Hiking Table Rock

September 14:  I decided last night that today I was going to go to the Temple in the morning, I had an appointment, and then after I was done I planned on going on a walk, I had a need to get outside and sweat a little. I went to the Temple at 8:00 after I dropped Rylee off at school and did Inititories, on my way home I decided to go hike Table Rock. It has been a couple of years and I wanted some good heart pounding exercise so I went home and changed and then headed to Boise. I asked my friend Abby if she wanted to come but she wasn't available and I was just fine going on my own.

I accidentally took the harder trail and it was really rough, I struggled a lot and wanted to turn back so many times but I knew if I didn't get to the top that I would not be happy with myself and I didn't want to disappoint myself so I kept trekking on. About halfway up my hip flexor started hurting in my left hip and it was painful hiking up like that. After a little bit of that I remembered that I didn't open and close the gates, an exercise I learned from Andrew Brown that helps warm up the hip flexors, so I stopped right where I was and opened and closed my gates a couple times and that took the pain away and I was able to continue up.

I made it to the top and I was pretty proud of myself, I can do hard things and one thing that I like about myself is I am not a quitter and once I make my mind up to do something I follow through and accomplish whatever it is. I am also a people pleaser and sometimes the person I have to please is myself and that's great. It was a beautiful view and it was nice to sit and rest for a little bit.

After I took a picture of myself smiling and then one of how I really felt I started to head down. Before I even got off the top I saw a couple of cute little bunnies hopping around and eating some snacks they found. They were so small and so cute and I had to take a couple of pictures of them.

Elder Peterson Weeks 1 & 2

Week 1: August 30- September 7

Hello everyone! This is actually my second p-day, I just didn't write any emails last week because I had only had one day of training. But I've got plenty to share this time.

The home training has been great! I've enjoyed studying the Gospel and how to teach it very much. I have been studying well with my first companion, Elder Frogley. He is a great guy and I have no doubt that he will be a fantastic missionary. Last week was full of zoom classes and online devotionals that for the most part filled up my time. When I have no classes or devotionals to watch, I have been trying to study the scriptures, Preach My Gospel, or other Gospel related books. I've learned so much already from just one week of training, so I am super excited to fly out to the actual MTC tomorrow morning where I'll get to train in person with my awesome district. 

I will probably spend most of today packing and getting everything ready to take off, which is good because that will keep me somewhat busy. I don't really know what else to write, besides how excited I am to start, so I'll end with that.

Thank you everyone that has supported me up to this point, I'll try to make you proud 

Sincerely,

Elder Peterson

p.s. I apologize now for this email and the future ones. I am not very good at gathering my thoughts and typing them out. And I'm sure it will take a while to get better, so just bear with me.

Week 2: September 8-14

I have been at the MTC for almost a week now, I got here last wednesday. I'm adjusting quickly and I'm loving it here, they're working us hard and I'm learning a lot. We've been focusing on how to teach people effectively and I think I'm progressing well. We wake up at 6:30 and get ready for the day and then head straight to breakfast. Then we have 3 hours of class and then lunch, afterwhich is 3 more hours of class and then dinner. Usually we have stuff going on at night after dinner, but the point I'm making here is that we are busy and working hard.

I'm sure I mentioned this last week, but I love my district. It's full of missionaries that have strong testimonies and that are excited to serve. Elder Saathoff has been called as District Leader, which I fully support. He handles leadership well and has no problem pointing out things that should or shouldn't be happening. I have been called as senior companion to Elder Frogley, and we both are called as Zone Leaders. It took us by surprise, but I think we are doing well.

I'm trying to think of some actually interesting things to talk about... Me and Elder Frogley are teaching a guy named Benjamin through the "Helping Others" thing. We are pretty sure the guy is an actual investigator (90% of the people that work in this program are actors, it's to help us learn how to teach) which is awesome and we are excited to meet with him again.

The other day we were all playing some sports when a buck ran across the field, which was odd because I have no idea where it could have come from. 

