Edith Lovejoy Pierce wrote, "We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. This book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day."
How appropriate for me as I begin a new adventure and a new year on January 3, 2011. I'm nervous, scared, worried but mostly, excited, thrilled and full of hope! In the last twenty four years that I have been in the business world and held several jobs, I have never felt this anxious or excited. I feel like a kid again, beginning the first day of school, maybe because I am starting my first day at school, only as the teacher. Will the kids like me? Will I be able to teach them? Help them? Get them excited to learn? Will I remember everything I have learned about being a teacher? Will I get along with the other teachers? Will they help me? So many unknowns.
So, I will open my book called Opportunity and begin to write. I am sure there will be scary moments, disappointments, frustrations but I know that they will be balanced by the wonderful moments, successes and delights!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
My Marine!
My Marine!
Cole had his first Navy Ball last weekend. He was asked to join the Honor Guard a month or so ago and received the priviledge of being the "sword guy" (my term not the official one). He practiced and practiced so his execution would be perfect. Although he was nervous, I received word it was flawless (Moms don't go to these things). But his beautiful girlfriend, Sarah, did...
I have always loved a man in a uniform! Doesn't he look handsome?!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Life is full of unexpected twists and turns!
On September 14, 1990, I married the most amazing, sweet (I know guys hate that word), generous, loving and kind man. As we approached our 20th wedding anniversary this year, we made plans to celebrate it big.
We hadn't been away just the two of us since before Cole was born, over 19 years ago!
First, we were going to go to Costa Rica for our 20th but then with the economy and changes in our health insurance, it was no longer a financial possibility. So, we decided we would go away for a week--we thought a play in St. George would be nice, but it is a busy time of year for me and getting a whole week off would be difficult. Next, we decided we would just head for the weekend to our favorite close desination, Park City. We had the weekend all planned, the kids had rides to their various weekend activities and an older brother who said he would come home from school to keep them company. Then, the Thursday before the Friday we were leaving, my boss told me I had to work the weekend to help others get their budgets finished (mine were already done). So, being the kind man that he is, Eric rescheduled our weekend away for a week later.
Last year with both of us in school working on masters, full-time work, three teenage kids and everything else, we both knew we needed a little time away so we were really looking forward to two nights in Park City. Here is where life takes an unexpected turn: On Saturday night, my father-in-law collapsed suddenly from a heart attack. Thankfully, we were there and I immediately began CPR but unfortunately he was already gone. I never thought working overtime could be a blessing but had we followed through with our plans, Eric's mom and my two teenagers would have been the only ones at home.
Our 20th anniversary got pre-empted by funeral arrangements, viewing and a funeral but we can't plan the direction of our lives. I should remember since I hadn't planned to get married 20 years ago either. Eric pre-empted my well-thought out plan for my life and I am so thankful he did.
Who knows, maybe we will get our time away together someday!
We hadn't been away just the two of us since before Cole was born, over 19 years ago!
First, we were going to go to Costa Rica for our 20th but then with the economy and changes in our health insurance, it was no longer a financial possibility. So, we decided we would go away for a week--we thought a play in St. George would be nice, but it is a busy time of year for me and getting a whole week off would be difficult. Next, we decided we would just head for the weekend to our favorite close desination, Park City. We had the weekend all planned, the kids had rides to their various weekend activities and an older brother who said he would come home from school to keep them company. Then, the Thursday before the Friday we were leaving, my boss told me I had to work the weekend to help others get their budgets finished (mine were already done). So, being the kind man that he is, Eric rescheduled our weekend away for a week later.
Last year with both of us in school working on masters, full-time work, three teenage kids and everything else, we both knew we needed a little time away so we were really looking forward to two nights in Park City. Here is where life takes an unexpected turn: On Saturday night, my father-in-law collapsed suddenly from a heart attack. Thankfully, we were there and I immediately began CPR but unfortunately he was already gone. I never thought working overtime could be a blessing but had we followed through with our plans, Eric's mom and my two teenagers would have been the only ones at home.
Our 20th anniversary got pre-empted by funeral arrangements, viewing and a funeral but we can't plan the direction of our lives. I should remember since I hadn't planned to get married 20 years ago either. Eric pre-empted my well-thought out plan for my life and I am so thankful he did.
Who knows, maybe we will get our time away together someday!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Hey, folks--I really do know the reality!
I have been working in our local elementary school with both a second grade and fifth grade class. I have been doing what is described as pre-clinical experiences before I begin my internship in January.
