You know how normal kids are usually hoping their parents don't end up at school one day, doing something that completely embarrasses them?! Well instead of the kid being embarrassed today, it was his Mom. Here's the scoop...
It's my second day of working at the school. Today we're subbing in the classrooms teaching "Meet the Masters" art program. During the first part of the class, I'm in a room along with another aid, watching her as she teaches our two classes about the famous artist. Then we split and I take my class into their room so we can work on our art project. This time I have Hunter's class. He is so excited to have his Mom as a substitute teacher on Fridays, and then a regular helper in class the other days. Of course, he can't hold still for long today because of this.
So I'm explaining to the class how to draw something in a box that represents the word "dented". I explain they can draw a car that was just in an accident and received a dent from it. Or they can pretend they threw something at a wall, and put a big dent in it. Then I said, "Hunter's Dad once made a huge dent in our wall at home when he bumped something into it, and guess who had to fix it? Me!" The kids laughed. Hunter immediately piped up with, "Ya and guess what he did to my Mom... shot her in the butt with a blow dart gun!"
Let's just say I changed the subject as fast as I could despite the enormous bout of laughter that erupted.
I think this is going to be a fun, but interesting year. I'm so excited though to work in Hunter's class every day!
Friday, August 17, 2012
Sunday, August 12, 2012
My Patriotic Boys
I love living in America. I love the freedoms we have here. Free to choose for ourselves. Free to practice our religions, and so on. I love the land here. Especially where we live, being surrounded with beautiful, tall mountains, lakes, and big western skies with gorgeous sunsets. And I love our flag. Especially being at a rodeo as they run the American Flag around at the start of a rodeo. It's very humbling and yet a very prideful moment for me. One of my favorite things to see is our American Flag blowing in the wind.
So to see our boys taking on the prideful spirit of being an American is awesome. For the last 3 years, Jared has been Young Men's President in our ward. And during certain months of the year, his group is in charge of taking the flag down at our church once all the meetings are over. Well, as it sometimes goes, there aren't always young men there to help. That's when Jared has our boys come to help him. He's taught them how to lower the flag and grab it before it touches the ground, and then fold it neatly so it ends in the triangular shape before returning it inside the church. It's been a good learning experience for them. At times we are taking it down after dark, on our way home from Granny's house, but since our time change with our meetings this year, it's been directly after church. The sweetest moment was three weeks ago, as I was walking out of our building, I turned and saw Jared-all dressed in his suit, with T.J. and Cody- who were also in their nice church clothes (wranglers and cowboy button-up shirts) taking the flag down. They seemed very still and quiet, Jared only speaking as he reminded them what to do, all three showing respect as they did it. I wish so bad I had taken my camera to church with me just so I could capture that moment. Cause you know with boys, there is hardly a quiet moment to find. But this time there was. It was like time stood still as I and a couple others in our ward watched on. Once they were finished, they turned and walked towards the church, Jared holding the flag in his hands. Then Hunter who had been playing down on the hill, saw they were done and ran towards the church, bring the everyday noise of a boy back with him. It was one of those moments that a Mom will never forget. And as an American, will never be more proud of.
Then there was this morning. Jared turned on the Olympics. It's the last day of the London 2012 Olympics. The U.S. men's basketball team had just received the gold medal and they began playing the National Anthem. Hunter sang right along with it, only stumbling over a few words. I was so impressed! He's only 7, and yet sang almost word for word our National Anthem. He had a big smile on his face as he finished, because he knew I was watching and was very proud of him at that moment.
Again, it made me smile to see how much American Pride our boys have.
And so, I will end this post with one thing. One of my very favorite pictures I have of our boys. This was taken at the Cedar Fort Rodeo 3 years ago as they were running the flag around the arena at the start of the rodeo. Look at the respect they have showing in their faces.
I'm so proud of these boys.
And so thankful to live in America.
So to see our boys taking on the prideful spirit of being an American is awesome. For the last 3 years, Jared has been Young Men's President in our ward. And during certain months of the year, his group is in charge of taking the flag down at our church once all the meetings are over. Well, as it sometimes goes, there aren't always young men there to help. That's when Jared has our boys come to help him. He's taught them how to lower the flag and grab it before it touches the ground, and then fold it neatly so it ends in the triangular shape before returning it inside the church. It's been a good learning experience for them. At times we are taking it down after dark, on our way home from Granny's house, but since our time change with our meetings this year, it's been directly after church. The sweetest moment was three weeks ago, as I was walking out of our building, I turned and saw Jared-all dressed in his suit, with T.J. and Cody- who were also in their nice church clothes (wranglers and cowboy button-up shirts) taking the flag down. They seemed very still and quiet, Jared only speaking as he reminded them what to do, all three showing respect as they did it. I wish so bad I had taken my camera to church with me just so I could capture that moment. Cause you know with boys, there is hardly a quiet moment to find. But this time there was. It was like time stood still as I and a couple others in our ward watched on. Once they were finished, they turned and walked towards the church, Jared holding the flag in his hands. Then Hunter who had been playing down on the hill, saw they were done and ran towards the church, bring the everyday noise of a boy back with him. It was one of those moments that a Mom will never forget. And as an American, will never be more proud of.
Then there was this morning. Jared turned on the Olympics. It's the last day of the London 2012 Olympics. The U.S. men's basketball team had just received the gold medal and they began playing the National Anthem. Hunter sang right along with it, only stumbling over a few words. I was so impressed! He's only 7, and yet sang almost word for word our National Anthem. He had a big smile on his face as he finished, because he knew I was watching and was very proud of him at that moment.
