words of inspiration

"Stop looking for the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight." - Gordon B. Hinckley Give expression to the noble desires that lie in your heart. - Gordon B. Hinckley "Forget yourself and get to work." - Gordon B. Hinckley Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds. - Gordon B. Hinckley I am totally in the hands of the Lord. - Gordon B. Hinckley "Be believing, be happy, don't get discouraged. Things will work out." - Gordon B. Hinckley A prominent judge was asked what we, as citizens of the countries of the world, could do to reduce crime and disobedience to law and to bring peace and contentment into our lives and into our nations. He thoughtfully replied, "I would suggest a return to the old-fashioned practice of family prayer." - Gordon B. Hinckley "Get on your knees and pray, then get on your feet and work." - Gordon B. Hinckley Believe in Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Redeemer, the Son of God, who came to earth and walked the dusty roads of Palestine-the Son of God-to teach us the way of truth and light and salvation, and who, in one great and glorious act offered an atonement for each of us. He opened the way of salvation and exaltation for each of us, under which we may go forward in the Church and kingdom of God. Be not faithless, but believe in the great and wonderful and marvelous blessings of the Atonement. - Gordon B. Hinckley Our kindness may be the most persuasive argument for that which we believe. - Gordon B. Hinckley "If Life Gets Too Hard To Stand, Kneel." - Gordon B. Hinckley The time has come for us to stand a little taller, to lift our eyes and stretch our minds to a greater comprehension and understanding of the grand millennial mission of this, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. - Gordon B. Hinckley Truly, my dear young friends, you are a chosen generation. I hope you will never forget it. I hope you will never take it for granted. I hope there will grow in your hearts an over- powering sense of gratitude to God, who has made it possible for you to come upon the earth in this marvelous season of the world's history. - Gordon B. Hinckley Our lives are the only meaningful expression of what we believe and in Whom we believe. And the only real wealth, for any of us, lies in our faith. - Gordon B. Hinckley "When I say do your best, I mean you're very best. You are capable of so much more." - Gordon B. Hinckley "Life is to be enjoyed, not endured" - Gordon B. Hinckley Respect for self is the beginning of cultivating virtue in men and women. - Gordon B. Hinckley "You can be smart and happy or stupid and miserable. . . it's your choice." - Gordon B. Hinckley "Good books are as friends, willing to give to us if we are willing to make a little effort." - Gordon B. Hinckley Faith in something greater than ourselves enables us to do what we have said we'll do, to press forward when we are tired or hurt or afraid, to keep going when the challenge seems overwhelming and the course is entirely uncertain." - Gordon B. Hinckley "Try a little harder to be a little better." - Gordon B. Hinckley

handsome fell on the ice tonight
this is our conversation after wards

one of my butt part about busted open
your butt parts?
yeah my butt boob
your butt CHEEK?
yeah my butt cheek almost busted open

i do not know where these things come from!

experiences

not that i'd wish horrible life experiences (HLC) on anyone, but i just have to say that i'm thankful for them.
in the mist of the HLE of my life i have often wondered what i've done to deserve this? or why me? i try not to feel too sorry for myself but i think it's only natural to feel overwhelmed, alone, and scared of the unknown.

i have often said that these HLE have me who i am

this week i have been helping a friend who is in the middle of her own HLE. she's going through the emotions and the stages of grief, she lonely, overwhelmed and scared. as i visited with her last night she was sharing these feeling with me, and i realized how grateful i am for the HLE in my life and how now they are helping me to be able help her.

transported

"mom some thing happened in the night, I was transported from one side of my bed to the other"~Handsome

the presidents

the never ending adventure of being a parent

the happy smiling moments
the loud laughter
the crazy dances
the messy rooms
the messy faces
the tantrums
the growing moments
the sweet talks
the stern talks
the tickles
the wiggles
the homework
the stories
the excuses
the surprises
the personality
the attitude
the sleepy nights
the good books
good night kisses....

i could go on but i've got to go get the presidents out of bed so we can enjoy another day!

counting blessings

i'm grateful for an amazing husband who supports me, loves me, provides for our family! I don't know what I did to deserve such a great guy, but am so happy he's mine. He is a tremendous blessing in our lives!!!

