Chairs

My sweet husband surprised me by setting up a home office for grading papers and completing other school work.  Today he added a the greatest touch.  I never realized the value of a good chair.  It can relieve tension, minor aches and pains, and be so soothing a relaxing.   I love the beautiful wood trim, the smell of new leather, and the way it fits my body.  It feels as though it was made just for me.  What a difference a chair can make.

A to Z Challange: Z is for Zeroable

Z is for Zeroable

Zeroable: able to be omitted from a sentence without any loss of meaning 

Spelling has often been a challenge for me as I get words, letters and numbers scrambled up in my head when reading, writing, speaking, or doing math.  

I am so thankful for synonyms for tricky words and for zeroable words.  It is frustrating to misspell a word so bad that after many attempts, spell check still cannot help me to find the word you were trying to use.  It is a great relief to realize the word was zeroable and could be left out anyways.  I love zeroable words!!!  

I love discovering new words!!! I can't wait to share this one with my students.

A to Z Challenge: Y is for Younker

Y is for Younker

Younkers, or Young ones

I am blessed to be a teacher to amazing 5th graders.  The youth of today are so strong and determined.  They have to be to stand up for fairness, truthfulness and for what is right.  They teach me so much.  Because of my students I have a better understanding of the value of life, hard work, blessings of supportive families, strength in overcoming adversity and a resolve to never give up, never quit.

A to Z Challenge: W is for Washable

 

 

W is for Washable

 

I am so grateful that when God, our Heavenly Father, created us in his image, that he made us washable!  After working in a garden, exercising, or making a mess of myself, it is blissful to shower, remove the grunge and just feel clean again.  I cannot imagine a place where people lived who had to go an entire lifetime getting smelly and messy without being able to be clean again.

A to Z Challenge: V is for Visiting

 

V is for Visiting

The power of a visit is unmeasurable.  A visit to an elderly neighbor, makes her feel valued and makes me feel that my difficulties are not so great, a burden is lifted.  A visit from a college bound child builds a loving parent/child relationship that allows souls to reconnect.  A visit with a friend can be surprising as it can bring laughter or tears, or even both, building the bonds of friendship and lightening the loads both carry.  A visit with one who is grieving gives the one who needs healing a way to release the pain and the listener gains more compassion and love.  A visit with an in law gives more insight into the one you love and married.  A quick phone visit, lets someone know you are thinking about them, or are being thought about, a reminder that you are important to someone.  A visit to the ocean soothes and rest the soul.

Visits are powerful and can be life changing.  Who can you visit today?  If not today, who can you visit this week?

Cousins at a Family Reunion

A to Z: U is for Umbrella

U is for Umbrella

 

I remember as a little girl watching a movie in which the female lead was dancing with an umbrella.  For days I practiced twirling my umbrella and dancing with it in my room.  After being fussed at for playing with my umbrella, I prayed for rain, just so I had an excuse to play with my umbrella.  Living in Washington state, meant I did not have to wait long to use my umbrella.  I remember getting soaked because I would rather play with the umbrella, in the rain, than use it for protection from the rain.   

   

My daughter Nan, using an umbrella at the temple in Columbia, South Carolina.

A to Z Challenge: T is for Time

T is for Time

I am so grateful for the gift of time.  I just spent an amazing three days with my husband on a mini-vacation.  We went to Charleston, SC.  We camped, sailed, ate, explored, learned, and discovered.  We were amazed at the awesome things that we could find to do.  Thank you for giving me such a great gift.  The gift of your time.

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A to Z Challenge: S is for Sisters

S is for Sisters

I am so thankful to have grown up with three amazing sisters.  We are so very different from each other.  They have helped me to learn to grow and to be the person that I am today.  I am thankful for the blessings of the internet and modern technology that helps me to stay in contact with them.

A to Z Challenge: R is for Resurrection

 

 R is for Resurrection

I am so grateful that Christ atoned for my sins, so that I can be forgiven of all of the mistakes I have made.  I know that he has broken the bands of death, through his resurrection, and he lives.  Because he lives, I know that when I die, I too will live with him again.  I will see those that I love who have died before me.  I will see my dad again.


