Nanny Manda

Day 23
Today I am thankful for my nephews and niece. Yesterday I wasn't feeling very well, so when I got home from work I went right to bed. I didn't see much of my sister or her family until this morning. When I came upstairs I saw Sam, who came running up to me to say good morning. I picked him up, said good morning, and kissed him. Sam sighed, leaned back in my arms, and said "I'm in love." I was laughing and had to put him down, but I feel the same-I am so in love with him, his tow brothers, and their sweet cousin, Erika.
Sam always knows how to make me laugh and smile. He is my little buddy and we have fun adventures together. Sam is always good for a laugh, a hug, a kiss, or whatever it is that you need.
Mark is a tough cookie sweetheart. He is Mr. Independent, but my heart melts every time he wants to hold my hand or cuddle. I'm pretty sure that his smile powers the sun.
Cole is an adventure a minute. It feels like he has been laughing since the day he was born. Cole marches to the beat of his own drum, and I love it. One of my favorite quotes about Cole: "He bit me!" "Well, don't put your hand by his mouth." And I was the one who got bit! He's a wild child and I love it!
Miss Erika is a super sweet and adorable little lady. I got to spend the summer babysitting her, and I loved it! She is so cuddly and sweet! I miss getting to spend so much time with her, but I love getting to play with her on Sunday nights!

I am referred to as "Nanny" by these four kiddos, and I love it. There is nothing sweeter to my ears than hearing each of them begin to form that name on their lips. Each time they call me "Nan" my heart melts, and they know that I will do anything for them. Nannies are made to spoil their kiddos, and I take my charge very seriously!

The Path Less Traveled

Day 22
It took me a little thought to come up with what I am thankful for, not because I am feeling unthankful, but because there is so much to choose from. Luckily just as I sat down to write I came up with the perfect topic that covers everything I am thankful for today: I am thankful for my job. Now you're going to get the back story.
After I finished my student teaching I started searching for jobs like crazy. I applied in so many districts for any open elementary special ed positions. I applied for early childhood positions that I was not qualified for, but planned on pursuing that qualifications on the job. I emailed people like crazy, put out feelers all over, and all I got in return was silence. There was one district that I really wanted to work for, but they only had part-time openings. I was starting to feel like I was never going to find a job. As I was searching I finally found a full-time elementary sped position, and I applied for it. Later as I looked over the job again I realized that it wasn't what I was looking for, but when the call came for the interview I went. It was a great interview, they said they would let me know within the week, and I waited to hear back. And then I waited some more. A little over two weeks had passed by and still no news. Finally I got a call from the woman on the district level who had been at the interview. She told me that they still hadn't made a decision for that job, but asked if I would be willing to be added to the candidate pool for the district. I said yes, and the very next day I got a call. It was from a middle school looking for a sped math teacher. For those of you who don't know, I don't do math. I turned down the opportunity to interview with them and worried that I was shooting down my chances to find a job.
A few days later I got a call from another middle school. Middle school was not on my horizon of places to end up, but I couldn't come up with a reason to decline this interview. It wasn't for a math position, so I figured going to the interview would at least be good practice. It turned out to be the worst interview of my life. I have no experience at all with middle school special education, or secondary sped for that matter, so there were many questions that they asked that I did not know the answer to. Luckily I'm pretty good at BS, so I was able to come up with a few answers, but I did say "I don't know the answer to that," more than once. I left the interview in tears. As I was driving home I realized the answer to one thing for sure-I was NOT getting that job!
So imagine my surprise when a couple of days later they called to offer me the job. I was tempted to ask if we had all attended the same interview! I asked for some time to think about it, then proceeded to have a panic attack/emotional breakdown. Middle school was not where I wanted to end up. I was meant to be an elementary school teacher-that's all I knew! The interview had been awful, and I felt like maybe I was the least awful candidate so that's why they called. I talked to my good friend Vivian who encouraged me and told me that I could do this. She repeated the oft quoted line from out program, "you can do anything for a year." I talked to my Mom and sister who both thought this was a great opportunity and thought that I should've said "yes" before getting off the phone. Then I talked to my Dad. I cried and told him all of my above concerns. Then he did what all good dads do, he said "Cowgirl up." He then talked to me about how this wasn't all just about me. God has a purpose and a plan for me, and He was handing me this opportunity. (Let it be mentioned that Mom and Jolene said this as well.) Dad said that perhaps I was exactly what those kids needed, and that was why God was working so hard to put me there. As I talked with my Dad I realized what my answer would be. I had told the school that I would call them by noon the next day, but I ended up calling them back within two hours. I accepted the position and stepped through the door into the perfect setting that God had planned for me.
I love my job!  Each day I get to go to work and teach the most amazing set of students. Each of them has touched my heart in ways that I cannot even begin to describe. I truly feel like they are my "kids." I don't know if I am exactly what they needed, but they are exactly what I needed. I have learned and grown so much since I started down this road with them.
One of the things that I am thankful for is the confidence that I have gained as a professional in my field. I started out pretty timid, but I am quickly letting that go as I work to do the things that I need to do to be the best teacher that I can be for my students. I am standing up and fighting for the things my kids need, and it is so empowering! I am becoming more comfortable interacting with the administration, and it is so nice to not feel like your heart is going to jump out of your throat each time you talk to your principal. In fact, today I was able to confidently approach him and invite him into my room to complete an interview for my observation. No panic! I have gained so much confidence in working with the general ed teachers in my building, and I can explain to them what my students need. I have gained confidence in conducting an IEP. Heaven knows I had plenty of experience during my student teaching, but that was with Patti by my side, filling in any holes that I missed. Now it's just me, and it's okay. Yesterday I had an IEP where a parent was asking a lot of good, valid, and complicated questions. I was able to competently answer his questions, and he left feeling like he knew better how to help his student. I was able to use my knowledge and skills to do that!
I am thankful for all of the people that I have met along the way. I am getting to know more and more teachers, which I really enjoy. Today in particular I am thankful for one person: Bear. He is pretty amazing. It's crazy how a psychologist can get you to open up without even realizing it! He is so good with the students, and also with the adults. Because of him I found the confidence within myself to talk to other teachers. He helped me to remember why I took the job when I was feeling overwhelmed, which helped me to pull out of that rut. And Bear reminds me to laugh. Today I talked with him about a situation that I had yesterday with an unmedicated student. I was seriously ready to pull my hair out! I realized that the kid really couldn't help himself, but that didn't take away my frustration. As I described to Bear how hard I had tried to get the kid to do even one math problem, and that later the kid had managed to crash land out of a chair, with the chair landing on top of him, Bear just laughed. He said "Isn't it funny today? You've just gotta laugh at some of these things." It is funny today, and it was funny yesterday, but I still hope that we don't have this situation again. I like having hair!
I realize that this post is forever long, but it needed to be to sum up what I am thankful for. I love my chickadees (they all yell at me when I call them that)/minions (and yes, the do vary from yellow to purple, but no, jelly doesn't work on them...) more than I could have realized four months ago. I love having the opportunity to practice and use the skills that I have worked so hard to acquire over the past few years. Most of all, I love doing what I am passionate about everyday. I know that God had to work pretty hard to open this door for me, and I am so glad that He did. My life has been blessed in ways that I could have never imagined. I truly live a beautiful life!

