Christmas List

I love this time of year. It is full of to-do lists, projects and memories.

 

I started collecting nativities many years ago. As my kids had their own homes, I started giving them away. I now have some new ones. Callie gave me this one that is made from Olive trees in the Holy Land and it truly is beautiful.

I love red on the Christmas tree. I have ornaments that I have collected for years. There are a couple from the first year we were married. Many were purchased on vacations. I love my pirate Santa that reminds me of hot, sandy week in the Outer Banks with the littles. This year it means even more as it was the last time I saw my Canadian littles. 

There are a few ornaments on the tree that remind me of the reason we celebrate Christmas. These ornaments remind me that Christmas is truly about the birth of the Savior. All the things that we do that help us be more like him are good things that get to stay on the list.

My mom always had cinnamon rolls. When they are baking, it smells like home to me.

They will always remind me of her.

Gifts are always on the list. I do okay with gifts until it becomes an obligation to get a gift for someone. I want to give a gift because I found something I know you will like. 

My heart is happy the day I go and buy a couple of dolls and Lego sets for Toys for Tots. I have no idea where they end up, but I enjoy buying them and hope they are appreciated. 

I read a book last year titled, Joseph and Mary, by Robert Markham. This book had a huge impact on me and my view of the birth and life of the Savior. It was never an easy life. 

It was always a life full of love for others and service for all mankind. 

May God bless you all.

Merry Christmas

Breath

That crazy week is over. It is the week before Christmas vacation with true believers. They are waiting for Santa from home now. 

We made it through the semester without any cases of Covid in our classroom. We used plenty of Clorox wipes and Virex. Social Distancing in Kinder is a joke and I found myself saying, "Don't lick your friends" way to often. Little masks found there way, well, everywhere. Everyday, was a new day and we just kept working.

We had a Zoom meeting with our kids last night. It's as close as we are going to get to each other for a while.  Richard finished his semester at BYU and with it, finishes the last of my kids working on a BA. When we took Keith to Provo, I was so sad. He was only 17. Todd told me that this was the way it should be and that I wouldn't cry when I took him. Boy, was that true. 

We went to Provo to see Richard and I thought it would be fun to do a picture.

There was no one on campus. Please note that I'm happy.

I kept thinking, 'This is the last time I have to come here.'

I found someone to take the classic picture of the graduate with his parents.

If they have a graduation ceremony and Richard wants to walk I will go back, 

but for now. This will do.

Now that we are at the end of this road we have earned 8 BA's (mine falls in this time frame), 4 BA's from their spouse, 3 Masters degrees, 1 PhD and 1 Masters in progress and I have no doubt more degrees are on the way. 

So what does this mean to me? That they have learned some self discipline. That they are employable, and that will be of service to others. 

K-Christmas

I really thought that the school would have had to shutdown by now, but that is not the case. No Covid in the building since the first week of school.  It leaves us working at this busy time of year. 

First: I have a boy who brings his Elf on the shelf to school. Not sure if that Elf should see the way he acts at school. 

Second: I have a student with an Elf named Rainbow.  She insisted that the mailman could not find the North Pole and her Elf would give it to Santa. She was a force to be recond with, but the letter was delivered with the rest of the class. 

Third: I had a child tell us we were all following Satan as we were making Rudolf Christmas cards. I might add that she was making one too. 

They are cute, but naughty. 

Knowing that this season is about following the Savior makes it easier.

Easier to keep it simple. 

Easier to help others.

Easier not to stress.

Easier to feel love for mankind.

Thanksgiving

We had Thanksgiving a week ago Saturday.  Because we had planned on being in North Carolina, these kids had planned on being here early. One of the reasons I wanted to go away is so I wouldn't have to cook. But cook I did. 

I am so grateful that they came. We played games, andnd stitched, and ate. 

I have not cooked much since that day.

Maybe this week. 

7 days of Gratitude

 The leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints asked the world to join him in flooding Social Media with Gratitude for 7 days. This is to help the world heal from so many negative and hateful messages. I must say, that it is a joy to read so many thoughts of gratitude on Facebook. I took the challenge, and focused on Facebook, because you have to have a picture with Instagram. From the 1st minute of this challenge, I wasn't sure how I was going to take seeing all the picture - perfect families plastered all of Social Media. Oddly enough, the only pictures I've posted are of my family. 

