Small things

I'm stitting here thinking that my students are crazy! They are working on the starter for the first ten minutes of class. Here's how it goes....

12:55 bell rings
12:56 kids work on starter
1:16 go over starter together
1:17 - 2:25 see who survives best the remainder of class; teacher or students.

But while I am sitting here, I was looking at a picture that I had taken of the windmill at the nursery. Did you know that it's the simple things in life that make us the most happy. For me, one of the most powerful, simple things is a sunset or a sunrise. They bring more peace and happiness to my heart than most other things.


I hope that this picture brings happiness to your heart as you look at.

Have a great day!

Angels

Sometimes, I wish that I had the gift for writing, like my sister does. I have so many thoughts and ideas inside of me, but to put them down on paper (or blog) is often very difficult. Today, I have been thinking about my parents. They have done so much for me! It is because of them, that I am living the life that I am. I have a good job, becuase they helped me get through school. I have a good work ethic becuase they taught me how to work. I have a testimony of the gospel, because they live their lives by the principles of the gospel. And today, for some reason, I have been thinking about all that my parents have given up for me to have what I do.

Today I sign the final papers to purchase my first home. My dad reminded me that this has been my dream since I was 16. I have always wanted a place of my own. And it wouldn't be possible without the help that my parents are giving me. I feel so blessed to be their daughter.

Well, about 8 months ago, dad lost his barn to a fire. This was devastating to the whole family, but mostly to him. He has put his heart and soul into developing this property. But someone burned it down. The reason that I bring this up again, is because of his selflessness. Instead of using all of his resources to rebuild, he gives freely to all around him. And for that I feel even more grateful; because I am one of the recipients to his giving.

The Meeks

I just found out this morning that our dear neighbor, Jim Meeks, passed away. He has been fighting cancer for a while and has been so strong in all that he has had to endure. Death is hard. And death is even more difficult when we are the ones who are left behind.

My heart hurts for his wife. Patty is an amazing woman and I have admired her since they moved in. She is strong and capable. She lives her life to the fullest and I love her for that. She and her husband have been best friends since childhood, and I can only imagine the loneliness and pain that she must be feeling.

It makes me even more grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that families are eternal! I know that we will be together again, no matter the hardships we face. And I am grateful to know that Jim no longer suffers or hurts. That he is whole and well. My prayers today are with Patty and her kids. I pray that they can fill the Spirit as they work to survive these next few days.

anyone?

What's soft, chewy, mushy and yellow?

Any guesses?

It's my favorite food! (well, one of)

I dare you to guess...

Shouldn't have...

I really wanted to know how many people checked out my blog.

I added a counter.

Now I am sad about how many people just don't find it.



Shouldn't have added the counter.

The best part of the day!

Meet Sami.

Sami has the entire family wrapped around her little finger!

I'm pretty positive that we all feel the same way. She is just the most gregarious, happy child that one can imagine. At 22 months, she has facial expressions and personality that often comes only with those that are 3 or older.

She is just learning to talk. Sissy is horse. ooster is rooster. side is outside. baba is grandpa. didi is tiffany. And so on.

When anyone comes in the door, she will smile her big smile and say... 'hello'. Not hi or anything simpler, she simply says, 'hello'. She will come running to just about anyone and give them a big hug. If you ask for kisses, she will give you a big kiss.

She loves strawberry milk and grandmas jack in the box. Every time it pops up, she responds with surprise. Her favorite person is grandpa, though. And she loves to sit on his lap and eat Sunday dinner, or put his pen in his mouth so he can spit it back out. She especially loves helping grandpa in his office; balancing the checkbook is her specialty.

Sami isn't always sweet, however. She has a temper and she is tricky. :) She knows that grandmas computer is off limits. Well, it was pretty quiet in the kitchen the other day, and so grandma went to check things out. Sami was getting ready to push as many buttons as she could, before grandma found her. Grandma just smiled and said 'uh, oh Sami.' Sami very demurely smiled back and looked at grandma, as she wagged her finger at her. Then, with a huge grin, proceeded to push buttons on the computrer.

Sami, it seems, will wiggle her way into every heart that comes her way.

Pennies....

Many think that pennies are annoying. They add up in our wallets and they make them heavier. They don't add up to enough to really buy anything. And when we need one for the bill that is $5.01, we can't find one. Who really wants pennies. Well, one of my favorite memories/traditions has to do with pennies.

Before my mission, I worked full time at the Nursery. And we only live like 1 mile from the nursery. So I started walking to work with my dad. Every morning, we would get up and get ready for work, and then we would walk. Mom would bring any stuff that I needed, so that I could just start the day. We started out by only going 1 mile or so, and then the route changed over time, and we would walk like three miles.

Sometimes, I complained about these walks, because I am a sweat maniac. Most girls glow or glisten when they are hot. Not me. I sweat!!! I can think about mopping the floor, and I sweat. I can go get the mail on a hot day and begin to sweat. My sweat glands are a bit over excited. I hate it! So, when I would get ready for the day and do my hair and my make-up, it was the pits to show up at the nursery all sweaty, and I hadn't even started my day.

But, the walks became so much fun for me. Not only was it a time for me to be with dad, it was good exercise. I enjoyed the fresh air, and the scenery. I enjoyed talking to dad about everything and anything. He is soooo wise and inteligent. He knows all the right answers. And I loved being able to talk to him.

During these walks, he would pick up every penny that he could find. After a time, I started to join him in picking up pennies. But it didn't take too long for my competitive streak to kick in and it became a competition to see who could find the most pennies or coins. I would push him out of the way, sometimes, so that I could get the penny that he spotted first, fair and square. But I wanted to win.

