Happy Day to Betsy!

I know I post this every year - but when Betsy was "overdue," I kept hoping she'd end up being my "Birthday Buddy."  Alas, she chose her own day - and I hope it's a good one today!!

This is her first birthday!!  And I still own that tablecloth you see on the picnic table.  I probably say that every year too!!

Happy Birthday Betsy!!

Teaching him well

David was taking a pictures of us on Mother's Day and right when we were done Henry said, 

"Wait!  Now we need one with the head tilt!"  

Love that kid.

Happy Day to Karen!!

When Harry was on his mission, he wrote me about the baby that his sister was expecting - in May of that year.  And I kept hinting that maybe she would come on my birthday - a not-so-subtle-hint to let him know when my birthday was!!

She missed my birthday, but Harry figured out when mine was!!

Anyway, I married  into "Aunthood"  via Scott and Karen - and they both have a special place in my heart because of that - and because of the special people they are.

This shot is from 1983 - you do the math!!

Happy Day to you Karen - and all the best for a wonderful year ahead!!

Happy Day to Grandma Mary!!

Our children have enjoyed the wonderful blessing of growing up with their grandmas!  I had a grandma and a wonderful step-grandma, and it was a great blessing in my life.  So I have always been grateful that our children have enjoyed that experience also.

Today their Grandma Mary is 92 years old - or should I say, 92 years young!

Not only is she a "great" grandma - and a great grandma too!!  But she has been a wonderful mother to me and my siblings.  She is not perfect - but the longer I live, the more I love and appreciate all she did and does - and find no memory of the imperfections!!

Happy Day to you Mom - you deserve the best!!

A great summer read!!

I do not often wax rhapsodic about Grisham novels.  He's a great airplane read, a great entertainment read, a great fall-asleep at night read.  But this time, he's not only written a very readable novel, he's produced a well-written, very readable novel that is a great story - that I can't imagine everyone I know not loving!

So there you have it - add it to your queue.  It's a baseball story.  It's a story about being a child.  It's a story about familial love.  It's a story about fate and redemption.  

And there's not one lawyer in the bunch.

In the Hall of the Copenhagen Metro

Thought the fam would appreciate this.  Although Bruce claims he had a hard time staying awake through Peer Gynt when we saw it at the Shakespeare festival in Ashland.





By the way, does anyone remember the name of the other play we saw in Ashland with Ry and Sarah about the political extremists in Idaho?

So, is there more to this story than meets the eye?

I read an editorial in the LA Times today by Bruce Ackerman, who is a professor of law and political science at Yale University,  decrying the actions of Eduardo Saverin, co-founder of Facebook, who is renouncing his United States citizenship, which he acquired 14 years ago, for citizenship in tax-friendly Singapore.  (Wow, that's a sentence that Charles Dickens might applaud!!)

Anyway, is there more to this than meets the eye?  At first glance I feel like boycotting Facebook - unless someone can put a friendlier spin on all of this for me.

Surely one of you can illuminate this issue for me!

Monday Night at the Movies

We took Noah to the movies for his birthday - he at first wanted to see Dark Shadows - I'd read conflicting reviews but had seen the previews and thought I might enjoy it.  Then he changed his mind and said he wanted to see  Avengers.  I was pretty harsh - told Dad, "I should have stayed home.  I have no desire to see that movie."

Shows you what I don't know - it was very entertaining, and I enjoyed it.  Had some great one liners - and even the acting was pretty good.

Live and learn.

Sunday Celebration!

The day was full of people - and I didn't get a photo of each one - or of everyone - but I did get Ara working away on her science project.

And the Grandmas enjoying their day.

The guys and the gals - or should I say "The guy and the gals?"

My "little" boy - I have to stand while he sits if I want to look bigger than him!

Rounding up the menfolk for a family shot!

The birthday girl and her guy - a great looking couple.

The favorite aunt still rules!

And the uncle still catches the interest of the nephews!

The lovely Miss Ella.

The girl cousins enjoying some bonding time!

Aunt Mary sporting her new short 'do.

Rusty - the "biggest loser" these days - go Rusty!!

The lovely Miss Isla.

The Mimi Cake reaches new highs - or maybe new lows??

