Apparently not... I haven't been on the computer for longer than a few minutes every few days in the last few weeks. One day I'll get to it.
I'm finally on Spring Break, which means: ~my friends' oldest daughter (and my future 3rd grade student) got baptized ~the official advent of knee-length skirts and strappy sandals ~I got to unexpectedly spend nearly two full days in Provo tying quilts and hanging out with cherished friends - SO fun! ~visiting the BYU 35th Ward (finally) ~sleeping in ~finally having time to READ ~finally having time to clean instead of just tidy. ~House Season 5 marathon ~new light, spring sheets ~open windows ~SUNSHINE!! ~Kneader's breakfast in Provo with friends on Thursday ~learning to crochet my first baby booties, and working on my sweater (pictures coming soon) and the possibility of: ~bookbinding ~bike riding ~a trip to the zoo ~a visit to Draper ~almost zero thought/concern for school-related business.
Things are beginning to go better. March just stinks for teachers in general (long stretch with no breaks), but after attending the Love and Logic conference last week, things are going better.
Also, I updated my bookbinding blog (finally!), and the link is just to the left, so, enjoy!! :)
Stay tuned for: Wrestling Culture Love and Logic Conference and Spring Fever!
So, teachers often like to share funny little quips about their students, and usually I'm that teacher, but, lately, I've been amazed in a different sort of way. I love my job, and I love my students, but, does anyone out there know how to get 9 year-olds to care - about anything?
Just a couple examples...
Someone decided it would be fun to write f--- you (insert other student's name here) on a bingo sheet that is usually turned into the office... Class meeting and several talks with administrators and counselors didn't help, nor did the person who did it come forward.
A student decided that while their friend was dialing their parents (for which they had to dial 9 - 1- and then the area code and phone number from our school phone) they would hit an extra 1, dialing 911 and hanging up - and the laugh about it! That was a fun call with the district office in the middle of class, and then chat with administrators during lunch, resulting in the school officer coming to chat with the class. No one was mean or rude about it, and apparently it happens all the time, but, uh, WOW, really?!?!
I give an attention signal and they keep talking, completely ignoring me - AND if I call them out on it later, even privately, they act like there's nothing wrong, and get an attitude - "What did I DO?!?!"
Oh, and this would be day 2 in a row that we didn't get to math OR literacy because management and discipline things came first. Don't get me wrong, they should - but NCLB doesn't really care too much about teachable moments.
Now, I don't write all this to make it sound like my life stinks, or I hate my job, or teaching is awful - it's not. I still love those kids more than words can truly describe - and it is probably because I love them so much that they affect me so deeply - both positively and negatively. I want the best for them, I want them to be happy and successful - but, really, I want them to care - about themselves, and those around them. They've shown me they can, but right now, in the middle of March Madness (which, I'm learning refers to more than basketball), I'm just discouraged, and desperately needing a break that won't come for another 5 weeks. That's a good word to describe it - discouraged. I'm not really disappointed, or even frustrated. Just discouraged.
So, this evening I walked into my friends' house and was bombarded with the question, "Want to go to Young Women's tomorrow and bind books?!" Seriously, is that actually a question?!?! OF COURSE I DO! :D
Anyway, we're helping the girls bind a cute journal that my friend found at this blog, but my friend didn't have the link, so we had to explore. What a well-spent half hour! This blog is ROCKIN'! The link is to the month with the journals (should the need to bind adorable books strike you), but PLEASE explore it. You WILL NOT regret it! :-)
Last year, my adorable cousin blogged about a word that she wanted to have as a theme for the upcoming year. This year, I decided I wanted to do the same. I found the perfect word just before Christmas last year while reading Emily Freeman's new book, The Promise of Enough.
The book is all about abundance. She sites the miracle of the loaves and fishes found in John 6:5-13. The Savior blessed and broke the five loaves, and two fishes provided by a young boy, and sent his disciples around to feed the multitude of thousands. The multitude ate what they would, and still there were twelve baskets filled to overflowing with what remained. "Enough and to spare. Abundance." In the book there is a quote by Elder Wirthlin, "The abundant life isn't something we arrive at. Rather, it is a magnificent journey that began long, long ages ago and will never, never end." In Alma 1:29, it says the people had "abundance of all things whatsoever they stood in need."
Emily Freeman mentions seven principles of abundance: ~abundance is turning our will over to God and allowing Him to do wonders in our life. ~abundance is recognizing our full potential as we give ourselves to the Lord. ~abundance is unmeasured blessings that come as a result of sacrifice and service. ~abundance is blessings predicated on obedience and belief. ~abundance is knowing that we cannot begin to understand what great blessings the Father has prepared for us, and learning to remember and express gratitude for those blessings. ~abundance is finding contentment because we remember to see the good things. ~abundance is understanding that the Savior loves us and is aware of our circumstances, and that He will send blessings above all we could ever ask for or imagine.
