Long Time no see?! A year later....

Unfortunately it has been almost a year since my last post November 2013.  Eeesh!
Too much has happened to update you on everything but I'll do a few quite posts to show our year in review!

January 2014- Jonathan started academy #2.   It was easy this time around, having stayed in good physical shape, knowing what to expect, and actually having the respect of his cadre for enduring ANOTHER academy!  He enjoyed almost every day of it and was so glad to be back!   Finally getting the graduation he had much anticipated on MAY 22, 2014!

Jonathan received the "Polished Boot" award which was voted on by his peers.  He was told he "has outstanding work ethic and strong morals and character.........  A man, every mother would want their son to grow up to be!"

Jonathan's first day in Fire Station #5 was on Sunday, May 28th. Being the new guy AND rookie comes with a lot of taunting and teasing in the firehouse. Not to mention ALL the chores by yourself.  Probation lasts for 6 months.  During that time you can expect to be tortured.  I personally don't see the benefits of workplace harassment, but its "tradition" as they say.  The extra work keeps Jonathan busy and most of the harassment he lefts roll off his shoulders.
 

By now he's more than 1/2 way through the academy and things are getting better each day.  He actually enjoys going now and has even got to play a role in saving a life or two.  STILL looking forward to the end of probation on or around November 18th.  After that he will be treated a bit more civilly and can also have the opportunity to work overtime.
 That will help a great deal in getting out of the debt we incurred during his 2 academies where the pay is very low.

A Glance at my work :) 

I have spend this year being VERY BUSY with eyelash extensions.  I've really enjoyed it and meeting so many new women.  I've done about 40+ different woman over the last year and enjoy all of them.  Some haven't kept it up, others have been consistent for over a year now.  Its great side money and has really helped with the bills while our income is at the bottom of the fire totem pole!











We got Wet n Wild season passes again, knowing we'd have no money to take any real vacations and wanted the kids to have some fun this summer.  As always we loved every day we went!  This year was even slower than last due to a new water park opening in Henderson, taking part of the crowd away.   Fewer lines for us!!

I was girls camp director this year and boy was that a lot of work and stress leading up to camp!  We camped at Deer Haven Campground on Cedar City Mountain in Utah.  My theme was "Oh the places you'll go...." from Dr. Seuss.  We talked about the choices we have in our youth that determine where you'll go and who'll you'll be.  And of course tied in the Temple as one of the key places to go in Life!  It was an awesome week getting to know the girls in my new ward as well as becoming friends with the leaders!  Loved every minute of it!  Best part?  Rafting & Zip lining down the Sevier River in Marysville, Utah.  So much fun!

My hometown of Panaca turned 150 this summer!  So Panaca's traditional Pioneer Day Celebration was kicked up a notch.  Or 100!   There were hot air balloons, a 5K that Noah ran all on his own, a play on the founding- written by my father Pete Peterson!  (it was fabulously done!!) a statue unveiling, a parade bigger than Panaca has ever seen, kids games & races, and a fireworks show bigger than the county has ever seen!   It was an action packed weekend that was the mother of all homecomings for anyone and everyone who has ever lived in Panaca!

In August, I finally got Carlaya in to see the doctor about a weird small lump just under the skin on her belly.   He was a bit concerned stating it could just be a cyst of some form or something...well "scary".  Surgery has been scheduled for September 16th, next week! Stayed tuned for how that goes.

Kids started school on August 25th!  This year Carlaya is in 5th grade and Noah is in 3rd.  Carlaya has 6 periods this year. she was nervous for rotating classes but excited for the change.  Turns out she loves it and says that it makes the day go by so much faster.  She has 5 teachers that make up the 5th grade team (each teaching one subject) and then her 6th class is a different "special" each day. (Spanish, PE, Music, Art, PE) 

Noah loves his new teacher, Miss Aguilar and his favorite is her classroom economy she has implemented.  They each had to apply for a job and they will get paid for that job. They can earn bonuses, and be paid for good grades.  BUT, they have to rent their desk each month or save up and buy it out right.  They also have to pay fines for bad behavior or for missing homework!   It teaches real world responsibility yet the kids find it so fun. I love it!

August 29-30 (Mon Sept 1st for the rest) was spend in a cabin on Cedar Mountain by Duck Creek with Jonathan's family.   All 6 siblings were there and between us and his parents we split the cost only making it $210 for the weekend.   It was a huge cabin with beds for everyone of us, a fully stocked modern kitchen. nice furniture, flat screen TV and another TV in some of the bedrooms and the basement, a pool table and ping pong table in the basement and a fire pit of roasting outback!
We had a lot of fun just hanging out there, going to Navajo Lake to let the kids float/raft and play in the freezing water!, and exploring the Mammoth Caves (spooky! underground for 20 or so minutes in black dark with just flashlights then coming up in the day light 70-80 yards away from where we climbed down in!)  Jonathan had to work Monday so we had to come home Sunday night, but it was a fun weekend!

September 4th, was Mya's FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL!  Boy was she excited!!  She goes Tues/Thurs from 9-11:30am.   She didn't know any of the kids in her class before she started but she wasn't nervous at all and loves to go!  She's come home with a cute little project everyday so far and always asks when she can go back.  Its been great for her to have something to do and get in some social time.  She's growing up so fast!

Well that's all folks, 9 months in review!  LOL  I'll be better about posting the happenings of our life again soon!