You're Next Mr. Phelps!

The Boy won 5 medals at their 6th Grade Olympiad. Three bronze, two silvers in: tug 'o war, long jump, poetry, academia, long distance running. Next up, London 2012. See you in the pool, Mr. Phelps.

School's Out in 14 Days?!

Looking at the calendar today I realized that school is out for summer in 14 days. Holy cow! That is screaming up on me. I knew it was coming, but the speed surprised me.

I have an assignment for our 6th grade "graduation" program to choose and teach this group of 6th graders a song that they will then sing to their families. No weeping or sentiment will be lost of this group, so I have been planning on something energetic and fun, fast paced and non-traditional. We are singing one of two songs from the Cards soundtrack: Life is a Highway or Real Gone. I'm leaning to Real Gone. I'm hoping everyone who listens to this group of kids will see the humor in it. Otherwise, it will be very funny to just me.

I have ordered black "wayfarer" like sunglasses for the kids to wear during the song. (See? Unconventional.) Actually all the "graduates" will get a pair with a note that says 'their future's so bright...they might need shades.' Hopefully they will see the fun.

I am just slightly surprised that the performance date is coming so quickly. I guess that is what happened when you look up from the daily grind once in a while, huh?

Have a great weekend everyone!

What NOW?!

I was prepared and calm about going to court yesterday with Sister, again. This date was the second try for this hearing as the original date during Spring break had been postponed because her ex no longer had an attorney to represent him.

Yesterday, just a half hour before we were scheduled for the hearing, her attorney called and told her it was put off again, three more weeks. But this time, it sounds like the people involved--attorneys, guardian ad litem, counselors--are pushing a little harder for some actual change.

I have since quit expecting any action to be taken, but I always hope, for her sake.

Why to things have to take so long when there are people, especially children, who have their health, mental wellness and emotional well being hanging in the balance? Why does the system move so slowly? Why doesn't the system really show its teeth when the action has been requested?

This two and a half year process is perpetually irritating to me. I become physically ill when I go to these hearings with her. There is so much contention in that room, I can barely stand it. I also feel the sense of deception from her ex as he tries to persuade and manipulate the courts system to his way of thinking. This situation is wrong. Why can't the powers that be see that!? And why won't they look at what this is doing to the kids involved? These boys are not getting the help they really need to deal with their new circumstances.

I wish I could just grab the commissioner and shake him and ask him these questions. So far, no answers. I do see the toll it takes on my sister and my family. Yesterday morning, in fact, The Boy was saying our morning family prayer ans asked Heavenly Father to bless mom that "going to court won't mess her up." I appreciated his sentiments, but obviously is affects me enough to, in turn, affect my family.

I look forward to her next hearing. The physical symptoms I usually see at court didn't occur this time and I hope that is a new trend. Heaven knows, we could use some change with this situation.

Again with the Patience?

It may seem like a theme here this week, but I was taught a lesson in patience last night that I had known was coming, but wasn't sure who would need to teach me. Apparently, it was the Lord's lesson.

The beauty of it, though, is that even though I needed the lesson and was in full avoidance mode, Heavenly Father is gentle and loving enough to teach that to me with precisely the kind of love and gentleness that also begats power and trust.

It always help to have leaders that are seeking the spirit and are in tune enough to hear the promptings that I may have missed. No, not 'may have'. I just missed it.

In the event that any of you did not recognize that I firmly believe that we have a Heaven;y Father who loves us and knows us and wants us to return home to Him--I so do. I have felt that concern and love and event he feeling of being drawn to Him. For that feeling, as often as I can feel it, I am grateful.

My time frame is not the Lord's. And while it seems like a bummer to me, it must be frustrating to Him. Only as a perfect parent, He must see it coming from me. Ultimately His tie frame is the best for me, and the sooner I surrender to His plan that better off I will be.

Why does it take 40 years to learn that?!

Again, with the patience, huh? OK. I got it. For today.

Thank a Teacher Today

It is Teacher Appreciation Week at our local elementary. It seems little condescending, really. Does it take a national movement--by the PTA or otherwise--to take a moment and recognize what our teachers do for us? Why do so many people wait until they are told it is the assigned date on the calendar to do that? And even then, some begrudge the teachers the moment of recognition.

