Reality Check....testing, testing....

I realize that it's only the 3rd day of school...but, uh...remember the "I love teaching/school/children-the-little-angels" postings? Well, it was summer then. I can still say those things now...just... through ever-so-slightly gritted teeth and with a mild twitch.

Everyone and Their Dog Could Use the Gospel!

Just a cute picture I stole from my niece Lindsay's fun blog (thanks, Linds =o) ). This is Elder Kevin Carl Weldon Green--my nephew who just reached the 1/2-way point in his mission! So cute. And though we miss him, we are glad for the opportunity to cram in our 7-on-the-line skills without him around, so we look semi-decent when he comes back. (He calmly and confidently kicks our trash when allowed to touch a basketball. Man after my own heart...a gigantic Michael Jordan fan. Those were the days...)

My niece Kaley comes back NEXT WEEK from Argentina! Holy cow! Amazing. (I'll hit my sis up for a picture. I don't have one to share. Sad.)

Judge Not, That Ye Be Not Judged

There are certain things I believe to be main lessons to learn--phrased another way: visions of Truth to capture and comprehend on the deepest levels--and which it is intended that we learn in mortality. One of the most imperative, I believe, is not judging. Better phrased: seeing others with the pure Love of Christ, which we know to be called Charity.

One of the most endearing qualities of people that I admire is their seemingly innate ability to make others feel comfortable with them; to enable them to feel the love of God for them in even a brief encounter; to give people the benefit of the doubt; to show respect to people who others might look on with criticism, and "lofty" looks or sideways glances. And even more so when, outside of that person's presence, they say something kind about that person (or nothing at all, if there is nothing to be said) rather than, with a sigh of relief to be out of their presence, begin complaining or critiquing.

Here's a most recent and cute (endearing) example:
My dad buys things out of necessity only. He had to keep hoisting up the pants he was wearing around last week as he was working in the yard getting ready to leave it while he came out to Utah with me. ("Look, VeNicia, they can come off now without me undoing the button." "Ahh! Okay! I believe you!") So we went to Wal-Mart before the trip. Because they were 1 of his 2 pairs of pants. (I think he had as many as 2 only so as to be enabled to wear one while he does his laundry...) He tried on pants and I was in the office/school supply aisle (of course) getting stuff for my kids. I finished and went to meet him at the dressing room. He came out slowly. He handed the pants that didn't work to the lady at the desk, who dismissed him without so much as a glance of acknowledgment. But Dad still stood there. "Thank you," he said kindly. "You're very kind to help me." She actually looked up, visibly amazed that he took the time to stand there and talk to her. "Have a happy day," he said smiling, and he turned to walk over to me. She froze there, mid-hanger-inserting, and watched him walk away, obviously touched.

I love my Dad.
The whole talk is good, but here's only a portion of N Eldon Tanner's talk from 1972, "Judge Not, That Ye Be Not Judged", which I liked:

This being election year, there will be much campaigning; we will hear and argue the pros and cons of many questions; we will have strong opposing views. Each must try to understand the questions and then stand firm by his convictions. But let us determine now that in the heat of the campaign we will not indulge in the vituperative talk of personalities that we so often hear. We must not rail against our brother and accuse him of lying and cheating or being dishonest or immoral.

Let us stand on principle—high principle. Also, it is most important that all of us, including our politicians, strive to live so that our actions will be above reproach and criticism.

We never gain anything or improve our own character by trying to tear down another. We have seen close friendships destroyed through words spoken and accusations made in the heat of a campaign. Tirades against men in office or against one’s opponent tend to cause our youth and others to lose faith in the individual and others in government and often even our form of government itself.

As parents, we have the responsibility in our homes to guard against any of these things. Also, we must realize that every word and every act influences the thinking and attitude of the child. It is in the family that the child picks up the elementary lessons in getting along with people and the virtues of love, compassion, and concern. These lessons will have been well taught if parents can bring up their children without prejudicing them by precept or example against any other children on the grounds of color, race, religion, social status, or intellectual capacity, and if they teach them to love the Lord. I am so thankful that my parents, through their tolerance, were able to accomplish this with their children.

May I humbly say in all sincerity that I love the Lord with all my heart and that I love my fellowmen. I hold no hard feelings of any kind toward any man, and I sincerely pray for forgiveness wherein I have offended anyone. I realize, as the Savior said, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matt. 25:40.)

Wow. I'm adding that to my Bucket List.

“Wouldn’t this old world be better
If the folks we meet would say:
‘I know something good about you,’
And then treat us that way?”