The Quarter Century Special courtesy of the Young Women Dessert Auction!

Always help when you need some candles blown out!!

Bill and some of his family were there, some friends from the ward, it was a celebration of the birthday kids, the moms, the grandmas - good food, good company, good times.

On to the week ahead, fortified with sugar and spice - and even some veggies and fruits!

Maybe I need to remind myself how to do a slide show!!

Happy Day to Dawn!

It seems very fitting that Dawn's birthday should fall on Mother's Day this year.  Dawn and Harry have had a difficult past year as they faced the daunting task of welcoming a special spirit into their home, knowing that his sojourn would be very brief.  They acquitted themselves beautifully and set a gold standard of faithfulness and obedience.  We are all better people for having known Jonah - and witnessing the devotion of his parents.

Harry and I have often said that the best thing that ever happened to Harry was finding Dawn.  We are so pleased and happy that she is part of our family - and we love her family too!!

Happy Birthday Dawn - and Happy Mother's Day too.  May the year ahead be full of joy and happiness - and zero point desserts too!

Happy Mother's Day!!

I also have 6 brothers, and I am not trying to "slight" them, but it is Mother's Day after all!!  And I am eternally grateful for a wonderful mother who always does her best.  After many years, I have come to the conclusion that her great strength is that she has always worked hard and tried to do her best.  I saw this growing up, and it is a lesson that has stayed with me.  I'm not sure I always do my best - but not because I didn't have a great example!

And my 5 wonderful sisters have always been great examples to me also.  I love that I feel like my sisters are my best friends!

My mom taught me to remember to never do anything when your children are asleep that you can do when they are awake.  Think about this a minute - it is great advice!

Joan has taught me that keeping track of your family is essential - and I'm so glad she does - and keeps the rest of us in the loop!

Alice has taught me that faith is the key - and the key is to be sure that your husband's faith is not wavering when yours is!  Together you can buoy each other up when things are down!

Mary has taught me that the race goes to the steady - just keep on keepin' on and you will get there! Even when the going gets tough.

Leslie has taught me that everyone has great value.  Sometimes we have to look for that value, but it is there for the finding when we keep looking.

And Donna has taught me that you don't have to be a "mother" to be a real mother.  She takes care of all of us with her loving care and concern - what a blessing she is to all of us.

Happy Mother's Day to my mom and sisters - and to all the other great moms out there who are a part of my life.  And even the moms who aren't a part of my life!

Our own little caboose - for the last quarter century!

Noah has hit the quarter century mark!

Have a great day - and a great year ahead!!

You say Astro, I say Camp

 Esme' headed off to AstroCamp last week and she had a blast.  She was a little nervous/excited the night before departure.  So after she went to bed, I dug through her suitcase to find her socks and continue the epic family tradition of writing messages on socks.  Nothing like a love note when you are away from home. 

This tradition began many moons ago when I went to camp at Forest Home as a pre-teen (an experience for another post).  Little did I know how homesick I would be, as I had never experienced this malady before, despite having been away from home.  Anyway, what a treat it was each morning to find a message that dad had Sharpied onto my socks.

Thanks Mom and Dad!!!

Sunday, Sunday

We haven't really had Sunday dinner at our place for awhile - in fact, we've all been in and out of town, Harry's on a new work schedule, Harry and I were sick one weekend - so tonight we were all together - except for Harry F. who was working.  And there is not much left in the Grandma's Treasure box.  This Statue of Liberty headgear has been sitting in there for almost a year now!!  (Time for some refills, I guess.)

But it did elicit a smile from Miss Isla!!

Filling in the blanks -

When I was a girl, doing a silhouette picture was de rigeur for elementary school.  I didn't think much of it - everyone did it.  So one year, I did it with our Brownie troop.  It was actually a lot of work.  And I did it once with the Young Women too - and that was a lot of work.  Maybe that's why they don't do them as much.  Or maybe technology has made it simple, but people just aren't interested in them.  I kind of wish I had a silhouette of each of our children, like I have a handprint from each one.  I must not really care, or I'd figure out a way to do it I suppose.

