Fear Not

Yesterday we got a call from Adam's mom telling us that just a short time earlier, a tragedy happened in the Visalia 2nd ward (the ward Adam grew up in).

I'm sure by now most of the people who read my blog will have heard about the event. Bishop Clay Sannar was working in the office after church on Sunday and a man came in and shot him to death. There were at least 22 witnesses. The man was later gunned down by police and killed.

Because this was so "close to home" in many senses of the word, I have been dwelling on this tragedy for the past 24 hours.

Bishop Sannar left behind a wife and six kids. The Visalia stake is shaken up. Knowledge of the nature of God and the plan of happiness will help carry them (and all of us) through this tough time. Adam served with Bishop Sannar in the Elders quorum when he got home from his mission and he said that he was a wonderful man. Please keep them in your prayers at this time.

Today I have played the words to the song "Let Us All Press On" many times in my head. I love the chorus and I think it has a beautiful message:

Fear not, though the enemy deride,
Courage, for the Lord is on our side;
We will heed not what the wicked may say,
But the Lord alone we will obey

My feelings were best expressed by my friend Tera who said "I am so grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am so grateful for the Plan of Salvation. Having this knowledge of HIS plan helps me to get through the tragic things happening all around."

The "Sweetest" Thing

Since teaching children is the sweetest thing someone could experience I got Adam a little first day of school gift to remind him and I left this little note to explain each candy. Candy bar cards are awesome but this will sit nicer on his desk...and who can't appreciate two gallons of candy?

Happy First Day of School! I wanted to give you a little something to help kick this year off to a good start. At first glance, it may seem only like a couple candy jars but each represents something special. A little reminder to treat the kids with kindness

Jar #1:

To remind you of the variety of children you are sure to encounter this year. Each candy represents a group of students.

Nerds:

A little socially awkward, perhaps a little difficult to reach. Take care of these kids and remember that they are in extra need of compassion.

Sweetarts:

These are the kids, girls especially that will wrap you around their fingers. You will love them instantly. They will help you get through the difficult days because you are always able to count on them to be extra sweet.

Gobstoppers:

Yep, you’ll have these ones too. These are the ones who will halt productivity with their chatterbox mouths. Watch out for them, but don’t be too harsh…you married a gobstopper. Ask any of my teachers.

LaffyTaffys:

The jokesters, and class clowns. Sure, they may be annoying at times, but they are just trying to get a little attention. It may be negative attention, but they are harmless. Let them have their fun, but also let them know who’s boss.

Starburst:

Your star students! These are the ones who shine a little brighter than the rest. You can always count on them to ask the difficult questions, and be ready with lots of answers. With so much attention focused on struggling students, don’t forget about these shining stars! Help by challenging them to reach their full potential.

Air Heads:

Of course you can’t forget these ones. These are the ones that are so mesmerized by the LaffyTaffys and Gobstoppers that they forget to pay attention and might need extra reminders. Again, have patience with them. Use differentiated learning to keep them on task. Repeat instructions on an individual basis when you can.

Of course there are also students who are not represented in this candy mix. They are the ones with broken hearts and broken homes. They may be bullies, they may be bullied. They are the ones you need to love the most. It will be hard, but pray for the strength to love them just the same.

As you can tell, this jar holds quite a variety of students. Wouldn’t it be boring if there was only one kind? You may be tempted to pick out your favorites (like me with the peanut butter M&M’s among the Hot Tamales at your mom’s house) but enjoy each one for who they are. Like children, some candy may be too hard, others too soft but enjoy them for their respective qualities.

Jar #2:

To remind you that teaching is sweet

Butterfingers:

Everything in teaching is theory. Because of this (and the fact that you are only human), you are bound to make mistakes. Learn from them and move on. The lessons you learn from making these mistakes are sweet reminders that we can try again.

Snickers:

When you do stumble and make mistakes, learn to laugh at them. Don’t take yourself too seriously. The kids appreciate someone who is honest and open with a sense of humor. I love the sound of your laugh so laugh loud and often.

Twix:

For those golden teaching moments (check out the wrapper). Sometimes the best learning happens be’twix’t the lines. Take every opportunity to increase comprehension and understanding. The sweetest moments in teaching happen when you see the light go on in your student’s eyes. The twix are for big golden moment. For small moments, refer to the Rolos and Reeses Peanut Butter Cups.

Kisses:

Teaching is hard. It is emotionally and physically exhausting. When you feel at your lowest, refer to the kisses. They are from Hannah and I. These kisses are for all your hard work and dedication to your profession and your family. We love you more than we can say and we appreciate all you do for us. I love you so much!

Good luck and have fun!

Wits End.

That's about where I am at 8:11 p.m. on this fine Monday night.

It all started about five days ago when Hannah decided that her 8:00 bedtime was not going to work out for her that particular night, even though she goes to bed at 8:00 every night. Adam and I were hanging out together downstairs while Hannah wailed upstairs. She doesn't cry herself to sleep (believe me...she can go until 2 in the morning and Mommy and Daddy can't hold out anymore so they give in) but we figured she would wear herself out and then we could comfort her and she would fall asleep. At around 8:40 I went upstairs to go snuggle her and calm her down. As I got to the top of the stairs I heard a soft thud. When I went to her room I found her standing by her crib, very upset. She'd fallen out somehow.

Adam lowered the crib.

Ever since then she has repeated her resistance to bed. It isn't fun but we deal with it.

Last night we waited 15 minutes until we went to go soothe her. Adam opened the door and ran Hannah over in the process. Apparently she had used her bumper to climb out of the bed. Her partner in climb.

We removed the bumper.

Tonight I found her trying to escape while she bawled her eyes out. She had all her stuffed animals piled in a corner and she was trying to use them to climb out. So I removed them, cuddled with her for a while, and laid her down.

A few minutes later I heard the strangest cry coming from Hannah's room. I rushed in to find her DANGLING ON THE OUTSIDE OF HER CRIB.

Great.

I didn't even rescue her in time. I ran over but she was not strong enough to hang on and she let go.

It has now been an hour and a half since bedtime started. I'm all alone at home right now so I don't know what to do. Hannah is still screaming in the spare bedroom. I set her in a port-a-crib and hoped she wouldn't be able to climb her way out of that (p.s. she did...she's knocking on the door right now...I'm still hoping she will wear herself out somehow).

So that is my story. Pathetic I know. I just don't know what to do with my precocious one year old.

Help.

Book Review: If I Stay

I read this book in a matter of hours. Another YA book that forces you to think about life in a different way. I found myself asking what I would chose. If I would stay in a broken body, as an orphan having lost everything important to me. It blew me away.

From Goodreads:

Mia is a young woman who has dreams of becoming a great musician. Life is wonderful---she has cool parents, an adorable little brother, a great BFF and the most loving boyfriend a girl could ever ask for. Adam sings in a band that is becoming very popular, the girls are always flocking around him, but he has eyes only for Mia. Life can't get any better than that, can it? Yes, it can. Mia is on her way to Julliard and if she gets accepted, she is going to have to make some really tough choices about her future with Adam.

Suddenly everything changes. Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...

A sophisticated, layered, and heartachingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make—and the ultimate choice Mia commands.