A DAY FROM HECK

Did I say heck? I'm sorry. I meant: H-E-double-hockey-sticks. 

I love my job...I really do. But every once in a while, I feel that I REEeaaally earn my 13 or so bucks an hour. 


1.) First off, a certain little someone in my class DEFINITELY forgot to take a certain medication today. Again. I could tell the moment this child waltzed through my door. This meant, I was to be this certain someone's full-time aid/ policeman/ ring leader. Every. single. blasted. second. 

2.) One of my students got kicked out of special education reading pull-out time for not completing homework. If getting 30 minutes of reading help each day is contingent upon completing homework...this kid will NEVER be getting this 30 minutes of reading help.
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And it doesn't feel right to me.

3.) One of my students fell at recess. He came back to class with blood dripping down his neck from the gaping gash on the back of his head. After calling Mom, she showed up to get him stitched up. 

4.) A certain lonely little guy was chasing his crush around at afternoon recess. She got sick of it and asked him to stop. He threatened to get a gun and shoot her. She cried in fear. Classmates rallied in her defense...and took it upon themselves to physically drag him away from her. Things got rough. Blood was drawn.

I began to hear snippets of this story as they came back from recess, and spent the next hour sorting out the details. The principal got involved. The district social worker got involved. I was lucky to have a student teacher continue class as normal, so I could handle it all . 

5.) It was at about this point I began to get a throbbing, blinding headache. 

6.) With only half an hour to go, a student threw up and I once again, called a parent to come get their child.

7.) The students finally got on the bus to go home. Within 30 minutes, parents were calling my room to express concern over the death threat. I gave proper reassurances that it is being addressed. 

8.) Then, I unintentionally made a teacher mad at me...one that I really like and need on my side. As I watched her leave my room in a huff, I decided it was officially time for me to go home. 

So here I am. At home. Nursing this darn headache and still reeling from all that still needs to be handled tomorrow. This is usually such a peaceful, country elementary school. What the heck happened?!


But anyway. Enough about me. How was your day? :)

IT IS BETTER TO LOOK UP

"At the end of a particularly tiring day toward the end of my first week as a General Authority, my briefcase was overloaded and my mind was preoccupied with the question “How can I possibly do this?” I left the office of the Seventy and entered the elevator of the Church Administration Building. As the elevator descended, my head was down and I stared blankly at the floor.

The door opened and someone entered, but I didn’t look up. As the door closed, I heard someone ask, “What are you looking at down there?” I recognized that voice—it was President Thomas S. Monson.

I quickly looked up and responded, “Oh, nothing.” (I’m sure that clever response inspired confidence in my abilities!)

But he had seen my subdued countenance and my heavy briefcase. He smiled and lovingly suggested, while pointing heavenward, “It is better to look up!” As we traveled down one more level, he cheerfully explained that he was on his way to the temple. When he bid me farewell, his parting glance spoke again to my heart, “Now, remember, it is better to look up.”

As we parted, the words of a scripture came to mind: “Believe in God; believe that he is … ; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth.” As I thought of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ’s power, my heart found the comfort I had sought in vain from the floor of that descending elevator..."

--Carl B. Cook

A woman from church dropped by last week with THIS printed talk and a helium balloon (you have to read the whole talk to entirely understand the balloon idea ). 

She is not my visiting teacher and I never considered us especially close friends...but she was there, I am convinced, as an answer to prayer. My heart needed the message, and it provided strength to do hard things.


My favorite passage:

"President Monson’s encouragement to look up is a metaphor for remembering Christ. As we remember Him and trust in His power, we receive strength through His Atonement. It is the means whereby we can be relieved of our anxieties, our burdens, and our suffering. It is the means whereby we can receive the faith and strength to endure all things."

And I love my happy, yellow balloon. :) Isn't that a cute idea?