I'll finish this with a funny story. The other day Elder Frogley and I were headed up to the 6th floor ponder room to do some studying. He had the amazing idea to try and pry the doors open while we were moving. Suddenly the elevator jerked to a stop and would not continue. We pressed the help button and waited. After about 20 minutes the elevator started working again and we hopped off and went to our dorm. It was pretty funny and I'm not (and wasn't) angry at him at all. I could tell he felt pretty dumb, but we laughed it off and I told him not to worry about it.

Hopefully that's enough to satisfy y'all. I'll be sending my next email when I'm in Texas! 

Sincerely,

Elder Peterson

1) District 23-C after our temple trip (Careful who you have take your photos )

2) Elder Frogley and I in front of my favorite mural

3) Elder Frogley thinking he's some kind of brilliant bartender

4) Me getting attacked by a bunch of weirdos (the Elders in my district) who think I need a hug because I always look "depressed and angry."

5) Elder McEntire and Elder Tucker who are good friends from back home

Ryker also sent me some pictures through Facebook Messenger. We got to talk to him today and that was fun, he is doing good and really enjoying the MTC life.

He said he took this picture on Sunday as the missionaries were heading to their sacrament meeting. He thought it was pretty cool being in a sea of Missionaries.

Goodbye Kenedy and another Friday Night Lights

September 9: I went to bed the night before really overwhelmed and frustrated and on edge. I thought I was doing ok with Ryker leaving but the more the day went by the harder reality was getting with him leaving and then in a couple of days Kenedy leaves again then in two years Avy graduates and in four Rylee leaves, it is all happening too fast for my comfort. Then I had a dance meeting at the studio that evening and they told us all of these changes they wanted us to make and implement in our ballet classes and that got me even more overwhelmed and on edge and then I just spiraled from there in regards to all the changes that were happening at the same time, it was too much for me. The next morning I woke up and was looking at instagram and I was reading a post from an LDS page that I follow and part of the caption was exactly what I needed to read. After reading and pondering it I decided in regards to dance that I will implement the changes that I can while still maintaining a fun class for me and my dancers and in regards to my kids growing up I can be excited for them as they get to do great things and become great adults.

Kenedy was leaving for School the next day and so after I made one of her favorites for dinner, Fettuccini Alfredo, we went to Reed's Dairy for some ice-cream. But not before we stopped at Costco so I could get my second Covid vaccine and Kefford wanted to get some gloves for work and Kenedy grabbed some items for us to get her that she could take to school. Going to Reed's Dairy for ice cream after was a goodbye for Kenedy as well as my reward for getting the shot :). Avynlea had a date that night and could not join us for the ice cream but we had a good time just the four of us. And Reeds Dairy has delicious ice cream!

Later that night Kefford pulled out his Mission photo albums to look up something and he started telling the girls fun stories from his mission and showing them his pictures. It was so cute to see them huddled around the book hearing about his mission adventures.

September 10: The first time I got the covid vaccine I reacted really bad to it. My entire body was achey and I hurt for days. When I got the second shot I was told that if I had Covid, which I did, that I would feel side effects after the first shot, which I did, and should feel fine after the second shot, which was a lie. I got my shot Thursday night and all day Friday I was in bed with really bad body aches, I hurt so bad that I couldn't even go to the football game that night and you know how much I love going, it killed me to not  be there watching Avynlea, I was really upset about it. The only thing I could say positive about the second shot is that the body pains did not last as long as the first go around, oh and also that I don't have to get another one. Just Terrible.

I couldn't be at the game but Diana, Natalie's Mom, sent me pictures she took of the girls and I am grateful for that. Annie's Mom brought all the girls Crumbl cookies, lucky ducks, and Meridian won the game against Timberline with a final score of 52-7

Avynlea, Natalie, Hailey, Paige and Dreya

Avynlea, Ryan and Natalie

Avynlea and her friend Colton

Goodbye Elder Peterson

I wanted to do something as a family the night before Ryker left for the Provo MTC and I decided eating out would be fun and let's make it even more fun and go to Texas Roadhouse, we needed to give Ryker a taste of all the good food he hopefully gets to eat on his Mission!

