I read this from a blog.

describes my day perfectly.

I teach 3rd grade.....I'm not in it

Only downfall, con or whatever you want to call it, about this job is. --it's like going back to elementary school, literally.

There are clicks, whispering, and a lot of "she said, she said".

I kind of belonged to the "no clique" clique in high school - I don't intend in joining one now.  I am a very friendly person that talks to people across the board, regardless of what grade they teach, position they hold, or whatever.  Ok enough of that rant.

 "I teach 3rd grade, I'm not in it."  :)

wise woman ---- wise words.

and something a lot of adults could learn from.

we are all grown ups. 

let's act that way.

and parents... 

especially here in Utah County.

GET OUT OF YOUR SHELL AND TAKE ACTION!!!!!!

stop pretending that your children are the school's responsibility to raise.

THEY ARE NOT.

this is why YOU gave birth to them.

get in your schools!

pay attention to what is going on!!!!

get involved in your Elem/Jr.High/High School.

I had to go have a chat w/ the principal at our Jr. High for some inappropriate stuff given to my daughter on a test.

They had no idea.  

and were impressed that a parent was "brave enough" to bring it up!

seriously????!!!!!

we should never have to be "brave enough".  

(ps.... I love our Jr. High administration.  they are wonderful!  they have always been very professional and kind.)

I've had a teacher who has taught in a lot of places inform me

specificaly of this area of our state:

....

the parents aren't involved enough 

and so there is a lot going on that shouldn't be, 

but the parents put too much trust

(or it's laziness) 

into the schools here ---- they need to be at the schools.  

checking in on their classes.  

complaining/complimenting/knowing what is going on.

it's not day care, and unfortunately --- it seems that way some times.

GET INVOLVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK.  my PMS ranting is done.

my sister in law posted this on Pinterest

fact.

time to lay off the junk.

and maybe time to actually focus on a better me.

again.

for the 20th time in the last year.

or is it month?

Sydney was studying for a science quiz....

one of the vocabulary words was 

CONSUMER
defined as:

an organism that consumes something (dead or alive) for energy.

I told her

In my "associate it w/ something... even if it doesn't make sense" kind of way...

"like... you consume the sun --- alive - it makes you feel good.  gives you energy.

and chocolate (as I was acting like a pig scarfing down a bowl full of scrumptious yummy's)

... it's dead."

she thought I was calling her a pig.

"MOM!!!!  are you calling me a PIG!???!!!"

in reality... I was calling MYSELF a pig.  

and I have, definitely - 

consumed my year supply of chocolate

 - in one source or another - 

within the past 2 weeks.  

my taste buds have been thanking me.  my thighs are rejecting me.

yw lesson. great thought.

.....and because I am famous for it

there is probably a typo

somewhere..  that's my mark.

allow me this small moment......

in the image below:
I see....
someone who has aged 10 years in 6 months.
someone who is exhausted, but increasing her inner knowledge.
someone who is trying hard to not compare herself - yet is.
someone who looks worn out next to one who obviously gets facials and massages, another who is able to out do us all w/ her glorious outfits. (sigh)

and life carries on.

“May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us." ...” 

― Mother Teresa

this week I had Andrew's parent teacher conference.

worried that - since he only plays w/ girls at recess....

I asked his teacher,

"so ---- not that this is a HUGE deal, however - does Andrew associate w/ boys in the classroom?"

she looked at me and laughed.

"YES!... in fact - I would never tell him this, but you see the boys look up to him.  He is the role model in the class.  The boys look to him for acceptance and leadership.  When he does something - the boys (and girls usually) follow his lead.  I have asked some of the kids in the class who are doing better in math to help some of those who are struggling.  I have given Andrew one of the children who is struggling the most.  While tutoring her I will catch him saying things like, "you can do this.  I know you can."  and " that was so great!  You did awesome!"  and "we're going to get this!!  just keep trying!".  

I almost wanted to cry.  I would love to take full credit for that, and I suppose I can take some of it - and his dad too.  However I think the majority of the credit would go to his big brother David, who you can hear telling Andrew "you did great!"  "don't get frustrated...you can do it..... it just takes a lot of practice - but you'll get it!" and... "awesome job!".  

This week - as my daughter and I had a heart to heart ----  I told her, "I am only honest with you because I consider you one of my very best friends."  and it was one of those moments where you get that "ding!" --- it felt right... so very honest and true.  

I hope it stays that way. 

the journey has just begun.

This week --- David got a phone call from the stake young men's presidency asking him to play the piano for a stake young men's conference - where over 200 will be in attendance.  (do you think they will allow me to attend?)  The Young Men's General President will be speaking (I haven't told him this -- out of worry that it might send him into an exhausted moment of stress - turning into a lovely episode of epileptic take over)---  what an honor for our David.  (praying that his body and mind will control his epilepsy....  he should do great)

This week --- Mike finished week 2 of teaching.  He loves teaching.  He is an amazing teacher.

This week --- I got an A on my first College Algebra test.  so - I suppose for all the frumpy outer appearance my body has decided to take on, my mind is not as frumpy as it used to be.  It's growing into something ---- and I am finding joy in that.