MY CRAZY WEEK

I woke up this morning at NOON. When I finally rolled over and looked at the clock, I was shocked. I had to go check the other clocks in the house to make sure. I guess my body needed it:

1.) Parent Teacher Conferences.
They require hours of preparation between the grading, progress reports, projects in class to finish and display, IRI graphs to print, thoughts to organize, classroom to clean, and appointments to arrange. And then there are the late nights actually conducting the interviews. And then there is usually that one parent who is angry at you for suggesting their child has any room for improvement or could have possibly ever broken a school rule. sigh.

But other than that, I really, truly, enjoy parent teacher conferences. I always leave with a clearer understand of why my kiddos are the way they are. Also, seeing how much the parents love their kids, for some reason, makes me love the squirts even more than ever.

2.) Sick.
Our house has had bad luck in the health department. Last week, Andrew came home miserable with the stomach flu. Luckily, with some distance and a bottle of Pepto, I was able to escape with only a day of mild nausea. But this week, I came home with a burning throat and a sinus headache. Teaching twenty-four, active eight-year olds while sick is never fun. 

3.) New Calling.
I learned to love my sunbeam calling much faster than expected. My bad attitude at the beginning only shames me now. And, as usual, the moment I get comfortable, I am issued a new call.

Laurel Advisor.

Relief Society presidency didn't terrify me near as much...and I was shakin' in my high heels back then, let me tell you. A few bad experiences must have traumatized me forever, because I have been out of high school for nearly ten years now, yet adolescent girls still make my palms sweat. It's as if I revert back to awkward teenager the moment I'm around them (though if we're being honest here, when have I NOT been socially awkward?). At mutual, I'm suddenly very conscious of my lack of witty things to say. Is my face turning red when I speak? And where am supposed to rest my hands while I hold a conversation?

The above quote has been helping me keep the proper perspective. This isn't about me. It's about those sixteen and seventeen year-old girls. Serve accordingly, Rachel.

4.) The House. 
Andrew's gone until 9 or 10 every night working to finish it by the new year. Although we knew it would be like this, and we agreed the sacrifice was worth making to build this house...it totally sucks. 
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I spend a lot of time digitally painting houses online these days. After angst-filled deliberation, I think the exterior house colors have been selected. Almost. I think.

On the Bright Side.
*I have the very best class this year. I just love them. Last year was so hard...and this year has been a breath of fresh air.

*Andrew is so wonderful. I was so miserably sick last night, and Andrew got a bath ready for me, brought me food, and rubbed my aching head until I fell asleep. I am spoiled rotten.

*After two late nights of parent-teacher conferences, teachers have Friday off. I love today.

*My Laurels are so good-hearted, talented, and well-versed in the Gospel. I don't know why I'm worried.

*We are totally building our own house. And that is freakin' awesome.

MISS GRUMPY PANTS SAYS SORRY

Source: jimaiemarie.tumblr.com via Rachel on Pinterest

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SOOOO...I was just reading over a post I wrote this weekend about my pet peeves. 
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Afterward, I was, like:
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YIKES. 

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I sound like a really. angry. person.

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I had Andrew read it and give me his opinion. He said he didn't like it and it didn't sound anything like me. "Usually, your posts are all upbeat and laughy."
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(That was a direct quote.)

Well, I'm glad he doesn't think it sounds like me, because I sure don't think I'm a total downer all the time.

Looking back, It must have had something to do with the fact that: I wrote the post while I was miserably sick with a high temperature, irritated that it was keeping me from my long to-do list, home alone all day, and really, really grumpy. 
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And I guess that leaked out in my writing. 

So anyway, if you read that post with all my most negative, loathsome thoughts smeared around in a whiny hissy fit, I hope you won't hold it against me.
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I promise to try and keep my future posts as upbeat and laughy as possible.


Most sincerely,
Rachel

THE CURRENT BUZZ

I've been busy working on my bee-themed classroom for the first day of school (just a few days left!). As a result, my head is a whirl with cheesy bee puns. This "bee happy" banner I made is just a sneak peek of things to come.

