Retro Night

There's one thing I can say about Cade and his friends.  They aren't afraid of making a statement.  If that statement makes other people laugh, well then, that is just icing on the cake.  So when they found these old basketball warm ups in a locker room closet, they knew that this was what they wanted to wear for senior night.  They have always loved 70's and 80's music so the soundtrack for the night included "Smoke on the Water", "Slow Ride" and "Thunderstruck".  It's great to see the fans dancing to the oldies instead of covering their ears while the boys warm up for game.  I'm sure their dads (all alumni of SJHS basketball) must have been proud...

And a Little Child Shall Lead Them

Meet my pet rocks.  The son of a fellow teacher spent hours making them.  Hours and hours.  When he had a nice supply, he went around the school selling them for "whatever price you would like to pay."

Was he hoping to buy candy?  A new bike?  An Xbox game?

Nope.  He was earning money to send to Haiti.  The rocks were sold within a day.  And his mom sent a check for $98 to the relief fund.

Mathew 18:3   Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

7 Questions to Change Your Life

I mentioned a while ago that I've been reading the book , "Change Your Questions, Change Your Life" by Wendy Watson Nelson.  Wow.  Wow.  Wow.

I can't even read the whole thing because every few pages I have to put the book down and think.  Deeply.  Every once in a while, someone will write something so perfectly that it just speaks to my soul. 

It thrills me.  It frightens me.  If I am to truly take to heart what she says, then I must act.  And acting requires change.  Change is not my strength.  But I also believe that things come to you when you need them, so maybe I am ready.

Let me share with you her first concept/question.  "What is on my premortal list of things to do while on Earth?"
She goes on to ask, "What were you born to do?  Why are you here on earth?  Especially now?  Why not twenty years from not?  Why not in the 1800's?  Why were you born or adopted into your particular family?  Why were you born into your race or nationality?  Why were you born at all?"  and finally,

"What is the wonderful mission for which I was went to earth?  What do I need to do to fill the measure of my creation?"

First of all, I'm a list maker so this calls to me.  Secondly, my favorite scripture story is the story of Esther with the question her uncle asks, "who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"  And finally, it goes to my thoughts on Ryan's encouragement to Cade to""Do your job!"

Instantly, I knew that "teach children" was on my list.  I've had numerous experiences that have confirmed the importance of my work, but never with the idea that this may be what I am here to do.  Raising my own kids is (obviously) my first joy and priority.  But as I went to work the next day, I realized that each, "Good Morning", or "How was your weekend?" was a step toward fulfilling the "measure of my creation".  Suddenly a Primary teacher not showing up on Sunday wasn't a particular torment directed to make my life miserable, but an opportunity for me to get to know those kids a little better by teaching their class.  Such a simple concept has resulted in a major change of perspective.  Oh, I still complain.  Don't get me wrong.  But I am better able to realize that it is all a part of the process to help me become the person I need to be.

Over the past few weeks there have been other, more personal things that I have wondered about.  "Is this on my list?"  Some of them, well, I don't know.  Others, I am quite certain of.  Either way, it makes me excited to suppose that I've come "for such a time as this."

Next concept/question:  "What is the one question I most need to have answered from the scriptures today?"

I'll keep you updated...

Nerves of Steel

Or not...

We decided to skip the kids' games in Sanders today.  Twenty-four games in twelve days is more than I can take.  (8 out of the last 12 days have been filled with games.  Two each of those nights are Syd's freshman and JV games.  Cade rounds out the night with his Varsity games).  Anyway, Cade wasn't supposed to play.  His ankles are hurting, and the opposing team wasn't supposed to be that good. 

Well, best laid plans....

I got a text from my friend telling me that Cade's team was down and the coach had just put him in the game.  My nervous-mom hands started shaking.  (My guilty-mom did not kick in.  I'm THAT tired of basketball.)  I frantically started washing dishes and doing laundry.  It takes a real crisis for me to get moving on a Saturday night.  When I finished that I started to change the layout of my blog.  Then I prepared sharing time.  I even got dinner ready for tomorrow.

Less than an hour later, the team had won by nine.  Cade's ankles were OK.  My hands stopped shaking. 

If I could just harness that power, I think I could change my world.  But then again, that kind of energy is not worth it.  Just like a sugar rush, it wears off and leaves me ready for sleep.  But at least I'm going to bed with a clean kitchen!  And a happy kid.

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?