My P.B.& J.

Day 21
Today I am so very thankful for my aides, Janice and Becky. Without these two women I literally would not be able to do my job. They are constantly on the run, managing assignments for students when they are out of my room, putting out friend-fires, making copies for me, and basically keeping order. I am so spoiled by them. Today I was trying to get ready for an IEP after school when a different parent came in and wanted to talk. I still needed to print the IEP, find my table underneath the pile of papers, books and posters that had taken up residence on it, and make my room look a little more orderly. My sweet para saw my need and probably the panic in my eyes, so she quietly straightened up while I talked with this other parent. She got me a new ink cartridge when my printer gave me a pink version of the IEP, printed a new copy for me, gathered the Procedural Safeguards and information sheet...and just overall saved the day. She even went hunting down administration and teachers to come to my IEP!
Everyday these two women work so hard to make sure that our students have what they need to be successful outside of my room. They help me balance subjects when I have multiple things to teach in one class period, and they even occasionally get to take over teaching while I deal with the crisis of the day. Janice and Becky are the quiet heroes of my room. I try everyday, multiple times, to tell them thank you, but it goes deeper than that. I cannot adequately describe how thankful I am for these two women in my life!
On a similar note, I am so thankful for Patti, my cooperating teacher from my student teaching! Though I am in my own school and in my own class she is still there to offer support and encouragement as needed. I sent her an email in a panic this morning and she quickly answered back and gave me the information that I was missing. I love knowing that she is there for me as a cheerleader, and that she has confidence in my abilities. So many times I think back to the conversations we had and the feedback she gave me, and it is what gets me through. If I do anything right at all during the day it is because she taught me right! I only wish that we were teaching at the same school, or even the same district! I sure do love and miss her!

The Best Medicine

Day 20
Today I am thankful for those little moments everyday that make me laugh. Or giggle, chortle, chuckle, guffaw, or whatever the case may be. These are the moments that life is made of. Life isn't always easy, and some days you get a bad draw, but a little humor can go a long way, even on those days. Some days you laugh because that's the only thing left to do. Other days you laugh because you're so tired that everything becomes insanely funny (today being one of those days). Yet other times the laugh comes from much deeper, and represents more than momentary humor. I think that our souls laugh when they are perfectly peaceful and content, safe, loved, and understood. On those days the laugh comes from your heart and spills out. I find this happening very often as I teach and interact with my students, when I get kisses from my three little nephews and my niece, and when I'm with my family. It's true that laughter is the best medicine!

Here's to "The Head"

Day 18
Today I am thankful for kindhearted administrators and advisors who are willing to let my kids feel helpful. I mentioned last week that my kids really want to find a way to help with the Haiyan survivors in the Philippines. I approached my administration, and today I was told that my kids will get to help in conjunction with the fundraiser that our school does for the Angel Tree. I am so excited to get to tell my kids about this tomorrow-I know that they will be so excited that they get to help!




