Kids
My youngest grandson, Josh Petersen ended his 25th year of life by packing up his wife, Athena Petersen and their sons, Justin and Axel, and moving them to Lawton, Oklahoma. The day they left town was such a sad day for those of us left behind, and while it was also sad for them, they went with a sense of adventure too. I can’t blame them for feeling the excitement of the move, but of course, I am one of those left behind. For us, their parents, grandparents, siblings, niece and nephews, there is an empty space that now lives in our lives. Nevertheless, we will find creative ways to stay close to these loved ones too.
Josh will begin his 26th year with a new job. He is still doing the same work he was in Casper…recharging fire 
extinguishers, but now he will be working at Fire Pros, LLC in Lawton. This was a step up for him, as he is making five dollars more an hour than he was here in Casper. Josh has to improve himself, especially when he and Athina are expecting their third son at the end of January. He rather fell into this work and was trained well at All Out Fire in Casper, and his new employer saw the great value in having a pre-trained employee on staff. He jumped at the chance to hire Josh. Josh had wanted to be a firefighter when he went to college, but his knees would not allow him to do so. This is for him, the next best option. It may not always be what he wants to do, but I know that whatever he decides to do, he will excel at, because Josh is a hardworking man, who is very loyal to his employers. He always has been, and we are very proud of his work ethic.
Josh is also a loyal family man and is always willing to sacrifice his needs to make sure his wife and sons have everything they need. Josh met Athena when they were in middle school, and as often happens, they didn’t 
know that this was their forever love, until much later when they ended up working together. I think they knew the minute they found out they were working together, however. The rest is history, as they say. In short order they were married, had two sons, and have one on the way. They love taking the boys to the park, and other places of interest…and they take lots of pictures, which we will all treasure even more now. We want them to be happy, and their lives to be full, but as long as they live away from us, we will all miss them very much. Nevertheless, as they have said before, “Home is Wherever I’m With You” and so it is. Today is Josh’s 26th birthday. Happy birthday Josh!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
Our aunt, Pearl Hein has spent much of her life taking care of others. She took care of her parents, husband, children, and grandchildren. She was also worked full time…plus. It seemed that the IGA in Forsyth, Montana where she lives, couldn’t function if Pearl wasn’t there. Eventually though, came the time for her to retire. I’m sure that IGA was sorry to see her go, but she was ready. After that, she took care of her husband, Uncle Eddie Hein until his passing in 2019. A short time later, in early 2020, her son, Larry Hein also passed away. This left Pearl feeling alone, even though, she has a daughter, Kim Arani living in Texas. For the most part, the loneliness was short lived. Where Pearl hadn’t really traveled much, she now made some trips to visit Kim, and I think she has really enjoyed that, and that makes me very happy. They looked like they had a great time.
Pearl is a kind and caring woman, and she is loved by many. Her humble nature tends to make her think less of 
her own value though. I know that my family and my in-laws always loved Pearl and enjoyed spending time at her home. I only wish that she could have come to Casper more, but she always worked too hard, and didn’t often give herself the time off that she deserved. That always made me sad, because she really did deserve that time off. Pearl and Eddie always had a garden and she canned food from the garden to serve her family. Pearl was a great cook…I mean a really great cook. You never went away from her table hungry, and more likely you were too full, because you just couldn’t stop eating.