This has allowed me to meet some amazing teachers and some not so great ones as well. Upon my initial meeting with some of them, I have been surprised by this response, "Really, you want to be a teacher?!" I think the reason I am so surprised is because I am obviously an older student even for a masters degree. I am not some starry-eyed, naive twenty-something, who thinks she can change the world through teaching. I have gray hair, folks! I have battled the school district in an effort to do what is best for my chronically ill son and I have gone the rounds with some teachers when a situation has required me to intervene for one of my children. I know there are some teachers, schools and administrators who really want children to succeed and I have seen some of the same who seem to do everything in their power (with glee) to watch them fail. Hey, folks--I really do know the reality of teaching!
So, yes, I really want to teach and here is the reason why: Kids are the most amazing people on earth! From the youngest baby to the newly cynical teens, they continue to delight and intrigue me. They are filled with such vibrancy, curiousity, and challenge. Can I change the world teaching? No, but I can make the world a little better and open some doors for one child (or more if I am lucky)!
Nothing in this world is more exciting than to see a baby, a toddler, child or teen discover something new! Sit and watch them one day--you will see why I want to teach!
This has allowed me to meet some amazing teachers and some not so great ones as well. Upon my initial meeting with some of them, I have been surprised by this response, "Really, you want to be a teacher?!" I think the reason I am so surprised is because I am obviously an older student even for a masters degree. I am not some starry-eyed, naive twenty-something, who thinks she can change the world through teaching. I have gray hair, folks! I have battled the school district in an effort to do what is best for my chronically ill son and I have gone the rounds with some teachers when a situation has required me to intervene for one of my children. I know there are some teachers, schools and administrators who really want children to succeed and I have seen some of the same who seem to do everything in their power (with glee) to watch them fail. Hey, folks--I really do know the reality of teaching!
So, yes, I really want to teach and here is the reason why: Kids are the most amazing people on earth! From the youngest baby to the newly cynical teens, they continue to delight and intrigue me. They are filled with such vibrancy, curiousity, and challenge. Can I change the world teaching? No, but I can make the world a little better and open some doors for one child (or more if I am lucky)!
Nothing in this world is more exciting than to see a baby, a toddler, child or teen discover something new! Sit and watch them one day--you will see why I want to teach!
Friday, August 6, 2010
It's those little things that make a difference!
I got a phone call from Cole yesterday morning. Besides wanting to share his college experiences and tell me about his roommates, he needed his shirts I had taken to the cleaners for his girlfriend's sister's wedding on Friday. He wanted to know with his very full schedule how he could get back out to West Jordan to pick them up and still get enough sleep and study before his 7AM flight on Friday morning. As you know, Friday is my day off after working four-10 to 12 hour days. I told him between Syd's physical therapy appointment, my hair appointment and other various errands that I would pick up his shirts and drive them to the flight ops center to leave them in his car along with some toliet paper, Q-tips and cable he needed for his dorm. It was out of my way but I had great company, Charlie and Syd came along. We visited, laughed and shared during the drive (we even stopped and had lunch on the way). We didn't see Cole, just leaving the items in his car (I have a spare key, we didn't break in).
I got a phone call from Cole about 3:30 this afternoon. He had just finished with his classes at the flight ops center, changed his clothes and was driving to Layton for the wedding. He just wanted to thank me for taking care of his shirts and helping to relieve some of his stress.
See, I told you, it's those little things that make a difference! Do I have great kids or what?
I got a phone call from Cole about 3:30 this afternoon. He had just finished with his classes at the flight ops center, changed his clothes and was driving to Layton for the wedding. He just wanted to thank me for taking care of his shirts and helping to relieve some of his stress.
See, I told you, it's those little things that make a difference! Do I have great kids or what?
Thursday, August 5, 2010
The only thing that is constant is CHANGE!
We have had a summer of changes in our home!
Cole is now moved into the dorms at college and started classes on August 2. He will attend his ROTC orientation at Camp Williams in the middle of August and prepare to play lacrosse with his college team. It has been so different since he moved out although he is still sweet enough to call his mom and share his day with her.
Syd finished her last year of elementary school and will start junior high at the end of this month. She has grown up so quickly but I love having her at this age--we share so many fun things now. This week she has been at a lacrosse camp, where the coaches recognized her incredible talent and moved her up to challenge her skills with the high school girls. Last week she went to her first girls camp and experienced the ups and downs of camping with a bunch of girls ages 12-17. Syd had a run in with a branch, ending up with a black eye but she enjoyed the experience.
