Happy Thanksgiving!!

"Gratitude is a sign of maturity. It is an indication of sincere humility. It is a hallmark of civility. And most of all, it is a divine principle. I doubt there is anything in which we more offend the Almighty than in our tendency to forget His mercies and to be ungrateful for that which He has given us.Where there is appreciation, there is also courtesy and concern for the rights and property of others. Without these, there is arrogance and evil. Where there is gratitude, there is humility instead of pride, generosity rather than selfishness.We would do well to get on our knees and thank the Almighty for His bounties. We would do well, also, to cultivate within ourselves a spirit of thanksgiving for the blessing of life itself and for the marvelous gifts and privileges we enjoy."
-Gordon B. Hinckley

I LOVE THIS HOLIDAY! How am I thankful? Let me count the ways.

I'm thankful for my membership in the Church and testimony of the Gospel...and for my parents. I love my daddy and mama soooo much. I'm thankful to have two wonderful sisters who have been such a great example to me and some of my closest friends even though I'm much younger and in a totally different time of my life than they are. Thanks for caring about my little things. And...for my brothers- even through everything I am very glad I have them. I'm grateful for my wonderful friends- my friends from home, my college roommates and honorary roommates, my current roommates (don't know what I would do without them), and all of my other close friends who love me and make me laugh and let me cry. I'm grateful for my job and the wonderful students that I've been able to teach and that I get to teach right now. They make a huge difference in my life and have taught me so much. Plus they make me laugh all the time. I just wanted you to be read some of these letters. They wrote a letter to Thomas Turkey after he asked them not to eat turkey for Thanksgiving.

Dear Thomas T. Turkey,
I will ask my friends to eat PB&J samwich becuse I hate Turkey it is hard to chew if I Forget to ask my friends to eat PB&J sandwich I will be sorry.

Dear Frende,
I Do not like meat very much. I might eat pork if you mind. Will you visit awr class? P.s My frend's want to eat you.

Dear Mr. T. Turkey,
I'm so sorry but I need to eat turkey for Thanksgiving. But I will make sure that it's not you because I do feel sorry that people try to eat you. My parents don't catch turkeys. They buy turkeys for Thanksgiving from the store. happy thaksgiving!!!
Regretfully,

or these sweeties....

Dear Thomas T. turkey,
I am so sorry but I am a ferocious turky eater! I am so sorry about it but I am going to eat you for dinner maybe leftovers too! I am sorry about this, but I will eat you anyway Happy Thanksgiving!
Regretfully, the carnivore

Dear Thomas T. Turkey,
I have to eat turkey for Thanksgiving because my mom makes me do it. But we have carrots and apples with you. I love the taste of turkey mmm mmm mmm. I am always going to be mostly carnivore.
Sincerely, your enemy

Dear Thomas T. Turkey,
I would eat you because you are delicious and tasty too. I like meat and it's Thanksgiving. You are supposeed to be eaten.

Dear Mr. Thomas t. turkey,
I fell so sorry, but you are a family favorite. We don't only eat you. We also eat stuffing and marshmallows and yams and green bean casserolle. I wonder which place I am going to have Thanksgiving this year. I am so full of regret.

But seriously, tell me they aren't adorable. They make me happy and add meaning to my life.
I have a million things to be grateful for. I am an extremely blessed girl, so HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Happy Bithday to ME!

"If we didn’t have birthdays, you wouldn’t be you. If you’d never been born, well then what would you do? If you’d never been born, well then what would you be? You might be a fish! Or a toad in a tree! You might be a doorknob! Or three baked potatoes! You might be a bag full of hard green tomatoes."

"Or worse than all that…Why, you might be a WASN’T! A Wasn’t has no fun at all. No, he doesn’t. A Wasn’t just isn’t. He just isn’t present. But you…You ARE YOU! And, now isn’t that pleasant!" "Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive...

...who is you-er than you! Shout loud, “I am lucky to be what I am! Thank goodness I’m not just a clam or a ham Or a dusty old jar of sour gooseberry jam! I am what I am! That’s a great thing to be! If I say so myself, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!”

    I happen to be very happy that I'm not a fish or a tree or a baked potato. I am glad I'm me because if I weren't alive, I couldn't ride a bike or teach my cute second graders. My dad wouldn't have a girl to whine or brag to him every few days. Lots of people wouldn't have someone to make fun of. No one would get to see my brace face smile. I'm glad I'm me for lots of reasons. And more than that I'm happy that I have so many people in my life that make waking up being me feel like a very good thing.

Forget Not....

 

Who couldn't love this talk? It was exactly what I needed to hear. Exactly. 