Day 19
I am thankful for my little brother, Jason. Last night a friend asked me if my brother had changed a lot while I was on my mission. In some ways he was still my little brother, but in other ways he had grown up a lot. When I came home from my mission I found that my little brother had become a man. Jason has always had a strong work ethic, and he's a good hearted soul who is willing to help others out. This part of him was even more evident to me. I was especially grateful that Jason and I got to work together for nearly a year after I got home. I loved driving to work with him everyday and getting to talk to him. He became man number two in my life, right after my Dad. If I can't get in touch with my Dad I will call Jason to ask for his help. I trust his opinions and his advice. He is a strong man, and I love him very much!
My little brother isn't so little anymore, but that's okay. I love that I can look up to him not just because of his physical stature, but also because of his moral and spiritual stature. My little brother has become a great husband and daddy. I am grateful that because of him I have an amazing sister in law, and the most adorable and lovable niece. I am one lucky girl to have such a great brother!

That's what friends are for...

Day 16
Today I am thankful for modern transportation. I'm kinda weird, and this is actually something that I think about quite often. It wasn't that long ago that people traveled on foot or four-legged beast to get from one place to another, and generally, people didn't travel very far. If your family member or friend moved over 50 miles away chances were that it would be a very long time before you saw them again. I am thankful that I live in a day and age where since the age of 16 I have been able get into a car and go wherever I needed to go, whether it was a mile down the road to get milk, or 45 miles to go visit my sister. I am very blessed that this is my life!



Day 17
Today I am thankful for two things wrapped into one. The first thing is my friend Kim Price, aka Kim Possible. I met Kim when I went to college in Price and she was my dorm-mate. We became fast friends, and have stayed close all of these years. Kim was always willing to take me along on adventures, especially trips back into civilization. I remember one winter Kim invited me to come to "The Forgotten Carols" with her family. I had never been before and was super excited for it. I fell in love with the story, music, and the Spirit that was part of the performance. At the end Michael McLean talks to the audience about people who couldn't make it to the performance that night for whatever reason: they are sick, live too far away, or perhaps they have passed on. Then he invites the audience to sing the following words with him: "We can be together forever someday." That night as I sat in that auditorium my thoughts went to my grandparents, who had all passed away by that point in my life. My eyes filled with tears as I thought about each one of them, and I knew that I would be together forever with them someday. Kim looked over at me and knew where my thoughts were because she and our other dorm-mates had supported me through the loss of two of my grandparents that year. I remember her sweet testimony as she told me that she knew that I would get to see them again someday. I miss each of my grandparents, Danny and Virginia, Ernie and Ida, and I do know that I will be with them and all of my family forever someday. That is the other thing I am thankful for tonight-the words "we can be together forever someday." I know that they are true, not just for me, but for each of you, too. A loving Father has made it possible for us to be with those we love forever, with Him.
Kim-I am forever thankful that you invited me to the play that night. Each time I listen to the soundtrack I think of you. You are an amazing friend to me! I love you so much!

Kindred Sister Bosom Friends

Day 15
Today I am thankful for friends, and more specifically, best friends. As we journey through life we occasionally come across a kindred spirit, bosom friend, best friend. I am very lucky and fortunate that my best friend came built into the standard package. Though we didn't realize it when we were younger, my sister and I are kindred spirits/bosom friends/best friends.
My sister, Jolene, has some amazing talents and passions. One of her passions is reading. She does amazing book reviews, and has started to do them for my class. Last week I offered her services to another teacher in my department, and so today my sister got to spend the entire day at my school doing book reviews. This is a true friend. I love that she got to come. My students look forward to hearing from her, and she does a fantastic job! Plus, it's fun just to be around her!
Another passion and talent that my sister has is being a great mom. She has three active little boys, and they are pretty lucky to have her as their mom. No one will love them, serve them, protect them, or help them like she does. Jolene is always looking for ways to bring her other passions and knowledge into her parenting, and as a result her children are having a wonderful childhood! Book clubs for kids 4 and under, story time at the library, fun crafts, and a bunch of other activities to occupy their day. Yes indeed, those are some lucky boys!
Jolene also had a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and strives to actively live it. She is a great missionary, though she doesn't always realize it. Jolene has a way of reaching out through the Spirit and filling needs  because she is obedient to her promptings. She is willing to share her testimony through word and deed. Truly, she is a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I love that my sister and I can have fun no matter what we're doing together. Whether it's watching scary movies, compiling lists of strong female antagonists and weak female antagonists in literature (and what makes them strong or weak), geeking out over books made into movies, comparing plot lines for stories we're working on, or just laughing over random things (she really needs to work on her Google skills...) we always have a good time. We think so much alike that we often say the same thing, at the same time, with the same tone and inflection. It's an art. We tell each other everything, are always there for each other, and always support each other. I would not have gotten my classroom put together if it weren't for her hours of hard work and labor.
There are a million things that I love and appreciate about my sister friend, and everyday I am thankful to have her in my life. This post doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of how truly amazing Jolene is. She is a great example to me, and I try to follow that example in my own life. Jolene-thank you for everything! I love you!