Filled With Joy

I work with fun people. They are also good people. We dressed as Care Bears. The kids loved it. It was easy to pull together. We had fun being called rabbits, mice, and koalas. Halloween is a hard day in an elementary school. This team helped make it easier. Joy in having the day over and being associated with these gems!

Sick day! I’m sick. I stayed home. Today I am grateful I work at a place where I can take a sick day. Also I found joy and comfort in knowing that my student teacher, Alex, can handle it all I don’t need to worry or plan. She’s got it all under control. I can just sleep and watch Blue Bloods. Going back to sleep now. I have to be better. No one should have to do Halloween in an elementary school alone.

Baby, it is cold outside. It is my bus duty day. Not even November and I was in my hat, scarf, earmuffs, sweater, jacket, coat, snow pants, gloves, and a blanket. I was still freezing.  I thought how grateful I am for heating that I don’t have to be in charge of. I woke up in warmth. I worked in warmth. I drove in warmth. There is a certain joy that comes in knowing that you can count on those utilities. Today I was definitely feeling the joy from being toasty indoors.

Today I heard a voice say very clearly, “You can’t, but I can.” I have always been a worry wart about my kids. I can’t be everywhere they are to watch them. Plus they are older and don’t need or want their mom to hover over them. That doesn’t ease the worry that comes from time to time. But that voice was an answer to a heart in anguish. Our Heavenly Father will and does watch over my kids. I trust that he will do that. I felt much joy in those five words today.

It is my dad’s birthday. He is a good guy. He is supportive and kind. He is extremely quiet and has few words to share. I’ve learned so much from him. One of the greatest lessons I learned from him is to enjoy what you have. I try to do that every day. He has helped me with this life of joy. Sure love him!

FRIDAY! It’s been a long week. But we all made it and even had some fun at the end. Hooray! Joy! And a magnificent sky to welcome this day. Check out the colors and that moon! 

I went to the temple today. Thursday’s are temple days. It was great to be there. I even brought a name that I had found through some, very little, research. That was a first and fun. Getting there isn’t easy or convenient, but it is what I need right now. Joy inside. Then I came out to this beautiful sky. I stopped in the middle of the road to get this picture. No editing - just cropping. Joy outside too.

“Mrs. Grant! Take a picture of my tank. You’ll want to show the others next time because it is so good!” Austin was so confident in what he had accomplished. He is certain that others will be just as proud as he is. I took the snap, of course. Seeing his joy made me think of the things I do exceptionally well. I feel good. I feel proud. I want to share with others. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does there is a feeling of complete joy, just like Austin.

Today I realized that humor in life brings much joy. There were injuries to two fingers today - two middle fingers. The students showed me those injuries quite awkwardly. They didn’t intend for it to be rude and I didn’t say anything. We just bandaged. I however was laughing inside. Then I saw this graphic and laughed out loud. Life can be funny. I love laughing. I especially like hearing others express a really hearty laugh. Laughing is good!

Before school started this year I asked for book sponsors for my students. I received so many generous donations. Each month my students get a new book to take home. It has been so fun and the students love it! I try to get all levels of books so the students have a good fitting book now and some to grow into. The joy on students’ faces when they see their new books at their seat makes me happy. Thank you kind generous people!

Chili sauce is canned and ready for using. We love this stuff. We left the house and came back to the most delicious smell. I don’t know what is better, the taste or the smell. Either way, the tomatoes are used and canning season is completed. Joy!

Fall weather has arrived. Today I walked by this wreath and was again reminded of the beautiful fall colors that we sometimes get to see. Not this year. The freeze quickly drained the leaves of their colors. Now they are gray. But, these fake leaves are a good reminder. I’ll choose to enjoy them and that is enough for me. Joy in having fake flowers to smile at.

Collin shared a picture with us tonight. His hand is injured. Maybe it is broken. He did a backflip and landed incorrectly. Not much joy in that. However, I did think of how it could have been his head and another concussion. Or, it could have been a neck. I did feel joy when I thought I’d how hands heal. It may not be easy or comfortable, but it will heal.

I’m trying to make Thursday my temple day. I think I will go more if I designate a day. Despite other things happening, I was committed and made it. I’m blessed to have a temple close. A fifteen minute drive should be easy. I wondered why it is so hard sometimes. I loved being there. I have always felt joy in the temple. This evening was no different.

