Giving Back

Day 14
Today I am thankful for the tender and genuine feelings of young people. My history class has been watching Channel One News and following the events in the Philippines this week. Today the reporters said that if anyone watching wanted to help out that they could log on to the website. After we finished the segment my students asked how they could help. We went to channelone.com and found out how they suggested people help. The biggest thing that is needed is money. My students suggested that we could collect spare change to send, but they didn't want to stop in our room. Their faces lit up and they got excited as they talked about setting up a collection at all of the lunches to get more people involved. My heart smiled and melted as I watched them come together and brainstorm how they could reach out beyond themselves. It's not often that they are able to make these kinds of connections, so this was a really special day for them. And the best part, it was all of my students, even the one who struggles with his attitude.
I am thankful for those times when my students get to experience a "typical" teen experience. Sometimes their disabilities hold them back, but now they are soaring. I don't know what we'll actually be able to do to help (I need to talk to the higer-ups tomorrow) but just the fact that they want to do something means everything.

"Honey, I'm ho-ome!"

Day 13
Today I am thankful that for the first few months of my teaching career I have lived with my sister and her family. At first when the days were so long and overwhelming it was nice to come home to three little boys hugging my legs and saying, "Nanny! Nanny's home! Nanny!" These three little guys always help me unwind and refocus. They also make for some interesting stories!
I also appreciate dinner every night. I have walked into a pretty good sister-wives situation* where there are three adults, two working outside of the home, and one working in the home raising the kids and cooking our meals. Nic and I make it home each night in time for supper and play time with the boys. We laugh at our set-up, but I know that we are both deeply grateful for all that Jolene does during the day.
I love that I have a built-in support group for whatever kind of day I'm having. It's nice to know that I am accepted and loved at home regardless of how my day went. It's pretty nice to be able to talk your day out, with grown-ups and kiddos alike.
I am so thankful that my sister and her husband have been so willing to help me and support me! I love you guys-you're the best!

*Author's note: We are in no way affiliated with the show "Sister Wives" or any polygamy group. The reference was meant as a pun.

My Crazy Gene

Day 12
Did ya'll notice yet that it's 11-12-13? I was pretty excited to realize that, and it was only half way through my day!
Today I am thankful for mi Madre. Hands down, my mom is cooler than yours! I love that my mom finds ways to connect with just about anyone, anywhere. She never meets a stranger, and once she becomes friends with someone, it's for life. Mom is always doing random acts of kindness for those around her. She is happiest when she has something that she's working on to give someone. And she puts so much thought into the things she makes! One of her favorite things is scrapbooking, and she has done some amazing things with it. Mom, with the help of modern technology, has taken your typical scrapbook and made it into something that you would display in your home. The past couple of years she has made some really awesome memory books for her siblings for Christmas. Mom can always be counted on to make something sentimental for get-togethers with family, and it's something that brings everyone closer as they share their memories.

Perhaps not the most flattering pic of either of us, but I think it captures who we are. :)

I would be untruthful if I didn't mention one more thing-my mom is a little...crazy. Sometimes. Especially when she gets with Aunt Tina, her sister. They have the most hilarious adventures, even just going out to a movie. They always have some new story to tell, and I love it. Jolene and I hope that we can be as crazy and have as much fun as these two sisters when we get older!
My mom is someone who has taught me to care for others, to be a friend, and to enjoy life. One of the things that I love best about my mom is that she has always encouraged me to chase my dreams. Even when my dreams were crazy and hairbrained, she still wanted me to reach for them. Sometimes those dreams don't work out, and she's always been there for those times, too. My mom is the person I call when I need to know how to cook/bake something, when I need creative ideas, and when I need someone to be diplomatic. Better than that, when I'm hurting I know that Mom is there to lift and support me in any way she can. See, didn't I tell you that my mom was pretty awesome?! I love you, Mom!

"And I'll Gladly Stand Up Next to You..."

Day 11
Today is a special day. Today is the day that we say thank you to the men and women who so valiantly fight to preserve the freedoms of our great country. We pause to give thanks to those currently serving, and all those who have served, from every branch of the military. Today we honor you, our veterans!