Frog and Toad

Gus is loving this "reading" thing, well as long as it's her idea. The last couple weeks we have been tip-toeing in some chapter books,
"Henry and Mudge"
"Amelia Bedelia"
"Frog and Toad"



I don't remember reading "Frog and Toad" before but i know it's been around for a while.
I love these books.
Frog and Toad are hilarious. They are great friends It's funny that i can see myself and best friend doing crazy things like these two friends are doing.
it has made me so grateful for my best friends.
We would be so lost without friends.
So thank you to all of you out there that i call friend!!

funniness

Gus is sitting in her bed and says to Handsome, "This is so wonderful sitting here with my feet under the covers enjoying it's warmness as I am crocheting"

shiver

New vocab word this week was shiver, after racking leaves saturday morning, we had Handsome demonstrate what "shiver" was

too much on my mind

lock-downs
cupcakes
veterans
sick kids
evacuations
fire drills
family
evaluation
testing
progress
friends
babies

oh my

yesterday after school, a friend was taking handsome for the afternoon,
she told him "get in the car before freeze your patootie"
he says "Uh i don't think i have one of those"
"just get in the car"
once inside the car she let's him know that a patootie is his bottom
he says "oh, well, i have one of those"

I am a Teacher

by John W. Schlatter

I am a Teacher.

I was born the first moment that a question leaped from the mouth

of a child.

I have been many people in many places.

I am Socrates exciting the youth of Athens to discover new ideas

through the use of questions.

I am Anne Sullivan tapping out the secrets of the universe

into the outstretched hand of Helen Keller.

I am Aesop and Hans Christian Andersen revealing truth

through countless stories.

I am Marva Collins fighting for every child's right to an education.

The names of those who have practiced my profession ring like a hall

of fame for humanity...Booker T. Washington, Buddha, Confucius, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Leo Buscaglia, Moses and Jesus.

I am also those whose names and faces have long been forgotten

but whose lessons and character will always be remembered in the accomplishments of their students.

I have wept for joy at the weddings of former students, laughed with

glee at the birth of their children and stood with head bowed in grief and confusion by graves dug too soon for bodies far too young.

Throughout the course of a day I have been called upon to be an

actor, friend, nurse and doctor, coach, finder of lost articles, money lender, taxi driver, psychologist, substitute parent, salesman, politician and a keeper of the faith.

Despite the maps, charts, formulas, verbs, stories and books, I have

really had nothing to teach, for my students really have only themselves to learn, and I know it takes the whole world to tell you who you are.

I am a paradox. I speak loudest when I listen the most. My greatest

gifts are in what I am willing to appreciatively receive from my students.

Material wealth is not one of my goals, but I am a full-time treasure

seeker in my quest for new opportunities for my students to use their talents and in my constant search for those talents that sometimes lie buried in self-defeat.

I am the most fortunate of all who labor.

A doctor is allowed to usher life into the world in one magic moment.

I am allowed to see that life is reborn each day with new questions, ideas and friendships.

An architect knows that if he builds with care, his structure may stand

for centuries. A teacher knows that if he builds with love and truth, what he builds will last forever.

I am a warrior, daily doing battle against peer pressure, negativity,

fear, conformity, prejudice, ignorance and apathy: But I have great allies: Intelligence, Curiosity, Parental Support, Individuality, Creativity, Faith, Love and Laughter all rush to my banner with indomitable support.

And who do I have to thank for this wonderful life I am so fortunate

to experience, but you the public, the parents. For you have done me the great honor to entrust to me your greatest contribution to eternity, your children.

And so I have a past that is rich in memories. I have a present

that is challenging, adventurous and fun because I am allowed to spend my days with the future.

I am a teacher...and I thank God for it every day.

Gus drama

this evening, the presidents and i were in the front yard raking leaves, there was a little bit of drama from Gus about how no one was helping her, i tried to talk to her about it but she just got mad so i walked in the house to put a little distance in the situation. she followed me inside and asked, "What are you doing?"
i told her i was just taking in a little break
her response "so your saying you don't love me?"
at this point it would not have mattered much what i said so i just told her i loved her and walked back outside!!
gotta love her little 16 yr old spirit!!

another name

"What she we name our baby?"
"how about Carmella?"
"why Carmella?"
"well she'll look as sweet as candy"
"where did you hear that? did someone else say that?
"mom, i just felt it in my heart"

birthday picture

Handsome drew this picture of me for my birthday
i asked him, "why is my belly so big?"
he said, "oh, sorry mom"

name idea

Handsome said to me today, we should name our little sister e-the. it's a really beautiful name and it has the word "the" in it

birthday traditions

cake and ice cream
Gus telling me what my present is before i open it
crazy busy out of my mind
finishing report cards
tears in my cake, not necessarily my cake but at least someones!!

smile

it's November how can you not SMILE!!

expectations

today while testing for report cards
the student in a very serious voice asked "How do you expect me to know all this, I'm only 5!!"

