...I Decided to Have an Adventure

In Colorado. So in T-minus 25 hours I will be moving to Aurora, CO. I'm not quite sure how this all came to be- the last two weeks have kind of been a blur for me, honestly. All I know is that my lovely sister-in-law Jenn has been begging me to move there for years and so I must have just gotten tired and given in. At least that's the excuse I like at the moment.

But truth- I get bored easily. I get antsy if things stay the same too long and I feel like nothing productive is happening in my life. Hence why I moved approx every 4 months in college. Maybe not the most practical thing to do, but hey- I was never accused of being too practical. Sometimes I think I should reign in my spontaneity- those moments always result in me moving somewhere whether it be Utah, Colorado, or the Middle East (yes, I actually did do that once...). But they've always done me good. So I think I'll keep it up. For now, at least.

So friends, while I've grown to love Utah, it's come time for me to pack up and have another adventure. I'll let you know how it goes...

Oh, but in completely unrelated news- has anyone else noticed that Honda CR-Vs seem to be the most popular car lately? I swear I see at least 10 of them a day. Or is that just me?

Stupid cars.

...I Drove Through Provo in the Spring

Let's just be honest- Provo is an anomaly. It just is. As much as I hate to admit, it really is in it's own little bubble. Up until about a year ago I lived in that bubble. And kind of hated it. But now I'm realizing that bubbles might not be so bad after all. It's a little refreshing being able to live in a place with people who have (somewhat) the same standards as you. Now I'm not saying that I don't enjoy living in the "real" world as well. I love it! But let's just say I'll take the Provo crazies over the "real" world crazies any day. But I digress...

Yesterday I drove down to Provo to have dinner with one J. Ashlee Draper. One of my favorite people ever. Seriously- if you don't know her you probably should. Because Ashlee still lives in Provo, I had the opportunity to drive through town to go meet her. While I was driving I started looking...and watching....and realized Provo in springtime is kind of ridiculous.

Let me explain: Provo is full of students. Students who, for the most part, want to get married. And they want to get married NOW. During the winter this fact can be somewhat ignored because these students are rarely seen outdoors. They hole up in their warm houses where they can revel in their matrimonial desires whilst leaving the rest of us at peace. But springtime means the sun comes out- and stays out. And consequently brings with it all the starving students (who aren't just starving for food if you get what I mean). So I got to drive through Provo while watching all these students frolic around. Don't get me wrong- I find it terribly amusing. It just reaffirms that Provo is an anomaly. The rest of the world isn't like this. But I'm glad that for at least a few years of life the only worries these students have are finals and whether or not that cute guy in Econ is going to talk to them.

Moral of the story? I'm moving back to Provo. Enough of this real world junk.

...I Realized How Grateful I Am (Part Two)...

So because I did a post about the girls, I figure I better be fair and do one about the boys. Really though- these men have truly made me the person I am today. I grew up with (almost) all of them and it's been fun, crazy, strange and overall amazing.

My dad is incredible. He's probably better than your dad- I'm just sayin'. He's patient, kind, soft-spoken, incredibly intelligent and a huge goof. Some of my most precious and meaningful discussions have been with my dad. He's helped me so much to learn and grow. We didn't always get along when I was an angsty adolescent but I can honestly say that my dad is one of my best friends. He supports me in my decisions and gives guidance when necessary. He trusts me and respects me and loves me. I love my dad so much and am eternally grateful to be his daughter.

My oldest brother Dan is awesome. He's smart, funny, sarcastic and just fun to be around. While he can be a bit intimidating, he's just a big softy at heart. And I love him for it.

My next brother, Tom, is a really funny guy. He's witty, kind and just a good person. I know if I ever need anything I can go to Tom- even when his wife Jenn and I are craving Sonic at 10pm. Yep- he's that good of a guy :)

My nephew Owen is pretty amazing. He's a true boy- making messes, playing in mud and often covered in bruises. I love spending time with him and watching him grow up. I also love that he calls me "Susan"- awesome.