 I am going to post 7 things I'm grateful for here. They may or may not match what I post on Facebook, but I  practice daily gratitude anyway, so it is not a stretch.

1  My family, of course. They are light in the dark and joy on the grayest day. This includes all of them, my parents, siblings, Wes, his parents and siblings, my children and their children and all of our nieces and nephews. 

2  My students. Words can't describe my feelings toward them and their families. These little people have been through experiences that I have never even thought of. Their parents have made huge sacrifices to make a better life for their families. 

3  I have a habit of making friends with strangers when we travel. They have shared stories, food and their time with me. I love these memories and have decided that God literally puts them in my path. 

4  Women. Mothers, sisters, friends, teachers, leaders. They are role models. They have shared their talents with me. They are inspirational. They are strong and can do hard things. They make the world go around.

5  All the millions of people who voted in the last election. This election needed all the Votes. Every. Single. One. 

6  Books. I read a lot of different things. I love historical fiction. But I also enjoy mysteries, adventures, romantic comedies, biographies and scriptures. I am in a Master's program and have read a couple of text books recently too. They were awesome, once I got used to a different level of vocabulary.  I read a book on Sundays, you know, a churchy book. I love them all. I wish I had more time for reading. But I am also a believer of balance. It is good to read about the lives of others, but I also need to have personal interactions, hobbies, and work.  

7  Last, and most important. I believe there is a God that loves us. He sent His Son. He has given us Prophets to guide us, but most important, He is always with us. In the beautiful world around us, in the people he sends to help us, and in our thoughts- when we listen in the quiet moments of the day.  May you find peace in Him. 

A quiet week

  After what seems like so much noise about the election, it is so nice to have a quiet week. 

Of course the Corona's are driving me crazy. I go between feeling very safe at work and wondering when one of those germ sharing students will come in with it and share it with all of us. I think I'm the only person I know who hasn't had a case in my immediate family. It is a crazy time to live. Just saying. 

But let's move on. We had our annual Veterans Day celebration this year. We did a drive by parade. The Veterans drove by. The kids waved flags while standing in the snow. 

I have to admit I missed seeing my dad pop up in the slide show at school, so I'll have him pop up here.

My dad joined ROTC to pay for college. When he graduated went to Korea and my mom became an Army wife. After his tour in Korea they were moved around the country. My mom was fearless and left her little town in Utah and rolled with the punches. 

Here are some other Veterans that I'm pretty happy to be related to:

My mother's Uncle Joe

My mother's step brother

This my mother's grandmother with Parker and Verna Richards.

Verna is her daughter. I stand in awe of my great grandmother who had 

three of her sons serving in WW II at the same time. 

Can you imagine?

Three stars in the window. 

Three young men who came home.

Parker served also, but I believe he didn't go to war. 

My dad's step brother, who also went to Korea.

And my father in law, who went to Korea also.

They did what they needed to do, really what they had to do. 

I have a second cousin, who has two boys in the Air Force.

They fly some really big planes and have both done tours in the Middle East. Their families make big sacrifices while they are gone. I guess things haven't really changed that much.

 

Election

The election of 2020 did not disappoint. Let me just say that I'm not a Democrat or  Republican, but my views are very liberal and inclusive. I don't love Joe Biden. But I like Kamala. I really don't like the Trumpster. So here us what I look forward to:

We will rebuild relationships with our Allies.

No more governing via Tweeter and Fox News.

No more calling people names.

A President that understands the Constitution. 

A President with a vocabulary higher than a 2nd grader.

The Republican party needs to sit down and regroup.  They need to rebuild and unify. They need to start, tomorrow, and find a candidate who will represent them. 

I said I would be happy when the election and Halloween were over and indeed, it already feels better. 

And Kudos to my great grandmothers who worked for my privilege to vote. 

Halloween and Masks

I realize that I am documenting my school year during Covid. It feels right. I am blessed to have a good little class this year. They have been awesome.  Our attendance was great this week. It could be that we had the party at the end of the week. 

The weather was beautiful, so we had a little Duck, Duck, Goose.  