Pearl still lives in Forsyth, Montana, as do some of her grandchildren, and her siblings live nearby as well. I’m sure that is part of what keeps Pearl from moving to Texas to be nearer her daughter…that and maybe the
Texas heat. I’m not sure, but some people like that heat and others really don’t. Still, she cand go visit in the cold winter months and at least enjoy not being in the “frozen tundra” of Montana. Ok maybe it really isn’t the frozen tundra, but it often feels that way in the coldest parts of Winter. It is my firm belief, that Pearl deserves whatever she wants to make her happy. She has spent so much of her life making others happy, healthy, and blessed. Now it is time for her to do things that make her happy. Today is Pearl’s 75th birthday. Happy birthday Pearl!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
My son-in-law, Kevin Petersen is a family-oriented guy who loves his kids and grandkids dearly. He and my daughter, Corrie Petersen have always been close to their kids. Like most parents, having a child move away is hard. When their son, Chris Petersen moved to Sheridan, Wyoming for college, it wasn’t that he had moved so far away, but rather that they could no longer see him every day. It’s never easy to have your child move away, and now with their son, Josh Petersen, his wife, Athena, and their sons, Justin and Axel (and their new son Cristian who is coming in January 2025) moving to Oklahoma, they are facing a new form of grief…that of being long-distance parents and grandparents. We all understand the move, but that doesn’t make it easy. Nevertheless, I know that Kevin and Corrie will find a way to make this work. Today’s technology will help some. They will call, facetime, video chat, text, and of course, visit…and it will be ok. Kevin and Corrie also have three grandchildren who still live here, and for that they are very grateful. Their son, Chris and his wife, Karen, have three kids, Cambree, Caysen, and Cyler. 
Kevin is an industrious guy, and he will also find ways to stay busy. He is currently working on his 1986 Chevy Monte Carlo right now, along with my husband, his father-in-law, Bob Schulenberg. They had to pull the engine out, finds the leaks it has, and repair them. For any who don’t know, pulling an engine is a huge job, and takes many hours. Nevertheless, these guys are experienced mechanics who have been doing this kind of work for years. When they get done with it, the Monte Carlo will be as good as new…the engine anyway. Kevin has done interior restoration and painting too, and it will eventually be showroom worthy.
Kevin is also very skilled at home renovation and has been making some changed to his and Corrie’s home. It isn’t done yet, but it really looks amazing. I have always been impressed with Kevin’s ability to restore, repair, renovate, and decorate the things they own. He really is an artist at heart, and his creativity is amazing. Kevin is also very creative in the kitchen. During Corrie’s time in nursing school, Kevin did all the cooking. He did 
most of it before as well, because he is a trained chef, and very good at it. After Corrie had her gall bladder removed, meats because problematic for her, so she became a Lacto-ovo vegetarian, meaning she eats dairy and eggs, but not meats. Kevin embraced that in his cooking for her, even though he still eats meats. The meals he made were tasty, creative, and nutritious. He kept her going through those long school years, and continues to do so, not that she is a nurse. He has been a wonderful husband to our daughter, and we couldn’t ask for better. Today is Kevin’s birthday. Happy birthday Kevin!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
My niece, Lindsay Hadlock has always been a strong Christian, but over the years, she has flourished and is now working in leadership positions within the faith too. We are all very proud of her in her endeavors. In late 2022, Lindsay felt led to start a Christian podcast called “The New Way To Live” and it is going so well. Her first podcast was on November 20, 2022, and I would encourage everyone to check it out. Lindsay’s faith is strong, and you can always tell how strongly the Holy Spirit guides her with her messages. Lindsay loves her church family too.
She and her family have been attending Harvest Church since they moved to Laramie, Wyoming for her husband, Shannon Moore’s job as assistant coach and tight ends coach and helps with special teams for the Wyoming Cowboys football team. Their membership at Harvest Church has been a great blessing to them. Lindsay has helped with the Women’s Conference there, the Vacation Bible School, and their Communion services. She is also on the church council. She has also started holding a Bible study in her home. That has 
been a great blessing to all who attend. Lindsay also attends a Bible study for (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) FCA. She loves the Lord, loves her church, and really loves living in Laramie. She has flourished there and has many friends. Lindsay makes friends so easily, so that is not even a surprise. Shannon, and their daughter, Mackenzie decorated the house for her this morning as a birthday surprise. I’m sure her Bible study group really enjoyed that.