Charlie will begin his first year as a high school student. He is growing taller everyday and only has about 1/2 inch left to reach his dad's height. His diabetes is still a challenge for us all but he is a real trooper and together we don't let it defeat him. Charlie has also been at lacrosse camp this week and has loved having a lacrosse pro show him how to improve his game. He is preparing to try out for the high school team and although his brother played on the varsity team all four years, Charlie is hoping to get on a team that will give him maximum play time because he loves to play! He is slowly moving out of his smaller bedroom and into Cole's larger one--Cole won't recognize any space as his since he moved out.
Eric is taking on different responsibilities at work with a new title of Epidemiologist. With his master's degree finished, he should have more time but he just fills it up with projects around the house and of course, doing things for me, the kids and our parents. His garden is struggling to produce veggies this year but it looks great! Together we are learning to adjust to our ever-changing roles as parents---it is definitely different to have a child move away.
I am speeding quickly towards my internship and master's thesis. I just began my term before my internship, which I will take a leave of absence from my full-time job to do January through March of next year. My thesis will be researched during this time and written in the term following. My girls' lacrosse team had an undefeated spring season and I was sad to see it end. Most of my girls will move up to the next age division so I am recruiting players for my fall season, which begins at the end of this month. I love coaching these girls and developing their love of lacrosse! My work continues to be an on-going sea of change with budget cuts and politics galore. Somedays I love the challenge but on others, I just want to hide.
So, you see, change is the constant in our lives! Life is meant for living and we are doing that to the fullest!
Cole is now moved into the dorms at college and started classes on August 2. He will attend his ROTC orientation at Camp Williams in the middle of August and prepare to play lacrosse with his college team. It has been so different since he moved out although he is still sweet enough to call his mom and share his day with her.
Syd finished her last year of elementary school and will start junior high at the end of this month. She has grown up so quickly but I love having her at this age--we share so many fun things now. This week she has been at a lacrosse camp, where the coaches recognized her incredible talent and moved her up to challenge her skills with the high school girls. Last week she went to her first girls camp and experienced the ups and downs of camping with a bunch of girls ages 12-17. Syd had a run in with a branch, ending up with a black eye but she enjoyed the experience.
Charlie will begin his first year as a high school student. He is growing taller everyday and only has about 1/2 inch left to reach his dad's height. His diabetes is still a challenge for us all but he is a real trooper and together we don't let it defeat him. Charlie has also been at lacrosse camp this week and has loved having a lacrosse pro show him how to improve his game. He is preparing to try out for the high school team and although his brother played on the varsity team all four years, Charlie is hoping to get on a team that will give him maximum play time because he loves to play! He is slowly moving out of his smaller bedroom and into Cole's larger one--Cole won't recognize any space as his since he moved out.
Eric is taking on different responsibilities at work with a new title of Epidemiologist. With his master's degree finished, he should have more time but he just fills it up with projects around the house and of course, doing things for me, the kids and our parents. His garden is struggling to produce veggies this year but it looks great! Together we are learning to adjust to our ever-changing roles as parents---it is definitely different to have a child move away.
I am speeding quickly towards my internship and master's thesis. I just began my term before my internship, which I will take a leave of absence from my full-time job to do January through March of next year. My thesis will be researched during this time and written in the term following. My girls' lacrosse team had an undefeated spring season and I was sad to see it end. Most of my girls will move up to the next age division so I am recruiting players for my fall season, which begins at the end of this month. I love coaching these girls and developing their love of lacrosse! My work continues to be an on-going sea of change with budget cuts and politics galore. Somedays I love the challenge but on others, I just want to hide.
So, you see, change is the constant in our lives! Life is meant for living and we are doing that to the fullest!
Friday, June 4, 2010
Celebrate accomplishments!
This week was an ending and a beginning of accomplishments. Cole graduated from Bingham High School on June 3. It was the ending of thirteen years of books, homework, assignments, projects, research, dances, games, activities and friends. He was one of 176 students from Bingham who were awarded enhanced diplomas. Cole's enhancements were for extraordinary achievements in Social Studies, Health and English/Literature. You can't see it in this photo because of the money lei but he was awarded cords to wear at graduation. He was also one of the many students contributing to the overall $4 million worth of scholarships. His scholarships total almost $500,000 although he will only be using one. We are so proud of Cole and all his accomplishments. He has had struggles and challenges but he never gave up.
While this is the end of this chapter in his life, it is also the beginning. Cole will have more books, homework, assignments, projects, research, dances, games, activities and friends. New adventures, challenges and accomplishments await him as he begins college.
Celebrate every accomplishment in life!
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