Matthew 28:5-6

 5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

http://easter.mormon.org/

A to Z Challenge: Q is for Quilts

Q is for Quilts

I love hand made quilts.  I have quilts that were made with love from each of my grandmothers.  I love snuggling underneath them and being comforted by their warmth and coziness.  I feel as I am wrapped in a hug of their love. 

I imagine the time that they spent to create such a thoughtful, useful work of art.  I wonder over the thoughts and feelings of love that they had as they were crafting their gifts, their master pieces.  I am thankful for the time they spent to give me a gift of time, warmth, and love.

  Thank you to my Grandmothers.

A to Z Challenge: P is for Prayer

P is for Prayer

I am so thankful that God, our eternal and loving father has given a direct line of communication to him.  I know that he hears and answers our prayers.  It may not always be the way that we are hoping, but his ways are greater than my ways. 

James 1:5

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gieveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 

A to Z Challenge: O is for Opportunities

O is for Opportunities

I have been blessed to have so many different opportunities for discovery and learning.  I have been blessed to work in day cares, with abused children, with the elderly and everything in between.  I have been reminded of the excitement of picking  flowers (dandelions) and have gained great knowledge from those with so much more experienced then myself.  I have learned to love so many people in such different walks of life and have been blessed by their love in return.

I have known the thrill of parachuting out of a plane, rappelling down a cliff, kayaking and rafting down rapids, and have ridden a mechanical bull for the full eight seconds. I have known the calm and peace from spending time alone in nature, at church and in my own home. 

I am so grateful to have been able to meet so many amazing people and have been able to experience so many amazing moments.  I look forward to future opportunities, to learn, to explore, to discover, and to love.

A to Z Challenge: N is for Neighbor

N is For Neighbor

I have the best neighbor in the world.  She has become not only my neighbor but my grandma and friend.  Our birthdays are only a day a part and each year we go out and celebrate together.  We can talk together about anything, children, school, religion, and even politics.  I have been so blessed to have her share her knowledge, experience and wisdom with me. 

My children have also been blessed to have her as a neighbor, they have learned to serve others by raking leaves, gathering walnuts, picking up sticks in the yard, baking her cookies, and listening to her sage advice.

We Love you, Helen!!! Thank you for being such a good neighbor.  I wish everyone was blessed to have such a good neighbor.

A Birthday Lunch, with my neighbor, at our favorite Birthday lunch location: Subway!!!  As Helen says it's so healthful.

A to Z Challenge: M is for Mother

M is for Mother

I am so thankful for my Mom.  She taught me how to cook, sew, clean, manage my time, manage my finances, love the Lord, and to love and serve others.  She has sacrificed so much for me and each of her six children.  

Thank you Mom!  I love you!

A to Z Challenge: L is for Love

L is for Love

  

 Love, the most powerful force on earth.

Without the love of God There would be no earth

There would be no heaven

 

Without love there would be no marriage, 

In the way God intended marriage to be

Without marriage, their would be no births,

Without births their would be no life.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world

That he gave his only begotton son,

That whoso ever believeth in him

 should not perish, 

but have everlasting life.

A to Z Challenge: K is for Kindness

K is for Kindness

It is amazing how something seemingly small and insignificant can make such a difference.  When I am going through a rough patch on my journey through life, and it seems as though I cannot take another step, and I feel alone, God, my Heavenly Father, reminds me he is near. Usually through the acts of another. I feel his love for me in the random acts of kindness performed by others. 

Some recent acts of kindness that felt like a hug from Heaven:

• A letter from a former student, telling me how I impacted their live
• A thank you letter from the parent of a student who has always struggled and is just now seeing their own strengths
• A student asking if you remember their favorite lesson, one you felt like was a flop
• A husband who sneaks out at night to fill your car with gas, or to buy a cheese cake
• A daughter, busy with college and working two jobs, who has find time to make a home cooked supper
• A child bringing me a half wilted daisy they picked on their way to school.  
• Flowers in an a Clorox Wipes container, because that is all there was to put them in
  
  
  
   This week I will look for ways to be kinder to others and I will look for the good in others.  
  
