The Next Chapter...

FINALLY, I can make this official announcement! Stephen and I are going to be moving to.........Almaty, Kazakhstan! Yeah! (The crowd goes wild.....)

No, not Pakistan. No, not Afghanistan. No, not any of those scary -stan countries that you see in the news all the time. Kazakhstan is a peaceful country that sits just to the south of Russia, northwest of China, and north of Uzbekistan and Kyrgystan and east of the Caspian Sea. I suggest you google it - you'll be surprised!
You may be asking, "Why are you moving there?"

• Answer: Stephen has been given a wonderful opportunity to work with a private equity fund there.

You: Can't you do that in the US?

• Answer: Of course. However, the people that Stephen will be meeting are people that will only be met in this realm. It will be a great move for Stephen's career.

You: How long will you be there?

• Answer: The time commitment is three years.

You: When will you be there?

• Answer: July 1

You: And what will you, Beth, be doing?

• Answer: I already have a job with a new British school that is starting up in the fall, teaching 7-8 year olds (second graders).

You: How do you know you'll like it?

• Answer: We spent 6 days in Almaty a couple of weeks ago. I know 6 days isn't much, but it was enough for us to see that we can see ourselves living there. It reminded us a lot of Denver, probably what it was like back in the '70's.

You: Where will you be living?

• Answer: My school has staff housing, which we have chosen to take advantage of at a very subsidized rate. They are building brand new mansions and dividing them into 2-3 bedroom condos. They're in a gated community, about 10 minutes from downtown (Stephen's work) and 10 minutes to my school.

You: Are you excited?

• Answer: YES! Stephen and I were just talking last night again about how it is so clear that He has laid this path for us so plainly. We feel like we could not not go. If we didn't go, we would definitely be dealing with knowing that we're going against what He has planned for us. The fact that I got a job the first day we were visiting, we also lined up housing through that, I really like my boss (the headmaster), Stephen is really excited about his job and the people he'll be working with, and we just found out last night that there is a young couple going there for an indefinite amount of time. They have a little baby and are moving there the middle of May. We will definitely be calling them up!

You: What are you most worried about?

• Answer: Being so far away from our family and friends. However, we thank Him that we live in a world now where communication is so easy. We will, of course, have internet service. So, email is still the number one way. But also, SKYPE will be used all the time! If you don't know what SKYPE is, check it out. It's a FREE service online (just create an account) and you can make phonecalls and video phonecalls to anyone who has an account, anywhere in the world. You don't have to have a webcam, but if you want to see us, you do. If you are interested in contacting us, email me and I'll let you know what our SKYPE user name is and you can find us. We tried this while we were there and were very pleased at the quality. Plus, we live in the age where anywhere is just a plane ride away. :) (Yes, that's my subtle way of telling you that you should come visit!)

I am in the middle of trying to figure out how to pack everything up in our tiny apartment! And, how to pack for two different places. We are only taking our clothes and a few sentimental items to KZ and sending the rest back to good, old CO.

So, that's the basic low-down for now. Obviously, this blog will get very interesting for the next three years! I'll be sharing all about our life and experiences there, so you'll have to make a habit of checking on the blog on a regular basis.

We love you all and are so excited about this next chapter in our lives. If you think of it when you lay down at night, please say a little prayer for us. That's all we need right now!

Click here and here to find out more about Kazakhstan!

We are on the same page...

Okay, I managed to make it until I was 27 years old without watching any of the Star Wars movies. Then, I married Stephen, who grew up watching them and if you allow him to, he will quote all of them, while he's watching them. Stephen conspired with our good friends, Nathan and Katrina, and they FORCED me to watch the three original movies, thus far. Did it kill me? No. However, this three year old in the video pretty much sums up Star Wars for me, too.

Pope-a-licious...

Stephen and I were walking at about 85th and 3rd-ish over the weekend and had to take a double-take at this sign hanging over this German meat market...

Yes, apparently they were selling a Popewurst to celebrate the Papal visit, here in New York. We thought it was hilarious! Anything to make a buck, huh? Just thought I'd share.

Oh, and we also saw the actual POPE MOBILE on our way to the Park! If I had known it was going to appear around the corner, I would've had my camera ready. It was kind of cool, I guess. The funniest part was the 50 people chasing after it!

Easter Weekend...Finally

I know Easter was about a month ago, but I just now got the pics off my camera and onto a cd. No, I'm not behind the times...Stephen's laptop doesn't like my camera program. However, we just ordered a new laptop for ME!!! It should be here in the next week or so and I'm very excited.

Anyway, here are some pics from our fun weekend in Maryland with my brother, Kyle and his wife, Alexis, and their new baby, Hannah.






We rented a car and drove down Friday evening and as soon as we got there, Hannah was in Stephen's arms - even before me! Thumbs up, Uncle!



Don't worry ~ I wasn't jealous. I was actually really impressed and I REALLY liked seeing him hold a baby. ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT, everybody calm down! No, we are not having a baby, at least not for another 2-3 years. End of story. I don't want to hear about it.