 

My One and Best Dad

10. Daddy is always ready to listen. Even if it's boring. Even if it's about the 10th guy that year, and it's only July. He even asks questions like it matters. He's actually usually the first person to find out about a crush. This fact alone makes me feel so loved. He listens to everything I say like it is so important.

9. He LOVES his family. He's excited for all of the good things that happen in your life. Whenever something great happens to me, I can't wait to tell my dad because I know that he will help me relive the excitement all over again. He loves to watch his kids succeed.

8. Not only does he celebrate with us, he mourns with us. You don't get a "Cowboy up" speech from dad. You get real sympathy. Sometimes that's more important.

7. He's funny. Not only does my dad make us laugh, but I think we all love watching him laugh. He laughs really hard and makes the best faces. He still seems so boyish when he laughs.

6. He's a show-off kinda dad. I want people to know about him and meet him because, well, he's pretty good-looking. It proves that I have good genes. He still jumps on the trampoline everyday. He works out. Still has tons of energy and no glasses (even though he needs them).

5. Daddy taught us the Gospel and has high expectations for us, but still loves us when we don't live up to them. He doesn't ever give up on us. And he assumes the best.

4. He still dances with my mom.

3. If someone has to wake me up in the morning, I want it to be him. My mom used to flip on the light and yell my name. My brothers would hit me with a pillow. I wasn't yet grumpy when my sisters still lived with us, so I don't remember. But daddy would come quietly start talking to you. At first you wouldn't say much, but then you'd start answering his questions, and before you knew it-tricked! You were awake.

2. He has never-ending excitement.
1. He makes me feel like I'm his favorite. I don't know if I am or not. He might make each us feel that way, but whether it's true or not, it matters more that I feel like it.

I'd Rather Be Out on My Bike

I like to ride bikes. A lot. I can't actually pin point the exact reason why, and don't think I ever will. For every different season of life, there is a different reason to ride. For every different mood of the day, there is a different motive to keep going.

I've ridden to get away from the stress of school, to forget about work, and to block out thoughts. I’ve ridden to relieve the pain of heartbreak and to celebrate the joy of finding someone new. I've ridden to get in shape, to stay in shape, to lose weight, to get fast, to gain endurance. I've ridden with friends to enjoy their company, to share my life, to listen to theirs, to share my woes, and to listen to theirs.

I've ridden to be alone, to bask in the solitude of an empty road. I've ridden to the sound of nothing but the leaves in the wind, to the sound of my own heart beating, my own breath gasping, and my own chain squeaking. I've ridden to the sounds of Ben Folds, Beyonce, Wicked, Garth Brooks, Jason Aldean, Colbie Caillat, and U2.

I've ridden away from people, places, problems, and feelings, and ridden into strange places, new places, new people, and strange people. I’ve ridden to gain clarity. I’ve ridden to make tears stop. I’ve ridden till I couldn’t ride anymore.

I've ridden longer and farther than I ever thought I would. I’ve accomplished feats I never dreamed possible. Ridden faster, further, longer, over bigger hills, down steeper hills, around lakes, and around mountains.

I've broken skin, wheels, and handlebars. I've torn jerseys, shorts, and socks; scraped knuckles, wrist, legs, arms, stomachs, shins, paint, and saddles. I've ridden into physical injury, with only scars now to remind me of the pain. I've ridden into emotional healing, with only memories now to remind me of the pain.
Riding has taught me to be tough, has taught me to persevere, has taught me to take pride in my abilities, and humility in my shortcomings. I've worked hard, I've slacked, taken the hard road home, taken the easy way out. I've gone the extra mile, climbed the extra hill, felt the pain of exertion, and appreciated the joy of relaxing.
I've ridden to train, to get fast, to finish long events, to sprint, to practice handling, to practice riding with no hands, to get a tan, and just to get away.

I ride to think. I ride to ponder. I ride to let my mind wander. I've had my best ideas while out pushing myself... and my worst ideas.

I've ridden to get away from pain, ridden to feel pain, and ridden in spite of pain. I've ridden to prove to myself I could, ridden to prove to others I could, ridden for noble reasons, ridden for foolish reasons, ridden out of humility, ridden out of pride. I've been out there during the highest of highs, when it felt like the even the top of the world was under me, and I've been out there at the lowest of lows, when I felt like nothing was worth living for.

I've ridden myself into who I am. Riding has allowed me to shape, mold, build, and rebuild myself into existence. Out on my bike, I am able to deal with life and cope with what is real. Out on my bike I have been who I was, am who I am, and will be what I am to become.

Riding has made me who I am and taught me what I know.

And that is why I would rather be out on my bike.