Olympic Swimming

Did you SEE that 400 meter swim relay?! That was INCREDIBLE! Holy cow. I got shivers. Literally. All over. I even knew the outcome when I watched it--because I watched it on my sister's (brother-in-law's) incredibly fancy, ultra huge, ultra defined computer flat screen monitor as a rerun (speaking of defined...you perhaps might notice that the team works out a little.)--but even then I could not contain myself. I couldn't stay in my seat. Truly, incredibly amazing to watch. Didn't see it? Be prepared to want to watch it twice! (I'd be willing to put a Jamba on you not being able to stay in your seat, either.*)

Click here to watch it! Unreal! (Then scroll down to 'Swimming Video' and click on "US men win 4X100m")

I just watch their huddle and imagine the incredible rush they must be feeling, the hard work they've put in to this, and the friendship they've undoubtedly forged. What a day. (I saw only a picture of these guys after their win earlier today...now I understand and appreciate why they looked a bit psychotic in it.=o) )

*Fine print: I must be present to witness it, if you try to claim your winnings. Or take a video of you watching it to show me, along with the testimony of 2 or more witnesses who vouch for it being your first watching of the event. Must be 18 or older or younger. Not redeemable for cash. Some restrictions apply.

My Job-Hobby

I opened my plan book and couldn't contain my smile. There is something deeply exciting to me as I look at this blank book which I get to fill. It represents a year of life for my soon-to-be students and I. Yes, there's certain curriculum I must cover. But how we do it is up to me. I see these blank pages as history in the making. What will these children remember and take away from their experiences in our class this year? What experiences can I provide them which would be most impactful, meaningful, memorable? What, if remembered past the threshold of my door, could shape their thinking for a life of contribution to the world? I like to teach using 'backward design': determining what the end result which I hope to accomplish, and setting a series of goals which will lead me there. I want to create a memorable year full of meaningful experiences for the young inquisitive minds that will be livening up my classroom in 2 weeks from today!

Your ideas will be helpful as I'm planning the year:, so feel free to comment!:
What do you remember about 2nd grade (or elementary school)?
What activities/experiences from then impacted you the most in your life?


An older rambling that I didn't post, but is on the same topic:
I LOVE the Fall! Just the anticipation of it, being summer and all, is very exciting to me. (Similarly, Thursday was my favorite day of the week when I was younger--because it was SO FUN to be in anticipation of Friday. Odd? Admittedly. Nerdy? Perhaps.) Each summer I'm excited for the coming school year. This was true of me as a student, and continues to be so now as an "educator". (I am still a learner. Teaching is learning for me, and I think that's one of the major reasons why I love, love, love it.)

I love learning about effective teaching strategies. I love listening to children and learning how they process things (which is surprisingly more related than it often sounds without asking further of their reasoning =o) ). I love, with a passion, seeing their "light" go on as they grasp a concept. My favorite part of teaching is seeing them apply a skill they've learned and find that it works, and realize they are the better for it in some way. (This is true of academic as well as social skills.)

However, I have a confession to make. There is something that I have considered to be a hidden agenda in my vision of my classroom. The strategies and methods I employ, as well as lessons I select and develop for the children in my classroom have always been built around it. More than the core curriculum itself, I have focused on my attention on it. I have spent 4 successive summers learning about it, and much of my time in between. And each school year my kids are both blatantly and subtly indoctrinated with my pet interest: Character Development.

Character development plays an integral part in education. Ezra Taft Benson said:

“	Education must have its roots in moral principles. If we lose sight of that fact in our attempt to match our educational system against that of the materialists, we shall have lost far more than we could possibly gain."

I believe him. Every poem I choose for their ongoing poetry folders which they collect and take home at the end of the year (okay--most. Some are just silly.), every story I read aloud, every mini-lesson at Morning Meeting at the rug, every thought I hang up on the board for them to see when their eyes are wandering, every poster I hang on my wall, every person in history whose life I choose to teach them about--every athlete, singer, philanthropist, activist... I have my hidden agenda in mind. Why this story? Why this person? Why this assignment? What would I have these impressionable minds think on today? How will this contribute to their strength of character? If they remember this past next summer, what is the impact this may have on their lives? What can I say to them in this moment to support my hidden agenda =o)?

Last year I got materials from Character Counts and based mini-lessons on their 6 pillars program: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, & Citizenship. I got these incredible posters that look like those awesome billboards along the freeway--"Determination", "Perseverance". Mother Teresa, Desmond Tutu, Abraham Lincoln, the girl whose arm was bit off by a shark...you know the ones. They were so big and awesome I laminated them and put them around the cafeteria all year. (I'm the teacher rep on the executive PTA board--last year and this one again--and their theme for an activity was "Heroes". I wanted more than Spiderman and Super Pink Girl gracing the walls...) This year I am excited to use the materials prepared by my friend's dad, George Rogers. He kindly took the time to share the materials with me and answer my questions on what he recommends for best implementation and lasting learning. He's provided these to school districts and presented to faculties around the state. I felt pretty lucky to get to listen and talk with him one on one in his living room!

More than remembering their math facts, important as they are, I want a positive learning environment of my classroom. Building a community of learners and an atmosphere of curiosity, problem solving, support, collaboration, appreciation for others and their ideas (even more than "tolerance", which has never been my favorite way of describing my interactions with people who believe differently than myself, as it, at least to me, has an air of superiority and patronization)...this is of greater importance than the subject of the learning. (Don't tell "them" I said that.) What we learn is not nearly as important as to what end we intend to use it. Assimilating facts is fine, but without a framework of ethics to build it into, what purpose does it serve? Besides. Realistically. The children who pass through my classroom will not remember exactly what they learned, but they will remember how they felt when they were there doing it. Teaching them to think is fine. Helping them develop HOW to think is where my interests more greatly lie.