So here's a story for ya:

I decided to be brave and enter some photography into our itty, bitty county fair. I printed three 8x10 photos, matted and framed them, and sheepishly handed then over at the fair grounds. I felt so foolish. It didn't help that I was completely surrounded by parents filling out entry forms for their children.

For several days after, I felt butterflies in my stomach every time I thought about going back. I had asked for my photography to be judged! How intimidating! What if I didn't get any prize at all?
But what if I did?
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My thoughts eventually snowballed into grand visions of ribbons and recognition. By the time I went to see the results, I was entertaining myself with memories of Wilbur from Charlotte's Web, being paraded around the fair with a full marching band. It could happen, right?

That's not exactly how it played out.

Not only were pink Participant ribbons hanging from each of my frames, but two photos were hung SIDEWAYS on the wall, as if the judges couldn't even tell what they were supposed to be!

I'm trying not to let this one experience squelch all my hopes and dreams.

I have given up on vegetable gardens for now. For 3 years, I provided tender, loving care through the summer until school hit in August. Then, it all died...just as everything was nearing its harvest time. I'd just be too busy!

I was tired of putting in so much work for nothing. So this year, I threw handfuls of wildflower seeds in our garden box and called it good. I was worried when for a few months it looked like a box of weeds. But recently...it paid off.

Oh, and this is what our house currently looks like. Dormers built, shingles laid, and most walls sheeted.

Several windows still need to be cut out on the front, and others need to be made bigger. But this gives the general idea.


Next up: house wrap and window installation!

PINTEREST INSPIRATION

Lately, I have been a Pinterest-ing fool.

While Andrew handles the actual building of the house, he expects me to make final decorating decisions. You know, carpet, tile, paint, shingles, stucco, landscaping, etc.

This puts a lot of pressure on me. What if I don't get it right? What if our house looks like a tacky, mismatched mess, and it's all my fault? I'm no trained decorator you know.

I'll often spend the day "researching," a.k.a. "spending hours on Pinterest" and then, when Andrew gets home at like, 10pm, I'll report my findings. We'll discuss, deliberate, and make decisions, but generally, I get the all too often: "Whatever you think babe. Looks good to me."

The control freak in me loves this response. However, the insecure, little girl in me is hyperventilating in panic. I don't know what I'm doing! And these decision deadlines are fast approaching.

1.) We just had the shingles ordered and delivered.
This is what we chose:

2.) By the end of today, I have to decide on the placement of two skylights. I'm thinking' the kitchen. These have been my skylight Pinterest inspiration:

Source: housebeautiful.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: imgfave.com via Rachel on Pinterest

One day, I'll do skylights in a patio like this:

Source: houzz.com via Rachel on Pinterest

3.) Within a week, I have to choose the stucco color! These are my ideas so far: (ignore that some of these have siding instead of stucco, and just look at the color)

Source: theplancollection.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: None via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: None via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: stuccotechutah.blogspot.com via Rachel on Pinterest

I'm torn between light and dark colors. All input is welcome through this process. You can be my styling collaboration crew. Many of you have experience and insights that I don't have.

I may not take all suggestions...like my new, frilly, brightly-colored blouse for example, that Andrew hates, but I'm going to wear happily anyway. It can be nice to know others' perspectives, but sometimes, you just gotta do what makes you happy despite what others think, you know?

Anyway. Thanks for listening. Have a happy weekend, folks.

THANKFUL THURSDAY-- Tie a Bow Around it

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"Your life with Andrew sounds so cute I could tie a bow around it. You guys sound so happy and it sounds like you take time out to have fun – that’s good! I am SO HAPPY for you two!! It makes me smile reading all about your life I can just picture it – I’m glad you decided to change your mind [about a mission]and marry Andrew!"


This excerpt comes from an old e-mail I received from an old friend. I hadn't been trying to paint my life to sound overly sunny and rose-colored.  We were just catching up on what the other has been up to lately. I just listed the basic facts. 


But I think about her statement a lot...that image of tying a bow around my life with Andrew. We really do have a blessed life. And I bet you do too. 