 There is one special veteran whom I cannot forget. From this man I learned what our flag symbolizes, and what it means to give honor and respect to that flag. From this man I learned to give proper respect to those who have served and currently serve our country. From this man I learned that it is important to stand and fight for what you believe in, even if your country does not support you. From this man I learned to treasure the words of the tried and true songs inspired by this great country that we live in. From this man I learned what it truly to means to love my country with my whole heart and never turn my back on her. There is nothing that makes me more proud than to be sitting at a flag ceremony on Independence Day (or any other special day) next to this man and have him stand among others who have fought for our country. I gladly shed tears with this man as we sing our national anthem, or listen to other patriotic songs. This man has taught me what it means to be a hero from the time I was a little girl. There will never be a time when my Dad isn't my hero. Dad, I thank you not only today, but everyday for the lessons you have taught me and continue to teach me about patriotism. You are a true hero. I love you, Dad, and I am thankful everyday that I get to call you mine. No girl in the world has a better Dad than I do.

Ever since my rodeo days yours has been the voice that stands out amid all the others, giving me the guidance that I need to make a smooth run. Back then it was "turn, kick, kick!" and now it's "Cowgirl up, you can do it." Either way, I know that you are there, cheering me on, and just like those rodeo days, when I fall down I know that you're there to pick me up and put me back in the saddle. Thank you Dad! I love you!

Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam!

Day 10
Today I am thankful for the little things that make my hear smile. A few months ago I was called to be a Sunbeam teacher in my ward. At the time I wasn't sure if the calling came from inspiration or desperation, but today I got a chance to see just how much it was inspiration.
There are only three little boys in my class, and they are as unique and individual as they come. We have a blonde, a brunette, and a red-head. Their little personalities are so amazing and fun, and at first difficult. One of my little guys really struggled to come to class when I first started. Weeks of him kicking and screaming, mom trying to bribe him, and all other efforts we put in just couldn't do the trick. Slowly it got better, and now he comes to class. In the beginning he was aloof and not every interested in me.
Today was different. He actually wanted to sit by me, and on multiple occasions he came up to me to talk to me. He is still learning to talk and has some struggles, but he feels comfortable enough with me to try out his language skills. My heart smiled so brightly today as he came and whispered in my ear. At another point he played the "who's hand is on top" game with me. Touching wasn't something that he used to be willing to do. These two things made my heart smile.
Also on the list of heart smiles, one of my other little guys, who is normally quiet and shy about participating in class, offered to say the closing prayer. He needed my help, but the fact that he even wanted to try made my heart soar! He did such an excellent job with the prayer, and I'm glad that I get to be part of his journey.
One more heart smile-as part of our lesson I showed a picture of the Last Supper. It was interesting to me that all three boys immediately noticed that Judas stood on the outside, and they wanted to know who he was. I explained to them that the picture showed Jesus with his friends, and that Judas was one of Jesus' friends who had made some bad choices. We moved on to talk about the Last Supper and didn't mention Judas again.
On the car ride home Jolene asked Sam what he learned at church today. Much to my surprise he didn't mention the scripture line that we had rehearsed for the kids to tell their parents, but instead Sam talked about how Jesus ate with His friends and He had one friend who made bad choices. It always amazes me what sticks in little minds.
These are just some of the little things that make my heart smile. There are so many every day, and I am thankful that I could take this one day of thanks to let them shine.

Free Bird

Day 9
Today I am thankful for Saturday. It's a pretty awesome day! An entire day dedicated to doing everything you neglected to do during the week. Also, when you're a teacher, it's a goo day to be sick. No student are vying for your attention, no lessons need to be taught, no nothing! I spent most of today asleep (who knew I could sleep so much!) and it felt amazing. Other Saturdays have been equally amazing in the things that I have been able to accomplish. I am so thankful to have this one day a week to be a free bird.

"Um, may I sit on the back row?"

Day 8
Today I am thankful for soft tissues (more specifically the ones with lotion) cold medicine, Vitamin C, enthusiastic students who keep me going, and the fact that it's November and I am only now getting my first cold of the school year. Sporting a pre-season Rudolph nose while carrying around your own box of tissues doesn't exactly send out the "come gather around me" vibes (I actually had a student on the front row ask if he could go sit in the very back corner of the classroom...). But, I've made it through the day. Perhaps the thing that I am most thankful for today is that it's Friday, and I can take some nighttime cold medicine and not worry about sleeping through my alarm in the morning. This also means that (hopefully) my germs won't spread throughout my entire class (though I can tell you exactly who started this stream of germs!) and we won't have to deal with more germs and sickness. (This is the dream of a teacher-to have no germs in her room!) And now that my pm cold meds are kicking in, I'm going to sign off, thankful that I have the chance to actually breathe through both nostrils.