Again, it made me smile to see how much American Pride our boys have.
And so, I will end this post with one thing. One of my very favorite pictures I have of our boys. This was taken at the Cedar Fort Rodeo 3 years ago as they were running the flag around the arena at the start of the rodeo. Look at the respect they have showing in their faces.
I'm so proud of these boys.
And so thankful to live in America.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
My Unexpected Job
Today I got a call from the school saying Cody wasn't feeling good. His throat and his stomach hurt. (I was really hoping he didn't have strep again! Grandma Morse has been really sick with strep - we think. She hasn't gone into the doctor to confirm.) So I headed to the school.
I do the normal thing. Walk in, talk to the receptionist, and sign him out. In the mean time, I hear Stephanie - the head secretary - call my name, and then appear right next to me. I thought, "Um, something must be wrong." But it was a good surprise instead. She said there was an opening to be an aid there and if I wanted the job, it was mine.
What?!
I was shocked! She said one of the teachers mentioned to her I'd be interested since I'd already asked Mrs. Wilcox (who is in our ward, plus Cody had her as a teacher, and is one of the best teachers there!) about maybe getting on as an aid. At that time, which was about 3 weeks ago, the only opening was to be a computer teacher. i laughed at that job offer. Me... a computer teacher?! I'd have all the computers broken or seriously defective if I tried to do that. So I kind of forgot about getting on this year as an aid and decided after football season, I'd check into a company where you work from home.
But apparently, one of the aids hired didn't work out, so if I wanted the job, it was mine. It would be everyday from 9:30 to 12:30 and I'd be on A track. Of course I wanted the job! A chance to work and help out with money while being able to track off with my boys so I can be home with them while they are home? Yes!!
So here's the details of my job... I'm called a Power Hour Aid. I work with 1st through 3rd grades helping students who need help in reading. Sometimes I'd be running teacher errands and such, and sometimes I might be on recess duty. Fridays I teach and art class. Teachers now have a mandatory class every Friday for an hour or so, so while they are gone, I will go into classes and teach art. How cool is that?! I absolutely love art!
The only draw back was I had to call Cherie and tell her I wouldn't be able to watch Blakeley all day anymore. And of course, it's her birthday so I had to give her this news that I was quiting, on a day like today for her. But she was so good about it. She told me I need to do what's best for my family first and that she was happy for me. I told her I wouldn't mind taking Blakeley after my shift until she's done with work, if that helps the new person who's lucky enough to watch her. Although it's hard to go back to the baby stage after not having babies for 7 years, I'm going to miss it. Blakeley is so sweet and has been so fun to have around for my boys. They got to experience a little of what it might be like to have a sister.
So, my days of being a stay at home mom are coming to an end. I went into the district and filled out my application, and once orientation and finger printing is done sometime next week, I start back to work. It's been just over 11 years since I've really worked. Yes, I've done little things here and there at home, and I will still do Mary Kay, but now I also have a little job that gets me out everyday but allows me to still be Mom. It's on a year to year basis right now. If the school gets the grant, I'll probably stay on. If not, I'll count my blessings that this little job came at a time we need it.
I do the normal thing. Walk in, talk to the receptionist, and sign him out. In the mean time, I hear Stephanie - the head secretary - call my name, and then appear right next to me. I thought, "Um, something must be wrong." But it was a good surprise instead. She said there was an opening to be an aid there and if I wanted the job, it was mine.
What?!
I was shocked! She said one of the teachers mentioned to her I'd be interested since I'd already asked Mrs. Wilcox (who is in our ward, plus Cody had her as a teacher, and is one of the best teachers there!) about maybe getting on as an aid. At that time, which was about 3 weeks ago, the only opening was to be a computer teacher. i laughed at that job offer. Me... a computer teacher?! I'd have all the computers broken or seriously defective if I tried to do that. So I kind of forgot about getting on this year as an aid and decided after football season, I'd check into a company where you work from home.
But apparently, one of the aids hired didn't work out, so if I wanted the job, it was mine. It would be everyday from 9:30 to 12:30 and I'd be on A track. Of course I wanted the job! A chance to work and help out with money while being able to track off with my boys so I can be home with them while they are home? Yes!!
So here's the details of my job... I'm called a Power Hour Aid. I work with 1st through 3rd grades helping students who need help in reading. Sometimes I'd be running teacher errands and such, and sometimes I might be on recess duty. Fridays I teach and art class. Teachers now have a mandatory class every Friday for an hour or so, so while they are gone, I will go into classes and teach art. How cool is that?! I absolutely love art!
The only draw back was I had to call Cherie and tell her I wouldn't be able to watch Blakeley all day anymore. And of course, it's her birthday so I had to give her this news that I was quiting, on a day like today for her. But she was so good about it. She told me I need to do what's best for my family first and that she was happy for me. I told her I wouldn't mind taking Blakeley after my shift until she's done with work, if that helps the new person who's lucky enough to watch her. Although it's hard to go back to the baby stage after not having babies for 7 years, I'm going to miss it. Blakeley is so sweet and has been so fun to have around for my boys. They got to experience a little of what it might be like to have a sister.
So, my days of being a stay at home mom are coming to an end. I went into the district and filled out my application, and once orientation and finger printing is done sometime next week, I start back to work. It's been just over 11 years since I've really worked. Yes, I've done little things here and there at home, and I will still do Mary Kay, but now I also have a little job that gets me out everyday but allows me to still be Mom. It's on a year to year basis right now. If the school gets the grant, I'll probably stay on. If not, I'll count my blessings that this little job came at a time we need it.
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