Filled With Joy

This is a Facebook post that I don't ever expect to see again during my teaching career. This is a first. This month has been especially hard on our students at school. (Not my class. No one has been sick - no cough, no fever, no sniffle.) So, they closed down school for the day. The teachers, and all that work at  the school, will have a cleaning day tomorrow. Disinfecting wipes are being bought even as we speak. See ya later germs! Also, we get a catch-up day. Wow!!! So much joy. Also, I hope it helps. Plus, parents need to keep their kids at home when they are sick. That is a soap-box not meant for this blog.

Indoor recess! The sound of it can make teachers quiver with dread and fear. But, not me. I turn on GoNoodle, which is a website that has all kinds of awesome brain break activities, moving activities, and 15 minutes of solid dance-jumping-balancing-singing activities. These activities are called "Indoor Recess" and the kids like them. Today it was -10. We had to stay in. I was laughing so hard while the kids did "Wobbly Man." Good stuff. It was a blast!

Sometimes, while walking to school, I look for things that bring me joy. This morning the sky was so blue-ish and clear. The moon and these two stars were so bright. I also saw a hint of sun rising about the horizon. The clear sky meant below-zero temperatures but, the hint of sun meant it won't be too long before I will be walking in lightness instead of darkness. Hooray for signs of spring! (Yes, I know where I live. And, yes, I know that spring arrives here in late May.) 😉

Calculators! Who knew such old technology could bring such happiness. While studying about the learning and teaching of mathematics, for my Master's, I read about calculators and how they can help build students' number sense. I was intrigued by this and did a little more study. My experience with calculators, in school, was to try to cheat the system and get the answer without doing much work. Sometimes it worked but usually it didn't. I'm pretty big on teaching number strategies and number sense so I thought it would be fun to get a class set. I wrote a grant and a it was funded. So, my classroom received 30 nice, but simple, calculators. We have used them for counting, spelling (you know 0.1134 upside down.), and lots and lots of calculations. We have raced the calculator while practicing math facts, and it has all be great. But, this past week we started working on SUBTRACTION. It is a pretty intimidating concept for 2nd graders. It takes a lot of work and e...

Today was Sunday. I really like Sundays. I love my calling to serve at the JCC. There is a special spirit there that I haven't felt anywhere else. I look forward to going there every week. Today I decided that after our JCC church meetings I would go to our own ward Relief Society. It was fun to be there and see some of my friends that I don't get to see anymore. I'm going to try to become more of the ward again. Since serving at the JCC we have lost a lot of that connection. Another favorite thing about Sundays is the time I get to spend just hanging out with my family. We take naps, watch movies, chat, and sometimes visit family. We also prepare dinner together. Today, Trent fixed dinner while I prepped lunches for the week. (That is eleven salad jars for three people.) This was new and kind of fun. I a made mess and Trent cleaned it up. He is always cleaning up after me. He is a good husband. I dare say that he is the best! I couldn't choose just one joyful th...

I love fog. Fog is unusual so we don't have to deal with it often. I like how the trees and bushes are covered in a white coat of frost when there is fog. Today we made a quick trip to Idaho Falls. There was fog the entire way. I kept looking at all the frost on everything and wishing that I had a magnifying glass with me to get an up close look at each individual crystal. I thought it was beautiful.

McKenna is in Hawaii with Justin's family. She went snorkeling in murky water while other people were watching sea turtles. I don't know if she saw the sea turtles. She didn't say. But, she did send a picture of her view to our family text message. Of course she didn't intend to make us jealous. haha Right after that, Katy, at her desk, while at work, sent a picture of her view. The snow has fallen off the roof right outside her window. She didn't want it to make us jealous, either. That is a lot of snow! The family text messages make me happy. I'm so glad our kids are such good friends. And, they are funny!

Every once in awhile, and it is very seldom, I like to play hooky from school. I never did as a kid, so now I do. One of my favorite reasons to skip is to head out into the woods with this lovely lady. Susan is sister in law. But, I prefer calling her my sister. She is so much fun and helps me to be adventurous. Today we headed up to the Bear Gulch area where a recent snowstorm had dumped massive amounts of snow on the trails. I chose to snowshoe rather than ski this year. We trudge along until we were tired than sat in the snow overlooking the Warm River and ate our lunch, provided by Susan. It was wonderful. This day deserves two pictures.

The sound of kids laughing bring me a lot of joy. I remember the first time I heard Collin truly giggle and it nearly melted my heart. It is a very happy sound. When kids giggle because they are genuinely happy, the world seems better. Today, some DJs from a radio station came to our school to read to the 2nd grade because my class was chosen to be part of their Book Club. I was a little skeptical because we had two "not so good" celebrity parties with the news station previously. Well, this was nothing like that. These two DJs and a State Patrolman we so much fun. The students were laughing so much. Thank you 105.5 The Hawk for making us laugh and including us in your Book Club. Have you ever read The Book With No Pictures ? It is funny. Having it read to you by someone who has read it enough times to make it perfection is hysterical!

The twins have been talking about the movie “Bohemian Rhapsody” for weeks. The first time they saw it, Adri burst into our room, at midnight, full of questions about Queen and the 80s. She was so excited to tell us all about it. Tonight I watched it with Katy. It was good. I found joy on the couch watching what she was excited to show me. It made me think of how we all need to help each other in this life. We can’t make it on our own. Also, today is Cristy's birthday. She is my buddy at the gym and here in St. Anthony. She moved here and it could be one of the greatest St. Anthony moments of our entire family's lives. She makes the best cinnamon rolls. She can bake anything. She will do anything for anyone at anytime. I need to be more like her. So, happy birthday to Cristy! You are a good person.

One word - Pass. One number - 2. One color - green. Single things that bring me such joy. Pass, the only word after submitting my one and only test in my Master's program. Two, the number of credits that pass gave me and a total of eighteen. Green, the color that the course turns to on my degree plan when the pass is accepted by the WGU. Happy day! Happy day! Happy day! (I'm sure it was absolutely ridiculous of me to put this much stress into the test but I did. No going back. Learn from it and move on.)

There are many things that bring me joy on this day. It is my birthday. That is a joyful reason to be happy. We traveled to and from Price safely. McKenna and Justin traveled safely from Big Sky. They are going to Logan right now and I am praying for that safety. We spent a couple days with my parents. That is fun. But, I think the thing that brought me the most joy was this snowblower. The snow in the driveway, after the street was plowed, was very big, very wet, and very difficult to remove. But, this snowblower came through like a champ and cleared it all up. No tears.Trent then went about clearing a few of the neighbors' driveways. He is good!

Today Trent, my parents, and I traveled to Price, Utah to watch Collin cheer at a USU Eastern basketball game. I love that boy. He is a man. He was just given a full-ride scholarship to cheer. This was not in his plan, ever. But, it is helping him reach a goal. Having your college paid for is a big deal. Joy is found in seeing your children accomplish their dreams. Way to go Collin!

Today I realized that I am quite happy that our school year is now half over. I have great kids in my class that have helped me become a better teacher, but we have had some struggles that have been exhausting. Many of the trials have come through new programs that are given to us without any instruction. So here is to appreciating where we have been and accepting the direction we are headed.  Both are good.

I love my little school. Aside from a few days this year, I can honestly say that I walk in everyday thrilled to be there. I really enjoy the teachers, paras, administration, and support we have at our school. I’m so grateful to be a teacher. This is a job that brings me joy.

I PASSED! That simple phrase brings me great joy. I have been working on a class. It is all about research. Research is beyond my comfort zone. All the vocabulary has been rattling around in my brain. I have been so intimidated by the prospect of not passing the test that I have done nothing. Finally, I decided that I needed to stop over thinking it and start doing it. So I have. It is after this pre-assessment, I'm feeling better. I'm going to be okay. I have scheduled the assessment and will get it done.

Not everything about teaching school is glamorous or exciting. For instance, bodily fluids aren't that awesome. Constant tattling is not cool. But, once a month I get to do something that I love. It is called Bus Duty. I'm not even being sarcastic here. I really do enjoy it. When I have busy duty I am the first person to welcome the students to a new school day. I am the first one to smile at them, encourage them, and give them a pep talk. They, in return, make me happy to be a teacher at our little school. Bonus: I get to see these awesome sunrises.

This dog has been a roller coaster.  He didn't start out bringing joy. Well, maybe he did. We adopted him, hoping to improve his life. That made us all happy. Then he tore the entire house apart. That was not joyful. Then he learned to trust us and feel less stress when left alone. That was a happy time. Then he starting biting people. That was difficult. Then we learned how to deal with that. Other bumps have come. But, this dog has become such a good buddy. He is a faithful companion. He loves his family. He makes all of us happy.

Not today's dinner but I forgot to take a picture.  My family. Once a month my family - parents, sisters and spouses, children, nieces, and nephews - get to together for dinner. It is loud and chaotic. It is all of us sharing a meal and laughing. There are so many conversations going on at the same time. People pop in and out of several all at one time. Kids are running up and down the stairs and halls. Grandpa is trying to hear everything. Grandma is fussing around to make everything just right and keep all in attendance happy. It is a great time. I adore all of these people. Erikson Family Dinners fill me with joy!

I am a very cold warm-blooded human. I get cold and stay cold for a very long time - pretty much November to May. But, I have discovered something that is helping. This little portable heater. I just drag it around to wherever I am and within a few moments I am toasty warm and the chill begins to leave my body. It can warm a room in just a few minutes. I can use it in one room without raising the temperature all over the house which makes the family happy since they are warm warm-blooded humans. This little guy is definitely helping me find joy on these very cold January days.

These kids. I love them. I can't say that every minute has been filled with joy, but even during the difficult teenage years there has always been an understanding that they are good and a treasure from heaven. We are so proud of each of them. They are all different and add a unique piece to our puzzle making us complete. I love being able to chat with each one. Today it was all four. That makes my momma heart swell. (They don't like this picture but I do. It is all four of them sitting in a favorite conversation spot in the house, doing what they do best - conversing, support, and loving each other.)

I never dreamed that this guy could bring me more joy than he did about 30 years ago at this time. But, he does. He is the greatest husband EVER. I aspire to be like him someday. He is so unselfish and continually thinking of how to help others. I have been telling my coworkers how great he is lately - again, and one of them said, "He'll probably show up today with a Vanilla Coke, or flowers, or Big J's pizza," referring to the great surprises he brings to school. And, within about 10 minutes, Trent came beeboppin' down the hall with a Vanilla Coke. My coworker saw him long before I did and about died. I didn't. I was grateful and joyous that he and I will be together forever. He is the BEST! and I am truly blessed to have him in my life.

This is my sister Cristy. She lives in St. Anthony with us. Her family's presence has made living here even better. I think they have been here for about ten years. It could be even more. Cristy is my gym buddy, my neighbor, my summer walking buddy, my friend, and my crisis baker (she bakes for me when I get into a jam). She is also my extra pantry and I am hers. We help each other out and I love that. I'm so glad she is here. She, and her family, make me happy!

Joy is in being a warm and safe place for friends to land when they need a temporary home. McKenna's friend, Ligia, has been skiing in various states for about a month. She has been spending the nights, and some very cold days, in her car. She has equipped it with a bed, sleeping bag, and the necessities to make it through the cold. But, after spending several days in Jackson Hole, she needed a break from that life and we were a place she felt comfortable coming to. We were so happy to catch up with her and talk of her crazy adventures. She will be back and we are thrilled!

Joy is in working toward fulfilling a dream. Colin Powell said, "A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work." I set out to achieve a dream in September. I began working on a Master's degree in Math Education. It has been a lot of hard work, some tears, enormous stretching, but a lot of learning. Math has always been a scary subject to me. I didn't do as well in math as I should have because I didn't think I could. I have been determined to not let my students feel that way. Math education has become my love at school. I'm so grateful that I have been given the opportunity to continue my education so I can better help my students. The first time I heard, "It takes a village," it was spoken by Hillary Clinton. I believe it takes a village to accomplish anything great. This degree is taking a village. My husband has been my biggest supporter, cheerleader, and helper. My kids, all in various states...

I find joy when I feast upon the words in the scriptures. The new Come, Follow Me program for individuals and families is such a blessing. I read the scriptures but I don't really "study" them because I don't know what to study. But, with the Come, Follow Me I am able to read, study, ponder, and write. It is great!

Years ago, my sister-in-law helped me to learn a great life lesson. I was reminded of it again, today, as we ate "Blender Cake" for Kenna's birthday. My very talented SIL had made a beautiful birthday cake for one of her children. She had placed it in the freezer, ahead of the party. When she went back to the freezer it toppled out and smashing into pieces all over the floor. Without skipping a beat, she picked it up, plopped it into the blender, and blended it all up with some ice cream. Blender Cake was born. My kids loved it. (I think it is disgusting but that isn't the point.) Though it wasn't the beauty that it once was, it still was just as delicious and has actually lived on  as a request on many birthdays since.  Our lives are like that a bit. We can create beautiful plans, work to follow them through, but unexpected events can change what is presented without warning. We have a choice. We can fall to pieces upon the floor with a mess, or we can move...

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows in to trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and ht storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn." - John Muir I love these mountains. They are majestic and remind me that God created this world to be enjoyed. When the air is cold, the ground is frozen, and the sky is clear they seem to be very close. They make me feel closer to the Creator who made them. Looking at them I have a "God loves me" moment. 

Two years ago I started going to the gym regularly. Up to this point I pretty much despised exercise. But, I also hated the way I felt and where I saw myself going. When Anytime Fitness opened in town I jumped at the chance. I found great exercise buddies in my sister and my husband. I love this place. I go once, and sometimes twice, a day. I am grateful that my body allows me to do what I live. A healthy body is not something to take for granted.

Snowshoeing today was a bit like poetry. Beautiful and rhythmic. Got me thinking of a John Keating (Dead Poets Society) quote: "But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. To quote Whitman, 'O me! O life!... of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the faithless... of cities filled with the foolish, what good amid these, O me, O life?' Answer. That you are here - that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?" Joy is in family and friends, and family that are friends. Joy is in this river that I have the privilege of living near.

A new year has brought a new idea. This blog is dedicated to the little moments of joy I feel. Life is hard and can be quite burdensome. The heft alone can feel almost crushing. I learned a long time ago that finding the positive in the simple and mundane routines can lift my soul and calm my troubles. My life isn't perfect. My life isn't easy. But, I am extremely blessed. These are the daily joys I find. This year did not start out as I anticipated. Because of that, I found myself having a lot of time to do some solitary thinking. Through a series of unexpected events, I realized how grateful I am for family that serves without thought, opportunities to serve, and peaceful moments to contemplate the blessings among the turmoil. It seems that when I am feeling the weight of my world, God sends a message of peace to calm my anxious soul. Grateful for this sunset tonight.