I am so happy that they get to spend the day after Halloween with their families. It is a pretty hard day at school.

I don't know what came over me, but I posted on Facebook that if you needed a masks, I would make you one. No one has asked for a mask in months. To my surprise, I  had 30 requests. 

Then, not to be left out, these 2 asked for a BYU mask.

So I made 32 masks yesterday. There was a reason I said it. I know that one of these masks is going to that person.

Stay Safe.

How fast things change

A week ago we were warm, but a cold front is coming through and btinging us extremely cold temperatures. I have so enjoyed this warm Fall weather. 

The Covid number have been rising in the Magic Valley this month. In the county where I work we have a 40 % positive rate. It is HUGE.

Early in the week the health department and hospitals meet with each county asking for a mask mandate order to be placed. No action was taken.

On Wednesday, the State Board of Education changed a a rule that basically said if your county is in Red, you have to close schools. On Thursday,  all Magic Valley counties were moved to Red. Across the valley there were many emergency school board meetings on Friday morning. The meetings were emotionally charged. No action was taken, except one school district. 

My take on all this,

☆ Plans were in place for a reason. 

☆ The problem is due to community spread, disregard for wearing a masks or staying home. Our school has not had Covid in it since the first week if school, yet we are in danger of shutting down because of adults who refuse to follow some simple rules.

☆  There is nothing in the Constitution that gives you the right not to wear a mask, but there is something in the Constitution about a right to an education  

☆ I don't want to shut down schools and I  feel strongly that our kids are safest when they are with us.

☆ And last, I don't trust the people making the decision about public safety. *not the first time I've said this.

On a happier note. We had a good week at school. I've had time to make individual kits for projects so we can work hard and create. 

Spookly and yes, they consumed all the frosting. 

Number rack bracelets for a math lesson.  They only touched their own beads. It was a good lesson to boot. 

The end of the week was hard.  We are working for two more weeks.

 Be safe and wear a mask. I know I  will.

October

Here we are in the middle of October. Not sure how that happened. We have had a beautiful Autumn, cool nights and warm afternoons.

Can I just say that these little people were troopers and that many masks come off during the day?  Love their efforts.

I made a new mask, I love having options. 

Moving to Orange

First, I am so happy that I decided to water my plants when I'd come home so tired at the first of the school year.  They are so pretty again. 

That being said, it will probably freeze tonight.

Last week was crazy. We had parent teacher conferences, I lost my voice, both of my classes had big assignments due and then there were 5 sessions of General Confrence.  Best part is that ladt wek: It is over.

We are moving into our Orange plan at school this week.  This would be due to Idahoans not understanding the purpose of masks or social distancing. We have been fortunate enough to keep it out of our school, well, after the 1st week. I'm pretty sure that I have already ranted about our school boards excuse for an Orange plan. So, we're changing up a few things and calling it good.  I'm just thankful that we are still seeing students. They need to be there and I need to go to work. 

Besides, trying to explain to parents how to play a game with a paper,  a paperclip and a pencil gets confusing.

I was feeling stressed so Wes and I drove up to Ketchem and went for a walk.

 i wish I could convey how yellow it was.  Magical really. It's almost like He knew how pretty the changing of the seasons would be. Let me rephrase, I am so grateful that He knew how to make the changing of the seasons beautiful.  Believe that He is. 

In the Green

After figuring out how to make Kindergarten work while in the yellow stage, our Superintendent moved us to Green. Ugg, not sure where that came from, but he is a non believer, so pretending that there is no harm in catching the virus works for him. 

 I'm not ready to change much about the way we are doing things. We still have cases in our country and we in our district. I'm taking this move as extremely temporary and am not willing to change everything, a couple of things, but not everything. 

Life is as crazy right now. 

Water Bottles

I didn't know that I could be so attached to a water bottle. This one is covered with vacation stickers.

I loved the memories and the way the ice came out when I drank it. I assumed that it would last forever,  but it didn't. 

I'm still working in a Pandemic. We haven't had any new cases since the first week.

I feel like I have lost a sense of reality about what is going on in the world. I had a couple of parents who were afraid to send them at first and then a couple got sick, but this week, they were all there.

I even let them cut and paste. Makes for a happy classroom.