Childhood

Life was soo simple as a child. There are days when I would give anything to play in the sand on the beach without a worry in the world. I wish I could let my worries go and just relish in the season. I'll have to be better at that.

To the simple life...

Kids :)

Today in class I asked the students to share one of their favorite family traditions/memories of Christmas. It was fun to hear some of the funny stories and the sweet experiences that they have had. They make me laugh.

But today, the best one was as follows -

"I took pictures (well I didn't, my friends did) and went to temple square (you know the place) with the big building that looks like a set from Harry Potter that I thought was a library."

Although it made me laugh, becuase this kid if funny and crazy, (craziness makes him funny) I really wanted to tell him what the building was for. That it is the most beautiful and wonderful place in the world.



The building he is talking about is the Salt Lake LDS temple. The Temple is used for wonderful, sacred things. Where families can become eternal families. Where couples can make vows for the eternities. Where we can feel the presence of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Where we can leave the world behind and focus on what really matters.

The Temple is my most favorite place in the whole wide world!!

From Cory...

6:33 Am, Thursday

Cory
Hey I woke up this morning very in love with you :)

Me
Oh yeah!?! How come?


Cory
Cause that's how I fell asleep



AHHHH....
What a way to start the day. I don't think they get any sweeter than that. I think today will be a good day.

Tennis balls and Pepsi

This time of year, we usually take a trip down to St. George to visit with my dad's family. The best part of that annual trip was being able to see Grandpa Platt.

Growing up, Grandpa Platt was a very big part of our lives. He would go with us on camping trips and hikes. He would come work at the nursery later on just to spend time with family. He would have us over to his house to spend time there. And for me, he was the one of the only grandparents that I was able to really get to know. My dad's mom died when I was a baby. My mom's mom died when my mom was a baby. And my mom's other parents (it's complicated) I knew but my grandma was sick for as long as I can remember. And grandpa took care of grandma on a full time basis. So, to make a long story somewhat shorter, I really love and respect Grandpa Platt.

Grandpa wore his hats just slightly crooked on his head. He always had a ballcap on. Except in church of course. Grandpa loved to tease us! He would get us all riled up and crazy, then stop instantly and drive us all crazy. Grandpa wore tennis shoes with velcro. Maybe not always but in his older years. Grandpa was also addicted to Pepsi. He seldom drank water. Just pepsi. And he always had one with him.



One summer, we as a family, decided to hike Timp. We were all pretty young and Grandpa came along with us to help and be with the family. There is a small secret about grandpa(my dad is his favorite). Grandpa got about half way through the hike and was exhausted. He wasn't going to be able to make it all the way to the summit. So, one of us had to stay back. I decided to stay back with him. And to be completely honest, that was the most boring time of my life! He slept, and I waited and waited and waited. But I was with grandpa. That was all that mattered.

I wish he was still with us. I wish that I could go to St. George and spend time with Grandpa. I wish I could drink a pepsi with him and see his crooked smile and see the tennis balls that he would put over his trailer hitches on his truck and wonder why he did that. Those were the good old days.

HELP??

What do I get Cory for Christmas? I have thought of scriptures, but his parents are doing that for his brother. I thought of the office dvd's, but he wants those and I want this to be a surprise. I just don't know....

any suggestions?

Moments

I have moments in my life when I am completely at ease with myself and my progress. There are also moments in my life when I am totally confused about who I am and what may come next. I have always struggled with my physical appearance. If you were to see a picture of me, you would think I was a pretty normal girl. But, that's just it. You don't see many pictures of me. I am not comfortable with who I am.

I have tried so many different diets, thinking that the next one is the one. This time it'll be different. I won't feel like I'm starving. I won't feel lightheaded. I won't be discouraged and give up. I won't hit the same plateau. I won't gain the weight back. I recently tried the HCG diet, till I hit the same plateau, and I wasn't comfortable with their ideas for getting off the plateau, so I stopped. And it has been a steady incline of my weight since then. Slow, mind you, but steady. I feel terrible! Like I failed again.