Quite honestly, those teaching moments come more often spontaneously than carefully planned. One example: one of my girls proudly brought a large, beautiful snow globe for sharing one Friday morning. Though she'd wrapped it carefully in a towel, later in the day (at an inappropriate time and against the rules) she got it out to show to a friend again and, as you have likely predicted, dramatically ended its existence in a million shattered pieces on the floor. I pause, as much as I can remember to, before responding to situations in my classroom, and try to speedily decide which way of handling it will be most impactful on this child. At that moment in that situation I thought of my mom and knew what to do.

"Beth, I know that was special to you. I'm so sorry that happened! Do you know what? When I was little I broke a lot of my moms special things and I felt really bad. Do you know what she would say to me?"

"snuffle, snuffle. What?" (If you can get a kid thinking, especially asking a question, they calm down really quickly. Relatively.)

"They are just things. You are more important to me. It's just a thing."

Then we cleaned it up. I didn't notice, but a mom was listening. I had her support 110% the rest of the year.

Is there a better job than this?! I'm tellin' ya, I don't think there's ONE.

(Though, on a different note, I'm interested in something that I think just may be equivalent...my new spare-time-thought-occupier and Masters degree interest!! I'm very glad I didn't get accepted to UPenn. I never would have looked into this if I had. "Where God closes a door He opens a window"! Here's my window. I love windows.)

Clarinetists Unite

It is so fun having friends that you've known forever. Tara and Steve and I became friends 16 years ago when we were 12 in the clarinet section of Pacific Jr. High (now Pacific Middle School. Go, P*M*S!) I have counted: 10 clarinetist friends in the last week! Crazy. Steve and I had fun reminiscing of competing for first chair and solos with Danica and Erica. The 4 of us would go in the back room, secretly draw a number where the band and director couldn't see us, play a specified section of a piece, and the band would vote on the soloist. VERY fun. We all knew that if we were in 1st chair the other three would be challenging their way to us in no time! Nothing like friendly competition to keep you on your musical toes. (Our families have also known each other forever. My older bro and his older sis played the leading roles in their high school musical, which we both remember watching at 4 years old.)

This night we went to dinner at Beaches on the Columbia River. We are on the Vancouver side, so you can see Portland in the pic. I LOVE The 'Couve and P-Town!

4th of July, Part...Heck, I Lost Count

Um, have I mentioned that I love waterfalls? Some of the fam and I drove for miles out in the gorgeous foliage of the Pacific Northwest near Lincoln City where we then hiked one of the most beautiful trails, crossed a pretty amazing suspension bridge, and played in a cool waterfall. Elizabeth and I tried to cross underneath it holding on to rocks...and ended up in deeper than expected. I LOVE hiking and waterfalls. And my family! The combination is purely heaven.

Genocide Olympics?

If only the Olympics were just about peace and the love of the game. Unfortunately, politics and genocide have as much to do with it this year.

This man is Olympian speed skater Joey Cheek--whose visa was just revoked by China for his involvement in Team Darfur--speaking out against China's supplying arms which are being used to kill an already estimated 200,000-400,000 people. Sudan's president has been accused of genocide and crimes against humanity, but refuses to recognize or cooperate with the International Criminal Court.

I found these informative and sadly interesting:
BBC Q & A on Darfur conflict
US Olympians on Team Darfur--Joey Cheek and Lopez Lomong
Activists' alternate Opening Ceremonies
Romney speaks out for Joey Cheek
AP report on China's involvement
Save Darfur website (I've gotten their e-newsletters forever)
BBC evidence of China's involvement

If anyone knows how and wants to teach me about making better links on blogs, that would be cool of you. (Like where I could put words I choose, people click on them, but the link itself is hidden. You know what I mean.) *THANKS, Green Team =o)*

10 years later...

1998-Christine Sorenson-Walker, Laura Elliott, Erica Drake, Emily Bennie, Amanda Doden, me (Interestingly, all of us were proud band nerds--4 of us in the clarinet section--except Christine, who was a proud non-band nerd. We prefer the term band babes. Not really.)

2008-Emily Yoder, me, Laura Elliott, Amanda Fisher, Valerie Hopper




MLE, me, Sabra Mann, Ranielle Gray, Nicole Potter... Kim Vu Puyleart, Val

me, Tom & Emily (we all rode the bus together in jr. high!), Val & Adam
...Shushus & me


Anyone who can know you when you were 12 and love you through junior high is a friend for life! I sure love my girls and have so much fun seeing you all again. To Europe!

4th of July Part Trois: Other Stuff

All my sisses. It's far too rare to have RaNae with us, too. Love it!




Cute nieces & nephews



Lovin' the beach

Horseshoes, of course

More cute niece & nephews

I'm totally doing this. I don't know what it's called and had never seen it before. But this guy was cruising across the waves--sideways. We named it para-surfing, until we learn what it's really called. Anyone ever heard of it?! It looked very fun, and made great use of a windy day on the beach.

JaNel & Paul's cute fam + Bradley

Jason's cute fam. At the Tillamook Cheese factory.