As usual, Lindsay, Shannon, and Mackenzie usually do a lot of traveling during the summer, before Shannon goes back to work, and some for games and such during the year too. Hiking is always a part of their travels. This year they went out to Minnesota for a wedding and visited some friends there and in the Brookings, South Dakota area. They showed Mackenzie where Shannon used to live and gave her a tour of South Dakota State University. They went to Houston over spring break and had a great time seeing the sights and the beach. Lindsay works for South Dakota State 
University as the director of HOP…the Health and Obesity Program. She’s been very busy at work and had also traveled a couple of times for work up to South Dakota to do sight visits and for a conference. She is usually a speaker at the conference and does a great job presenting. She also went to Atlanta for a work conference and spoke at that one as well. Lindsay leads a very busy life. Today is Lindsay’s birthday. Happy birthday Lindsay!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
My grandniece, Aurora Hadlock started 8th grade yesterday. I keep asking myself, “How can that be?” She was just a baby the day before that, wasn’t she? No, of course, she wasn’t, but time certainly flies. She has grown into a beautiful young lady, who is definitely her mother, Chelsea Hadlock’s mini-me! Aurora is also in her second year of volleyball and totally loves it, despite the fact that practice is before school every day at 6am!! Now that’s dedication. This past weekend, she got to go to a comic con, so she could see the guys from Twilight. She loved walking around dressed up as Max from Stranger Things and buying art and Funko Pops. Still, Aurora’s favorite thing is reading and learning. She can always be found with a few books in her bag, just in case there is a moment to read.
Aurora has her own style. She is funny, clever, weird (and proud of it!), kind, compassionate, and encouraging. Her carefree style and the ease with which she communicates with people has made her a lot of friends, all of whom she calls her “bestie”, including her grandpa, Chris Hadlock!! She’s really finding her own way, with fashion and everything else, as she is quickly becoming a young woman. I love that she is following her own heart in all things, and not being just led along by what others think is style. She may like some things others do, but only if it suits her. She is her own girl. Full of confidence and spunk!! That’s as it should be.
Aurora has a sweet heart, and she is very good with her cousins, Adelaide, Mackenzie and Jolene. They absolutely love to play with Aurora!! She never acts like they are in the way, or that their games are beneath her. Rare qualities in a teenager. They all ask if she will be there every time the family all gets together…and I’m sure she will do her best to do so. She is definitely someone they all look up to!! She is such a sweetheart!!
When I asked about story ideas for Aurora, her aunt, Lindsay Moore said, “Oh you mean, Caroline?” Lindsay then went on to say, “Aurora is such a fun character and she has perfected her southern accent! We love Aurora. She is a kind and sweet girl! She is quickly growing up, but I still want to hold her like a little teeny tiny baby! She is a kind and sweet girl!!” I think that most of us feel the very same way.
The “Caroline” part intrigued me, so I asked about it. Lindsay told me, “It’s her southern name!! Lindsay said, “Aurora is Caroline, and they named Mackenzie (Lindsay’s daughter) Savannah when we were camping together.” The story goes like this according to Chelsea, “In 5th grade, Aurora’s teacher gave the class “southern names” because she was from the south and they thought it was funny. Aurora’s southern name was Caroline, and since then she will occasionally put on a southern accent and call herself Caroline. She’s so funny.” Well, there you have it Aurora is also “Caroline” and has perfected her southern accent too!! Today, Aurora is a teenager. Happy 13th birthday Aurora!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
My nephew, Wes Burr, is the partner of my niece, Cassie Franklin. Wes came along at a very low point in Cassie’s life. She had gone through a nasty divorce, and she needed someone kind to come into her life, but wondered if she could trust anyone to be that person. Wes was that person. She was finally in a good place. And her two children, Lucas and Zoey Iverson were finally in a good place. Wes treated the kids as if they were his own, from the very start, and 
gave them the kind of life they desperately needed. It was a match made in Heaven and a very great relief. to everyone in the family.