As it says in Doctrine and Covenants 71:6, "Unto him that receiveth it shall be given more abundantly."
In a relief society lesson that my friend Kelly was teaching, she asked us what we believe. I learned that my beliefs are not limited to the Articles of Faith. One of the things I wrote was, "I believe that there is abundance in this life." I believe that. I believe that the Lord is aware, I believe he has blessings in store, and I believe He keeps His promises. I believe that He does bless us abundantly. There is enough and to spare in this world - and often we have more blessings than we recognize.
So, my word for the year is abundance. I hope to be able to seek and recognize the abundance in my life - because it is there.
Today is the last day of the year, and as is tradition, I will recap the year 2009. Thanks to facebook, here are two rather unique ways to recap the year:
Firsts in 2009: *NO I did not get my first kiss - another first that will have to wait! :) There's bound to be some kind of monetary reward if I make it to 25 VL right?!?! ;-) ~moved into a condoalone in Heber ~my first pair of glasses ~geocaching milestones ~temporary single mother of 5 kids for a week - WOW! What an adventure that was! ~moved out of the BYU 35th Ward (for good) ~began teaching 3rd Grade ~house and pet sitting 12 baby hamsters ~adopted 2 hamsters, a fish, and 2 guinea pigs (1 hamster died, and 1 guinea pig was adopted out)
Road Trips and Fun Events: ~Ogden Road Trip for Ty's birthday ~Draper Temple dedication ~Mom turned 50 ~Sand Dunes with the Carters and my first 4-wheeler ride. ~family beach trip ~Pioneer Day camping, caching and parade in Spanish Fork ~Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house and dedication ~Mom & Dad's 25th Wedding Anniversary ~Finally got to attend the Jon Schmidt concert at Thanksgiving Point's Waterfall Amphitheater ~Tyler got his mission call and reported to the MTC ~began teaching piano lessons ~Yellowstone! :) ~I turned 24... almost time for a quarter-life crisis. ;-) ~1st of 2 Christmas phone calls from Ty
Books I Read and Loved Twilight Series by Stefanie Meyer Inkheart series by Cornelia Funke The Work and the Glory series by Gerald Lund Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins
New Games I Learned to Play and Became Addicted to: Ticket to Ride My Zoo on Facebook Farkle (in real life and on Facebook) Rail Baron TransAmerica Mille Bornes
Due to all of the snow in VA lately, only one of our doors, the back one, has easy access. But, we don't have a key for that door, so, we've been taking turns stumbling through the snow to the front door to let everyone else in the back.
On Christmas Eve, after our Herring family party, it was my turn. I stumbled through the snow and around the corner to see a package on the front porch (poor postman). I pick it up expecting it to be my Dad's Christmas present (which actually came 2 days AFTER Christmas), to see, "From: Elder Tyler LaMont Herring, To: The Family"
WAHOO!!!
Well, traditionally, we only open one present - pajamas - on Christmas Eve. I begged and we opened Ty's gift then too. In it was the most awesome Christmas present EVER:
So, if you know my brother, you know that he doesn't smile in a picture - ever! He's SMILING!!! We know he's in the right place now! I hope you can click on it and enjoy the full effect of this awesome gift that brought us to tears. :)
This year, I read Penny's Christmas Jar Miracle by Jason F. Wright to my students at the beginning of December.
In case you don't know, a Christmas Jar is a jar you put out somewhere in your house, and during the year, you put your spare change in it. At Christmas you give it to a person or family in need.
After reading the story, I was a little shocked at how excited the kids were for the opportunity to do a service project. So, we got a jar, and suddenly, the spare change started rolling in! Soon our first smaller jar was filled and I had to find a larger one. The change just kept coming. I especially loved the comments like, "I was going to buy a pencil/jerky but I thought the Christmas Jar was more important!" and "Can we have an all-year jar and buy things for kids in Africa?"
The last week of school, our counselor came in and gave a lesson on caring. She talked about two seven-year-olds who raised enough money to build much-needed wells in Africa. The kids were so excited to tell her about their Christmas Jar.
Yesterday was our last day of school, and finally the time had come - the jar was full and it needed delivering. While the kids were at PE, I caught up with our counselor, and asked her if she knew of anyone in particular need this season. The tears sprang to her eyes as she whispered, "YES!" She told me of a family at our school who had very little. The adults give all they have to make sure their sweet little girl has what she needs and gets a Christmas. I knew of the family and remembered how downtrodden the adults sometimes seemed to look, but how sweet and joyful the little girl always is. The school had helped provide the girl with a small Christmas, but, the parents still had nothing. Our counselor had been frustrated all day, wondering how else we could help.
She asked if I wanted to help give them the jar, and I said, "No, you can do it, the kids wanted it to be anonymous." We embraced, and the tears flowed freely.