A few weeks ago, I started reading a book called Intuitive Eating. This is a book focused on throwing out the diet mentality. Getting rid of the idea that there is a quick fix to the problem. I have learned that I have ruined my metabolism through all my dieting. I have learned that I don't trust myself with food. I have learned that I am afraid that if I don't eat it NOW, I won't ever get it again. I have learned that I have bought into the idea that I am somehow not good enough because I am not a size 2. And I am trying to find my intuitive eater. The one that says if I am hungry, it's okay to eat. The one that says that if I am craving a piece of chocolate, it's okay to eat it. Just don't eat the whole bag. The intuitive eater that says if I am satisfied, than I need to stop eating and when I get hungry I can come back for more. I don't have to eat till I am stuffed.

And, really, I am learning. But last night, I had convinced myself that I needed to go on the HCG diet again. And I tried to convince my sister to do it with me. Even though I think she knows that it really isn't a good idea. And it took me an hour or so lying in bed to remember all that I was learning and that it would be a bad idea.

I think we all have something like this in our lives. Times when there is one thing we just don't feel like we measure up in. Today I am trying to remind myself of all those moments in my life when I did measure up. The times I accomplished something or did something nice for someone else. The times when I totally did something I never thought I would be able to do; like teach. We all have moments in our lives that we should be proud of and focus on more. The moments that make us happy and at peace.

That is my goal today!

Joy

What do you find joy in? I would love to hear from you. I find joy in so many things...

-baths
-scriptures
-Cory
-family
-Micky
-stars
-Christmas trees


The list could go on and on. Let's see how many things we can find joy in as you add your comments.

Choose-This-Day

Choose-This-Day

I woke up this morning knowing it was going to be a rough day. Yesterday was awful! The kids were so rude and I was exhausted and so today I didn't seem to have much in me to give. My classes so far have been ok, but I keep finding myself short of patience and love as I deal with these silly teenagers. When the bell rang for my second class to leave, I breathed a sigh of relief. I knew I would have an hour and a half to re-group and try to figure out how to make it through my last, very large class. As I sat here, I knew that if I found something uplifting it would make a difference.

President Eyring did it for me. He is inspiring and full of love. I know that I need to be loving and kind. I need to try today to be a better teacher. Whether or not yesterday was awful, today is a new day. The kids today don't know what happened yesterday, so it is my job to be kind and loving to them. I have much to learn, but pray that I will be stronger to do all that I can to show these students love and respect. I watched a video that spoke such peace to my heart. For some reason it wouldn't add to my post, but by clicking on the title, you will be directed to the video.

I just want to say that the Church is true. God lives and He loves us. Christ understands ALL our needs and feelings. I feel so blessed to know that I am a member of the church and that I can find comfort in the teachings. I love President Eyring and felt such a peace as I listened to his testimony and felt of the love he has for the gospel as well as for each of us.

Los Kuna

There is a group of indigenous people that live on the islands off the coast of Panama. They are known as the Kuna Indians. There are over 300 islands in the archipelago, however only a small number of those islands are populated. They are hard working and very dedicated to their families.

Years ago, I had the privilege of living on the island of Nargana. Nargana was connected by bridge to another island, Corazon de Jesus. I was there on these islands for three months and fell in love with the culture, the ocean, the simplicity of life and the cat I adopted to kill the rats. :)

One of the things I loved the most was their dress. They are so talented and I consider the Mola (the shirt they wear) as a piece of art. Not just a shirt for them. They spend day after day designing and sewing these shirts. Often they are made for themselves, but lately they are also made for trade and sale to others as a way of making more money for their homes and families.

One of my dreams is to own as many molas as I can. I use them in my classroom, and actually have my students attempt making one every year. I miss the islands. I miss my friends. I miss their simple smile they made as they talked about the only mergi on the island. How I wish I could go back!