of the students and they are picking up more along the way to Omaha, NE. Once everyone is together 19 people will fly to Peru tomorrow morning! We had 3 of the college girls staying with us this week; as school got out last week and they were homeless until the trip. Everyone was pretty excited, nervous about remembering to pack everything, and gearing up for a long day of travel tomorrow. I'm a little nervous about how things will go around here without Miranda's favorite man; but I'm sure we'll manage. Brandon's co-leader Leah is leaving a house with 2 young girls and their daddy - so if he can do it, I can for sure, right!? Pray for the Peru mission team and all the things they'll see and do in the coming days!

No new baby Peterson yet - my vote is for today - have that baby already, Lisa; it's mother's day!

Birthdays

Today is my 28th birthday, and Miranda's 7th month day. I'm slightly more excited about the later than the former! She's been so silly today, I just have to share it. She learned to clap, literally today. Did it once over lunch, then we all kept clapping at her and she'd join in! It's adorable :-). She's always been a fan of clapping when we do it to her, so you can just see the joy in her face now that's she's figured it out! She's also been 'clicking' her tongue, but sucking in and flicking it. She's done this before, but not for awhile now. Today she's playing with her Grandpa Ed and pulling out all her greatest tricks to win over his heart.

We took some great pictures with her and all those stuffed Tigers for Peru - you'll have to go check them out at the link on the right. She was in a good mood to put up with all my posings.

Thanks to all for the many birthday wishes; we're having a fun day around here!

The days are flying by...

Sorry I haven't posted for awhile (I think that's how I have to start all my posts recently). We've been trucking along, with busy jobs, and happy playful evenings with baby. Miranda is incredibly interactive these days. She's loving peek-a-boo and any funny face games. I love her little giggle, and the look of anticipation when she's waiting to laugh at something! She's fun. If you want to video chat, look us up on Skype!

Our camera is broken and shipped off for service. So, sorry, but no new pictures for a couple weeks. It's killing me not to be able to capture all her pretty faces, but we have a replacement camera coming down with Brandon's dad tomorrow!

Brandon has been busy a lot with year-end things at the college, and Peru trip prep. They leave in less than 2 weeks now - for a mission trip in Peru. The team is really good this year, I know they're going to have a great time! All the students have been over here to the house for some 'training sessions' - it's a living room full of laughter and plans and faithfilled kids. I'm excited for their trip, as is Brandon of course! Today he brought home 70+ stuffed Tigers (our school mascot) to pack and hand out to kids in Peru; how fun is that!

I'm (not so) patiently waiting with the rest of my family for our newest addition - Lisa is due within the next week and a half! Keep her and Scott in your prayers please! And think of Brandon and his team traveling on May 10 and the two weeks following. I really don't want him to come home with Swine Flu!

Miranda is 6 months old!

I can't believe it - our little baby girl is 6 months old! Happy half-birthday day, Miranda Ann! And what a big girl she is, growing like a weed and learning something new everyday. About 15 minutes ago she rolled onto her belly, then rolled onto her back, they once more onto her belly; very effectively rolling herself right into grasping distance of Jack, the object of her desire. Watch out world - she's mobile!

We went for Miranda's 6 month check-up on Thursday. Everything looks good, right on track! She weighs 15 lbs 13 oz; 27 inches long, and a good head size. Her weight is right at the 50% for her age, but her length is at the 85% - so she's a tall girl. She had a couple immunization shots at this appointment. That's usually a cry-fest, but she did so well this time! She gasped and turned red right when they poked her, then screeched and started to cry. But just then the Dr. peeked into the room and joked with the nurses to 'stop hurting the babies around here' to which we three chuckled, and that made Miranda laugh! So she did this crazy laugh while crying mixture, and then was fine. All told she was upset for about 20 seconds.

I'm constantly amazed at all the new things she can do. She sits pretty well now, but topples over before long. Her legs are getting really strong; she stands when we're holding her and kicks everything. Loves to kick and splash in the tub! She's so interactive and fun now - laughing and playing all the time. 2 weeks ago she'd have a giggle fit when we tickled her belly or kissed her neck. Now she'll laugh just at funny faces or voices; so we're telling lots of hilarious jokes :-). I love to cuddle this kid-o; we lay on the floor or in the bed and talk, cooing and giggling and just loving on each other! I hope to always remember these precious moments with my daughter; they swell up my heart with joy. She's seriously delightful!

List of tid-bits about Miranda: her eyes are still blue, she's loved every new baby food we've introduced, she hums while she nurses, she wakes up happy and talking, she loves to throw her head back and stretch out her neck, she watches Jack everywhere he goes and likes to pull his hair, she only poops once every 2 days, she doesn't have any teeth yet, she likes to bang on tables and anything with her hands, she sucks her toes whenever possible, she's growing hair but is mostly still a baldy, she loves to grab the remote-cell phone-cup-food away from mommy and daddy. I'd like to go on and on describing every wonderful little thing she does; but I may bore you all. In short - she's an awesome baby.

In other news:
- Our family members in North Dakota are all ok (right now at least); Fargo has a lot of waiting and watching this week yet.
- Pastor Brad at my church is a couple weeks into chemo and radiation treatment. He's feeling ok right now, but expected to get sick pretty soon. The prognosis on his cancer is not encouraging. The church has hired an interim, who will start after Easter.
- Dakota Wesleyan is undergoing a lot of change in personnel; which has been sad and tough on many. Brandon's job is ok, but he's losing some great co-workers and his department is restructuring a lot. I think he'll be moving offices this summer.
- B's been on the road almost every weekend leading services at various churches along with the Peru mission team. They're working hard to raise money for the trip. The team is really good and Brandon enjoys working with them; it will be a great mission trip this May.
- My brother and sister-in-law are expecting their baby in about 6 weeks! I'm so excited about this baby! We're going out to Boston in June to meet the little bundle of joy.

I'll work on some new pictures for the albums this afternoon - so check them out.

Welcome March

Well, my Famine weekend is over and it went so well! I really enjoyed the evening and afternoon with my students. We had a group of college kids from Augustana come help with games and worship, and they were great. My young students did so well; didn't complain about the hunger, played all the games with enthusiasm, listened during the Bible lessons - they were just really good. They'll do a presentation in church next week to show the pictures and tell the stories. After that we're done fundraising; right now they have raised about $1300. I'm feeling so much more relaxed now that the Famine is over and went well - it's a lot of work.

Brandon went on a mini-mission trip to Minneapolis these last few days. They were working at a camp site, stocking a food pantry and (my fav) helping old ladies install the new cable boxes. Sounds like a good time! He's got a couple days off with the rest of spring break; so the whole family will finally be able to relax a little.

I posted some new pictures as Miranda has now entered her 5th month. Such a big girl! I can finally say looking back at her new-born pictures she seems like an entirely different baby, so tiny and squishy-faced. She really is growing up fast; don't they all! She recently tasted some carrots along with her rice cereal. She likes both foods quite well; opens her mouth real wide and leans in toward me to try to find the spoon the moment the last bite was swallowed. It's pretty cute - like everything she does these days. She's also become VERY interested in Jack the dog. She watches him everywhere he goes and reaches out to grab him whenever he walks by her. She loves it if we sit and pet him, he doesn't love it as much, because she grabs his fur and tugs!