When the students came back from PE, I gathered them around me and told them about the little girl and her family that their Christmas Jar had helped. As I told them about the little girl whose family literally had nothing, I could see the astonished looks on their faces at such suffering in their own school. When I told them about the Christmas Jar, their faces simply lit up! They were so excited and happy to know that their contribution had really helped someone. As I explained to them how proud I was of them, my tears came again. If only we could all be as generous and genuinely caring as these students.
That afternoon, I went out to do traffic duty and I saw the family walking out. The adults didn't know me, but the little girl did and I asked her, "Are you going to have a good Christmas?" As her dad responded jubilantly, "She's already having a great Christmas!" I could see our Christmas Jar nestled safely in his arms. Maybe I just imagined it, but, it seemed that, in some small way, his burden had been lifted, at least for a moment.
I checked in one last time with the counselor before leaving and told her about the students' reaction, and told her that I thought they really understood what this was all about. She said, "You asking me was absolutely inspired. ____ loved getting to give her dad a Christmas present! And yes, your students did get it. That is something they will never forget!" I hope she's right, because I know that I never will.
A couple of weeks ago, I taught a Gospel Doctrine lesson, and ended with this quote by President Hinckley: "It is amazing what courtesy will accomplish. It is tragic what a lack of courtesy can bring. We see it every day as we move in the traffic of the cities in which we live. A moment spent in letting someone else get into the line does good for the one who is helped, and it does good for the one who helps. Something happens inside of us when we are courteous and deferential toward others. It is all part of a refining process which, if persisted in, will change our very natures."
It is exceptionally easy to neglect simple acts of courtesy during this busy time of year. and yet, Him whose birth we celebrate at this time would want it the exact opposite. He would want us to be more mindful of each other, and more courteous one to another.
Now, I will be the first to admit that I am often far less courteous than I should or could be. However, today, being on the receiving again, I was reminded of the truthfulness of President Hinckley's statement, and have resolved to be better in that area myself.
Today I am flying home to Virginia. The last couple of flying experiences in my family have been less than satisfactory, and very stressful. Considering the recent weather conditions, I was a little concerned about flying today. The snow, at least in Salt Lake is holding off for now, and I did arrive the recommended two hours early, but, WOW, let me tell you of my experience.
I got to the kiosk and printed my boarding pass, then headed to the desk to check my bag and pay the fee. The gentleman who helped me was SO polite. He was relaxed and used phrases like, "when you're ready could you hand me _____?" and "your baggage fee is $20 when you have a chance to get your credit card." Ok, now, no one likes to pay extra money to check ONE bag during this economy, but, you know what, I was more than willing to pay it because he had been so polite! When I left, he told me exactly where to go and wished me a Merry Christmas. The "thank you, and enjoy your holiday" that followed was genuine and heartfelt on my part.
Security is my possibly LEAST favorite part of flying. I'm always a little worried that I have forgotten to take something out of my bag, or that it's going to take too long. I'm also paranoid about some of the new scanners that I've never used. But not only was the line exceptionally short, the TSA officers were very polite and great at giving instructions on how the new machines work, and exactly what they were going to do and what I had to do. It was lovely!
I think I made it through the ticketing and security process in 10 - 15 minutes flat. Pretty darn amazing for December 23rd! Even the people that gave me my food at the airline restaurant were exceptionally friendly and wished me a Merry Christmas.
Because so much kindness has headed my way this morning, it is not only easier for me to return it, but, it has made such acts more noticeable to me when they happen to others. Like the electric cart drivers offering rides to struggling parents, or the attendants wheeling the elderly people through the airport. I haven't even gotten on the plane yet and let's be honest, things could potentially go south quite easily, but, I think because of my initial experiences, I will be much more forgiving, and much less likely to generalize the behavior of the few to the many airport personally.
So thanks for the courtesy folks, Merry Christmas. I suggest we all remember "please", "thank you", "hello", "how are you" and smiles a little more often, especially at this time of year.
But wow, more than 3 feet in the last couple of days - that's a little intense.
So, if you know me, you know that I love to play games. Last night, I played games until the wee hours of the morning. No, really, the WEE hours of the morning - we are talking 4:45 am here! So, one of our friends had left at 3 am, and one of our hosts shoveled the walk and driveway at that point. After playing games for a bit longer (til 4:45), I decided to leave as well.
As requested, I pulled out of the driveway before I tried to clean off the 8 inches of snow that had accumulated on my car so as not to nullify the previous shoveling. Well, since the snow plow had come by AGAIN, I had to get my little car over about 2 1/2 feet of snow, and got stuck. So, I shoveled myself out, pulled into the middle of the road, and finished cleaning off my car. The whole ordeal took about 15 minutes... Yeah, good thing I now live 2 minutes away, rather than 30 minutes away... :)
So, after a little bit of fish-tailing, but overall, a nice little jaunt home through the snow on an oddly bright morning -The sky had a weird pink bright tinge to it all night - I made it home and slid, literally, into my parking spot. I got out of the car and walked into my apartment. Although the snow had clearly been shoveled at some point that day, it was up to my knees as I walked in!
