Happy Birthday President Nelson!

 On Friday our family was lucky enough to get to attend the 95th birthday celebration of our beloved prophet President Russell M. Nelson.

What an amazing man with so many talents to share with the world as he conducts his Father's business here on earth.

 They did a beautiful job celebrating him and his life, and honoring him through music and thoughts from friends, colleagues, and family members...

We heard from Jenny Oaks Baker and her children, Gentri,  Donny Osmond, Nathan Pacheco, The Bonner Family, and even President Nelson himself! He played the piano for us, we sang him "Happy Birthday", and we watched stories of how he has touched so many lives all over the world with his loving kindness.

 I laughed and cried and gained even more love for that sweet man and the role that he plays in leading Jesus Christ's church here on the earth. I look forward to hearing wise and loving council once again as we prepare for General Conference in just a few weeks...

At the end of the night, President Nelson took his wife Wendy and walked up onto the stage where he could look out into the crowd and smile and wave lovingly at all those who were there at his "party"...

My heart was full of love, joy, and gratitude for that sweet man, our loving leader, and prophet of God.

Little Farmer's Preschool

 Now that Kesslyn is 4 she has started going to the Petersen Farm Preschool (a.k.a. Little Farmer's Preschool)!!!

She was so excited to get started but knew that it wouldn't start until she turned 4, so she was very excited when her birthday finally arrived! She is a lucky little girl with 2 little friends to start school with too...Leah and Gabriella!

When I attended the parent orientation night I felt the spirit so strong and knew that I had made the right decision in bringing Kesslyn here, and I just KNOW that she will thrive and learn and grow here and I am so excited for her and for the experiences and growth that she will have here on the farm this year!

Yay Kesslyn! And Yay for Little Farmer's Preschool!

Kesslyn Turns 4!

 On August 31st Kesslyn turned 4 years old!!!

We celebrated her birthday up at the cabin because it was also the Labor Day weekend.

 This little sweetie wanted a "mermaid" birthday, and so lucky for this momma, I found this amazing mermaid dress at Costco for just $25! It was all she wanted and she was so pleased with how beautiful it was and how she felt like a princess in it! But of course she knows she IS a princess...:)

 She woke up to find the kitchen table filled with her cake and presents and a few fun little decorations...

 I love setting the table each morning for my children's birthdays! I think it's a fun thing to wake up to and it kind of sets the tone for the rest of the day...

And although I didn't get to go "all out" being up at the cabin, I still felt like it was perfect for the little sweetie and she really LOVED it! She was so happy!

 We are a lucky family to have such awesome people in it!

Kesslyn we are so happy that you are a special part of it!

 We all love you SOOOO much!

(Even your goof ball brothers...;)

 You are really growing and becoming so smart! It is fun to watch you learn new things and enjoy the world around you...

 It makes me wonder what your little 4-year-old mind may have wished for as you blew out your candles...

 Maybe for a ride on a horse??  :)

 Kesslyn received some nice gifts too!

Her mermaid dress, an Elsa dress, some clothes for preschool, a Barbie and a tea set, and a purse with lipstick and nail polish in it from Grandma and Grandpa Trickett, and a tiger from her brother Carew...:)

 She was a happy little Mermaid Princess! :)

 She even had a tea party before breakfast with her sister Kambriella!

 And I don't even know about these crazy nerdy boys...

At lease we NEVER have any dull moments around here!

 And Oh yes, baby girl...YOU can ride on a horse for your birthday!

 (I love how she froze her smile and fixed her eyes on the camera for her picture even as the horse decided it was leaving...;)

 That evening after a fun day of games and riding, we roasted hot dogs and marshmallows over the fire and sat there until the sky was dark and glittered with millions of bright stars in the sky.

We talked of life and God and future goals...we listened to a conference talk titled "Our Campfire of Faith"...

It was a wonderful day, and a very Happy Birthday for Kesslyn!

We love you our little 4 year old Princess!

Time Together in the Temple

 These awesome brothers love each other and they also love the temple!

That was one of the very first things that they wanted to do together when Carew got home from his mission! (Well, that and watch all the Marvel movies that Carew missed over the past 2 years! ;)

I love that they love each other and that they want to spend time together...and that some of that time spent together is also in the temple.

It makes my momma heart so happy. :)

And, I am going to go to the temple myself this morning! I also love the temple and love the peace that I feel while I am there. With so much change going on in life right now, the extra measure of peace is something that I long for, and I know the temple is the place to find it.

Carew's Homecoming

 On Sunday August 25th, just  36 hours after Carew arrived home from his mission, he spoke in sacrament meeting and gave his homecoming address.

I sat with eagerness and tried to soak in all of the details of his testimony and the culmination of the last 2 years...it was beautiful.

 Carew spoke fondly of his love for the people of Italy and of his testimony of eternal families and the temple. This has always been a strength for Carew, but even more so now...it was very evident in all of  the friends and loved ones that came to support him and welcome him home.

 Lots of  family and friends and mission companions...

 Carew's loving personality makes everyone feel like they are important and his friend... That characteristic trait will be one that he will use for the rest of his life.

 We had so many people come over to see Carew and to catch up with him!

It made me so happy to have so many wonderful people surrounding us...

 We served a little taste of Italy with Italian sub sandwiches, salads, chips and desserts...

 And sweet Aunt Marty even brought her Italian soda bar for everyone to enjoy!!!

It was such a BIG hit with everyone! 

I was so grateful that she wanted to bring it and share it with everyone!!!

Aunts and uncles, cousins and friends...

 Grandparents and great grandparents, and even Carew's mission President was able to join us for the special day!!!

 Long time family friends, and even Carew's childhood BEST friend! :)

 Siblings and more cousins...the fun was EVERYWHERE!

 But by far, the highlight for Carew was having President and Sister Pickerd there...

what a blessing and what a treat!

I genuinely felt the Christ like love that they had for my son and I was so grateful to them for the good care they took of Carew, treating him like a son of their own! What amazing people...

 Not only was Carew happy to see some old friends, but I was too!!!

My dear friend Heather and I met before Carew was even born. Her daughter Charlee and Carew are close in age and Charlee is still currently serving a full time mission in the Salt Lake City mission.

 Natalie is also another long time friend that I met when Carew was just a baby...

We all built our first homes on the same street in Roy and raised our babies together!

 Those were the good old days! 

I always tell my friends that when we all get to heaven we are going to build our mansions on the same street again...:) That's how much I love these girls!!!

 Then there are April and Laura, their girls, and a ton of other wonderful people that are amazing friends here in our Riverton ward...I love these girls like my sisters too...

 Then there is my momma and my own sister Tiffany too...

I LOVE THEM!!!

It was a happy day for everyone that came and spent time with Carew!

 These buddies used to wrestle as babies, and now they are grown men...I love it. :)

 I love our family...

 I love the support...

 I love the laughter and smiles and memories that we share...

 I love these examples...

 ...and I love the love that we all share!

 We love you Carew!!!

Welcome home!!!

This Family of Mine

It is oh so good to have this family of mine.

I am thankful everyday for the sweet people that I call my own.

We are blessed and we are happy. We have problems and stresses of our own, but together we make it through them all, and I wouldn't have it any other way...with these amazing people and the Lord on my side, I can do all things. 

Hearts and Tummies Full

On Saturday morning after Carew returned home from Italy, Clint and I went with him to report to the stake president where he was released from his full time call as a  missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I was filled with humility and gratitude as I sat and listened to my now adult son share thoughts, feelings, and insights into the last two years of his life as a missionary, and how ultimately, through his growth and testimony and help in bringing others to Christ, he himself was truly converted in the process. 

It made me feel so proud. 

I am so grateful. 

As we returned home and spent time with our family that was gathered together my heart was yet again full  of humility and gratitude for these amazing people that I am sharing this mortal journey with!

Our hearts were full, and so were our tummies after we took Carew to one of our new favorite places to eat...Freddy's!

Welcome home Carew!!!