Yearbooks

I spent a couple of hours going through my parent's yearbooks. 

I wouldn't say it was fun, but interesting. It made me laugh and cry. 

My mom wrote in my dad's. 

I can't read it. My mom meet my dad when her Aunt moved to Ammon Idaho for their first job. She would go visit them from Providence Utah. Her Uncle was my dad's coach. They didn't really date until they were both at Utah State four years later.

This was the year my Grandma died. It had to be a difficult and sad year for my mom. 

My mom's books a page after page of people signing. My dad's not so much. My mom's school was significantly larger. 

From what I read my dad was looking for a girl to settle down with. There were not many clubs at his small school and he was not in any of them. Knowing that he grew up from the age of 8 without a mother it makes sense to me. My mom was a fun, sweet person, involved with multiple clubs. 

It made me cry to read these pages. It read like a novel, because I know the history, who their friends were and the end of the story. 

Good Family History day. 

End of the Year.

Here they are. What a year!  No subs and copy machine issues that made you want to cry. Let's not forget that we dropped all Covid protocol and they got Covid and every other virus you can think of. 

I started working with this family when they came from Mexico. I still remember that four of them came in a little truck. Mom was 8 months pregnant, Dad and his brother and a seven year old girl.. I have been lucky enough to work with all 4 girls. I love this little family. 

This kid came to class in August alone. His mom put him on the bus. Great kid. Speaks and reads English better than anyone in the class.  Mom only speaks Spanish.  Truly amazing. 

This kid made the most growth. Its amazing what a mind can do if you stop playing video games every minute of every day. 

My White kid. I love this kid and am thankful that his parents kept him in my class. Great sense of humor and compassionate to all around him. 

The other thing they all have in common is that they are alive.  The last week of school is always extremely stressful, but add an Elementary School shooting in the county and it brings you to your knees.

The shooting in Texas was a series of little mistakes that on another day wouldn't have mattered. Leaving a door propped open...not hearing the lock down call because of noise from a movie. These things just happen. 

The scary part for me was the police response. A small town. Sorry, I live in a small town and work in a smaller one. I know that law enforcement is young, inexperienced and grossly under paid. It's horrifying to know that they would be in charge during a crisis. 

As for guns. Well, it's no secret that I don't think anyone needs an automatic weapon. I also believe that guns kill people. Sure, people use them to kill people, but if people didn't have them it would be hard to shoot someone in the face and go to a school and kill a classroom full of kids and their teachers. I'm not apologetic for my thoughts; guns kill people.

I ask myself this question often. How do people who cry Right to Life also cry Don't take away my right to own a Gun? They both end life. 

One last thought. Educators should not have to worry about being shot. Kids should never have to worry about being shot at school. We teach reading and kindness. Schools are not a threat to anyone so why is it that every single morning , before I get out of my car, I pray for peace in the minds and hearts of my kids, their families and the community? 

God bless those families who have lost precious lives this week and God bless those who risk their lives to teach and learn. 

 

She's Back.

I admit that I get close to my students. I have loved this class. Only 18 of them. Not quiet, but, easy to entertain.  I have two Guatemalans, three born in Mexico, 10 who have Spanish as their first language.  I also have two white kids. What a journey we have been on. They have done well. 

One of my Guatemalans came here in August.  She moved to a small town down the highway for a while and then came back. She disappeared again and we finally got hold of mom and they had moved to Chicago.  Chicago!  It is one thing to live in a dumpy neighborhood in Wendell Idaho and it is another thing to live in a dumpy neighborhood in Chicago.  They never sent her to school so she was always enrolled in my class.  When she showed up Thursday with 4 more days left in the year I took her hand and said, "She's mine and she's back. "  I was so happy to see her safe and sound. 

I know she needs to stay in Kinder, but I'm still working on it. She has just missed too much of a difficult year of language transition and I'm not sure they have settled. 

People probably have no idea how much a teacher deliberates about retention. It's rarely the solution and never an easy decision, but in this case it might be the right thing to do. 

Happy Spring.

Let's go on a Walk

We went to a National Battlefield; Guilford Courthouse.  It's hard to believe that this peaceful place was once on yhe throes of war. 

I'm glad it's not my last walknon the Carolinas. 

Family is the Best

Loved spending time with my Grands. I'm blessed to have some time with them. At one point we were video chatting with the girls in Canada. I loved it and so did the kids. 

I love that they will be closer. I know that Kansas is not that close, but I look forward to new adventures. 

Duke

I arrived at Duke earlier than Todd. I secured the tickets and found a bench in the shade to think. 

I didn't want him to do it. Duke is so far away and six more years seemed like a lot. But it was never about me.  Six years later he is finished, has a job and no debt. 

He did it! 

Katelyn is a big part of how he pulled this off.

I couldn't be prouder.

They give out snack boxes.

I was so excited to sit in the Duke Chapel for this ceremony.

He made a really good friend. JK is a good person and I'm happy for him and his cute family. 

It has been an incredible experience for him. 

He's gonna miss this place.

Well done. 

I'm crying again. It makes my heart happy when my kids accomplish their goals, not mine. Love them for their independence and hard-work. 

Tulips

I think we all know that I love tulips. I was happy to find these at the Twin Falls Temple. 

Beautiful varieties and colors.

I didn't take  pictures of the ones in the front, but I am thankful they finally put the bulbs on. 

I posted these on Facebook and one of the comments was from a friend who planted the bulbs. She said it was a glummy day and the dirt was muddy and they hoped they would grow. FAITH. Faith and work are what you need to grow flowers. Faith is also what you need to follow Christ. In the midst of doubt and fear it is Faith and work that leads us to Christ.