When I got inside, I decided to set my cell phone alarm since I had to teach Sunday School a little later in the morning - only to realize that I had left my phone at my friends' house. OOPS! Needless to say, the phone was a lost cause, at least for the morning.
THEN, I woke up at 10:45 this morning as a result of sleep deprivation just in time for church at 11. Needless to say, the morning was slightly rushed. I made it to church with little problems (and only 15 minutes late), but as I was so preoccupied looking for a parking spot, BAM! slammed into a snow bank. But don't worry, my car's a trooper - not a scratch, AND I got out all by myself without getting stuck...
All sarcasm aside, I love the snow! It has kept me giggling over the last few days at my slipping and sliding all over the place... :D
So, Christmas is pretty much my favorite holiday, period. I love most holidays, but I love Christmas the most. I like the snow, the music, the baking, the sweaters, the hot chocolate, the books, oh pretty much everything about it! To top it off, this year I get to decorate a whole condo BY MYSELF! I don't have to share the space with anyone, and it's not gaudy at all, if I do say so myself. I even have a mantel to put my nativity collection and a stocking on! HUZZAH!
But, in all seriousness, Christmas just makes me inherently happy - and ever so grateful for my own blessings, and gives me an increased desire to share my own abundance with others. I think that spirit and attitude permeates the majority of the world these days. While I think most of us agree that we wish that attitude would last the whole year, for at least one month, we can focus on what truly matters most: our Friends, our Family, and our Savior.
#29 - quiet Sundays. I love quiet Sunday afternoons.
#30 Today is the last day of November, and with it National Blog Post Month, and my "public" month of thankfulness. I have very little to say that I haven't already said. More than anything, I am grateful for the simple, little things that bring me happiness daily, and my life, which has been so very blessed. I am grateful that I have always had enough, and, I am beginning to realize, plenty to spare.
#27 - Christmas lights. I am glad the rest of the world has finally caught up with me and is ready to fully enjoy Christmas lights! :) I went to the Light Parade in Spanish Fork last night, and it was fun. The drive down was fun too - being able to see all of the lights on the way there and back. I also got to see Bro. McBride, the former second counselor in my old ward. What fun! So, yesterday, I was particularly thankful for Christmas lights - they inherently make me happy!
#28 - football. True story. It may sound simple and silly, but, I DO like a well played game of football. I guess it's in my blood! :)
#24 - priesthood blessings, but especially father's blessings. I have been blessed to always have a worthy priesthood holder in my life - from my dad, grandfathers and uncles growing up, to faithful home teachers and good friends, it has been a constant source of safety and comfort in my life. Last night I basically cried myself to sleep - the breakdown has been coming for weeks, mostly due to stress at work, but ya know, my girlish tendency to overanalyze things didn't really help in the anxiety prevention department. Anyway, I began my breakdown on the phone with a friend, then got off the phone and cried for awhile. Amid the crying however, I was reminded of the last father's blessing I received, which happened to be from my former bishop. I pulled out the journal entry I had written immediately following the blessing and re-read it. The peace and comfort that washed over me was powerful. The things that seconds before had concerned and terrified me were gone - because I was reminded of my direct access to Heavenly Father, his promises, and his loving, watchful care.
#25 - birthdays and birthday wishes. First of all though, I'm thankful for my mom who brought me into this world. She called me today at the exact moment I turned 24. How cool is that?! ;-) But yes, I am not yet too afraid of getting old, so I like birthdays - the being spoiled, getting your way, and having people think about you, is quite nice. So, today, I'm thankful for birthdays.
I remember getting these with my grandma growing up. I always loved looking through the book and choosing things to get.
Well, today, I got my very first, very own Avon order. I know that's kind of silly to be excited about, but there you have it. That is what I am excited and thankful for today! :)
Today I am grateful for good friends. As I read back over my thankfulness posts, I realize I have repeated a few things... Oh well. Does it matter if you repeat your thanksgiving, as long as it's meaningful? I hope not!
Today I am especially grateful for good friends, as I am every day of my life. However, today it is more poignant as yesterday was a very difficult day for me. I was frustrated and having quite a hard time at work. Luckily, I had a friend who was willing to come allow me to vent and help me re-vamp and prepare for the remainder of the week, which, after the tears helped me feel much better. I am also blessed to have friends, recognized, and heretofore unrecognized, who are willing to help me, and give me solicited and unsolicited advice.
So, for the friends who reach out a helping hand, the friends who offer sound advice, and the friends who offer a listening ear and shoulder to cry on, today I am grateful!
