The Eagle Has Flown

My grandpa wrote a book a couple years. He said he just had a strong impression to work on it and have it complete soon. Little did we know, at the time, why he had that impression. It's a good thing he acted on it and did not procrastinate...

Well, I've been reading the book and it is fascinating. Some of the stories I've heard before, but most of it is news to me. It's crazy the things that he's done and things that have happened to him! According to him, he's survived near-death accidents at least a dozen times (and he's only in his twenties in the part where I'm at).

I might post random things online of events from the book that stand out to me. The coolest thing I've read so far is that he worked on the Enola Gay. That's one of the planes that dropped an atomic bomb on Japan during World War II. (He was an airplane mechanic for a short time right out of high school). He wasn't enlisted and didn't have anything to do with the planning, but he was so close to events that changed the course of history for the entire world. CRAZY!

Aaaah, the forces of nature

Were out to get me...

Last week I went out to go to Lehi for school meetings. My clutch didn't work. After I got back with Mike's car (and thankfully Mike didn't need to go anywhere that day), and some online research, we decided my clutch was broken. There were three possibilities of the problem. Two were relatively cheap and one involved taking the transmission out (= expensive). My chances were good, but then remembered I have a Chevy Cavalier.

We got the car towed to Pep Boys that same day and were told we wouldn't get the estimate/diagnosis until the next day. We went home to enjoy the rest of our night...or so we thought.

At around 11 we get a call from my brother Dan in St George that Jeremy had lost all power in his truck while he was heading out camping--he had made it just a little ways past Heber (which is about 20 miles from Orem). We're not exactly sure why we got the call from Dan rather than Jeremy. We think that Jeremy called our dad and Dad thought Heber was closer to Dan than it was to us... I need to teach him a little geography. My dad has Mike and I go get a battery and take it to Jeremy. He barely makes it home without losing power again (i.e. battery was not the solution) and Mike and I roll into the driveway about 2 am. Ouch.

All this time we were helping Jeremy, my dad is driving through the desert on his way to St George--just to visit and pick up my mom (she was still there from the funeral helping everyone). We were just a little worried the forces of nature would attack him too and his circumstances were not looking good: he was driving a beat-up OLD camaro through the desert, at night so he could keep the engine as cool as possible. Also, his cell battery was draining from him being on the phone and he didn't have a car charger.

Anywho, it was a little funny that we all showed up at Pep Boys at the same time to check our cars. (My mom and dad ended up driving up to Orem for the day to see if there was anything my dad could fix without having to take it to a mechanic. Of course there wasn't.) And, of course, my car was diagnosed with the third, expensive, problem...

What did the Heckaman's do to deserve this. BOTH cars breaking down on the SAME day?

A plug for Pep Boys: they weren't the cheapest, but they price match. We took in a quote and they said giving it to us cheaper would be no problem. We ended up paying almost $200 less than originally estimated. Nice!

Can I get a WHAT WHAT?!?!?

So, there's no delicate way to put this, so I'm just gonna lay it out there. Plain as can be...

I got the results from my test today. For the last week I've been randomly checking the Praxis website to see if my results were updated. They weren't, and weren't and weren't. But, today, they were. UH-OH! The first time I had checked to see if the results were available, I had decided that I would not be physically capable of checking the results for myself. So I had Mike memorize my username and password and even log in a couple times for practice. I know--I was stressing out!

This morning, I woke up and got online. My routine is to check my email, facebook, and my blog. That's it. Well, on my blog Jenn had posted a note regarding my test--it made me laugh. And it made me want to check to see if the results were in. (Remember, when I had taken the test, they told me that the results would be available within about 4 weeks--the 25th... It's not that late yet, so I wasn't expecting anything). But, as soon as I logged in, there was a link to see available test results. I couldn't do it. I thought about it, but I just couldn't. It was about 8:30.

Mike was still in bed--he's been sick and just can't sleep well. He told me not to wake him before noon--it's also summer break, so he deserves to sleep in. And I honored his request. I waited, and waited and waited. I watched 30 Rock to keep my mind off the results. (It's a funny show by the way--highly recommended. And the entirety of season 3--the most recent season--is on hulu until the 23rd of this month). Anywho, I waited until about 11:00. Mike woke up early.

If you know Mike, you know he takes a while to actually wake up. Even if he's out of bed, he might not be entirely awake, especially when he is sick. So I waited until he started a conversation, albeit a short one. When he was finished, I told him he had a very important mission and asked if he would accept. He did, so I handed him the computer, with the saved Praxis website--I had even saved him a step and was already logged in (from 8:30).