Jon is my third brother. I hated him growing up. But you have to understand- he's the closest in age to me and made it his life goal to make me miserable. Such is life as the only girl. Jon and I are actually good friends now and I visit him and his family often (not because I have favorites- just because they live the closest to me). Jon is a goofy, ridiculous and super laid-back person. He's one of those people who don't seem to have to work as hard as the rest of us- things just work out for him. Which makes me still hate him just a little..... but he is very smart and hard-working. We have good times.

Ok- truth: I really go and visit Jon because he has two super cute little boys. Graham is the oldest and he's hilarious. And insane. Mainly just insane actually. He's full of energy and makes me laugh all the time. I love playing with him. He's my little buddy and I'm his "Sue-sue".




Colin is Jon's younger son and the newest addition to our family. He's still a teensy baby but he's so fun to watch. He really is a sweet little guy and is going to have to learn to hold his own pretty soon with Graham as an older brother.

And last, but never least, is Sam. Sam is my youngest brother and he's a pretty awesome kid. We're eight years apart so I haven't been around to see him grow up these last few years which makes me a little sad. Sam's a really cool kid- he's crazy smart, really witty and an all-around good guy. I kind of miss my little farty sometimes (the nickname was given out of endearment... I promise!) and I'm excited to see how he continues to grow and change.

So those are my boys. I love my dad as well as my brothers. I've loved watching my brothers raise their sons (and daughters) and be such wonderful husbands and fathers. Let's just say that my future husband is going to have a lot to live up to. And I'm grateful for it.

...I Realized How Grateful I Am...

...for these amazing women in my life. I am so blessed to be related to each of them. And this is why:

My mother is incredible. She's my best friend and biggest fan. She can comfort me when no one else can and she can say exactly the right thing to put me back in my place if I ever need it (which I never do of course).

Oh- and also because she does this when she can't find the right lid to match a tupperware container:

Jenn is pretty amazing. She was my first sister-in-law and has taught me a lot about having sisters. News flash: sisters are completely different than brothers. But so much more awesome in a lot of ways. I'm so grateful to have her to talk to and laugh with.

I'm also grateful to Jenn for giving me such AMAZING nieces- Tori and Lizzie. They're pretty darn fun and hilarious. Tori always surprises me with how smart she is and Lizzie...well, she's just Lizzie. Her knees are always scraped up and she's totally stubborn but kind of awesome. And they say she looks like me so she can't go wrong there, right?

I also love them because I am their favorite aunt. At least I should be by now- I've been vying for the position for years and I let them do things like this to me (so I have to be the favorite):

Kelsi is probably one of the coolest and most fun, laid-back people I know. She's a great sister-in-law and we have a lot of fun together just chatting and making fun of my brother (it's pretty easy to do).

Annarose is just awesome. First- because she married my brother Dan and it just takes an awesome person to do that. Second- because she's so kind and patient. I really enjoy just talking to her and being around her.

And third- because she had this little chub of a baby. Eva Rose (aka Tula) is the cutest little squish-face in the world. I love her so much. She's so cuddly and calm.

Now my cousin Anna is pretty special to me. Cheesy- yes, but also very true. We were born nine days apart and grew up being best friends. I have all brothers so Anna was pretty much my sister growing up. We had so many adventures together and keep having more even though she is all sorts of old and married now. I'm so grateful for her- she's a wonderful person and my closest friend.

Oh- and also because she does things like this with me:

My other cousin Amie is just amazing. We have some good times together, which is pretty funny considering how we hated eachother as kids. No seriously- hated eachother. We're not quite sure why but I'm glad we're so close now. I love Ames!

And we all love Jimmy Eat World concerts. Seriously- best cousins ever.

So there you have it- I'm the luckiest person to have such amazing women in my life. I'm so grateful for each of them every single day. I always loved having all brothers but now I'm realizing that I need these women more and more as my life progresses. So thank you to all the incredible women in my life, the ones listed above and the many more that aren't. I love you all and appreciate your influence in my life. It's definitely made me a better person.

