Filled With Joy

Whoa! Where did August go? Today summer really did end for me. A new season, "Canning" season, has begun. I helped with corn this morning, and then we used lots of produce from the garden to make 28 pints of salsa. There will be more of both to come. I'm grateful I know how to can because it tastes so much better than store bought. The girls helped me. We worked together to make the work light. Joy!

I love science. I love teaching science. However, I don't know as much as I should. I also don't have the knowledge to create lessons that are informative, meet the standards, and keep the students engaged. Somewhere along the way, I discovered Mystery Science. I think a fellow teacher shared it with me. It is a game changer. My kids love it. I love it. It does everything I need - standards, informative, and highly engaging. My students look forward to our Friday Afternoon STEAM. I look forward to it. Getting students excited about science brings me joy.

 The first full week of a school year is difficult. We don't have a true schedule. Groups aren't confirmed. We are still establishing routines. The kids are getting to know one another. They are testing me and each other. And, the honeymoon period ends and all the true colors show for the first time. It is exhausting. I was so tired after school today. Then I saw this quote by one of my favorite teacher groups online and thought, "There are other people out there that get it!" Being unfied in our struggles can be a sense of joy.

Our nephew Kendall is in my bro-in-law's shop class. Kendall really likes Tom. Who doesn't? He is pretty awesome. Today he left him this note, written on his classroom board. It didn't just bring joy to Tom, but it brightened my day, too. Oh that Kendall is awesome!!!

I bought some adorable shoes last spring on clearance. They were so comfortable. The key word is WERE. I have worn them out. Today I realized that they had to go. So, I headed to the sporting goods store to find the perfect shoe. I don't know how to find a perfect shoes, but I did find one that was quite comfy for the 32 seconds that I was able to wear them in the store. I'm sure that is a true determinate of a shoe that I will be wearing for 40-60 minutes of exercise daily. True joy came tonight as my feet felt like they had been walking on a cloud during my exercise session.

I love this shirt! People look at me crazy and then I explain it is just a family things. But, it always reminds me about the importance of continued learning. I love learning things. When I can't sleep I listen to podcasts. This weekend I learned about ventriliquism and horseshoe crab blood. Very interesting!!! I find a lot of joy in learing.

Ran to the school quickly to check the schedule for tomorrow. I just glanced at the cubbies. I love how organized they look at the beginning of the year when there are not coats, boots, or garbage to clutter it all. I'll cherish this picture all year. Beginning organization - joy!

Remembered the garden today after a two week memory lapse. I had grown GIANT cucumbers. They were too big for everything. So, I found a recipe for dill pickle relish. It was pretty easy. Tastes delicious. And, made our house smell like a pickle factory. Here's to not wasting. JOY!

Trent always sends flowers on the first day of school. Today is Friday - the third day of school. As I walked into the classroom this morning I saw these beauties brightening the room. He is the best. He brings me joy every single day!

I try to be very positive with the students in my classroom. It isn't always easy, and I sometimes go home exhausted just from holding all my less positive words in. I have been using this kangaroo behavior system for several years. As long as the students are keeping our classroom rules, they can stay in their own pockets. But, once they need help from the "momma" they go into the pocket I choose until they can show they are able to do it on their own again. This year I added in a few extras because I've learned from past years. It is still positive - always. Building students makes me happy and helps them find joy in school.

Not that it should matter, but it does. I saw this report about Idaho's reading scores today. What I loved was that 2nd grade was high. Our own 2nd grade started out below 50 percent proficient at the beginning of the year. By the end we were at 80 percent. We worked hard. That hard work paid off. That is joy!

Nope! No time for preparation today. So Many Meetings!!! The joy this day was found later when the students came for Back to School. They are so excited for school to start and are so eaer to show all of their new supplies and sparkly shoes. Their excitement makes me excited for tomorrow to come. Although I am more nervous than I have been in a very long time. You would think that after 15 years I wouldn't feel that way. But, I do.

There was no joy in Mudville today! Okay, I'm not in Mudville, and I searched hard for some joy. We had a training all day - 8:00-3:30. It was okay, but it wasn't worth the loss in hours in our classrooms preparing for students. The joy I found is that all of us, the teachers of District 215, are all behind and united in our desire to not have training on this day again. I'll have to work super hard tomorrow! Thank goodness there is a tomorrow to prepare.

I follow an Instagram and Facebook page called ComeFollowMeDaily. It has been a blessing. I have really appreciated reading her daily entries based upon the personal study guide of the Come Follow Me curriculum. It has been very helpful. Her insights have brought me much joy in studying (I need to do way more).

Went rock climbing with Collin, Adri, and Katy tonight. It was so much fun. I can't wait to go again. I think I could really fall in love with it. Building memories with my family brings joy into my life.