Sydney Leigh brought this to my attention
with a small giggling response of:
"mom... this is PERFECT for you and me."
..........................
all right.
it's true.  
there is a small reason as to why I have never made it on 
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE.
that... and my age might have something to do with it. 

a break from studying... only slightly:

I can sit and analyze my work after the fact.....

when I send something off to the printers.

then: find a mistake I thought I forgot to get fixed.

cream letters instead of white.

oh well.  

They all will know:

Joanie is NOT perfect.

flaws are what makes things.... spectacular, correct?

(ugh.)

..............................................................

today:

woke up.

finished invite

sent invite off to YW leaders for final touch ups (a.k.a.: anything wrong?)

got homework together + math to study @ work during free time

 go to work.

get kids home.

home work,

study for math test.

get kids on with their homework.

***my stomach & I have a slight disagreement for about 45 minutes***

study.

listen to stories from Sydney Leigh & her day.

chat w/ Dave and Pudge..... "boys, Homework?"

chat with Mike online.

listen some more to Sydney's day...  boys are tards.

she's getting over her first heart break....

(that was a hard to see my daughter cry over a silly boy....)

it's better to just be friends with boys.

(while I am cleaning the kitchen.... she is riding her ripstick in circles around me)

"boys are selfish, hurtful, funny, hot, etc........."

boys feel no regret at 14....

  nor should you.

girl friends are awesome.  and fun.  and always there for you....

"boys are still awesome".

***texting is a dangerous thing...  

don't say anything in a text that you wouldn't say in person.

"mom.... that's the whole point of texting!"

 - I know this.  so.  trust your mother.  she's kind of smart sometimes.- 

(me: miss Syd, don't ruin a good friendship over a silly crush.

just be their friend.  You are better than them that. 

(& them- who are we kidding?)  

remember this, my dear Miss Sydney Leigh)

do some laundry.

Mike brings home take out.

(you are the BEST!)

I feel my waste size increase 2 inches.

(it's worth it, right?)

I convince myself it's time to get up earlier to work out. again.

do more laundry.

My sweet Mike folds the laundry

while I do more math/history stuff.....

Dave is sweet and cleans up the mess that was dinner

finish history presentation.

study more for math test.

(kind of freaking out about math test)

send invite to printers.

print off history report.

print off math study guide.

.........................................................

wash face.

now.  off to bed.

after I take my vitamins and stuff........

Last night.
After working
then
After 3 hours of math.
one hour of doing Sydney's research online
leaving
coming home after my night class
finishing Sydney's homework (helping. online - google was our BFF, and my brother Scott)

while gathering for nightly prayers
Pudge hands me a small green envelope

and says, "here mommy, this will make your day!"
I remind him that he is NOT supposed to keep getting into my stuff
and that we need to start asking before just taking.

with a little gloom and (maybe a little) fake sorrow in his eyes
he proclaims:
"Well, aren't you going to open it!? - it will make your day!"

I did.

can you guess who that is?
I couldn't guess....

so I asked.
....................................................
mom!  It's Huggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Jacccccccckkkkkkkkkkkman!
(ps... that photo is the size of a pinkie nail.  no joke.)

It made my day that he thought of me.
:)

I'm going to be old and senile one day and my kids are going to start making up stories about my obsession with Hugh Jackman.  So I'm telling you all now... they are all LIES!  Lies I say!
 (well, mostly.)

we have snow.

 We have snow.
I say that not in uppercase letters.

the Pudge has been anxiously awaiting snow.
Yesterday he came home from church
rushed in his room
and threw on his snow gear.....because he really wanted it to snow.
it was a lovely sunny semi-warm day.  turned to cloudy day.
today.....
it snowed.
wet.  thick. slippery snow.

(I am going to be so sad when my little partner grows up
and locks himself in his room to text and daydream.
When he decides that hanging out with mom is not cool any more....
taking naps is the cool thing to do.
THAT will be a sad moment in my life.)
.........................................................................................................
Miss Sydney Leigh
being kidnapped at 7am

 by her church pals:
Leslie, Sydney, Lex, and Kaitlyn.
after she returned
we told her next time:
the rule is: you wake up my darling daughter too early
you get to keep her all day.

she loved it.
and that room......
oh that room.
I believe we need a little "re-do"
and clean up....
and maybe not have her use every single blanket in the house on her bed.
(THAT is where all my "cuddle on the couch blankets have gone missing to....Sydney's room)

this note might have given me a small tear in the corner of my eye.

this little man of mine....
wouldn't trade him for the world.

(I especially adore the little "check the box" section.
and the little man at the bottom of the page.)

this week...
while I am in the midst of doing my hours upon hours of mathematical equations
I get to put together a 5 minute presentation on Ronald Reagan.
I'm kind of excited about it.

some great Reagan quotes:

Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged.

The Founding Fathers established a nation under God, ruled not by arbitrary decrees of kings or the whims of entrenched elites but by the consent of the governed. Theirs was the vision of a striving, God-fearing, self-reliant people living in the sunlight of justice and breathing the bracing air of liberty.

 Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.