Where It All Goes Down...A Little Classroom Tour

Summer is over. I think I'm okay with that. Still deciding. I happen to like school lots. So this is where I'm going to be spending the majority of my life for the next 9 months. I'm not really a theme girl. I'm too indecisive. I get sick of it, and I change it which takes lots of time and keeps me from getting other things done. However, I love the movie Up! though, so I thought I could use that as a theme. Still...it's pretty subtle. This is as close to a theme as I will probably ever get.

This is my window display with the kids names. I know the movie says, "Adventure is out there!" and has balloons, but planes are so much cuter.

I just like it.

Non-Fiction Library

Literacy board- Don't worry, I add to it as the year goes on.

Science board. Hopefully this encourages me to do more of it. 2nd grade science can be pretty lame, but we'll see.

Math- again, not complete. I usually use it for vocab words and anchor charts throughout the year.

Cubby closet- Always a mess.

Chapter books.

Part of the Fiction Library

Calendar Wall- I might be the only teacher in the world who doesn't like pocket charts. I hate the way they look, but I guess they are convenient and slightly expensive, so since I already own them, I might as well use them.

Explorer of the week

Word Wall

This is a noble effort in teaching my kids to not be too loud. They have no clue what a soft voice is. Their voices are always on a 5 unless they are speaking in front of the class in which case they are on 2.

Behavior Board. I love this thing.

Where they turn in paper, get pencils, put their "caught-ya's", and get some math stuff.

Carpet area- so much easier than a big fat rug.

I just like my globe and my frog.

This window has the most beautiful view. The only problem is half the time the sun is so glaring that the kids will be blinded if the shades are open. The frames are mostly family pictures.

Their cute little people. I have 30 ADORABLE students this year. I love them!

Here's to happiness

15 Things that make Joy terribly happy:

1. bike rides
2. hearing my nieces and nephews laugh
3. making food that people really like
4. nights with girlfriends that I laugh so hard my tummy hurts
5. talking to strangers
6. hiking to the top of a mountain
7. feeling the warm sun on your skin
8. playing soccer in the fall
9. smell of fresh-cut grass
10. black licorice
11. sending and receiving lovely things in the mail
12. peppermint tea or any tea for that matter
13. Disney movies
14. watching the sunset
15. blackberries and watermelon in the summer

I get to pick two? I've only been choosing 1 so far.

Happy Friday!

I love this! "Moments are the molecules that make up eternity." That's a REALLY good quote.

My Classroom

 

View from the front of my classroom

 

It only looked like this on the first day of school.

 

Calendar

 

Word Wall

 

Writing Area

Only a month late...

"The Christmas season is wonderful in many ways. It is a season of charitable acts of kindness and     brotherly love. It is a season of being more reflective about our own lives and about the many blessings that are ours. It is a season of forgiving and being forgiven. It is a season to enjoy the music and lights, parties and presents. But the glitter of the season should never dim our sight and prevent us from truly seeing the Prince of Peace in His majesty."
                                                                                               -Elder Uchtdorf 

I was asked to give a talk on Christmas, and I thought it would be a good idea to share it. So here you are....You're welcome. By the way, I realize it doesn't really flow. It's because it's a talk and I don't write everything down. I promise I did a good job on it. It just sounds disorganized and overly sentimental on paper.

    
Inspired by Elder Uchtodorf’s Christmas devotional, I planned a Grinch-themed day at school on Wednesday. As I read the story of the Grinch to my students, I realized I had forgotten how truly telling this story is. The Grinch hated Christmas. He came up with a plan to rid himself of Christmas. As he leaves the city, after carrying out his awful plan, and delights in the pain he is causing people, we read this: 

Three thousand feet up! Up the side of Mt. Crumpit,
He rode with his load to the tiptop to dump it!

“Pooh-Pooh to the Whos!” he was grinch-ish-ly humming.
“They’re finding out now that no Christmas is coming!
“They’re just waking up! I know just what they’ll do!
“Their mouths will hang open a minute or two
“Then the Whos down in Who-ville will all cry Boo-Hoo!
“That’s a noise, “grinned the Grinch,
“That I simply MUST hear!”So he paused. And the Grinch put his hand to his ear.
And he did hear a sound rising over the snow.
It started in low. Then it started to grow …
But the sound wasn’t sad!
Why, this sound sounded merry!
It couldn’t be so!
But it WAS merry! VERY!
He stared down at Who-ville!
The Grinch popped his eyes!
Then he shook!
What he saw was a shocking surprise!
Every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small,
Was singing! Without any presents at all!
He HADN‘T stopped Christmas from coming!
IT CAME!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!
And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling: “How could it be so?”
“It came without ribbons! It came without tags!
“It came without packages, boxes or bags!”
And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before!
“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store.
Maybe Christmas … perhaps … means a little bit more!”