Today Trent and I went to Logan to bring some wedding gifts to Kenna and Justin, and to get away before school starts. We loved the leisure drive. We enjoyed our visit. We treasured the time together. But, mostly I felt great joy that Susan (and Mikey) made us soak our feet in the freezing cold water of this glacier stream at the end of the hike yesterday. I think that ice cold water saved me. In fact, they are the only part of my lower half that isn't in pain. The hike was still worth it, however.

There was no joy in the climb up The Face. However, the view is amazing - up and down and in between. I can believe the type of day we were blessed with for today's adventure. It was all perfect - the mountain, the company, the squashed sandwich, the views, and the joy of accomplishing something difficult without quitting. The joy comes in knowing you can do hard things.

Susan invited me to hike up Table Rock (Table Mountain officially) with her. I've invited my friend Stephanie. I'm so excited and looking forward to it. It is hard - miserably hard. But, I am so joyful that my body is healthy enough (could be better) and strong enough to make it. We will climb up The Face (red trail) and hike down Huckleberry (blue). The face is shorter but a killer of uphill climbing. The view will be spectacular. The anticipation is making this day drag on and on and on.

Today I took Grandma Grant, at the age of 84, to get her ears pierced. She is so spunky and fun. It was our first time in a tatoo parlor. We had so much fun giggling. Grandma planned a great prank for Grandpa. She is also sassy! The twins and I talked about what a joy it was to be part of this adventure today - and to have her in our lives.

Now that the wedding is over, I'm back to school. I'm grateful that I have time to get my classroom prepared in a way that I feel comfortable to walk when I walk in. That makes me happy. One week to go before another adventure begins.

My gardening philosophy is always, "The prophet said to plant a garden, so that's what I'll do. He didn't say I had to get anything out of it." It helps me feel better when things don't grow. This year, things are growing. I'm so overjoyed. In fact, we ate zucchini, squash, and tomatoes from the garden today. It was delicious. Now, to keep it all growing when school starts. That will be the trick.

My sister took this picture of our kids at the wedding. This is a picture of joy. These are good humans. I adore all five of them.

This day, my heart has been brimming with joy! Our beautiful McKenna married Justin. He is all we have wanted in a man to marry her. They are a beautiful couple. They are so happy. That makes me happy. That has made this day perfection!

The big wedding celebration is tomorrow! Hooray for Kenna and Justin!! Today we put the finishing touches on decorations. It is going to be perfect (or at least as good as I can expect for a complete novice). Really I have great joy in knowing that nothing has been left to the last minute and we are ready to just celebrate.

Today is my momma's birthday. She is the greatest mom in the world. My mom's goal in life has to bring happiness to her family. She is always willing to drop what she is doing to help all of us. I consider myself greatly blessed to be her daughter. She is a joy in my life.

This picture brought me much joy. McKenna is a lovely bride. But, she is an even lovelier person inside and outside.

Hip hip hooray for digit lesson plans that can be changed, adapted, and update freely. These plans can be shared with administration; collaborated with student teachers; and edited simultaneously with anyone. That makes my life easier. Joy from simpler planning!

It is August. I feel the urge to prepare my classroom. I did a lot of organizing today. I moved the tables; cleaned the pencil and folder bins; sharpened lots of pencils; discussed incoming students; and made this bulletin board. That was the main goal. It turned out almost exactly as I envisioned it. It brings me joy looking at it. Hopefully it helps the kids feel happy, too.

I keep looking outside to make sure the newly painted shed looks as good as I think it looks. It does! A fresh coat of paint (and all the trim screwed back on) has spruced up the whole backyard. Our neighbors are thrilled, I'm sure. No more eyesore to look at. With a new fence alongside it is going to be spectacular. I guess I feel joy today in not being the blight of the neighborhood anymore.

I finally played in the water today. We went to Fall River, one of our favorite swimming holes. It was perfect. We were able to share the fun with Justin. Sharing our summer fun is awesome and makes summer that much more enjoyable. Only a few weeks left of summer before school starts. I need to get busy and do all the things I haven't done yet.

Mowing the grass, in the less hot hours (cool is not an accurate word for this week), and smelling the freshly cut blades of green (mostly weeds, I'm afraid) makes me feel joy. That is summer! I have always liked mowing the grass. Today I finished, stood back, and said, "Man, this looks good. I should take a pictures." So, I did.

I weeded the garden. I have a love hate relationship with this spot of ground. I love the produce, the thought of planting, the green of the plants, and the brown of newly weeded and tilled ground. I HATE the weeds. I'm good at growing weeds. But, a job completed is a joy. There was joy in the garden after Adri and I weeded.