If you can read this, thank a teacher.

Teachers are amazing people. (And though I am proud to be one of them, I'm not trying to toot my horn) I've just been amazed at how much they will go out of there way to not only help their students, but to help each other.  I have gotten an amazing amount of support from the teachers I work with as I've struggled to get my feet under me this year. And I've been amazed to see how generous and giving this group of incredibly underpayed individuals can be.  They are constantly reaching into their pockets to help others in need.

This week I was twice the recipient of teachers helping another teacher to supply her classroom.  Two days ago I was given a very large box of math manipulatives, much needed in my classroom. I was told to take whatever I needed and pass along the rest. Today I was at a yard sale rummaging through a huge collection of books, obviously from a classroom library. The mother of the woman holding the yard sale saw my excitement and asked if I was a teacher. When I replied yes, and that I am working on building my library she told me she was sure her daughter would give me a deal.  She did.  She handed me a good size box, told me to cram in all the books I could....fill it to overflowing...and she would sell it to me for five dollars.  I was thrilled! I just went from having only one shelf on my two shelf bookcase full, to having to ask for a bigger bookcase on Monday!!

The teachers I know and have worked with have proven to me over and over again that it takes a special breed of person to teach. You won't get rich or famous being a teacher. You may never recieve the appreciation and accolades you deserve. You'll put in long days and often take work home with you and never see a stitch of overtime pay. You'll be ignored, disrespected and even yelled at by some students and parents.  You have to teach because you want to make a difference in a childs life, whether that child or his/her parents ever recognize that difference. You do it for those times when you see a child actually learn, and get excited about learning....for the handmade cards and pictures...and the association with amazing people. There are days I wish I never had to go back to work, and days I think I have the best job in the world. But everyday I am grateful for the people I work with. I learn from them constantly. They are the best!

Frailties of the written word

     Written text can be an amazing thing. When crafted well it can take us to places we've never been... evoke great emotion...completely captivate us.  However, even the most gifted wordsmith  cannot completely control the interpretation of his words. Each reader takes from text differently, based on what experience, belief or predjudice they bring to the table.  Which is why two readers can have very different experiences with the same piece of text.  No matter how talented the writer, there is always room for interpretation.

     Unfortunately this can make the written word a very flawed method of communication. Especially for those of us who are not especially gifted with the medium.  Readers cannot hear the inflection or tone of voice of the writer. Cannot see their facial expressions. As a result things may be read into a text that never existed in the mind or heart of the writer. Inaccurate assumptions can be made and offences taken that were never intended.  What seems obvious to one reader...completely unseen by another. 

     So we must be cautious when using text to communicate. Cautious that the text we use is not overly sarcastic, or vague...unless we are certain that the reader knows us well enough to understand our intent, or give us the benefit of the doubt and ask for clarification if they are uncertain. As readers we need to remember that we cannot make hasty assumptions about what we read. We need to be slow to take offence, and willing to extend the benefit of the doubt until we can ask and learn whether our assumptions are accurate. If we don't we run the risk of damaging, or even ending, relationships for reasons that exist only in our own hearts and minds and not those of the writer.

I found more time.

I figured out how to get that extra time I want, that I blogged about back in November (Can I have a day?). Apparently all I have to do is start working at the 99 cent store. :0)

Christmas Surprises

I love it when I actually manage to surprise people with the gift they recieve, especially my kids.  This year the hubby and I managed to surprise each of them with something they were convinced that they wouldn't be recieving because of the cost. Stitch was so stunned he even cried. That's right, my 13 year old boy cried for happiness and shock.  I have pictures to prove it!! (but I promised not to make them public :))  The trash pile was smaller this year than some in the past (we went for quality rather than quantity), but that didn't matter. It was a wonderful day!

Here are my adorable children in their Christmas pjs.

(They're such hams in front of the camera - always have been!)

(Number One, me, father-in-law, hubby, mother-in-law,

sister-in-law, The Girlie, Stitch, Shasta)

The mess after opening.

Picture's not the greatest because of the sun coming through a high window, but man it was fun to watch my hubby push the button on the camera and then run down the stairs (several times) and jump over the trash pile to get in the picture.

Me and my brother David.

We don't always get to see him at Christmas...and for awhile we weren't sure it would happen this year. I am very grateful to my wonderful mother-in-law and sister-in-law who gave him a ride over with them so that he could be here.

Mom and David.

He is always so happy to be with her.

The Greatest Gift

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

~ Isaiah 9:6

How grateful I am for the priceless gift given to the world on that first Christmas so many centuries ago. For the lessons taught and example set  by the man that the blessed child grew to be. And how much more grateful I am for the gift He gave each of us with His suffering in Gethsemane, and His death on Calvary. For though His birth and life were miraculous and holy, it is His death that saved us all, and gave us the power to return again to that home from which we came, to dwell with Him and our Father, if we accept and take advantage of His tremendous gift of the atonement.  I know that He lives. That He came. That He loves me.  And I know that if I strive to live as He taught, I will have the blessing one day to thank Him in person.

May we all remember the gift we recieved on that first Christmas, not just today, but everyday that we live.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

It's Christmas Eve! Soon my husband and his sister will leave for their annual last minute shopping day. (I suspect they purposely leave a few things unpurchased just so they have the excuse to take off and spend the day together.)  And soon my mother-in-law and I will begin preparing all the food for tomorrow. Several years ago we decided that the traditional Christmas dinner wasn't working for us. We were tired of spending the day cooking while everyone else enjoyed their new presents and sat around relaxing.  So we changed the tradition.  All the foods we have now can be prepared the day before, and the only cooking done on Christmas is done by the men.

Tomorrow after presents we will enjoy a brunch of omelets prepared by Brian and his dad. Then we will snack away the afternoon eating spinach dip & sourdough, cheeseball and crackers, chips, ranch dip and salsa, and a variety of baked goods and candies. For dinner we'll have tri-tip kabobs that have been soaked for at least 24 hours in the most delicious marinade ever, as well as lebanese tabouleh & pita bread, and rice pilaf. Again, the men barbeque so Mom and I only have to make the pilaf.  It's a very yummy and relaxing day....last year I spent the whole day in my pajamas. 

So yesterday, which was filled with baking and last minute gift making, and today that will be filled with wrapping and food prep, are rather hectic, but it's all worth it on Christmas day, when I can just enjoy being with my family and eating good food.

Happy Christmas Eve everyone!

I Can See.....from a different viewpoint.

I got my first pair of glasses when I was a sophomore in high school. My Aunt Martha (better known to her nieces & nephews as Aunty Mousey....long story I won't get into now) was in town for a visit and went with Mom and I to pick them up. I didn't realize how out of focus things were until I put those glasses on. I was so excited about everything that I could suddenly see, at much further distances than I could before, that I read every sign and billboard I could on the way home. My aunty has told me several times over the ensuing years that that is one of her favorite memories of me.....seeing my excitement at being able to see clearly, and listening to me happily read signs all the way home. I always thought it was kinda funny that she got so much enjoyment out of that.




Tonight however, I got to have the same experience from her point of view. I went with my mom and nephew to pick up his new glasses. None of us realized until quite recently just how bad his vision has been. Well, when he put those new glasses on his face absolutely lit up. He looked around with this huge smile and said, "I can see again".....and then he proceeded to read every sign in the store, and every sign on the 10 mile drive home. I couldn't help but sit and grin at the excitement in his voice as he read the name of every store, restaurant, gas station and church that we passed. And I suddenly understood why Aunty Mousey enjoyed that memory so much. It's a joy to see someone you love so happy and filled with wonder. It is an experience I will always remember and a memory I will always enjoy.