The Backyard Project

Over the past 2 years, Jerry has been battling the backyard.  Whether it be grass, flooding, or dirt... the backyard has constantly been on my Jerr Bear's mind. For awhile, I considered having Jerry see a backyard therapist or even calling one of those shows on the DIY channel.  Every weekend I would catch Jerry looking at the backyard with hope... I'm not going to lie, I thought the backyard was a losing battle. 

But after this weekend.... the VICTORY GOES TO JERRY!   

Maybe I should travel back in time so you can get the full extent of Jerry's obsession... I mean hard work:

Summer 2009- Jerry laid sod- it did not take- our backyard is just too shady

February 2010- Jerry tilled up the backyard and laid seed for grass

March 2010- GRASS!  We finally have grass!

March 2010- Adventures of French Drains- Jerry decided we needed a French Drain.  At first I was very hesitant....but after seeing the french drain in action--- Jerry was right, we really did need it

April 2010- We hired some guy to cut our trees back so there would be more sunshine in the backyard- he also fixed our sprinklers.

May 2010- Pavers

Over the past couple of weekends, my Dad and Jerry have been hard at work putting down these pavers.  First they put down a frame:

Next they put down sand:

Then they put some stones down: 

The last step was to rent this vibrating machine that mushes the stones into the sand so the stones won't move:

Finished product:

My dad and Jerry worked so hard on the backyard.  It was so hot!  I'm especially proud of Jerry, he has worked and worked to make our backyard a beautiful place!  Maybe this will take his mind off the backyard... I doubt it... I can tell he's already thinking of the next little project he wants to do in the backyard. 

Also, we my dad's crew put in a new dog run in our backyard. 

The dogs are not big fans-- We told the dogs it was their very own "Puppy Spa" but they are acting like it is a Puppy Prison.  The dogs have already learned how to escape the Puppy Prison... I mean Spa.  They have learned if they hit their noses on the latch, the door will open and they are free!  Crazy dogs... we have to put sticks in the latch so they can't open it!  Also, Lucy just stands by the gate and jumps up and down.  I think she thinks that she can jump over the fence.  She probably could if she lost 10 pounds and got a running start.  Let's hope she doesn't figure that out. 

The backyard still needs some work, but we are getting closer.  I think I'll but this weekend down as a win for Jerry! 

Claire Elizabeth is finally here!!!

Lauren went in to work the morning of May 14.   After having some pretty strong contractions, she decided to get checked...sure enough.. Lauren was was in labor!  At 7:45 am, I received a text from Lauren saying that she was in labor!!! I was already at school so I rushed to get a sub and was out of there!  I got to the hospital about 8:15.  At that point, Lauren was doing great!  She had an epidural and was feeling good. 

Lauren was a complete champion.  She knew exactly what to do and when to do it.  She is, after all, a labor and delivery nurse.  I was so grateful that I got to see Lauren before Claire came.  Lauren was so calm the whole time...please note:  I will not be like that. 

So there was a lot of waiting.  I really don't know much about babies being born so bare with me as I explain in my own words what happened.  Claire was not in the right position, I think she kept going back up into Lauren's belly.  The midwife decided to give Lauren some medication that would make Lauren's contractions stronger... making Claire get into the correct position.  The midwife explained, it's better to rest for an hour and take medication than push for 2 hours and be exhausted. 

Meanwhile, me, my mom, and Retha (Dave's mom) were waiting patiently- sort of.  Lauren warned us to be on our best behavior... this included not bothering the staff (we only went by the nursing station every 10 minutes), staying in the waiting room (we couldn't help but wait outside the door of Lauren's room), and not freaking out (my mom only snapped at the midwife one time.)  On a scale of 1-10- one being absolutely awful and ten being a perfect angels... I would give us a 4, but hey, who's counting?

However, we did get into trouble with the midwife.  My mom, Retha, and I were waiting with our ears on the door (we couldn't miss the babies first cry!) and the midwife opened the door and said that we needed to return to the waiting room.  At that point I thought my mom was going to pounce the midwife.  It was really funny.  We changed the her name to "midwife" to "mean-wife."  Needless to say, we "returned" to the waiting room and did drive bys every couple of minutes.  Technically we weren't doing anything wrong....

At 6:54 pm, while on a drive by... we heard the most beautiful sound ever!! CLAIRE IS HERE!  I have never been so happy!  We all sat outside Lauren's room crying and hugging silently- we didn't want to get in trouble by the mean-wife.  After a few minutes, Lauren asked for my mom and I to come into the room. 

There she was!   An even 8 pounds of precious angel!!! 

I couldn't stop crying!  We have been waiting 9 months to meet her and she was finally here!  I couldn't believe how precious she was! 

Dave was so proud!  He's going to be an amazing Daddy!  He held her with so much love and pride! 

Lauren was amazing through everything.  I am so proud of her! 

As I held, Claire she just looked at me.  Just looking at those tiny- beautiful eyes made my heart melt.  I get chocked up looking at this picture.

After a long and exciting day, I was completely exhausted.  I didn't realize how nervous and anxious I was.  I knew Lauren was in good hands, but I still could help but worry about my sister and Claire.  At about 8 pm, I found myself completely emotionally drained- I can't even begin to imagine how Lauren felt! 

The next day, I went up to the hospital to see baby Clairebear, Lauren, and Dave.  Dave went to grab something to eat and return Lauren's car to their house.  So it was just Claire, Lauren, and I.  It was so great just being with my sister and her daughter.  I got to hold Claire and help change her diaper. 

Lauren is absolutely amazing with Claire.  The way she talks and looks at her makes my heart fill with happiness.  Claire just melts in Lauren's arms.  Lauren is going to be the best Mommy!

I am a proud aunt and I can't wait to spoil Claire rotten! 

Mr. Bradham Day Celebration!

On May 13 Pope Elementary celebrated it's 40th anniversary.  All of the previous/ current students from Pope came to celebrate Pope's 40th Birthday.  A large part of the celebration was honoring previous principals and celebrating Mr. Bradham Day.  I met so many of my grandfather's previous students.  I couldn't believe how many people were there!  There were people that traveled from Florida and California.  I had a great time visiting with people and hearing about eraser relays and Mr. Bradham Day.  It was truly inspiring!  Here are some pictures:

All of the previous/ current principals at Pope:

This is at the front entrance at Pope:

Waiting for the big speech!

Warrior Dash!

On Sunday me, Jerry, Andrea, Mark, Stacey, Kurt, Chris, Cindy, and Franks decided to run the Warrior Dash!  The Warrior Dash is a 3.5 mile run with various obstacles set up along the coarse.  We had to run through a wind tunnel, slide down a mud slide, climb up mud hill, get in a mud lake and roll over logs, jump over fire, and crawl through a mud pit with barb wire over our head.  It was so much fun!  We got so dirty! 

Here are some pictures: 
Pancake breakfast- carb loading

Warrior Pose:

Before .....

After:

Before:

After:

The Warriors:

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!