Our teachers are some of the hardest working people I know. Not only do they teach the prescribed curriculum but most go above and beyond with their creativity and innovation. They look for ways to teach their subject to each child and to see that child succeed.

All teachers are undervalued, but most elementary teachers are extraordinary. They take a room full of squirmy and active kids at every level of academic preparation and guide them to read, write, and do math. Some they even teach to spell and produce proper handwriting. They deal with rainy and snowy days where no one can go out to play. They get snot rubbed on their shirts and wipe tears from eyes.

They referee fights and listen to one sided debates over who was right or who was first. They worry about the child and the child's family. They hear stories that would make the mothers of these children blush. They spend their weekends and evenings deciphering essays and reading between the line to understand a child who is expressing himself on paper.

They pour not just their time an effort inot their classes each year, but often their take home pay too. They supplement what the district or the state offers them. They seek out new books, new manipulatives, new projects. They teach art projects and lead Christmas or Mother's Day gifts.

Good teachers find ways to see each student shine. That is a tall order as each child will have qualities that are vastly different from the other kids. Some kids' talents are easily seen. Some are buried and must be gently mined. Some kids are lovable. Some desperately need a teacher to find a reason to love them. Good teachers always do.

I had some good teachers as a kid. Mrs. Owrzorzak taught us to treat animals and people with kindness and tenderness, and she forgave me when I killed our first grade class guinea pigs after leaving them in the sunshine too long over the weekend.

Mrs. Bach was stern but opened the majesty of our nation's capitol to me as a 10 year old kid seeing it for the first time.

Mrs. Mitgaard showed her creativity by using a green felt tip pen to write on my papers and gave me permission to express myself in a creative way too.

Ms. Alarcon read us To Kill a Mockingbird in the eighth grade and I wept as I listened to her speak Atticus' lines of fairness and kindness and equality.

Mr. Robb showed me that I had a talent I never thought I did and gave me reason to develop that while feeling like an integral part of the choir.

Mr. Acojido and Mrs. Serigstad taught me that our government was only as useful as the people who participated and showed me that I could make a difference.

Mr. Maya taught me that drama is a reflection of reality and can express emotions too tender to say in real life, to real people, but the truth was true not matter how you got to say it.

Teachers make a difference. Good teachers make all the difference.

Patience, Willow

The film, Willow, is one of Genius Golfer's favorites. It is a fantasy story of good vs. evil and the hero is a little magical dwarfish guy named, Willow. As Willow learns his powers and sets out to conquer the evil that he must face he often gets ahead of himself and at some point is told, "Patience, Willow." That line is most repeated around here. No one here is named Willow, but we all know what the line means and when someone says it to you you know you need to calm down and wait for a bit.

Yesterday I needed to say "Patience, Willow" to a couple people, but was on edge to start with and didn't get it out like as kindly as I should have done.

We bought The Girl some fabric for a skirt she wants to make for a Personal Progress project. She cut out the pattern pieces yesterday and I thought, we would get to it this weekend, maybe. No. She went ahead and cut out the fabric too. Apparently they don't teach the kids how to read a pattern direction sheet or how to set out a pattern on the fabric. So there is $10 worth of skirt pieces that may or may not work as a skirt. She was in such a hurry to get started that she didn't have the patience to do it correctly. I told her she didn't need my help, she can do the rest herself too.

Genius Golfer got the last of the shelves painted with the polyurethane sealant this week and put them up in the entertainment center yesterday. he told me that I can't put books on the shelves until they 'cure' and that will be about Saturday. Oh, that is good. We are having the whole fam-damily over Sunday fro Mother's Day and The Boy's ordination so that will give me plenty of time to load in my books that are supposed to go there. Then he begins putting scrapbooks on the bottom shelves. When I asked him what he was doing, he says he wanted to start moving books. I told him that wasn't a good idea if I can't add the rest of the shelves of book to the new unit before Saturday. I will do it all at once and get the old shelves upstairs and out of the way in one day. No. I should have said "Patience, Willow" but I didn't.

I stormed out and went for a walk instead. Someone should have told me "Patience, Willow."

What Do You Mean, They CAN'T?!

So that is why I only get flowers if they are from Genius Golfer's employer--and that was years ago after they sent GG on a long business trip to Asia. Oh, now it all makes sense.

Yes, it is an oldie, but a goodie! Happy Sunday, everyone.