These days the family has moved to a new town, where Wes and Cassie run a business together called Back to Back Cleaning Company. They also have a new little addition to their family…little Alicen. She has been pure joy, with a big dose of spunk. Recently, she picked her first apple…and promptly threw it. Cassie didn’t say what she threw it at, but from the look on Wes’ face, I think it might have been at a person, or maybe a window. Nevertheless, she was “forgiven” for this little discretion, as everyone couldn’t help but laugh. Things like this would likely have 
been cause for a lot of stress, and a big argument before, but Wes is very good natured and kind.
Wes and Cassie have built a loving family, where imagination, laughter, happiness are free to express themselves. Cassie and her kids didn’t have that before. When a partner comes into the lives of your niece and family, who changes everything from bad to awesome, it is impossible not to like that person. That is exactly how I feel about Wes. He is a sweet man, who has made the lives of my niece and her kids so much better. Today is Wes’ birthday. Happy birthday Wes!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
Every year, after having a carefree time of summer, the inevitable arrives…going back to school. Some kids love going back. Others hate going back, and some have mixed feelings about it. Still, there is a level of excitement for most kids, even if it’s just about new clothes and reconnecting with friends that they haven’t seen in three months. Some kids just like the routine of school, and feel bored in the summer, while others love being able to sleep in, and hate the idea of the routine of getting up, getting ready, and getting to school. At this point, most people are thinking about which of the above descriptions is them, because each of us fits in somewhere.
These days, even if kids don’t love going back to school, the 
latest tradition is to post pictures of the first day of school, along with what grade they are going to be in this year. Then, at the end of the year, they post last day of school pictures. The contrast between first and last day is often…amusing, as well as surprising. The first day, many are a little dressed up, or at least showing their new sense of style for the coming year, while the last day brings a very relaxed look showing that they can’t wait for summer’s arrival. Let’s face it while many kids love school, the human mind needs a break sometimes, and that is all there is to it. Anyone who doesn’t think kids need summer break, was simply never really a kid.
Some kids are heading off to college, or back to college. Some kids are continuing their elementary school 
careers, starting middle school, or starting high school. Some are taking their last, first day of school pictures and some people are taking their first, first day pictures. Whatever the case may be, each one is a unique and very special memory, and one that will be cherished forever. Each picture shows how much the child has grown and changed. It also shows a child who will never be the same again. By the end of the school year, that child will have grown and become someone entirely different. That’s what school does to kids. They spread their wings a fly, even if it’s just for a little while and for a little way. The child they were is quickly becoming the adult they will be, and the pictures simply show the journey each child has taken to reach their destination.
My grandniece, Adelaide “Addi” Sawdon is growing up so fact. Addi is the daughter of my niece, Jessi Sawdon and nephew, Jason Sawdon. This school year will find Addi in third grade. She loves school and particularly science. She is excited for third grade and got to see her class on Friday night. Now she is ready to get the school year started. She is quite the social butterfly and loves to make new friends. She also has a mind of her own and knows what she wants. She recently cut her own bangs, which was also super funny! She told her mom that she wanted a change. I guess that’s one way to get change.
Addie is fun loving and creative!! She and her cousin, Mackenzie Moore are best friends, and they spent a lot of time together this summer. They went to a soccer camp at the University of Wyoming, they learned to hula hoop, and they went to a Spanish camp at Laramie County 
Community College, and they went to Vacation Bible School!! The girls had so much fun at each event, and they loved having sleepovers, meeting new friends, and learning new things together. She loves Jesus and is never afraid to tell people that!! She is just getting into sports and loves basketball, volleyball, and soccer. And she also loves ninjas. Which is super funny! She loves ninjas so much that she asked for nunchucks for her birthday. Call me naive, but I had to look up exactly what nunchucks are. They are chain sticks used for fighting in Karate, so don’t mess with Adelaide Sawdon!!