...I Read a Book

I love reading. It's definitely in my top five of favorite things to do. But I am a weird reader. (Yes- there are different types of readers.) There are fast readers, slow readers, impatient readers, antsy readers, indifferent readers, etc. I would categorize myself as a fast, weird and impatient reader. What I mean is this: when I read a book I HAVE to finish it. I can't stand to just read a few pages here and there. And if I can tell something exciting is about to happen I HAVE to get to the exciting part. Even if it means reading six more chapters to get to it.

It is for this reason that I simultaneously love and hate reading. I become this insane voracious person who can't get enough of the fantastical world the author has created. I need to know what is going to happen! This is also the reason why I never ever ever read books during my semesters at college. If I start a book you can be sure there will be no studying or homework done well (or done at all) until the book is finished. I stayed up until ungodly hours of the night reading just because I knew I had to finish before I could start a paper. It's ridiculous. I'm ridiculous. I know.

So, due to my OCD with reading, I've stopped reading. Strange, isn't it? My love for reading is actually the thing that is keeping me from it. It's a sad life I lead. BUT, I recently finished a book. It was glorious and I've decided I cannot hide my love any longer. It's time. Time to pick up the four other books I started reading a few months ago and finish them. I can sacrifice a little sleep for that right? So if you see me and I look slightly disheveled and smell a little funny, please be kind. It's only because I haven't slept or showered in a couple days. But hey- don't blame me! It was the books.

...We had Thanksgiving

Yeah. Thanksgiving. You know- that holiday that occurred about 3 months ago? Well I just got the pictures back from it and decided to share the wonder that is a Peterson Family Thanksgiving.

This year my entire family migrated to Utah for Turkey Day. My parents rented a house up Little Cottonwood Canyon that could accommodate all 10 adults and 5 kids. (Side note: you'd think that since adults matched kids 2:1 we'd have the kids under control right? Wrong.) As always, we had a blast together and succeeded in refraining from killing eachother. Here are some highlights:

First- there is a tradition in the Peterson family that if there is a big, clean, empty sink you must bathe your child in it. I have no idea as to the origin of this tradition. Maybe great great great Grandpa Orville was a cheapskate and refused to buy a bathtub. I don't know. But it's a beautiful thing and we all thoroughly enjoyed watching my oldest brother Danny bathe his daughter.

Look at that face- priceless.

Second- GAMES! We love playing games as a family. We are all very competitive in a fun way... most of the time. However, I have no pictures of playing games because I was too busy winning most of them. :)

Third- eating. We love good food and we love to eat it. I also have no pictures of this because no food lasted long enough to take a picture of. Yeah...

Fourth- Temple Square. We went to Temple Square one night because my sister-in-law had never been and really wanted to see the lights. Bad idea. There are a ridiculous amount of people at Temple Square on Thanksgiving weekend. It turned out being a nice visit, but dude- I hate large groups of people and freezing cold temperatures.

Graham HAD to push Owen around while yelling "Choo Choo!" so everyone in the way would know to move.

So all in all it was a wonderful holiday full of fun, stress, gluttony and name calling. All part of being a Peterson.

Perfect.

...I Learned that America had Problems

That's right. We have problems, people. I realized this when I was sitting at work chatting with one of our patients. He was a high school senior and I was asking him if he was taking a government class. My question was followed by a very blank stare...silly me, I just assumed that every high school senior had to take government like I did. Sure, high school was a while ago but I'm not THAT old! So I asked him if his school required any sort of government or history class or something that would teach them about United States politics. He perked up and replied yes, they did but the course isn't called government, it has been given the poignant title of American Problems. For reals?! American Problems? I seriously couldn't believe it- I was actually a little upset with the school district here. Who names a high school class American Problems? Yeah- that incites a lot of civic pride. Genius.