Now, I can't go anywhere without scouring the roadside for any stray coins. And when I find some, I take them to my dad and he puts them in his big jar. We used to save them for the barn, but now that the barn was burned, I just give them to him without wondering for what.

Every time I see a penny in the road, I think of my dad. And my dad is one of my best friends. I will forever be grateful for all that he has taught me. I love you, Dad.

Dog Sitter

Yesterday, one of my students texted me. (there are very few who have my cell number, mostly student aides)

Platt, will you do me a huge favor?
- maybe....
I have this little puppy, and I need someone to watch him during 3rd period, cause I can't take him to foods.
- yeah, sure. I'll watch him.


I have never seen such a little puppy before, and I wanted to go out and buy one immediately. I told Cory about it, and he quickly told me not to. His exact words were "eewww, yap yap". I guess if he is yappy, I better not get one.

But he is CUTE!

The wedding dress

Today, I woke up with a heavy heart. There are lots of reasons, but I don't really want to go into them. Then, I made matters worse, and pulled out my wedding dress. It's a beautiful dress! And I remembered that I really want to be married, so that I can be a mom.

So, from now on, I can no longer look at the wedding dress. It makes me feel down and sad.

And it takes good friends to send messages, like 'good morning sunshine' to help me remember that life goes on, and that life is good. :)

Thanks Cory...

Linden Nursery

We all know that I am a teacher. But before I was a teacher, I worked at the Linden Nursery, our family's business. I started working there when I was 13 years old. Every day after school, I would go to the nursery and do whatever anyone asked me to do. I was kind of the gopher girl. By the time I was in college, I realized that the nursery just wasn't for me. I don't like retail. I don't like listening to ornery customers. I don't like when they speak disrespectfully to me or another employee, and I just have to listen and still be nice. ( I'm still working on this.)

So, for the last three years, I have been teaching. I work on the busy weekends, but other than that, I have just stayed away. BUT....

There are so many thinks that I DO love about Linden Nursery.

*I love being with the family
*I love getting new plants in
*I especially love the trees
*Of the trees, my favorites are the Japanese Maples
*I love the cool temperatures, that still let me wear a sweatshirt.
*I love working late, helping the family on days when we really need it.
*I love having a 'migraine' mothers day weekend and memorial day weekend, and skipping school to help the fam.
*And I love working with the guys, and brushing up on my Spanish.

Linden Nursery has provided me with everything to be where I am. I am thankful to be able to be a part of the crew at the Nursery.

I love Spring!

In the mornings, the air is still crisp. You can see your breath as you walk to the car. You still turn the heat on to keep your toes and fingers warm.

But by the afternoon, the sun is shinning! The birds are singing. The forsythia are blooming. The tulips are opening. And you can go running outside without your lungs suffering.

I love the excitement at the nursery on the weekends. I love feeling like I can help the family. I love the smell of burning weeds. I love choosing yet another Japanese Maple to put in dad's yard. And I love that I can still put on a sweatshirt in the evening, becuase it is just a bit nippy out.

Happy Spring to All!

Las hermanas

Rachel, Amber, Me, Noelle, Becca, Heather, Amanda

Meet the girls. This is my support system. They are my best friends! We are all very different, and that makes it even better! I want to tell you what I love most about each one of them.

Rachel - I love her strength and her purity! She is as steady as my dad, and that is STEADY! She always serves, always loves and is really good at math. That part is vital, cause I can't do math worth beans! And she is always happy!

Amber - Amber is the sweetest person that I know. She never speaks poorly of anyone. She is always willing to listen and really wants to know me. She loves her family, and in some ways is the glue that holds them together. Her testimony is solid and she exudes the light of Christ.

Noelle - I love her goodness! She is selfless and always thinks of the other person. She is a born leader and shows a great example of living right to all around her. She writes beautifully and is able to touch many hearts with her words. And she lets me go walking with her, even when I am ornery.

Becca - Becca is simply put, as pure as they come! She is kind and Christlike. She rarely gets mad, and when she does, she deals with it. She loves kids and they flock to her. She is smart and funny and teaches me so many things. Plus, she runs the business on her own! She is almost superhuman!

Heather - Simply knows everything! She can give you advice about whatever you are struggling with, and it makes sense! She is a great mother and lets me 'borrow' her girls when I need a kid fix. She is an amazing artist and she shares her talents with all around her. Plus, she can still run!

Amanda - Amanda is amazing! She loves people! She loves computers, she loves her job, (I think), she always does favors! She gives, gives, gives. I love her smile! She speaks Spanish and lets me tell her that her accent is funny. All in all, she is a great! little sister.

I am surrounded by wonderful women of faith. I love each of you! And I hope to be like each of you in one way or another! Thanks ladies!

xoxo

which color whould you like?

Today, I got to do something that I love doing! I'm a bit weird. Most people don't 'love' to do this. But I look forward to it.

I changed my clothes; closed my classroom door; grabbed my book(I can't leave 'home' without it); and headed into the school.

The familiar pamphlet, the same ridiculous questions, and I was on the stretcher donating blood. I don't know what it is about giving blood, but I find it a great way to feel better about my day! I like thinking that somewhere out there, someone in need is benefiting from my blood. It is sooo easy for my body to give blood. I never get sick. I never get dizzy. I never take lots of time doing it. I always drink enough water. And I just simply find it fun.

And at the end, they always give you an array of colored bandages to choose from. Today I am so happy and light; so I chose lime green. It seemed the most appropriate for my day.