Life Lessons from Maisey

As most of you know I teach a class of children with disabilities. I have a class of 12 students this year and they share a total of 4 different classifications including learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, autism, and communication disorder. I have one little girl I'll call Maisey with down syndrome. This is my third year teaching Maisey and I have learned a lot from her. Lately she has been creating sentences from her spelling words. As I have read these I have found bits of wisdom and humor that I thought you might enjoy. I will pass on bits of Maisey's wisdom and good humor in my blogs as they come from her.
The first profound bit of wisdom came from a sentence in which she used the word "usually". She wrote "Usually I smell okay." I got a good chuckle out of this thought. I have never really pondered too much the way I smell. It's just one of those things that you try to take care of in the morning and then go on your way and never give it another thought. I realized that indeed Maisey did usually smell okay and that this brought her a great deal of comfort and pride. Good for you Maisey!
The second bit of wisdom that Maisey passed along came when she wrote a sentence using the word "playground". She wrote "I go to the mean Barbie playground." I realized that we all have spent some time on the mean Barbie playground throughout our lives. I have learned some of life's most valuable lessons while in the midst of some mean Barbies. I am glad to say that now, in my old age, I choose not to spend much if any time with the mean Barbies either in their playgroung or anywhere else for that matter.
I hope that you will enjoy the life lessons to be gained by and through Maisey!

Labor Day- The End of Summer

Labor Day is such a bitter-sweet day. While yes, it is a holiday and another three day weekend, it also represents to me as a teacher the end of my favorite time of year. I have just completed two and a half months of wonderful summer vacation. We didn't go on a trip or have any grand vacations but it was just so much fun. From watching grandchildren run through the sprinklers, to sleepovers, to swimming, to family get togethers, to spending time with the family, it was just a fun summer.
Now, with Labor Day here and marking the first of September, all that has changed. While the start of school holds its own excitement with the smell of new school supplies, kids in new clothes, and the faces of children ready to learn we all must face the fact the another summer is gone. With fall a reality sets in. It marks a passage of time. Routine and work take center stage. (Woah! I waxed poetic and it was quite a downer if I do say so myself!) Any who, have a great farewell to summer. Help it go out with a bang even with the threat of hurricanes and thunderstorms. Have a final lemonade or run through your shower in lew ot the sprinklers but take summer out with a bang!

Let's Relive a Little!

I just read Shannon's blog and thought that this would be fun. If you want to leave me a memory since with age I find that I've forgotten so much!
It was fun to see what others had posted on Shannon's blog so I wanted to join in.I got this from Shannon. I thought it would be interesting (or possibly embarrassing) what everyone comes up with. So let's rehash the past....1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses.

My Bucket List

A while ago I watched the movie "The Bucket List". While the reviews of the movie were not that great, I loved the movie. I am not a big fan of Jack Nicholson but I could even overlook that as I watched these two old men live out what would be there last time together. I loved the way all of the items on their bucket list were checked off one by one, at times in ways very unexpectedly. I realized that as I live my life I am living very much in the present which actually works well for me. I am happy, at peace, I feel much like Jen Woodard does in her blog (if you haven't read it I encourage you to do so). I don't look to the future too much because I find it very precarious at this time, and even a bit scarey. But after contemplating the concept of a bucket list I reckon that I should write down some of my life goals now while I still can and while I hopefully have time to fulfill some of them. So here goes, five of my items in my bucket list. If you read this I encourage you to do the same. If you do please let me know and I would love to see them. Mind you, these are in no particular order or priority.

1. Write something that is worth publishing. I love to put thoughts down and I have some notebooks with ideas in them. I would love to see if they could be put together in a form worth publishing.

2. Read and understand better all of the scriptures. I am ashamed to say that while I have read most of the Book of Mormon and most of the New Testament, I have never really studied them or ever even attempted the Old Testament. I want to know these and get to love them.

3. Travel to more places than I can name. The top three are Scandanavia, Austrailia, and Europe. I know that these make up more of the world than I have seen in my 53 years so I better get on my traveling shoes (and make some big bucks!).

4. I want to know that I have made a difference in my teaching. Sometimes teaching children with disabilities is so different than the rest of my peers teaching children in "regular" ed. They see leaps and bounds in the children they teach. I, most times, see incremental baby steps. When my students leave I don't hear about their accomplishments. I don't expect that. I just want to make a difference in the lives of the kids that I teach. I love teaching!

5. I want to know that what I have done as a wife and mother is enough. I realize that this wish can only be determined accomplished by me. It isn't something that will be measured by pages read or places visited but by a peace within me knowing that what I have done is enough. My husband gives of his love and gratitude constantly and generously. My children are rare. They continually amaze me at thier intellect, generous love, and wisdom. I learn so much from all of them and am in continuous awe of them.



Well there are five of my "bucket list" items. One day I hope to be sitting here telling all of you out in the vast void of technology of my adventures and accomplishments. In the meantime let me know about your dreams and wishes.

Oh What a Summer!

It has been some time since I have blogged. Summer is so fun and so busy. Also, I keep forgetting how to upload the pictures that I want to use in my posts. Help Kirstie or Mandy! This summer has been great between the picnics, swimming, outings up at the canyon, etc. I LOVE SUMMER! I know that it is hot but I just keep thinking about the cold of winter and then I try not to complain. We have celebrated Frankie's third birthday, Syd's eight birthday and baptism, Jeff's thirty second birthday, the Coopers' new trailer, the fourth of July, the two Tims' birthdays, as well as more that I can't think of right now. I hope that all of you are enjoying the wonderfulness of summer.

Chilling with Calvin

Calvin and I spent some time together this week. One and a half year olds are so much fun. We sat outside and he just walked and walked, not far, just around the patio. It was great exploring. He picked up tiny rocks, leaves, twigs and brought them to me to join in his adventure hunting. Then he would toddle off to the swingset for a turn down the slide. Big doings for such a little man. I love the spring when life seems to slow down just a bit and a few afternoon hours can be spent just enjoying the little things.

Dancing with Frankie

Last week I got to watch Frankie while the rest of the family was busy. We had a great time playing and eating treats. Then I put on some music and Frankie started shaking his little bottom and moving his feet and doing that great three year old dance. Well, he started laughing and if you know Frankie you know that he has one of the greatest laughs ever. Then I started dancing and laughing with him. There we were a three year old and his grandma just having the time of our lives. I am learning more and more that the essence of life is not the great big memories but the small everyday moments that bring joy. And after all, everything is better with a three year old.