 There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit.

the above and below... very funny)

"Honey, I forgot to duck." -to his wife, Nancy, after surviving the assassination attempt

Dear Mike,
you + me = heart.

Dear Math,
you + me (does not =) heart.
I wish college algebra was as easy as drawing a perfect heart.
....................................................
I just spent over 4 hours on my college algebra.
FOUR long, brain hemorrhaging HOURS.
all the while
my children were relaxing - having family movie night....
my Mike was preparing his Accounting class................

they are all in bed, relaxing in their dreamland.
and now I'm off to bed
at midnight (and a half)
ready to relax in my dreamland (of functions and factors and graphs....)
so I can wake up at 6:45
to send my daughter off to a breakfast,( that she knows nothing about.)
who's going to be beastly tomorrow?

me?
Sydney Leigh?

.......................................................
good night dear math.
until tomorrow..........

to sum in up: papa Sid... LOOK what your son is teaching your grandkids to do!!!! ;)

 Sydney & her darling friend spent hours upon hours playing "dress up".
then took a walk around the neighborhood like this.
(p.s.:  it was freezing cold outside.  ?????)

the Pudge played dress up too...
as a hobo (? <--- that is what he said he was dressed up as.. I guess hobo's wear lots of layers of clothing and a scout shirt.....  may I also add that he had on some incredibly short shorts, of which I made him go change out of because it was just a little too "WHAM!" for me....)

 the Pudge begged and pleaded for "a little coke"
I gave in.  to a little.

 not a pleased little man....

 so he helped himself to a "little" more.
stinker.

Saturday was absolutely lovely.

I was able to paint outside.  (in January.  In Utah! --- how's that for global warming!)

we were blessed w/ a brilliant sunshine.

no rain.

a tad bit of a winter breeze, 

but not to be outdone by the strong warmth coming from the bright rays of sunshine.

 then today.  Monday.
we took the children to the Imax
it snowed.
large.  icy.  windswept.  snow.

 tonight.
after a round of JUST DANCE 3
(where mom was ejected from the game because she kept beating everyone.)
... I'm not bragging... just telling you how it was.

the kids put on a dance for us.
which apparently they have been doing for a while.
1. I'm sexy and I know it.
(Pudge style)
2.  A song by The Wiggles
(Do the Monkey)

 "come on and jump to the front and back"

 ......oooh, oooh, ahh, ahh......

 do the monkey:

 do the elephant:

 the tiger, tiger....
GROWL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

you have now been thoroughly entertained by the White House.

.... back to the grindstone tomorrow.
school. work.  a new semester ....  Just thinking about it all makes me tired.

home again.

 tradition @ IHop.

don't we not look oh so very fancy in our "ride home" gear?

 and... entertainment.

 mmmmmm....that sucker looks oh so tasty.

we rushed home.

10+ hours.

so our Sydney Leigh could attend her very first church dance:

doesn't she look darling?

something's gotta give, or break, or swear.....

Sunday, I woke up to Andrew's little hands wrapped around a page of the Friend Magazine.
in irritation I said, "Pudge.  I have no idea what you are showing me".
"MOM!  Hello!  C.T.R. BREAD!!!!!  RIGHT HERE!  ----duh!"
then a sweet...."so......     can we make it as our rolls for dinner tonight?"
- who could so no to that?
so....
at 3.  then 4. (trying to take a quick snooze here!).  then 5.
mom.
mom.
now?
now mom?
mom.... we'd better start now.
mom.... we need to start now.

we started.
and our little man got his CTR soft pretzel with dinner.

 soon after the masterpiece was completed
food was carefully placed on the table.
everyone had their "pretzel" picked out... salted, not salted, buttered......
I was reaching for a cake plate for the art that Pudge made for us:

2 cake plates.
(sadly)

My dejunking just got easier, a sad "yay" is my response to this.

......................................................

Monday.
Mike & I had asked the Pudge to help get his room clean.
We stepped out for a minute

when we returned we found Dave and Syd looking suspiciously quiet in the kitchen.
grinning.
Sydney chuckled.
"Pudge swore."
...... what?
Dave chimed in.
"yup.  he said "hell"  "
Mike --- (both of us laughing) --- what?  seriously?  why?

"He was cleaning his bedroom and knocked his big picture of Jesus off the dresser and said:
"OH GREAT!  I MIGHT AS WELL GO SIT IN A DARK SPACE NOW SINCE I WILL BE
GOING TO HELL!".  "

Mike:  "where is he now?"
a LOT of giggling from Sydney Leigh:  "he's hiding in the bathroom cupboard".

talk about a photo op!
maxi pads....
old mouthwash....
face wash....
Pudge......

we kindly (while maybe laughing a little)
asked our guy: "Pudge... what's the matter?"
"leave me alone!!!!"  and "mom!  don't take a picture!"
we then:
explained to the little man that just because he knocked over a picture of Jesus did not mean that he had a one way ticket to hell.
"just leave me alone."
so we did.  letting him know to come out when he was ready.
and that he was in no way ---- in trouble with us or any one else.

a while later his face reappeared.
he tackled his dad.
he didn't go to hell.
all was well.

you ready for a lot of photos!??? introducing... the wind caves in eastern mesa area: