Filled With Joy

Today is Collin's birthday. It is also the last day of school, and even though that is a great blessing, Collin is even bigger and greater blessing. He is so much fun. I have loved watching him grow up. He is all grown up now. He is kind. He is giving. He is hilarious. He is adventurous. He is smart. He is happy. He is talkative. He has a fantastic eye for nature photography. He is a joy! Love you, Bud! (Collin doesn't have any pictures of himself. However, I LOVE his photography, so I'll include two of his latest."

I love this kid with every cell of my body. Lil' Kenny, as I like to call him, has been a great blessing in my life. I love how he enjoys our house because of our video games, and my school because of our indoor playgrounds. We have so much fun together. Well, tonight after sixteen years of school, he graduated from North Fremont High. He got the biggest cheers, and was given a top ten spot. So proud of him.What a joy it is to know Kenny!

Today was graduation for South Fremont High. In the last three years, I have enjoyed watching my 2nd graders walk across the stage and get their diplomas. I get so teary-eyed because I love those kids. Once my "kid," always my "kid." I proudly beam in their accomplishment. Today, I especially enjoyed watching Justine, my adorable niece, walk the stage. She is adorable. She is kind. She is smart. She is going to do wonderful things.

The end of school brings lots of fun activities. We have three days of activities planned - Field Day, Bike Ride, and Roxy movie theater. There has been great joy in knowing that our cold, rainy, and windy weather gave way to beautiful sunny weather. Now we don't have to entertain these crazy children in our rooms. The end of school is so rough. If there was a way to not have a "last week" I'd be all for it.

These blossoms have been so beautiful this year. I finally decided to pause and enjoy this spectacular crab apple. Just standing there, admiring, I noticed the intricate details of the individual blossoms. Then I heard the humming of hundreds of bees doing their work. I'm grateful for those few moments to pause and enjoy.

Today, at the JCC, the students were exceptionally excited about clapping. It was such a fun, peaceful, happy environment that I don't think they could contain themselves. Some of the kids have told us that they just like coming because it feels different when they arrive. One student told us it is the most peaceful he has ever felt. He comes every week. Today, a friend of ours who works at the JCC, told me about a girl who has completely changed because of her time at "first church" (that is what it is called by the kids). We can only hope that our hour together each week brings them some joy now, and hopefully later. It certainly brings us joy.

Wedding crafting. This is a new adventure. Kenna, Collin, and I spent a significant amount of time in Hobby Lobby today looking at flowers, glitter, ribbon, and a whole lot of other stuff, getting ideas. We then went to DI to find mismatched vases for centerpieces. We decided to give the idea a whirl when we got home. We had so much fun, and it worked so well, that we did them all before we even knew it. We like them. She also picked a date, once she was able to get in touch with Justin who is currently in Vietnam. August 9th is coming soon. I felt great joy today when I realized that I don't have to worry about that master's on top of the wedding.

We don't have school today. School isn't canceled because of Memorial Day, either. It is canceled because of the Fisherman's Breakfast. This morning I had a phone interview with a person from John Hopkins University. It is about a program we are using effectively at our school. I had to explain why we were out. Explaining the breakfast was even more odd than explaining Potato Harvest. It made me laugh. (Do I think the harvest break is a sound educational decision? No. But, the break is nice.) There is joy in the little chuckles, or inquisitive sighs, of the explanation.  I love the little traditions of our town.

Early this morning, at about 7:30, I received a notification that said my last assignment had passed. Oh the joy!!! I'm finished. I completed my entire master's in less than nine months. It isn't just mine. My family has been a big part of the process. My husband, Trent, has done EVERYTHING around the house. He has supported, encouraged, and cheered me on. My kids have been my cheerleaders - especially when I felt dumb and computer illiterate. My extended family were on the sidelines cheering me and helping me feel like this nearly-fifty year old brain could learn new tricks. It wasn't just me. It was all of us. Thank you team!

Each year the EMS team from the county comes to teach the 2nd graders about bike, car, and water safety. It always comes before our big 2nd grade bike ride. They usually have one or two bikes to give away. This year they had four bikes - one for each class. The students had to color a picture and the best picture was chosen. This student from my class, Noah, was chosen. He was soooo excited. He almost cried. His mom was thrilled. It filled me with joy to see him so happy. Way to go, Noah!

Last assignment handed in! Woot woot!! I’m so excited. Now I must patiently wait for the evaluation process to conclude. Joy is seeing the finish line just out of reach, and sitting on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, watching TV, because I don't have homework to do.

I love this pot-of-gold plant. At least that is what I've called it forever. Last year I cut it into fourths and threw three-fourths away. I worried it would be unhappy this year. It wasn't. It is much better than before. It always brings such a pretty color to our drab little front yard. It was the first thing that caught my eye as I walked home today. It made me happy. Spring is awesome - cold, but awesome.

These are the future butterflies of room 306. I’ve done more research this year. The most interesting thing I’ve learned is that the metamorphosis of the caterpillar is very painful. But the promise of that pain is a beautiful outcome. There is a good lesson in there for me. Joy comes in learning life lessons.  Endure this life well, though hard as it may be, and emerge as something way better than you started.

President Hinckley had so many uplifting quotes. I used to read them all the time. Today I came across this one. It is one of my favorites. Sometimes I get very bogged down with the daily struggles. I often feel such a weight that I don't know if I can take another breath. This quote lifted that weight and I was able to see the joy around me again. I will read it again and again and again, as many times as needed. Things always work out.

I love these people in this picture (even Sarah, the bride that I don't know very well because she loves Garett.) These are all my "kids" and today Garett got married. Last night they held Garett's bachelor party at my house doing what they do best - laughing, talking, and watching TV. It is a beautiful thing watching them grow up, but it is also hard. I'm so grateful that the extra two kids came along. They have always been a source of joy in our home.

There are somethings that have made my teaching much easier in the last year. One is this entire class set of Chromebooks that we use daily. It is not necessary to try to squeeze into a computer lab spot, schedule testing around an entire school, or try to get required minutes on required programs anymore. They live in my room. They are available anytime. They are sturdy and manageable. They are delightful and bring me teacher joy. (I've also learned a lot about working out computer kinks. That is a good thing, too.)

Today was MYOD (make your own dinner) night. I decided to have my favorite comfort junk food. I love Kraft Mac ‘n Cheese. I also love hotdogs. Combine the two and I am in heaven. My taste buds felt great joy. One day every once in awhile this hits the spot.

I’m not one for gadgets but these airpods are intriguing and my headphones were causing me issues. So, when my sweet SIL gave me an apple gift card I had to try them out. They are fun and comfy and have great sound and are just what the reviews (positive ones) said. I was so worried that I would hate them. They were a lot of money for something I hated. Instead, I love them. Joy in comfortable exercising. Also, tomorrow is haircut day and hair coloring day. That is joyous, too.

I love raspberries. I even love picking them. But, I despise cleaning them out in the spring. They scratch your arms; poke you in the eyes; and produce multiple splinters no matter how thick your gloves are. I put the job off as long as I can. But, when they are clean and trim they look so nice. There is great joy in a dreaded job accomplished. Bring on July!

These people made me a mom. It is the hardest and most rewarding job ever. I love them with all my heart, and some days I want to strangle them with all my strength. What a blessing it has been to be there mom and watch them grow up. They have grown to be wonderful adults, despite my mothering.

I I couldn’t decide between two joyful moments to share today. One was the joy that comes when a dreaded job is accomplished. The other was the joy that comes from a moment of pure happiness. I went with the latter. Our first of many hotdog roasts around the fire pit. It was the perfect evening. I’ll  share the other at another time. I’ll be enjoying it for a long time.

My students were given the assignment of researching a dinosaur, creating a poster, and then presenting their research to the class. I have two students that NEVER do their homework. Today, one of those students arrived with his poster completed. He had done the work on his own. I almost cried for joy when he stood up because he was soooo very proud. The whole class cheered when he finished. He just beamed.

This is a ball of Buddy hair that I will not have to vacuum out of the carpet. I brushed the dog outside because it was warm enough. This pile is about a foot in diameter and just as tall. This was 15 minutes worth. This is why I am grateful for that vacuum I mentioned two days ago. There is great joy in knowing that all this hair is in the garbage can. I'm not sure that Buddy found any joy in the process.

This may be an ordinary lawn flag to some, but to me it is a little plastic banner of joy. We hired a company to make our yard look better. It is guaranteed. I hope it helps. Our grass is a mess. I don't think the right type of grass was planted for this area, or the right type of bugs love the delicious roots and greens we provide them with. Either way, this is the summer for improvement! One application and I am already giddy with excitement.

A couple years ago, Collin and Kenna felt sorry for me and our ridiculously unproductive, unhelpful, overly heavy vacuum. (Or they were sick of lugging that thing around.) For our anniversary they bought us a new one. I cannot say enough about how much I love it. It has brought joy back into crawling on the floor, picking up a dropped item, and the sight of the carpet. Today as I was vacuuming I thought about how much I love it. I probably should name it. P.S. Look at the hair in that canister. You may be thinking, "She should vacuum more often." I do. I vacuum EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. That is one day's worth of dog hair. Buddy is a hairy beast.

There is great joy when something you have been teaching all year suddenly clicks with students. I have been teaching all year that to check your work just do the opposite operation. Check an addition problem with a subtraction. Check a subtraction with an addition. ALL YEAR LONG! Well, today I was teaching a math fact strategy called "add to subtract" which just means you turn 13-6= into ? + 6 = 13. All of a sudden the light bulbs started flickering and then "I didn't know we could do that" and "that is so cool" and "its like magic" statements rang out. At first I was shocked. Why was this cool and all year long it hadn't been cool. Then I decided to embrace the joy and just go with it. Yep, it is cool. Finally after eight months, it is cool. P.S. This is possibly my most favorite video I have ever seen on YouTube. I watch/show it every year. It seemed to apply to today's math moment. Most days I wonder if I am Mr. John.

A beautiful Sunday walk along the river on this amazingly perfect spring day with these young ladies. That was where I found one of the many moments of peace and joy .

I am a closet Star Wars lover. I didn't see the movies as a kid. I was introduced as an adult, after I got married. I LOVE them. In fact, I plan to have a Star Wars marathon after my Masters degree is completed. Today is May the 4th, also known as Star Wars Day. I have always wanted to have a Star Wars party on this day, but I don't think my family would like it as much as I do. Today I was excited to see that Heathrow Airport got into the spirit of the day by posting these flights on their departures board. It brought my joy to see that even serious things can be fun. I chuckled right out loud. May the fourth be with you!

I love when I accomplish many things in a day. Today wasn't one of them. However, I did create a project that my students are going to be so excited about. I'm trying to incorporate more cross curricular activities into our reading program. This week we are going to be reading about a dog that dug for dinosaur bones, and the students will be researching and reporting on a dinosaur. I created this poster, after learning about a Troodon (and being grateful I will never have to meet one). It turned out great and simple. Simple fun brings me joy.

I was surprised to arrive home and find this guy here. Collin has come home from college two days early. The summer adventures can now begin! Joy in having him here. Joy in what he has accomplished and learned this year (new pathways never thought of before). Joy in the pine trees he has missed so much.

Today is May 1st. It is FREEZING cold outside. So, it seemed like the perfect day to make banana muffins because my bananas were RIPE (maybe beyond ripe). I threw them into the oven and then went to the gym. When I came home, it smelled like warmth. The muffins were warm and are delicious and my tummy is definitely filled with joy now. I rarely eat passed 7 p.m. but for these beauts I did. Sometimes I bake, and when I do I am always joyful.