  
  
  
  
   
   

A to Z Challenge: J is for Job

 

J is for Job

We live in a difficult time full of uncertainty.  There are so many businesses being closed, companies moving over sea, and people being laid off.

I am so grateful that in the midst of all of the confusion and jumble that I have a regular and steady job.  I am blessed to be able to teach amazing 5th graders math and science.  I love working with children, seeing them learn, grow and change.

I am thankful for my job.

J is for Job.

A to Z Challenge: I is for Ice Cream!

I is for Ice Cream!

Growing up, my family had a weekly tradition.  Every Sunday Evening, all eight of us, would gather together in the living room.  We would discuss what we learned in church, review highlights of the week, make plans for the up coming week and counsel together.  After which, was the best time of the entire week.  We would watch "The Magical World of Disney" together and eat ice cream. 

It was a time of togetherness, of bonding, of putting everything aside and just enjoying each other  as a family.  Ice Cream is a taste that makes me feel loved, calm, peaceful and accepted.  It is a feeling of family. 

A to Z Challenge: H is for Health

 

H is for Health

I am so thankful that my family 

has been blessed with such great health.  I am thankful that my husband and children encourage me to exercise.  My children have spent countless hours exercising along side me, and motivate me to keep on going.

A to Z Challenge: G is for God the Eternal Father

We Believe in God the Eternal Father and in his son, Jesus Christ and in the Holy Ghost.
-Joseph Smith-

I believe that God is a loving Father.  He wants the best for us.  He gave all mankind the gift of agency that we can choose for ourselves to accept the atonement of Jesus Christ, or not to accept.  Because of this gift some make bad choices and bad things can happen in out lives.  He does not abandon us in our needs.  He walks along side us.  He listens to our prayers.  He answers our prayers, sometimes in unexpected ways but he does answer.  His love for us is great.  God is good.

A to Z Challenge: F is for Familly

F is for Family

 Photo by Shannon Irish

I  believe that families are a gift from God.  When we come into the world, we don't enter it alone.  We come with the help of parents.  Mothers are prepared for our coming and can feel a special bond  with us even before we take our first breath.    

God gives us help to make it on our journey through life.  We were not supposed to do it on our own.  

It saddens me to see people who chose to neglect their families and who do not work to strengthen this special bond.  Spend a little time with your family each day, eat a meal together, say a prayer, read a scripture, go to the park, just be together.

I love my family with all of my heart.  I am grateful to be a part of their lives and that they are a part of mine. 

 

A to Z Challenge: E is for Eyes

E is for Eyes

Nan's Rose 

I am so grateful for the gift of sight. 

 I love watching the sun rise in the morning.  Nothing says the beginning of spring like seeing the first daffodil of the year in bloom.  I love seeing the azaleas and the roses blossoming.  I love looking at the beautiful wings of a butterfly.  I love seeing the sun peep out from behind the clouds after a rainstorm and looking for the rainbows. 

I love seeing my family.  I am grateful to be able to read.  Books add so much joy in my life, especially the scriptures.

 
 

E is for eyes.

A to Z Challenge: D is for Dad

 

 

D is for Dad

Farrell J Taylor

I am not sure who took this photo, when it was taken or where it came from.  I do know that this is a photo of my Dad.  He died when I was in college, shortly after I married.

My dad taught me about family, service, faith, perseverance, love for nature, keeping a sense of humor, and so many other things amazing and important things. 

 

The longer I teach the more I realize how blessed I am to have had a father growing up, who cared for his family, followed his faith and served others.  I wish my students we as blessed to have a dad involved in their lives.  I am grateful that he was a part of mine.

I know that after this life I will be able to see him again and to thank him for all that he has done for me.