Awkward

Gus has a little crush on the "new kid" in her class, she talks about him, has told me he is her best friend, even made a list of all the things that they have in common.

today, we had a super Saturday activity at church, when Gus went into the nursery the "new kid" was there

she looked at her Dad and said, "Dad, there is someone in here from MY class, this is going to be Awkward"

i couldn't help but laugh, silly silly girl

what's for dinner

Thursday night i made the executive decision that Mac and Cheese was for dinner, so i asked Gus to go down stairs for two boxes of mac and cheese.
her reply "you mean the kind we eat when you're not home"
Handsome said it was "so yummy" way better then what I make most of the time

thinking

I'm thinking of my baby in heaven today.
Happy Birthday Baby Quincy!!
Love you,
Mommy

two years into eternity

Two years ago today,
My Love and I were sealed in the Twin Falls Temple
for Time and All Eternity!
Happy Anniversary !!
Love you!

yummy soup

i don't really care for plain old tomato soup but this is very yummy

1 pkg of frozen cheese tortellini
2 cans of tomato soup
1 can chicken broth
2 cups milk
1/2 cup half&half cream
1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes (i used fresh tomatoes from my garden i just chopped them up)
1tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
I also added a little cilantro

cook tortellini's as directed on package.

In a separate pot, combine soup, broth, milk, cream, tomatoes,and seasoning. heat through, stirring frequently, drain tortellini;carefully add to soup, stir in cheese. sprinkle each serving with additional cheese if desired

dr's office

today we went for our ultrasound, as instructed i drank a lot of water before I got there. when we walked in we filled out a little bit of paper work then the lady told us to sit in the waiting room, do not use the rest room, and the technician would be out in a few minutes, as i sat down i noticed two beautiful water fountains hanging in the waiting room, not just a picture but real running water. it was quite cruel

big brother

tomorrow we are going to find out if we are having a girl or a boy in march, Gus really wants a girl and handsome really wants a boy. However this morning someone said "ya know handsome if it's a boy you will get your own room", this got him thinking, until someone said "but if it's a boy you will have some one to build legos with, and play cars with." he is in quite a quandary.

it'll be okay

My Love was subbing at school and if that isn't fun enough it was in Gus's classroom.
When Gus got to school she saw one of her friends, Tulip. Gus told Tulip that her dad was their substitute.

Tulip moaned "oh great"


Gus replied, "It will be okay, just don't call him dad!"

beauty in a can

in my dream last night i was at a friends house and she was telling me about a great deal she found at Costco

they came five to a can and they will change your life


"corsets in a can"

*note~this is not a real product, it is a figment of my imagination due to crazy prego dreams

pout

slipping mind

i thought of something VERY funny to post on her today at church!
but by the time i got home i couldn't remember what it was!

moving day

Handsome received this awesome football chair from a buddy of his and the presidents moved it in the house.

did you know?

It's not safe to eat precooked meats such as deli meats, hot dogs, and pâté when you're pregnant unless they're heated until steaming hot. Pregnant women are about 20 times more likely than other healthy adults to get listeriosis, and newborns – not moms – suffer the most serious effects of infection during pregnancy.

Listeria can cross the placental barrier or, more commonly, be transmitted in the birth canal, and it can be devastating for the baby. Every year or so, an outbreak occurs in which miscarriage, preterm delivery, or death occurs because pregnant women ate deli meat or hot dogs contaminated with listeria.

Contamination may result from improper handling, or the bacteria may already be present in the meat. But whatever the reason, unlike other bacteria, listeria grows well at refrigerator temperatures. So while we think we're being safe by putting cold cuts in the refrigerator, this germ outsmarts us.

You should avoid getting fluid from packages of hot dogs and other meats on other foods, utensils, or food preparation areas, and be sure to wash your hands after handling hot dogs or deli meats. Listeria is also a problem in unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses, and uncooked poultry. While you're pregnant, you should stay away from cheese made from unpasteurized milk.

modesty

Raw meat only attracts dogs

day 5

i've made it to day 5! it was not easy i really wanted to throw up my hands and give up tonight, i've been gone to a fireside this evening and walked in to dishes a mess, leftovers not put away and a gross bowl of cereal from this morning. i wanted to give the job of scrubbing my sink to someone else, or at least leave it till tomorrow. But i sucked up my pride and pushed up my sleeves and got it done! yeah me!

gus's dream

Gus had a dream this week that she got in trouble at school but hid the evidence from me for a whole month!