We got in pretty quick and had a good meal and enjoyed being with each other. The kids took a selfie so I had Kefford and I take a selfie as well so as not to be left out ;)

After our yummy dinner we took a family selfie outside in front of the Texas Roadhouse sign. Our last family picture for at least two years :(

When we got home Avynlea changed clothes so that she could twin with her Dad, I am sure you can tell how he felt about that and for the picture Avy had to twin his expression as well.

The next morning we all got up and left for the airport at about 5:50, Ryker's flight was due to leave for Salt Lake City at 7:20

It wasn't as emotional as I thought it would be saying goodbye to Ryker. Kefford dropped Ryker and I off so he could check in and get his luggage checked while Kefford and the girls parked the car. Checking in took little time and Ryker and I stood around and waiting for the rest of our family to find us. There were a small handful of missionaries that I saw also scheduled for his flight. I saw 5 including Ryker but am sure that there were more that had already passed through security and we didn't see them, it was fun to see the ones that we did and to know that Ryker had lots of companions on the plane with him.

Once Kefford and the girls caught up with us we hugged Ryker goodbye and watched him go through security. I got a little emotional hugging Ryker goodbye but was able to keep it in pretty good. The girls were joking around and keeping things light and I am sure that helped. 

Dustin picked Ryker up from the airport and delivered him to the MTC. I am happy that Dustin was willing and wanting to pick him up and take him, it gave them a small amount of time to be together and I am glad for that since we don't see Dustin very often.

Nikki Lyons has an Aunt and Uncle who work at the MTC and they took a picture of Ryker and sent it to Kyle who then sent it on to us. We were super confused as to how Kyle had a picture of Ryker from he MTC and he at first told us he worked at the MTC on Wednesdays which did not make any sense. After a little bit more questioning he finally came out with the truth, hahaha funny guy. Regardless of how he got it I am glad he did and that he sent it to us!

Baptisms and Rykers Missionary Pictures

With this being the last week for Kenedy and Ryker to be home Kenedy wanted to do baptisms one last time with Ryker. We really wanted Avynlea to be able to come but she had to work and since we have to make appointments we were limited with. which times we had available and the one we could get she couldn't do. Rylee was able to and so I took them to the Temple and watched them do the Baptisms, it was really special for Ryker to be able to Baptize his sisters and I am so grateful that they have had these opportunities.

I brought along my camera so that after we were done in the Temple we could take some Missionary pictures of Ryker around the Temple. 

I had fun taking his pictures, he was a good sport about it and I feel pretty confident that although a professional could have done a lot better that I did not do too bad of a job. 

Rylee wanted some pictures of herself and so I let Ryker take a small break so I could take a couple pictures of Rylee. I think I took two of them before Ryker wanted to take a turn being behind the camera so I let him take a couple. The ones where Rylee is holding the Book of Mormon are the ones that Ryker took.

Rylee also wanted a turn behind the camera so I let her take one of Ryker and I and then she took one of Kenedy

 

Home Movies

September 6: With Ryker being a missionary we tried to be careful with what we had on the TV when he was around. Usually Sunday evenings we will watch a Disney movie as a family and while it probably would have been ok for Ryker to watch, maybe, we didn't want to worry about it and so Kefford pulled out some home videos for us all to watch. We loved watching the kids when they were little and it amazes me how fast the time has gone. 

September 6: I wanted to get a couple of new fall things for our home and one thing I wanted and was able to find at Hobby Lobby were fall leaves on branches. I love how the cashier wrapped them up for me, like a fancy bouquet of flowers.

