A teacher's story - Week 13

As many of you know, I teach High School.  I also like stories.

Once upon a time a High School teacher returned to work after Spring Break and got buried in paperwork and other random necessary tasks that make it possible to keep a teaching job.  This teacher got very behind in her New Years Resolution of scrapping and posting her week to week life.  The End. 

Stay tuned. . . you may see photos of my paperwork and maybe even my updated teacher portfolio.  Exciting.  Right?

Hogle

Mitchell took off a couple days for Spring Break.  It's wonderful to have him around.  He has a way of getting things done, fast, and complete so we can have some FUN!  We decided it would be fun to go to the Zoo on Tuesday.  It was PERFECT.  Seriously!  Benson was in a good mood, no melt downs (by Benson or his parents), the weather was nice, and the animals were there, on display, as we expected.

Here is some of what we saw:

I finally have a name for it.  

Looking at the elephants

Mitch decided that this one was either dancing or going crazy.

SO ADORABLE!

Looking at the cool pink birds

Gina the giraffe

Evidence that I was there too.

This is NOT a national geographic photo believe it or not.

Sand cat or "kiddy" in Benson's terms

Someone was, um, timid when the elephant talked

Benson was mesmerized by this little Owl.  He could've stayed all day!

"Tuh-doh"

He had as much fun as he could.  

I got curbed!

Recently I witnessed a "curbing."  It was a strange sight to see.  I had to ask what it was because I'd not ever seen this awkward rendition of doorbell ditching.

Here's how it goes.  A group (usually youth) knocks on your door, or rings the bell, obviously.  The entire group then plants themselves on your front curb.  You open the door to a group of individuals with their backs toward you.  Sitting there.


When I was "curbed" I was unsure if I should stay at my door, yell at them, or walk toward them.  I learned that the first of the group to leave the curb is the "loser" of the group.

It looks like this:

Only, the view is a little different when YOU are the one answering the door.

Next time, this lovely bunch promised to bring me cookies for the "curbing."

Judge not. . .

I'm not sure where this is coming from, but it's been firmly placed into my mind for at least a week.  I cannot shake the thoughts of how damaging judgement can be.  I've thought about all aspects of judgement: appearance, financial either good or bad, life situations, the decisions others make, and on and on.

I've personally felt judged, as I'm sure everyone has.  It's uncomfortable, at times painful.  I know I've been guilty of judgement.  I don't like that truth.  It's not necessary to judge each other.  It doesn't help anyone and it doesn't make any person better or smarter than another.

Mother Teresa was quoted in a recent general conference, "If you judge people, you have no time to love them."  I've had the pleasure of loving all types of people.  My mission, my jobs, my tendency to randomly talk to strangers, and having strangers talk with me, have opened my eyes.  I've had true compassion for a mother that is merely 16 years old, for people who have harmed their child, a drug addict that doesn't plan to ever get clean, a recovered drug addict, overweight people, people to are intimidatingly intelligent, people that don't have any personal hygiene, poor people, and people that are as beautiful as any magazine photo.  I cannot say that there aren't any differences between them. That is not true.  They are different.  BUT, the way I feel when I think of each face that goes with these people, fills me with the same feeling of love and care for each.  That, is what is not different.  I'm not suggesting that I am immune to judging others, loving many doesn't cure me of that.  Although, I wish that I could be cured, because I see no reason behind this unfortunate habit in our society. The awful habit that exists in me.

Each person has a different story, a different background, and a combination of experiences that no other person has had.  Even individuals with the same parents have unique stories.  People do bad things, some do good things.  Some are so obnoxious with their interests, their actions, or their opinions, but they are THEIRS.  We are not required to BE them or even AGREE with them, just LOVE them. Just love.  Love. Take the time to love them.

I'm not intending to preach, only share.  I needed an outlet for all of these thoughts and emotions that have felt bottled up all week.  None of this is new to me, but the ideas seem refreshed as though I will need to be open to this type of situation in the near future.

Week 12

Haven't Given Up. . .Yet

It may seem as though I have given up on my photo a day scrapping.  Not so.  I was just so mesmerized by my new niece that I completely neglected taking a photo of the moment.  I had to wait until I got a picture of her before I finalized my pages.  SO, make sure to take an extra look at the sweet little lady on Thursday the 17th. 

Week 10

It was a crazy week around here.  Please see Tuesday's photo/comment for more details.  I was hurrying to eat and get on my way to my Smile for a Lifetime board meeting.  We choose 9 lucky youth to receive orthodontic care at no charge!  This is a wonderful program and if you or someone you know may be in need of this type of service PLEASE nominate them!

Coleman Orthodontics - Smile for a Lifetime

Week 9 - Getting Caught Up!

It's been a crazy couple of weeks and I've realized if I don't catch up now.  I never will.  

I'm just going to say it now. . .my poor family and co-workers got to see me at my worst this week.  I recently read a post where one of my friends just vented, it was honest true venting and she wasn't ashamed to share it with the world. Without shame,I'll tell you all now, I was stressed.  I wasn't sure that I could keep on going.  I couldn't do all the requirements of my job, I couldn't be what my husband needed me to be and put undue stress on him as he was preparing for a job interview, I wasn't a fun mom for Benson and my students didn't get taught like they deserve. I had to ask for help and I had to apologize, more than I wanted to.  It was ugly, but also humbling.  I have good and forgiving friends and family.  Thank You. Really.  Thank you.