ANYWAY, back to my Easter story...

We had a fun weekend. Kelsi drove up from North Carolina and it was also extremely cute to see her with Hannah. She surprised me with her nurturing side and how good she was with her. I'm mad at myself, though, because for some dumb reason, I didn't take any pictures of those two together.

Sunday afternoon, after church, we all came home and whipped up Easter dinner, which turned out DELICIOUS! Kyle has turned into quite the chef! Even though Mom and Dad weren't there with us, they bought us a honey baked ham, which is a Peterson family tradition for Easter. Always tasty. I made an apple pie, but I forgot to put the butter inside, so it turned out to be quite a healthy pie. I didn't eat any, though because we had to head back to the city. But Alexis told me it was good, especially with some ice cream on top!

Here is a picture of me with tiny Hannah. Isn't she so cute? She is all wrapped up in the pink blanket I knitted for her. She likes it.







Okay, and I couldn't resist putting the series of pictures of Stephen holding Hannah. He acts like he doesn't like babies and little kids, but I think it's all a front. He's going to be such a good dad one day. Everybody now....AWWWWW!!!

PS - If you have a blog and have been doing it awhile, help me out, please. As you can see, I am really struggling with getting the spacing right with pictures and captions and stuff. I've read the help section, but it hasn't helped me too much. How the heck does this thing work?

Tagged

A friend of mine from high school, Brie, tagged me on this on her blog. How can I not fill it out, myself?

A One-Word Meme (which is really more like a one-phrase meme):

1. You’re feeling: nervous, excited, anticipatory (not sure if that's a word; if not, it is now)
2. To your left: side table with photo coasters and picture of Gramma and Grampy
3. On your mind: I should really get out of my pj's
4. Last meal included: jalapeno hummus and pita chips - not very healthy, but DELISH!
5. You sometimes find it hard to: not know what's coming
6. The weather: 75 and sunny! I wish it would stay this way for the weekend!
7. Something you have a collection of: I like Willow Tree figurines. And I collect books like crazy.
8. A smell that cheers you up: Lilacs
9. A smell that can ruin your mood: Old Smokey's cigarette smoke in the hallway (Old Smokey is our neighbor across the way - yes, we have fondly nicknamed her)
10. How long since you last shaved: Yesterday - Stephen was complaining I was "spikey"
11. The current state of your hair: Recently chopped. I decided yesterday that I really miss my long hair
12. The largest item on your desk/workspace (not computer): The piles of papers. Stephen and I are a bad combo with making piles. But let's be honest...he's especially bad.
13. Your skill with chopsticks: I'd say average to proficient. Eating sushi and dim sum a lot has helped
14. Which section you head for first in a bookstore: New paperback releases
15. Something you’re craving: A cuddle with my dog, Riley
16. Your general thoughts on the presidential race: Well, I normally do not care for politics. However, my husband is very interested in it and is very opinionated, so I have learned how to talk about it and it's kind of fun that I actually know what's going on. It's an interesting race and looks like it will continue to be.
17. How many times have you been hospitalized this year: I haven't, thank goodness. I was afraid I was going to have to go for stitches the other night, though. Me vs. a broken wine glass: wine glass won
18. Favorite place to go for a quiet moment: Well, a quiet moment is hard to come by in the city, but Central Park can surprise you! However, I love the top of a mountain, on my snowboard.
19. You’ve always secretly thought you’d be a good: mommy. nurse. But I'm not sure I'm smart enough to do well in all the science classes.
20. Something that freaks you out a little: Weird meats that people eat: like dog, horse, cat, etc.
21. Something you’ve eaten too much of lately: Just eating out - but it's the lifestyle here
22. You have never: Streaked (in public!)
23. You never want to: Eat horse meat
    

Now - I will tag Jennifer, Megan, Angie

A Real Daughter of a Housewife of New York City

So, I personally, have never seen anyone famous in New York City. Stephen has seen Fabio. We both saw Bob Saget in The Drowsy Chaperone on Broadway, but I don't count that because we knew he was going to be there. I'm sure that I have walked past countless famous people on the street and never realized it because I am not the world's most observant person. However, the one famous (if you can call it that) person I've seen TWICE now in our neighborhood is one of the daughters from the show "The Real Housewives of New York City." If you haven't seen it, now you'll have to watch it to see who I'm talking about. She is Allyson (Aly), daughter of Jill, I think. I've been watching the show, since I live in the city. It's reality TV, I know, but hardly anything isn't lately, right? I think this girl goes to the private school right around the corner because that's where I've seen her both times, around the time that school's letting out.

Does anyone really care about this? Probably not, but it's kind of exciting for me. By the way, I know it was her because today, I walked behind her and two of her friends on my way back from the subway, which I did on purpose and I eavesdropped. She was telling her friends about how she's getting recognized all over the city. She's kind of cute and only about 4 1/2 feet tall.

Okay, that's all.