I can't take the pressure, so I hide under the blanket. I am stressing and don't know what to do with my limbs, so they just keep moving and fidgeting on their own accord. Mike tells me the site won't work. WHAT!??!?!?!? The login had timed out. AAAAAGGGGHHH! He has to log back in, but uses the incorrect login. AAAAGGGHHH! On the third try (after I gave him the correct password--yes, it was all my mistake), he was able to login. And asks me where to go--there's only one link on the page!!! AAAAGGGHH! He goes to the link, and it takes forever to load. FOREVER!

Finally, he asks me what a passing score it. 159. But he still doesn't say anything, forever! AAAAAGGHHHH! I ask him if it says anything, and he says, "hold on..." AAAAGGGHHHH!

**If you're wondering why I am dragging this out, rather than just telling you the results, it's because I want you to know how it felt for me this morning**

Finally, he tells me that I smoked the test. This is about how it went:

"Are you serious?!?!?"

"yes."

"For real?!?!?!"

"yes."

"WHAT I'D GET?!?!?!?"

"180"

"WOOOOOO HOOOOOO" and I started banging my fists on the coffee table and gave Mike approx 10 high-fives.

In the end, it was still a very difficult test, and I got a lot of questions wrong. Fortunately, I did better than average.

AND, a BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG thank you to EVERYONE who believed in me and told me they knew I would pass. You were right. WOOOOO-HOOOOOOO!


*Stay tuned for exciting details about my student teaching that I start on the 31st. I already went to administrative meetings and met fellow teachers--FUN!

The Funeral

{The pallbearers were Brett, Rob, Dan, Jeremy, Jon and Matthew. Honorary pallbearers were Taylor, Zach, Dad, and Jim.}

As you might have already read, my grandpa passed away on the 30th of July. He left a great legacy behind and I know he's already working on a great legacy where he's at.

Last Thursday, the 6th, we said our final goodbyes. Mike and I were able to drive down to St George on Weds in time to make it to the viewing. I went with my parents and oldest niece, Janna. We made sure she was prepared to see grandpa's body, without his spirit. She took it well. It was difficult for me to see my grandpa. He had lost a lot of weight still since the last time I visited. He definitely was not the same man I knew. But I know his spirit is the same, just in a different location.

{The American Legion presenting the American Flag to Grandma.}

On Thursday, it was Vienna's turn to see my grandpa for the last time. We all spent time preparing her for it, and she seemed to take it a little harder than Janna. She spent a lot of time at the casket and at one point she came up to Mike and I letting us know she was scared... because she was sad. We were all sad.

{Raquel and Vienna with the casket.}

The services were amazing. What a tribute it was to my grandpa. The chapel was full of friends and family. My grandma gave a tribute to his life's work. My uncle Mark also said some words about the character of man he was and the legacy he's left. There was a musical number by Raquel on the cello, Catherine (cousin Jon's wife) on the viola and a family friend on the piano of Amazing Grace. It was nothing short of AMAZING, bringing tears to our eyes. There was also a tribute to my grandpa's missionary work from the family members who served full-time missions--they sang Called to Serve. As the last speaker, a family friend gave a nice tribute to my grandpa and the truth we have of where he is, who he's with, and that we'll all see him again. The funeral service ended with an amazing rendition of How Great Thou Art.

{The greatgrandkids with their flower arrangement...They all got to take a flower home.}

My grandpa's chosen final resting place was at the mouth of Zion National Park, in Springdale. It was windy, but beautiful. This service was also very touching. Since my grandpa served in the military, the American Legion was there to present the American Flag to grandma, echo Matthew as the bugler, and performed the 21 gun salute. My mom chose me as the photographer for the event, so it kept me a little distracted, which means I was not a bauling mess. But, I won't deny that it was difficult and the pictures might be a little blury from my hands shaking.

{The Petersen kids with grandma...Mark, Mom, Pam, Linda, Grandma, Teri.}

In the end, I'll say that I'm going to miss my grandpa. He went too soon. I feel like a child when I think about it. I don't know how to grasp that he won't be there. I know, but I haven't attached myself to the understanding. And I can't help but wonder why so soon. He was so young--why now and why him...

{Grandma's a strong woman.}

Regardless, I know where he is, who he's with and that I'll see him again. I KNOW it.

(Pictures were taken by my cousin, Beth... I'll have my own as soon as my parents send me copies. I'll post them here or on facebook.)

Now introducing...

Kai Taylor Odenbrett!!!!!

Like I mentioned before, Desiree named Kai after my grandpa, who just passed away. We mourn for those we've lost, but rejoice in those we gain!

Kai was a BIG baby weighing 9 lbs 15 oz! Ouch. But Desiree was a trooper and came home with a beautiful baby boy. I haven't met him yet, but hear that he's doing really well; scoring well on his tests. And once when I called I heard him cry--but it was such a light little cry I'm surprised it's loud enough to wake them at night. Love little babies!!!!

Anywho, here's some pictures to entertain your day:



He barely fits...



The proud daddy:



The tired mommy:



The grandparents:



The happy family: