My Hero

Today I got an email from Mimi saying that there was a facebook page that honored my grandfather- Papa Doug. My first thought was, "That's funny, I wonder if Papa even knows what facebook is?" I decided to go to the group today and read some of the wall post. After an hour and a few tears, I must say I am so touched. I always knew that Papa Doug was special. Yet, after reading the stories about Mr. Bradham Day's and true impact he made on his students I am so proud to be his granddaughter. Like I said before, I have always known that Papa Doug was special. Ever since I could remember people have come up to me and told me stories about Mr. Bradham Day or how he touched their lives in some way. I distinctly remember I was a sophomore in high school and a substitute seeing "Carolyn Bradham" on the role. She pulled me aside and told me how much my grandfather meant to her and how she was having family problems as a child and he took her under his wing. Last year Kenny Perry, the head football coach at Bowie, came up to me and told me that he thinks of my grandfather every football season. He said, "I think about the impact that he made on me and principles that he taught me as a child. I try to teach my players the same ideals."



After reflecting on the stories as an adult I can only be in awe- what an amazing person. As a teacher, I think to myself, "How can I make that difference in my students lives" and "How can I be there for my students the same way he was for his?" Sometimes I get so wrapped up in the daily grind it's hard to focus on anything.

What was it that made him so great? I think about my principals as a child. To be honest, I can't even remember my elementary principal's names. I think what made him so great was not Mr. Bradham Day, not the ice cream sandwich or cokes, and not him allowing the students to say the pledge over the announcements. I think it was the simple fact that he paid attention. He knew his students' name, he knew their parents, he knew what sports they played, and he noticed when a student was acting different. He took the time out of the day to have eraser relays or counsel the student who's parents were going through a divorce. Who can honestly say that their teacher, let alone, their principal noticed these things? He did; he noticed.


I want to be just like him. I want to teach my students morals. I want to make an impact. I want my students to think back and say "Mrs. Peterson taught me so many life lessons." I want to make a difference.

He is undoubtedly my hero.

My Garden

My Dad let me borrow a book called Square Foot gardening by Mel Bartholomew.  Last Sunday I read the book and decided I that I wanted a garden!  Last summer my Dad grew tomatoes, cantaloupe, watermelon, and lots of other veggies.  I thought that was the coolest thing.  The whole point of a Square Foot garden is to grow a little bit of everything.  You have a 4x4 foot box that is broken up into 1x1 foot sections.  In each 1x1 foot section you can grow veggies, flowers, or herbs. 

Sweet Jerr Bear offered to help me build my garden.  So off to Home Depot we went.  We got 4 wood post that were 4x10 for the border, weed blocker, soil, compost, plant labels, chicken wire, zip ties, wire cutters, 8 4x1 inch panels, and lots of seeds! 

First I had to begin soaking my seeds.  So I wrapped the seeds up into moist paper towels and let them soak for a good 2 hours.  To make sure I didn't mix the seeds up, I bought the plant labels from Home Depot. 

After soaking my seeds, it was time to get dirty!  Jerry helped me build my garden. 

Step One: Build the border

Step Two:  Staple the weed blocker to the bottom of the border

Step Three: Build Cover (this is optional- unfortunately I have very naughty dogs that will either eat or destroy my garden)  For our cover we just screwed the 4 foot x 1 inch wood panels together to form a border.  Then we stapled chicken wire to the sides.  Last we used zip ties to connect the chicken wire. 

Step Four: Fill your garden box. The book tells you to make your own soil by mixing a bunch of stuff together.  However, we decided to mix Top Soil, Garden Soil (with Pete Moss), and Compost. 

Step Five: Place panels 1 foot apart.

Step Six: Plant your seeds!!!! This is the best part!  

For my garden I decided to plant cantaloupe, watermelon thyme, jalopenos, bell peppers, sunflowers, marigolds, cayenne peppers, cilantro, basil, sugar snap peas, chives, broccoli, squash, cucumbers, and parsley.  I really hope it all grows!!!!

Step Seven:  Put cover over garden to keep bad dogs out

Hopefully my garden will grow!  I'll keep you posted!!!

Lauren's Baby Shower

This Saturday we (me, my mom, Aunt Rozlyn, Meagan, and Misty) threw Lauren a baby shower!  It was so much fun!  It was so great to see all of Lauren's old friends from high school.  All of them have either just had a baby or are pregnant!  Lauren looked so cute.  She's all belly!  Lauren got so much cute stuff.  I think my favorite was this clothes hamper from Reetha (Lauren's mother- in- law).  It was pink with white polka dots and it had Claire embroidered on it.  Here are so pictures from the shower. 

That's the clothes hamper!  Soooo cute!

Dessert and punch table.  We had cake from Nothing Bunt Cakes!  The cake was delious! 

Close up of the diaper cake!  I think the doll on top of the cake looks like Lauren!

The shower was great!  I can't wait for Claire to be here!  Only a little over a month!