Brother Jensen left a message Thursday night and as I listened to it, the voice mail suddenly cut off right after he said, “We’d like to have you speak on…” I considered not calling him back because I had a very good idea of what I was going to be speaking on. However my guilt got to me, and I returned the call. My suspicions were confirmed. I was ask to speak on Christmas. He mentioned that it shouldn’t take very much preparation. I should just share the way I feel about Christmas and past memories of Christmas. I almost turned it down. I laughingly told him that Christmas and I don’t always get along. When he mentioned past memories of Christmas, my memories went back to Christmases as a kid when we had no money and 7 children in our family. When we would go to my cousin’s house after only getting one present and watch them open dozens of presents. When I would go back to school and friends would ask what I got, and their response was always, “That’s it?” I thought of Christmases now that I am often stressed about what to get for others and frustrated about the materialism. I called my dad right after and told him of my despair about Christmas. I said, “Dad, everyone has given a Christmas talk. Do you have one I can just tweak and read?” He responded that he has never actually had to give a talk on Christmas. I’ve mentioned that this is my 3^rd. I think the Lord is trying to send me a message. I have tried to understand it this time, so I can someday speak about other things in Church. So after much prayer and thought, I want to mention a few things that Christmas is to me.

As I prayed and thought about this talk, I was a little emotional. At first I couldn’t block out all of the not so great memories of Christmas, but as I focused on Christ, I started to feel very guilty. I, like the Grinch, realized that Christmas means a little bit more.  I remember countless times of waking up on Christmas and having an unknown Samaritan leave $100 in our mailbox or having huge packages on the porch. I remember perfect strangers bringing a car-ful of presents to our house. I remember my parents, brothers, and sisters sacrificing to give us the little presents we got. This is what Christmas is.

Last Christmas was the first time in my life I’ve ever been alone with my parents for any extended amount of time. My mom, bless her heart, always sends me money on my birthday and says, “here’s your birthday and Christmas present” so we had no presents. My parents still have a humble home, but I felt so loved as we sat around and read Luke 2 together. That’s what Christmas is. I wouldn’t have felt any more special if I had 100 gifts. It is a time to strengthen relationships. 

We have a cousin dinner once a month. This past one, my cousin mentioned he thought it would be appropriate that we bore our testimonies due to the season. There’s something special about bearing your testimony in an intimate group of family members. It increased my love and respect for everyone there. This is what Christmas is. It’s a time to break down barriers, to share our love of Christ.

Christmas is a perfect time to reflect. In class we wrote letters to Santa Clause this year but we were not allowed to ask him for anything specific. We were only supposed to thank him for last year’s presents and ask if he will come and bring us something again. One particular boy wrote: “Dear Santa, Thanks for everything this year. I hope you can come because I left you a note. Santa I want to know, am I on the naughty list. I just wanna no. Because I want to know so bad. And how do you get the elves to work so hard like that. Tell me. I don’t know if I am on the good list so tell me. That is it. Love, Bryant “ Although this is the reflection of a 7 year old, I have wondered a similar thing. Have I been focused on the Savior? Have I been kind? Have I found times of others and forgotten myself? Have I been doing all of the things I should be doing? I don’t know that I would deserve very many presents this year either, but this is the perfect time to rededicate ourselves to living the teaching and principles taught to us by our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Lastly and most importantly, Christmas is the birth of our Savior.Elder Uchtdorf’s Christmas Devotional greatly affected me and humbled me. I sometimes search for the magic I felt as a kid about Christmas, but I only see glimpses of it. However, this magic has been replaced with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, a hope in His Atonement, and looking forward to His return.

When I feel sorry for myself for the little bit that I lack, I can remember the poverty of Mary and Joseph. In a devotional address given by Elder Holland, he reminds us that the Christmas story is very much a story of poverty. There may be some significance that the author of Luke 2 did not write “there was no room in the inn” but that “there was no room for them in the inn.” As a purification offering at the child’s birth, a turtledove was offered which the Lord allowed to be a substitute for the impoverished in place of a lamb. Our divine Savior came to us in the most humble of circumstances.  Perhaps remembering our Savior, his birth, his childhood, should remind us of the purity, the faith, and the humility that is required of each one of us. “Except ye be converted, and become as  little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt 18:3) “If we look for the good, we can see this time of the year with new eyes- perhaps even with the eyes of a child.” – Elder Uchtdorf

One of my favorite Christmas carols is the Primary Song, “Away in a Manger”

Away in a manger, no crib for his bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his wee head. …
I love thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my side until morning is nigh. …
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay
Close by me forever and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And take us to heaven to live with thee there.

“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! ‘Maybe Christmas,’ he thought, ‘doesn’t come from a store.’”