What a Wonderful Man

Gerald Wayne Petersen 

My wonderful father, and my personal angel. 

The last picture that was taken of my father. I cherish this picture. 

This is exactly how I remember my dad. 

Seventeen years ago today my father passed away. Not a day goes by that I do not think about him and what life would be like with him here today with us. I miss him more than words can even describe. He passed away one month after my seventh birthday. I was way too young to have my dad taken away from me. I really don't remember him at all. It is hard not knowing your own father with your own memories. Though I do feel very blessed to be surrounded by family, friends, and neighbors who knew him so well. I love to sit and listen to stories about my father and what an amazing man that he was. Whenever someone tells me a story about my father I cannot help but cry. Those tears are full of so much emotion. I could sit and listen to stories about him forever and never ever get tired of them. I try and soak in all that I can when it comes to stories about my daddy. 

Isn't he so cute! (No wonder my mother fell in love with him.)

 I think that he is in his late twenties in this picture.

I feels so blessed knowing that he is watching over and protecting me in my life. I know that he is the one that brought Justin and myself together. It is amazing to me how alike my dad and Justin are. I remember as a little girl wanting to marry someone just like my father. I am so proud to say that I did. Justin is just like the man that my father was. Thanks dad for nudging Justin and me together. 

This is the last family photo that we took together. 

I think that it was only taken a couple months before he passed away. 

This are the only pictures that I have at my house right now. Since my mom moved earlier this year I need to track down all the pictures of my dad. My goal this summer is to scan in all the pictures that I can find of my dad so that I can always see him and so that my children can know their grandpa. 

I love my father with all my heart. I hope that he is proud of his little girl. Because I know that I am so proud of my father and the wonderful life and legacy that he left here on earth with us. I will forever and always be a daddy's little girl!!!!! 

I love you dad!

First Year of Teaching...Done :(

I absolutely loved my first year of teaching. I still cannot believe that it is officially over with. This was the fastest year ever. I just hope and pray that I taught my students all that they need to know in first grade. My main goal was to help the students gain a love for school and want to come and learn everyday. 

I am going to miss my students so much. I have to say that I had the best and cutest class ever. I cannot believe all the smarty pants that I had this year. Seriously some of my students could have taught the class. I feel completely blessed to be able to have had this class as my first. They made me want to come to school everyday just to see their smiling faces. Now that the year is over I wish that I would have been able to stay at my old school just for the fact that I would be able to see my old students everyday. Oh well. I hope that they will never forget me. Because I know for a fact that I will never forget them. These precious children will always have a place in my heart. 

 I love this picture so much because I swear this is how my class acted all the time. 

Babies, babies, babies!!!

So if you even mention the word baby to me I melt inside and wish with all my heart that I would be having one right now. If you mention the word baby to Justin on the other hand he would tell you to never utter that word in front of me because he hates the back lash that he gets from me. I am so baby hungry it is crazy.  I swear that everyone and their dogs are prego!! No matter where I go I see pregnant ladies. Also all of my friends are either trying to get pregnant or they are pregnant or the have had their baby or they are on their second one. Seriously you need to all stop you are making me super sad :( 

I just have to keep on telling myself that my time will come. Soon enough Justin will come around to the idea that now is the time to start trying. Right, at least that is what I keep on telling myself. 

Well I wanted to make this post to show off some cute pictures of our best friends Tyler and Kylie Crittenden's little bundle of joy Carrera. Carrera was born last Friday at 10:55 pm weighing in at only 5 lbs 10 oz. She was full term, she just came out a tiny little thing. All of our nieces and nephews have been almost double that size. So it was strange to be holding a newborn that small. We had the great opportunity to go and see her last Saturday. I cannot believe how good Kylie looked. You would have had no idea that she just had a baby. 

Don't I look like a natural mother? 

I think that Justin needs some more practice in holding newborns :) We will work on that one.

Beautiful baby and mom.

Congrats Tyler and Kylie! We are so excited to have Carrera here.