But I digress, as I am wont to do.  I was thinking about how a silhouette is like an outline - but not exactly like an outline.  All the blanks are filled in and the shape is all that matters.  But even without all the details, there is a complete picture.

Much in life is like that.  We can see a mother walking with a child and get a complete picture.  We can see someone working in their yard and get a complete picture.  We see only snatches of others' lives but know a lot about their lives.

On the other hand, we can see an outline, a shape, and think we know.  But often we don't.  I was thinking specifically about an assignment I read for the class on Autism Spectrum Disorders that I am taking - and have been taking since Janaury!!  (The state of California is now requiring a 3 course series on autism for all SPED teachers.)

The segment I am studying right now is about communication and behavior strategies.  All behavior has a purpose.  We all know that.  I know it.  But I don't often react with "Well, I wonder why young Johnny is doing that, instead of this?" I mostly just react.  "Sit down."  "Stop talking."  "Turn in your homework."  "Why are you out of your seat again?"

I have a student who drives me crazy - truly.  He never turns in work - maybe twice in a semester.  He is always tardy.  His mom never comes to his IEP meetings - she always calls in sick - and she even sounds sick - maybe she's always sick.  He is overweight.  His hygiene is not excellent.  He is always out of his seat.  Throwing something away.  Sharpening his pencil.  Getting a drink.  Blowing his nose.

So I told my aide to put Kleenex on his desk, along with several sharpened pencils, paper, and to put a wastebasket nearby and give him a water bottle.  He had no reason to get up out of his seat.  And he didn't even ask or try to get out of his seat.  

But he didn't do any work either.

I'm still working on figuring out the purpose for his behavior.  Or should I say his lack of academic behavior.

Maybe he can't do the work.  Maybe he truly sees no value in it. Maybe he honestly believes no one cares.  But I am going to keep trying to find out why!

This may be old hat to some of you - and it's information I knew.  But now I see it in a new light.  And I am anxious to get to work seeing if I can see further, see beyond the outline, beyond the shape, beyond and into the silhouette!

I may start with trying to figure out exactly why I sit down and blog when I have lots of required reading online for the above-mentioned class!!

About 7 years ago, a young man came into my classroom and did not impress me favorably at all.  In fact, I came to dread seeing his face.  I was disturbed that he was so difficult to like, and I wondered how I could possibly help him.

 

He had some disgusting habits that were a definite turn off.  He was pretty bright and articulate, however, so I had to deal with his cleverness also.  One of his mothers often wept at the meetings we had - she felt that her son had been passed over and misunderstood for too long.  And they called for lots of meetings - lots of times!

 

I like to think that I am professional enough to overcome inherent dislikes and to give every student what he or she deserves.  So I kept trying to see the best in him.  I tried to praise every good thing he did - which did happen occasionally.  I tried to ignore lots of what he did and said that was so odious.

By 7th grade, he was receiving fewer services because he really was bright enough for general ed classes when he was willing to work at it.  I only had him for Study Skills.  And by 8th grade, he had "earned" the right to an elective, so he was only on watch and consult.  I recall waving to him at promotion  and wishing him well.  That fall, a teacher who had seen him at summer school reported to me that he seemed to be a changed boy - he was actually acting like a regular kid.  I was glad to hear that he seemed to be doing so well.

I heard nothing more until today when I received a high school graduation announcement in the mail.  It was sent to Mrs. Barbara Terrill care of Clifton.  The boy and his family had moved to Northern California.  By the looks of the graduation photo that was enclosed he is doing very well.

Sometimes you just never know.

May Day!!

I'm pretty sure I post this every year - at least every year on May 1st.  May Day was a big deal when I was a kid.  We had a Maypole dance and a May Queen and in elementary school we had a carnival too. 

This is a shot from Northridge Junior High - where I went in the 7th grade.  The 9th grade girls got to do the Maypole dance.

Phoebe, Allie and Mellie always celebrated May Day too - they'd pick flowers and make paper baskets for them and take them to the neighbors.

Too bad President Eisenhower did away with the holiday - apparently he felt it would get confused with the Soviet May Day!

And on a side note, Mayday, the distress signal, comes from m'aider - "help me" in French.

Just think what you've learned already today!!