Life for Stacy Peterson

There has not been much time to blog this past week, and I don't imagine there will be for the next week or so. Here is a bit of what has been going on.

1. First things first: New niece & nephew!! Beatrice Ruth Peterson was born a week ago here in Evanston, and Torston Arlo Peterson out in Seattle, WA.

2. Finals. To give you a rough idea of what I am doing, I am following the lead of a friend and just giving you some titles (some of these titles still in the works)....

Adolescent International Adoptees and Identity Formation: Effective Strategies for Therapists

Exercise and Body Image Attitudes: Comparison Study of Mothers and their Adolescent Daughters.

Postpartum Depression and The Family System

Reflections from a Second Year MSW Student (Reflection paper on my field placement)

Are Research Courses Necessary for MSW Students? : A Reflection on my Education

*** The first three are biggies, and the last two aren't so bad!*******

3. MY CAR GOT BROKEN INTO! Ughhhh. Stupid me, I left my purse in visible sight. In my own defense, I thought I had taken everything valuable out of the purse. These days, I live my life from about 4 different bags, and I constantly rotate a few staple items.... wallet, planner, phone, computer. Well somehow I left the wallet in the lame purse. I realized later, even if I had taken the wallet out, the purse would probably still be in visible sight and my window would still be broken (which was the major cost) I am SOO grateful my computer was safe!! I think I would've gone into immediate panic attack if it had been stolen in the midst of my finals. (Not to mention all the other incredibly important documents on it from my internship, etc.) Anyone who has had their wallet stolen knows what a violating and annoying process this is! I have NO identity and no way to spend money! I tried to write a check, and of course, they wanted my D.License. Cash only these days, but Jon has to get it for me, because I have no ATM card :) It's all canceled though and should be replaced by next week. Oh, they also got my makeup bag, which contained all my makeup! I don't consider myself very superficial, and have never worn much makeup. But, not even having the option to put it on the next morning made me feel quite exposed. Makeup isn't cheap either....

Here is the best part of this story, on a more funny note. So imagine having my name right now and trying to call into the police to report something. The conversation was as follows,
Dispatcher: "What is your name?"
S: "Stacy Peterson"
D: "Are you OK?"
S: "Yes."
D: "Are you from Bollingbrook?"
S: "No."
D: "Are you sure you are OK? Where are you? Where are you from?"
Later on...
D: "These addresses aren't matching correctly. Are you sure this is Stacy Peterson from Chicago?"
S: "Yes."
D: "Well there is no record of any of this, this isn't funny, is your name really Stacy Peterson....this is ridiculous. [Hang up]"

what! ahh! Anyway, I got disconnected once and hung up on the second time. Jon had to call in because I don't think they took me seriously. I must say, I am getting tired of even admitting what my name is. Everywhere I go someone thinks its funny. It was amusing for awhile, but let's not be stupid people... I am not her!!!!

All in all, yes, I have been stressed. But this happens at the end of the semester, and then there is always a time of relief. AND only one more semester to go! Woo hoo!!! May '08 here we come.

Happy Turkey Day!

This year's race was a cold one! The Turkey Trot is the best way to start off Thanksgiving! Now we are ready to eat!

Above: Jon, Me, David, Jeffrey, & Dean

It was a little different than running in California, but these guys did great!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

Sleepy

Well folks I think I have set a personal record. I slept until 1:45pm today. How crazy is that? I was up with a stomach ache, but even so- literally slept till 1:45 and felt like I could've stayed in bed. My stomach is fine now, I don't think it was that. I think I just didn't realize how exhausted I was.

I may have been letting down a little. After several changes to our research plan, a lack of participants, and hours of planning filled with frustration.......My research group finally conducted our project yesterday. That was a big load off my shoulders, but there is still much to be done! I can't let down yet, finals are here and any day now I will have a little newborn niece needing my attention!

Saturday Morning Cartoons

"I've been thinking Hobbes..."

"On a weekend??"

"Well it wasn't on purpose...."


This is how I have felt most weekends the past 2 1/2 years! OK, for the most part, I have been thinking on purpose, but trying to find any way possible to escape such nonsense. I am very happy to report this Saturday I slept in and have no where to be. Please join me with a big sigh of relief..... ahhhh. It feels nice.

1 Corinthians Love Test

Love is patient

Love is kind

Love does not envy

Love does not boast

Love is not proud

Love is not rude

Love is not self-seeking

Love is not easily angered

Love keeps no record of wrongs

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth

Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres

Love never fails

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Today I saw this popular bible verse portrayed as a "Love Test". Complete with scoring points. Coincidentally, last night I also had a dream I had married the wrong person. Bear with me as I share this story my brain seemed to conjure up in my sleep: I had married my ex from high school. I was sitting in my parent's house in my bedroom, looking at pictures of our wedding day. I zoomed in to the groom's face and thought- wait a minute, this isn't right, I am not with him, I was not supposed to marry him! In the dream (as dream magic allows..) I threw the picture down and the marriage was over. Then I was left alone. I was disturbed, I knew I was missing something. It was so awful to feel alone and left searching for the right person. As I was sleeping, I wrestled with these thoughts-How do I know who it is, what if I missed my chance, everyone else has this figured out..... I was honestly very distraught. And then I woke up.

I sighed- no wonder why this dream didn't seem right, there is my husband! I snuggled up to him....Where was he in my dream!?!

So I know this sounds wacko. However, it was very refreshing to me in a lot of ways. As soon as I woke up and saw Jonathan, I was at peace. I was able to say, you already went through that silly and there he is!

I remembered the earlier days of our relationship when God gave me feelings of overwhelming assurance that I needed to be with this goofy boy from California. I remembered the many years we walked holding hands while still maintaining great independence.I remembered our genuine commitment to follow God's word and seek his will. I remembered the hours of long conversations, tears, and questioning as we worked together to understand one another as children growing into adulthood. And I remembered the night in South Africa - where we sat in the dark by a lake listening to wild animal noises in the distance. As Jon walked me home that night and tucked me into bed, we looked at each other and both knew- the time for asking questions was over, we were meant to be husband and wife. And FINALLY- of course, the wedding. What an incredible day filled with overwhelming joy and love surrounding us.

Then, this morning, when I saw this "love test" I was reminded again of how blessed I am to have my husband,who demonstrates biblical and real love to me every day.

I know I have no grounds for questioning my marriage, but sometimes God uses funny ways to remind me of that.....