On a Brighter Note...

When things get tough at school, we pull out "The Book".  Known only to The Lunch Club (TLC), it is where we record the hilarious, ironic, and bizzare experiences that make up our days.  As we turn the pages and recount each story it is inevitable that some, if not all, will laugh until they cry.  And happy tears always make for a better day.

In the name of security (as in job security) I can only leave you with two entries.

1.  Jackie was asked to use the word  "speck" (as in a speck of dirt) in a sentence.  He replied, "I spec that I need to be home by dark."

2.  While teaching Kirstin's class about alliteration, Marcie gives the example, "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peckers." 

(Thank you, I am taking a bow as I speak...)
and now I feel better.

A Cry for Help

I don't often talk about my job.  I don't know why.  I really ought to do it more.  There is lots of "insider" information that comes from teaching Junior High kids everyday.  Throw in the fact that I'm the Special Education teacher and you know that I have some stories. 

Some are funny.  Some are tender.  Some make you want to punch a wall.  Some just make you want to give up.  Some keep you coming back again and again.

And some make your heart hurt. 

Today I had a dad call me up to tell me that his daughter had called the suicide hotline last night.  She was threatening to kill herself with the guns that her dad keeps in the house.  This isn't the first time.  A few months ago, I had alerted the dad and the school psychologist that she had made some practice "cuts" in a half-hearted attempt to hurt herself.

The problems that this girl faces are not easily fixed.  In all honesty, there may not be an answer to her needs.  I'm afraid that if there is a solution, it is out of my grasp.

And that hurts my heart.

Lazy, Lazy, Lazy

Like always, I have a kajillion things I should be doing.  But this is what I did instead:

Ryan and I woke up around 7:30 but stayed in bed until 9:00, at which point we decided that it should be National Servant Day.  I gave birth to three of them and we should start treating them as such.

Next, we made strawberry crepes for breakfast and announced our plan to the kids.  We even gave them names-Servant 1, Servant 2 and Servant 3.  Lauren promptly started crying.  (You have to be tough to live in our house).

After that we went back to bed and slept until 12:00.  (We must be a little sick because that hasn't happened.  EVER.)  The kids, afraid that we were serious about servants, left us completely alone.  It was fantastic. 

And THAT, has pretty much been the extent of my day.  I should feel a little guilty, but I don't.  In fact, I feel a little refreshed.  Invigorated even.  Approaching enthusiastic. 

Who knew sleep was so important?

Awkward...

You know that feeling when you have been neglecting a friendship...

Wondering if you should just call up out of the blue?  Do you apologize?  Act like nothing has changed?  Start all over again?  Or do you just keep on ignoring the relationship, hoping that it just goes away, or someone else will take the lead...

That's the relationship I've been having with my blog lately.  I look at the date of my last post and get a little tingle of remorse.  Another day goes by and that tingle changes to regret.  A few more days and I'm left with that where-do-I-even-begin? feeling.

Do I start with the weather?  It's been wintry.  But only enough for us to have a two-hour delay.  Once. 
I could mention the books that I'm reading and loving.  "The Swan Thieves" by Elizabeth Kostova and "Change Your Questions, Change Your Life" by Wendy Watson Nelson
I could talk about the kids.  Enough good and enough bad to keep Ryan and I on our toes.
I could go on and on about Ryan-I love him-but it could get a little tedious.
I could even talk about school. But it's the weekend....

I kept journals all throughout my teenage years.  I would write in them religiously, poring my angst into each one for days on end.  And then I would stop.  Months would go by.  It never failed that when I picked up the journal again, my entry would read..."It's been a long time and so much has changed..."

Thank goodness for growing up.  It's been a long time.  But not much has changed.

And I will be back tomorrow.

Famous Last Words

The big news of St. Johns is the opening of the ALCO store in town.  On opening day, they served coffee and doughnuts and passed out gifts bags.  My mom picked up Lauren and they went after school.  I even know of some seventh graders that visited on their lunch hour. In fact, I heard a conversation in the hall that went something like this:

"Dude, are you going to hang out at ALCO after school?"
"Yeah, everybody is going."
"I think I'm going everyday!"

 It seems that all of St. Johns was there at some point in the day.  Except for me. 

I'm too "cool" for following the crowd. 

Finally, the day AFTER the Grand Opening, Lauren broke me.  Twenty-four hours of constant begging forced me to concede my position.

"Ok, Ok, Lauren.  We'll go look in ALCO.  But I don't need anything, and you know that I really don't like to buy things." (True argument actually-but we'll have to address that issue another day). 

Eighty-seven dollars later, I have to say, I like ALCO.  I really, really like it!

I guess I'm not so "cool" after all....

Happy New Year!

Usually at this time of year, we look forward to our new goals and resolutions.  However, my mother-in-law had the unusual perspective to look back on the past decade and reflect on her blessings.  As I read her list, it was amazing to see how full ten years can be; but at the same time, seem like "just yesterday". 

Here are some of the things that have blessed us over the past 10 years. (In totally random order)

-Lauren was born.
-All three kids were baptized.
-Cade received the Priesthood.
-We built our home.
-We all had the chance to visit Alaska numerous times to enjoy family and nature.
-Between Ryan and I, we lost 3 grandparents, but are blessed by our knowledge of the Plan of Salvation.
-My parents moved home from Alaska.  It was great having a place to visit, but much better having them here!  (Thank goodness we still have Cortney up there!)
-Cade's sports teams won 3 State Championships, with the lessons of hard work, teamwork and dedication.
-Gained 2 brother-in-laws, 1 sister-in-law, and 10 nieces and nephews.
-I earned my Master's degree (more like a miracle!)
-Ryan and I celebrated our 8th-17th Anniversaries.
-Syd graduated from 8th grade as the Valedictorian developing the work ethic that will serve her throughout her life.
-I served in various Church callings, among them Den Mother, Counselor in YW, and Primary President (twice).  In each one I've been blessed to develop relationships with new people as I've learned new skills and lessons of my own.
-Ryan killed (among other things):  a desert bighorn sheep, an elk, a Dall sheep and a buffalo.  I may not call them blessings, but he sure would!
-The kids and I went to Disneyland 3 times.  If Ryan had gone with us, he would have considered this eternal damnation.  I, on the other hand was blessed to enjoy my kids.
-I found new friends and reconnected with old ones.
-(Hopefully) I gained a little more wisdom, a little more patience and a little more kindness.

As I've read through my list I've realized that many of these things are the "big ticket" items that mark the time in our lives.  However,  I know that each day I am blessed with simple yet profound experiences.  The sacred chance to raise these kiddos of mine; the beautiful relationship that I share with Ryan; the wonderful extended family that I have; the friends that surround me;  the opportunity I have to teach children both at work and in the church; and finally, the eternal and enduring invitation I have from Christ to "Come Unto Me".