She loves to snuggle and “chill” as she says. She is very funny and has a great sense of humor. She has such a sweet heart. She is developing her own style and loves dancing in her “dance outfit” in front of the mirror. Her mom says that it was so sweet. Addi comes by her dance moves naturally, because her mom and dad have great moves too. She also loves to sing just like her aunt, Kellie Hadlock. Addi is always busy, and yesterday, she was listing her favorite foods, hobbies, and the people she loves…basically a whole autobiography. Wolves are her favorite animal and so is any animal in the wolf family. She had her “friends” birthday yesterday, and about 10 friends were at her party. Her parents rented a giant bounce house water slide. The kids had a blast. Today is Addi’s 8th birthday, Happy birthday Addi!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
My nephew, Steve Spethman is a man of many talents. He is quite crafty. In addition to forging knives, he made reindeer this year. He also does metal art and made a dragon. Steve has always kept busy. He is an honorable man and has taken very good care of his family. He and my niece, Jenny Spethman have taught their children the importance of hard work and integrity. They have also taught them the importance of having God and the most important part of their lives. No matter what happens in life, you can get through it with God. Steve and Jenny know this firsthand, because their first daughter, Laila lives in Heaven, and they look forward to seeing her again when they go home.
Steve and Jenny have five children, Xander, Zack, Isaac, Laila, and Aleesia. They have always had a full house, because not only did they have their children there, but they also had their children’s friends. The Spethman house was the place to hang out…from friends, to girlfriends, everyone wanted to be at the Spethman house. Of course, in life, all things are subject to change, and this year 
has really been a year of change for Steve and Jenny. This summer Xander and his girlfriend, Alli Simpson moved to Colorado so she can go to college. That was really hard, because the kids were at Steve and Jenny’s every day. Their son, Zack graduated from high school and got his first full-time job. Their son, Isaac is buying a house and will moving out within the next couple of months. While Steve and Jenny aren’t officially “empty nesters” yet, they are feeling that status knocking at the door. Still, they have led very busy lives with all those kids, so they are seeing a little light at the end of the tunnel, bittersweet as it is, after having five kids.
These days, they are actually spreading their own wings a little bit. They decided to take a little getaway this 
year and took a trip to Las Vegas…just the two of them. I’m sure that felt strange. They have been doing a little gardening this year, and that has been a pleasant experience. They are both pretty artistic, so their gardens are beautiful. Things are different in a number of ways, but one of the biggest is that Steve is used to having his boys there to help him with things, but now the boys are having him help them. Oh, how the tables have turned. Today is Steve’s birthday. Happy birthday Steve!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
My grandnephew, Keifer Balcerzak is such a great family man. He and his wife Katie have been together since they were in school, and they work very well together. Keifer is a guy who brings the humor into life. His wife says that you shouldn’t be next to Keifer, if you need to be serious. Keifer has a smiling kind of face anyway, and when he smiles or laughs, his whole face smiles or laughs. That is the kind of person you need to be around if you’re feeling down at all. Nothing better than to be around someone who makes you laugh in spite of yourself.
Keifer has always loved sports…pretty much any sport. He has played softball for years, and his teams have won championships in the local tournaments. These days, he has 
also become an umpire for softball. That is right up his alley, and he really loves doing it. Of course, whenever he isn’t an umpire, or working, Keifer is with his family, because they are his top priority. Keifer and Katie have two beautiful children…a daughter, Reece, and a son, Aysa. Reece has tried some different sports too, and I’m sure she will find one that really suits her. I fully expect that in time, Aysa will be a lot like his dad and will play softball too…maybe even with his dad. That would be a generational thing, because Keifer and his dad, Dave Balcerzak played together too.
A while back, Keifer decided that he needed to get in shape. He didn’t like how he looked, so he says he “killed” 
the other him. I guess you could say that was true, or at least part of him, because he lost a bunch of weight, and now he works out regularly. That is always a good thing, because he has young kids, and a guy wants to be able to keep up with all the activities they are into, not to mention simply being able to play with his kids and not feel winded. It far too easy these days to let ourselves go, and before we know it, all we can do is sit around the house. Keifer didn’t want that to be him, so he got up off the couch and got busy. Now he is in great shape, and he feels great too…and his wife calls him a “hottie” again…or maybe she never stopped. No matter, he feels great. Today is Keifer’s birthday. Happy birthday Keifer!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
