Back to Rapid City

Well we just got back to Rapid City, as you may know we were in Baker, Montana. The family had a great time visiting with the farm family and locals. Sydney got to live out her wildest dreams by petting a horse and even sitting on one. Whenever we would see cows she would get so excited and always wanted to run over and see them. I would also like to say that it was the first time that I ever lost at “back alley” or “the game” to Mark and Sue. Previously I had destroyed the field with my clever bidding and card playing (only jokes). Heather and I also managed to get some of her artwork from her High School days from her Grandma, it is beautiful. I had no idea that my wife was so talented on so many levels. It is for sale right now, typical pieces range from $99-$299. Anyways that is all from us, check out our pictures and some stories from our trip that I will post later.

Lastly, I would just like to say that I saw the worst sign in the world on our trip, it is posted below and it is the “Welcome to North Dakota” sign. If you ever see this sign turn around immediately, because you’re going the wrong way (because there is nothing good in North Dakota). If you don’t agree with me, consider this, almost every road sign in ND has bullet holes in them…. Are you serious? That should say enough. One more observation I made while traveling the country side is this; when you enter a new state (for example North Dakota) you will typically see a sign that says “Welcome to North Dakota” (again if you see this turn around), which then you will see a sign 10 feet beyond this that says “Speed limit strictly enforced”…. Are you serious? News flash the speed limit is strictly enforced in ALL states it isn’t new to us when you put up your threats. It’s like this, welcome to our state (10 feet later) NOW DON’T YOU EVEN THINK OF SPEEDING BECAUSE WE WILL FINE YOU TO THE MAX, SO MUCH SO YOU WILL NEVER WANT TO COME HERE AGAIN. Kinda erases that good feeling from the welcome sign.

"Two Sweeties"

"The girls smiling"

"The worst sign in the world" Also, check out the bullet holes.

A couple of funny stories from the road

So in my desire to experience the Great Outdoors I climbed on a 4 wheeler to travel out into the Montana badlands and experience a little quiet time. After getting a good 10 minutes or so away from the farm and treading through some mean terrain I slowed to a stop only to have the 4 wheeler die. I calmly tried to start it up, but to no avail. After a few minutes I feared the worst. For those of you who have seen the T.V. show I shouldn’t be alive, I sensed that I would soon be on the show (hopefully). I could picture it in my head, the narrator beginning to lay the story out. The narrator’s voice “It was a warm windy day, nothing too extraordinary for a day in Montana. Young Matt Peterson headed out seeking solitude, but would find none. The hills of Montana are scattered with venomous snakes of all kinds and wild horses that would test Matt’s survival skills.” Luckily, for me that voice would never have to tell my story. After a few minutes of pondering my situation I noticed a hose that I assumed to be a gas hose and I shoved it into what I assumed to be the place I needed to shove it into (which now I doubt were either). I then gently and not so gently persuaded the clutch (is that what it’s called?) into neutral. I then with hope in my heart pushed the ignition and heard the greatest sound in the world the purr of the 4 wheeler beneath me. Some have called me the toughest man they know, I’m pretty sure this story verifies that.

Sydney had it coming to her. So lately when we’ve put Sydney in time out she has been getting up and playing instead of staying in her timeout (which she is normally really good about). So the story began with me lying down in our room (which is also Sydney’s… and Aubrey’s) in a bunk bed under a few blankets (it was hard to see me). As I was lying down Sydney had got into trouble with her Grandma Dotty and Dotty brought her into our room to put her in timeout, not knowing I was in there. After only a few moments I could hear Sydney playing with some things when she was supposed to be sitting in her bed. So I slowly turned over and saw Sydney’s back was facing me and she was playing. I said (to my credit) in a quiet voice “Sydney” and she jumped like I’ve never seen! I then said “get into timeout” (again to my credit in a calm tone). She just stared at me and went over and got back into timeout. For those of you who are frequent readers here at the petersonchina blogspot, you may remember Sydney’s story of sitting in her chair in the middle of the night and scaring Heather. Well now the official score is Sydney 1, Mom and Dad 1, consider us even.

This past week or so

Well we've been in Rapid City with Heather's family now for a little over a week. It has been a blast. There is a free golf course near by that Heather's brothers and I enjoy almost everyday. It gives me a chance to really bond with them, but more importantly it gives me the opportunity to crush them. Which I'll be honest, hasn't REALLY happened yet, but I'm waiting. Other then that Heather and I have also been able to start getting some things that we will need for China and are continuing to say goodbye to the family. It is crazy to think that it will be another two years (at least) before we get to see them again. Tomorrow morning we will be heading to Montana to meet up with those we missed during the power outage situation. It will be fun for me to get to live out my deepest dreams of ranching/farming. I'm glad also to get a break from Heather's dad constantly trying to beat me up. We seriously wrestle, I would guess 3-4 times a day. To his defense, I don't stand a chance and most times I deserve it. Heather and the girls are also doing great. Aubrey is still just the greatest little baby we could have asked for, she rarely cries (unless trying to go to sleep) and is so gorgeous. Sydney has her moments... She gets her attitude from Heather, which isn't a good thing (that's a joke). She is learning to share with the other kids in the house and each day brings it's moments of glory (sharing and being kind) and it's moments of craziness (screaming, throwing herself to the ground, kicking in the air like a wild animal, ect...). All in all the Peterson's are managing homeless life on the road well and are excited about the changes coming up.

With much love,
the Peterson's

A cop, a headbutt and a power outage...

a COP... So I was driving in our fully loaded car on our way to Colstrip, Montana and I looked down to notice that I was doing 90 mph and at the exact time I saw that, I also noticed a police car whipping around to follow me. This was bad. I'm really a slow driver (and I'm not just saying that because my grandparents read this!). Anyways the cop informs me that he was pulling me over for doing 85 in a 75. He tells me that it is a $20 fine that I can pay right there, so I hand him the twenty. Before this though I tell him we are moving to China and he was interested in what we were planning to do. As the police officer comes back to my car he says "here's your license, registration, and your money", "I don't ticket people when it's there birthday". Excitement and joy filled my heart with such intensity my words could not do it justice. And I get the courage to offer him a picture of our family with our website, so he can follow our family's move to China... he accepted it and we talked about his family for a good few minutes. All in all it was a great time on the side of I-94 to Colstrip. And officer if your reading this (since you know have my website info), thank you for your kindness and know that you made my day.

a HEADBUTT... So I had the awesome privilege of sharing with a group of people about our move to China this weekend. I was only slightly mocked by the man who introduced me to the group, and a few stories that display my stupidity were shared. My favorite moment was when my wife was called up front and as she got closer to me I leaned in to whisper something to her at the same time, she leaned in more then I anticipated. Her head crushed the side of my face and a few laughs from those in the group who saw it were heard. I was so embarrassed. Other then that it was a really fun time and we got to meet some really nice people.

a POWER OUTAGE... Well we were supposed to continue our Family Band Tour (dubbed the Peterson's move out West, the Midwest) to Baker, Montana today, but weather changed our course. The family farm we would be staying at has lost all power and it will not be restored for a week or so (and I complain when the power flickers in the night, resetting my clock, I have so much to grow in). So instead we are in Rapid City, SD for the next month and during this time we will take a 4 day trip to the family farm. That is, we will go there when we won't have to use an outhouse.

we love you guys and I hope this was as funny reading as it was experiencing.

much love,
the Peterson's