real man

on the way to school this morning we were talking about loosing baby teeth,

Handsome says "so mom when i loose all my baby teeth then i'll be a REAL MAN"

take 5 or maybe it's 6

i'm giving myself this challenge again!!



last time i think i got to day 10



we'll see how long i last this time



it's all good stuff it's discipline that i lack

sick handsome

this morning 2:00 Handsome came into my room and said
"mom, i have dallerina"


i just had to share it was quite funny, and sad at the same time

most days

most days i have lots of patience of the kiddos in my class,
most days i can laugh about what happens,
most days i can take a moment and collect my thoughts,
most days i love my job

today for the most part i loved my job



but there were
three
different
little
moments
when a child stuck their tongue out at me
i
was
not
too
happy

just to be safe

the other day i had somewhere i had to be after school so the presidents went to a friends house.
Gus had to ride the bus with my friends son, as we were talking about it that morning and working out details she said to me
"mom, i may have to hold his hand, so no one runs me over"

i told her " you won't need to do that no one will run you over"

her response, "mom, it's not a boyfriend girlfriend thing, it's just to be safe"


silly Gus

...

teaching the first day of kindergarten is a lot like child birth, if you could remember how painful it really is you'd never do it again

must read

my cousin posted this classified that she found on facebook, I'm so baffled by it I really don't know what to think


hello,my name is Benita Coffey and i am 24 yrs old.i am looking for a loving home for my baby boy.he is 3 months old and a quite guy for every body's liking.i am giving him out because i can't afford to take very good care of him and for the love i have for him,i have decided to get him a loving home where he will be spoiled with love and care.i will like a loving and caring couple of different sex or same sex. thanks


this is the link

1st tooth!

OH.....
look in Gus's mouth and what do you see?
A GREAT BIG HOLE where are tooth use to be
well she wiggled it and jiggled it, until in wiggle free
now there's a window when she smiles at ME!!!

i got beat up

it's true, well kinda
last night about 2:00 am I was walking through a school parking lot and passes four teenage boys, all standing outside their car, i kept walking though i had a nagging feeling something bad was going to happen, I knew these boys by the way i've taught two of them and the other two i've taught their little sisters. so i got to my car and they started to yell my name, then ran at me.
They were yelling, swinging a bat, one of them had a crowbar. I tried to get in my car and shut the door but they got to me too fast, i don't remember the details of the fight, other then i text 911, which was weird, then i called 911, they kept beating me. i was fighting back but who am i kidding i'm no match for four teenage boys ( i learned that when i came home from college and my little brother picked me up and carried me in the house.)
anyhow long story short we ended up at the police station, 3 of the boys got away one did not and i was too frazzled to remember the others names. I felt fine until I looked in the mirror and saw my MESSED-UP face, i also had several bruises all over, my left foot was the worst, i can't believe i could walk with it as bad as it was.
anyhow, by 4am i was whole again other then the undaunting thought of four teenage boys actually beating me up in a school parking lot. saddest part- i don't even have any bruises to prove my story

now this is COOL!

duct tape is cool all by itself
it doesn't need help in being the
most awesome thing ever invented. But ya have to admit this gives it an extra something!

Handsome's birthday post (a few months overdue)

random thoughts

Duct tape
ham and cheese
barfing
food stamps
marshmallows
noodle-a-roni soup
pillow fights
snickers (ouch)
shingles
jaws of life
red robin... YUMMMMMM
photo booths
i've heard that 10,000 times
pathetic

had to share

mind blowing

i was reading an article today and came across this...

"If you're having a migraine or other severe headache for the first time ever, you'll need a full medical evaluation to be sure nothing else is going on."


now the mind blowing part, pardon the horrible pun, how is it possible that someone would have a headache for the first time ever as a 20-35 year old, i've had migraines and severe headaches for as long as i can remember.

i'd write more but the glare from the computer screen is starting to give me a headache

blog worthy moment

how often does your total cost of a purchase land on an exact dollar amount?

today we went shopping for school supplies, clothes, and groceries
first stop walmart-total 112.00
second stop JC Penny-total 13.00
third and forth not so lucky
fifth stop target-51.00
sixth stop again no such luck

50% of my purchases today were an exact dollar amount!

the love of my life says this is defiantly a "blog worthy moment' so there it is!

