THE PETERSENS

It’s hard to believe that it’s 2010.  Maybe because most of my 2009 was so sleep-deprived that I cannot remember much of what happened last year.  This really disturbed me, so in a spare moment yesterday, I quickly jotted down a few things that I didn’t think my 2009 would hold.  Here we go.

1.) Recycling.

For the longest time, the seminary campus did not provide recycling bins.  This really bothered me up until recently when the seminary decided to finally have some.  We are recycling again!  Yay.

2.) Baking.

In trying to cut down grocery costs even further, I moved to baking all of our breads.  I thought I would hate it, but I actually really enjoy it.  I make 2-3 loaves of fresh homemade wheat bread a week, among other things.  It saves us money and I think it’s better for our health, too.

3.) Sewing.

What a useful skill to have…at least that’s what I always thought of others when I heard they sewed.  I’m very much a beginning seamstress, but I’ve had fun with the few things I’ve made…nursing covers, headbands, garbage bag holders, cloth napkins, etc.

4.)  Calling North Carolina home.

I used to be homesick ALL THE TIME.  Every SECOND of every MINUTE of every HOUR of every DAY.  Though I still really miss family, I only struggle with being this homesick during the holidays.  North Carolina is home to me now.  We love our church family and they have truly loved us well back.

5.) Using cloth diapers.

As much as I dreaded switching over from disposable diapers, I actually really love it now!  $40 dollars a month that we don’t have to spend now on diapers.  They are definitely more economical.

6.) Having a cell phone.

We had one in MN, but didn’t have one here in NC for the longest time because of the cost.  We finally decided to hop onto my parent’s plan and wow, it is wonderful.  When I get lost somewhere now, I can CALL someone.  When I have a quick question, I can TEXT someone.  It’s great.

Courtesy of Kristin Cook Photography

7.) Adjusting to life with TWO kids.

No one ever warns you adequately enough about how tough transitions are in life.  Marriage and becoming a parent are some of those transitions.  Becoming a parent of TWO is another transition.  Two kids to take to the store.  Two kids to strap into the car seat.  Two kids vying for your attention.  Two kids with two mouths with two appetites.  Two little bodies to wash.  Two times as much laundry.  Two times as little sleep.  No one ever warned me!  But, I think we have finally adjusted.  We will forever be behind in our sleep, but that’s okay.  Joshua Lee and Caleb are totally worth it!

8.) Having the chance to buy a house.

Thank you, Builders of Hope, for giving us a shot at purchasing a home.  We hope to move in in April, if all goes according to plan.  My blog readers, I will be sure to post pictures.  We never, ever thought we would be homeowners.

9.) Going on a “vacation” with our little family.

For most, vacations are a regular, yearly thing.  For us, it is a luxury.  Our family has never gotten away just the four of us and enjoyed each other’s company.  We have usually spent all of our days off traveling to see family.  We love that, too, but there’s something about just our family, too.  This past summer, we went to the beach for a weekend and it was a wonderful time!  The kids had a blast and so did we.

10.) Getting a free car and anonymous money in the mail.

I often hear stories from others who were given a free car or how God sent them the perfect amount of money in the mail to cover a medical need.  That has never happened to us until this past year.  My generous aunt and uncle offered us their older vehicle for free.   What a blessing!  And, we received a grocery gift card in the mail just a few weeks ago.  This proves to me again that God perfectly provides for our needs, big and small.  He knows what we lack and what we desire even.  Our God is an amazing Father and He does not withhold good things from His children.  We have seen Him work in amazing ways to provide for us this past year and we are thankful.