 

First and Second Friday Night Lights of the Season

August 26: After practice Avynlea took the new cheer water bottles to the JV team who were cheering for the first time at the JV football game. After delivering the water bottles she decided to stay and watch the game. After the game she got a picture with her Cheer little sister Sydney and her friend Ryan who is on the JV football team.

August 27: I don't get into the hairdresser very often and it has been over half a year since I have seen her this time and my bangs had gotten so long. I was wanting a trim but just didn't have time between my schedule and her schedule so they just kept getting longer and longer. I have been thinking for a while that I should just buy my own scissors and learn how to cut my own bangs and finally this week I did it. I bought a pair of hair cutting scissors off of amazon and they came on Friday. I immediately opened the package and after watching a bangs cutting tutorial on youtube I went for it. I love them! They turned out exactly how I wanted and it wasn't too hard. The only tricky part is cutting the right side because I have to use my left hand and that is hard. I sent the picture of my freshly cut hair to my sisters and Ashleigh was actually at her hairdressers getting her hair done, she showed my picture to her hairdresser and she said I did a good job...yay!

I love when I see pictures of Avynlea cheering on her cheer instagram page, she is the best flyer!

I am so excited to be able to start going to football games again and I was extra excited that for this first game of the season I had Kenedy and Rylee come with me. The game was at Mountain View and when I got up to the front to pay I only had a card and it was cash only! I didn't have any cash and neither did Kenedy or Rylee, I couldn't believe that they weren't taking cards and got immediately frustrated and we left the line to go do I don't know what, find some cash somewhere. But there were two Mountain View fans behind us and the one pulled out a fistful of cash and paid our way in. I was embarrassed and felt super awkward but very grateful, I asked him if I could Venmo him some money and he said don't worry about it just enjoy the game. I was very glad they were Mountain View fans because I didn't have to awkwardly see them throughout the game. They went to their side and we went to our side and nothing was awkward once we left the guys.

The coaches have not picked Captains yet for this season, which is crazy and doesn't make any sense but whatever, so for this game they picked Captains for the week and Avynlea was one of them. She is such a good leader and knows how to be kind yet firm and super encouraging to her teammates. I loved watching her lead the cheers and I got a kick out of seeing her a halftime talking to her team, she is the best!

back at it again and all on the same team!

Paige, Natalie, Hailey, Avynlea and Dreya

Avynlea, Hailey and Dreya

Rylee saw her bestie from elementary school, Serena, at the game and it was fun for these two to reconnect and catch up.

During halftime we made Avynlea take pictures with us and she went along with it..kind of :)

It was a fun game and the bleachers were packed full which was a lot of fun. I loved seeing the student section back and to see all of the kids cheering on their team was so fun! Unfortunately we lost this game by a field goal which was such a bummer but to be back at Friday Night Lights is awesome!

September 3: 

I was going to Meridians game to watch Avynlea cheer and Rylee was headed out to the Owyhee football game but before we left for our seperate games I had Rylee take a picture with me, her in her Owyhee colors and me in Meridian colors.

One of my favorite parts of the game is the very beginning when they do the Warrior walk. The cheerleaders come in first foll

Avynlea at the top of the pyramid 

Avynlea is in the corner holding up the Rumble sign

This game was against Centennial and it was a Warrior victory with a final score of 41-0

meanwhile at Owyhee High School:

Rylee wanted to go to the Owyhee football game but her two friends she would have gone with were not available so she got a hold of Brynn Givens to see if she was going and was able to go with her and Saylor Shoemaker. We love Brynn and I am glad Rylee went with her, once they got to the game they met up with a bunch more friends from the ward and Rylee had a blast being in the student section of her High Schools football game. I am glad that she is going and having fun, one regret I have from High School is not going to the football games, I just wasn't into it and really don't think I ever thought twice about not going but I wish I did because I can see how they are so much fun. 

top row: Saylor, Rylee, Kinzey, Addie, Leah, Allie

bottom row: Tayci, Brynn and Taylee

Saylor, Brynn, Rylee, Taylee and Callie