reasoning

it is nearly three in the morning, i just woke up from a horrible dream but as i lay awake thinking about it, or trying not to think about it, i'm finding myself finding the flaws in this dream which is just more proof that it was a silly dream. twice this week i've had horrible dreams in the first one i was at the funeral of my best friend, i knew the whole time it was wrong, i mean there were some obvious flaws in the dream. none the less i woke up sad and with a strong desire to call this friend "just to say Hello"
tonight's dream took place with me and the presidents, we were walking on the side of a highway, and for some reason we decided to take the trail along the river, not too close to the river mind you, but there was a river none the less, so as we are walking there are several switch backs, we avoid any steep inclines, and dangerous parts of the trail, we get to a point where we have to walk along a very narrow pathway with it seemed like a wall on one side and the other slide was a steep dirt covered hill about 100+ feet up from the river, as we are walking along Handsome is not watching where he is going, the path is too narrow to walk two by two, something happens and both the presidents fall, and begin to slide down the hill towards the river, there is nothing to grab a hold of they are just sliding fast, i slide down the side of the the cliff as well, we all get to the river at the same time, the presidents are holding hands as they reach the water, as i reach out for them i can not grab them then Handsome let's go of Gus's hand and is gone down the river, i can't react fast enough but then i wake up before i can save them
disturbing i know, that''s why i'm awake not sleeping so as i am trying to clam down i've found several flaws with this dream first off why would i be walking along the highway with my children, then walk along the river i am pretty terrified of the river when it comes to my kids, second of all, the rive and the mountain did not match the mountain was obviously some where in northern California, the trees, the ferns, the dirt, it was not idaho. but the river was just like the one across the street from my house, deep, fast, narrow. there were many other flaws but the biggest one of all, is why if we all got to the river at the same time would i not be able to grab a hold of my children, and they never cried or thrashed or attempted to swim or get out of the water they just sank
so all reasoning has led me to believe that this dream was stupid and i should go back to sleep

take a drive

little brother, hence forth known as HANDSOME, was discussing with us this morning about driving, he's been wanting to drive for a few weeks now, but there are obvious issues with him taking the wheel, first of all he's only 5, second he's a little two short, and finally well that would just be crazy but he's quite innovative and he's come up with a solution, big sister, hence forth known as GUS, will be in charge of the peddles and Handsome will do the steering because in his words, "I'm really great at the steering"

definations 2 (dictionary.com)

it was horrible i woke up crying

NIGHTMARE
–noun

1.

a terrifying dream in which the dreamer experiences feelings of helplessness, extreme anxiety, sorrow, etc.

2.

a condition, thought, or experience suggestive of a nightmare: the nightmare of his years in prison.

3.

(formerly) a monster or evil spirit believed to oppress persons during sleep.

truth

the difference between excitement and disappointment is a very thin line

grateful

apology in advance, this is a whining post

I love my thankless job

-making breakfast-washing laundry
-picking up toys, cloths, blankets
-washing dishes
-scrubbing toilets
-sorting "junk"
-taking kiddos on field trips
-packing fun lunches
-being a chauffeur
-making lunch
-mowing the lawn
-reading stories
-folding laundry
-taking out the trash
-shopping
-cooking dinner
-tucking in
-getting classes of water
-giving hugs
-getting band-aids
-fixing broken toys
-taking family to the movies
-cuddling at super sad moments (even if i'm being told that i'm hated at those moments)
-taking kiddos swimming
-arranging play dates
-being quick to forgive even after being hit in the face by a flying YO-YO

I could go on but i think it's out of my system now, i really am grateful for this job! i'll try not to complain again soon

definations (dictionary.com)

dream 

–noun

1.

a succession of images, thoughts, or emotions passing through the mind during sleep.

2.

the sleeping state in which this occurs.

3.

an object seen in a dream.

4.

an involuntary vision occurring to a person when awake.

5.

a vision voluntarily indulged in while awake; daydream; reverie.

6.

an aspiration; goal; aim: A trip to Europe is his dream.

7.

a wild or vain fancy.

8.

something of an unreal beauty, charm, or excellence.

–verb (used without object)

9.

to have a dream.

10.

to indulge in daydreams or reveries: He dreamed about vacation plans when he should have been working.

11.

to think or conceive of something in a very remote way (usually fol. by of ): I wouldn't dream of asking them.

–verb (used with object)

12.

to see or imagine in sleep or in a vision.

13.

to imagine as if in a dream; fancy; suppose.

14.

to pass or spend (time) in dreaming (often fol. by away ): to dream away the afternoon.

–adjective

15.

most desirable; ideal: a dream vacation.

—Verb phrase

16.

dream up, to form in the imagination; devise: They dreamed up the most impossible plan.