A to Z Challenge: C is for Cuddling

C is for Cuddling

 

Yesterday, I pulled into my driveway after school.   Before I even got out of the car I got a text message.  I debated on opening it or just leaving it until I got my car unpacked and got everything settled.  I am glad I opened it.  The text was from my sweetheart, my husband, the love of my life. He was just letting me know he was glad I was home.  

As I approached the front door, he opened the door, emptied my hands and hugged me.  I love a nice warm sweet welcome home.  It gets even better we ate take out and just snuggled awhile on the couch.  When I finally pulled away to write a science test, I realized all of my stresses and worries for the day had melted in my husbands embrace.  

C is for Cuddling on the Couch

A to Z Challenge, Day 2: B is for Balloons

B is for Balloons

I love balloons.   

Balloons make a normal day feel like a special occasion!

A party feels more complete with balloons.  They add color, they change patterns with light, they make things lighter and happier.

I teach math and science to 5th graders.  When it is a full moon, or something is in the air to cause the classroom to feel crazy and the kids are not listening, or if they are being disrespectful, the whole class changes within seconds of me putting a bag of balloons on my desk.  They wonder it they can earn one by being good, or if they will get one for answering a question.  

When a student gets a balloon, it is amazing how quickly it is put in a desk or a pocket.  It must be hard not to blow them up in class, yet they wait, they don't want anything to happen to their balloons.  The atmosphere becomes magical. 

A to Z Challenge, Day 1

A is for Alicia

A to Z Challenge Day 1

I am grateful for the day this beautiful young lady gave me permission to marry her dad and for the privileged to become a part of her life.

Alicia is very strong, independent, and adventurous.   She is a good writer with great ideas.  She brought music into our home when she requested piano lessons, and never quit!  She practiced every day, at home, since her very first lesson, without being reminded.  She is loving and is easy to love.  Alicia is creative and compassionate.  She has the ability to help others in need and to make others feel good about themselves. 

From Alicia I have learned that it is important to make time for fun, to make time to help others, to be more patient and compassionate.  She has reminded me that often times the most difficult challenges help us to grow the most, and that tears and laughter both bring healing and lighten a difficult load.  She has shared with me a love of photography.  She can make and achieve goals. She helps me to remember that life is not a journey to travel alone.  

It All Begins Now!

It All Begins Now!

So today is the first official post for the A to Z Challenge. I signed up to do this challenge for the month of April. Basically, you post every day in April (except Sundays) and each day corresponds with a letter of the alphabet going in ABC order. Today is the letter A and my theme for this month is 26 Days of Gratitude. Stop on by to read what "A" thing I am grateful for.


Thanks Kristen Smith from Swords and Stilettos

Spending time with Nan

Ruthanne and I had a nice morning together.  She found a good deal on clothing! I am glad that she asked me to spend time with her.  I love family time!  Thank you for sharing your day with me.

Owl Pellet Dissection Lab

I am so thankful for parents who took time off work today to help my 5th graders with their first dissection lab.  We dissected owl pellets.  The parents really encouraged the kids curiosity and desire to learn through exploration. 

Battling the Flu

This past week has been a challenge for me!  I caught the flu, it got stuck in my net and I couldn't release it.  I don't remember ever sleeping so much in my life! 

It made me so grateful for so many things!  I am so thankful for modern medications that help to relieve fevers and coughing, for thermometers, a soft bed in a warm house, a husband willing to serve-to make sure I ate and kept hydrated, for a daughter who helped with dishes and house work, for a salaried job with built in sick days, for technology to plan a lesson for a sub that can be sent digitally that does not have to be hand delivered, for a wonderful Relief Society counselor-willing to step up and teach an unexpected lesson, for students who behaved better-knowing I didn't feel well, for get well cards, prayers and kindness shown to just another traveler on life's journey.

Getting Settled

I am so thankful for the kind hearted women who helped Dianne get admitted to the Heath House, for those who helped her pack, clean up after her move and who have been visiting her in her new home.  The sign in log indicated that she had seven visitors in just the first four days!!!  She seems to be adjusting well and she is getting the help that she needs.