We cooked dinner together tonight because it is a big process to make artisan pizzas for everyone. We had so much fun and the pizza was delicious. I’ve never met a pizza I didn’t enjoy. We giggled and talked and ate. Love that time with people that mean so much to me. We may have been cooking pizza but we were also creating joy in the kitchen, too. 

The big harvest moon was beautiful tonight and lit up the entire sky. I caught it on the way to the gym. There are some things about fall I love. The moon over leafless trees is one. I stood on the sidewalk and marveled at the brilliance of the creation. It is perfect. All the parts, including man. That thought made me so comfortable and peaceful. That is joy!

I love math. I’m also trying to figure out why my students don’t love math. I think it has something to do with their lack of number sense. Math started coming alive for me when I realized the connections with numbers and the puzzles that you can do. Well, I have been spending much time studying how to build number sense with my students. It is going to be a fun project. I’m enjoying learning about math again. So, today’s joy comes from continued learning to solve a problem.

A nice day to just relax on the couch and enjoy a Sunday of listening to Conference talks. Missed them all last week. Now I can listen at my leisure. Uplifting messages bring joy. I’m feeling it today.

Joy is knowing that we now have a comfortable bed for guests to sleep on. This has helped with some stress I was feeling. It also has saved space and helped us rid the house of unwanted stuff.

I love this guy! He brings me joy everyday and has for nearly 31 years. 

This quote from Ellen could heal the world if we all listened to it. We just need to be kind and listen. There is joy in having friends of differing beliefs and walks of life. The differences E what makes the world a beautiful place. I’m certainly grateful for the people I associate with that are different than me. I’d hate to hang out with just me everyday. Boring!!!

Created a new bulletin board today. I love doing them. I try to create something the kids will like and has a hand in building. This one turned out fun. It makes me think that there may be some joy in autumn yet. Fall is just too short here.

Today I tried something new at the gym. There is joy in having a body that can be pushed to do hard things. I’ll be very sore tomorrow. It was worth it. I had to spell my name and do the exercises on the wall. Burpees are the worst!!!!!!

Double joy today.  Finally was able to stop at one of our favorite places to eat today. Shake Shack is in Utah. No more traveling to Chicago for that delicious food. Also, we ate outside. That isn’t happening when we get home.

Did you know there is a Grand Canyon near Price? We didn’t either. Collin did, and he took us there. It is called “Little Grand Canyon.” Not many people go there, so it isn’t well known. Erosion is a powerful thing. We couldn’t see the kids for awhile. Finally we saw them in Navajo Mound. They had scrambled their way down and up to teach the best view. They were happy and having a great time - even Adri who cried but conquered her fear of heights to get there and back with much coaxing from her patient brother. So often my sources of joy come from my children. Today was one.

We have had a great day together. Today we went to Arches. We didn’t even have time to put a dent in the exploration available. However, we saw some amazing things. I felt rejuvenated as we hiked to Delicate Arch. It is breathtaking. To get there my breath was literally taken away - it is no small feat to hike. But I felt so much joy in getting to see it up close. Wow, just wow. I’d like to explore there again soon.

Today we left for our little trip to Price. We are so excited to see Collin. He has been dearly missed. Along the way, Adri went to two mission reunions. We had to wait for her at the one in Provo for the MDM. The wait was a good time to rest before we started our last leg of our travels. I watched a show on my phone. Modern technology is a wonder. Adri was so happy. My heart leaped with joy as she talked and talked about how much she loved the people there.

Today I went on a changing leaf search with Trent’s mom. It was a wonderful little adventure. We found lots of yellow along the river near Heise and Kelly Canyon. The changing of seasons brings so much joy for me, because I really love those colors. I just wish our fall was a bit longer.

After our PD yesterday, I decided to try some ideas to help my wiggly kiddos focus and learn. I’m making chair fidgets from old tshirts. They will hook onto the chair legs and the kids can bounce and wiggle their feet all they like. I felt so much joy when I found a DIY version that won’t cost a ton.  I’ll finish them when we get back from Price. Two more days before we go.

Whoa! It is chilly outside. Apparently October has wasted no time in letting us know of its arrival. Today I walked to the high school for a professional development. My ears were frozen. We were learning about teaching ideas from this book. It is a really good book. There are so many ideas. I’m excited to try new things when school starts again. There is always joy when a PD isn’t a waste of time.