It's just that sometimes, I forget...or get distracted by what's difficult, so that I can't see what's good. I need to stop existing on survival mode and really enjoy these good times. 

• Sickeningly in love with my man
• The good news of the Gospel
• Jobs with regular paychecks
• Working vehicles
• Our cozy house
• Health
• Money to spend on luxuries like date nights
• Church service
• Education
• Family
• Friends
• Freedom and peace

Yep. Cute enough to tie a bow around...top with a cherry, and eat with a spoon!

FOUR YEARS

I have such a good man. Our wedding anniversary makes me think back to that crazy courtship of ours, and what a miracle it was that we ended up together. (I'm not going to go over our story now, but you can read it HERE.) It was absolutely meant to be.

This song makes me think of that time. Everything was so full of unknowns and uncertainties, but two things helped me through it:

1.) I had distinctly felt that marrying him was what the Lord wanted. I was assured that Andrew was a good person, and God's word was good enough for me.

2.) My family supported me in the decision. I can only imagine the fears going through my mother's mind upon learning I was to marry a man neither of us had known more than a few weeks. But she stuck true to her promise: After expressing her concerns once, she went forward with 100% support and trust. There wasn't even a hint of dissatisfaction coming from her during that whirlwind engagement.

But I'm sure it also helped that Andrew's good heart became increasingly evident the longer we knew him. We all fell in love with him fast, because he is good. And I feel blessed to have had the Lord be out matchmaker. God knew what He was doing.

And doesn't Carrie Underwood sing this song so beautifully? Listen to those high notes!

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HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS

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I want to share with you a favorite Christmas song. It never meant much to me until I saw Judy Garland sing it on Meet Me in Saint Louis.  Nothing compared to the exquisite, humble manner in which she performed it. I think I may have even cried. So sorrowful! Yet, filled with an aching hope for the future.

The first video is just the song. But if you have a few extra minutes, watch the second video. It includes the scene with her ADORABLE little sister, Tootie, and makes the song even more meaningful.

Happy Holidays, blog buds. 

See you after Christmas.

SUNDAY--Prophets

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My church recently had it's semiannual General Conference. This is where the entire world membership gathers via Internet, radio, tv, and satellite broadcasts to listen to addresses from prophets and apostles. Did you know that there is a living prophet alive today? Prophets aren't all about biblical times, you know.

During Conference, I was interested to hear many of them refer to the 14 Fundamentals in Following the Prophet, an address given by Ezra Taft Benson about thirty years ago. I was curious, so I looked it up.





President Thomas S. Monson

1.)The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.

• We are to "give heed unto all his words"--as if from the Lord's "own mouth."

2.)The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works (scriptures).

• "...those books do not convey the word of God direct to us now, as do the words of a Prophet or a man bearing the Holy Priesthood in our day and generation (Brigham Young)."

3.)The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.

• "God's revelations to Adam did not instruct Noah how to build the ark. Noah needed his own revelation. Therefore, the most important prophet, so far as you and I are concerned, is the one living in our day and age to whom the Lord is currently revealing His will for us."

4.) The prophet will never lead the Church astray.

• "I say to Israel, The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as president of the Church to lead you astray. It is not in the program. It is not in the mind of God (Wilford Woodruff)."

5.) The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.

• We encourage earthly knowledge in many areas, but remember, if there is ever a conflict between earthly knowledge and the words of the prophet, you stand with the prophet, and you'll be blessed and time will vindicate you.

6.)The prophet does not have to say "Thus saith the Lord" to give us scripture.

• "Thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you" (D&C 21:4)

7.) The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.

• "...many are prone to garnish the sepulchres of yesterday's prophets and mentally stone the living ones. Why? Because the living prophet gets at what we need to know now, and the world prefers that prophets either be dead or mind their own business."

8.)The prophet is not limited by men's reasoning. There will be times when you will have to choose between the revelations of God and the reasoning of men--between the prophet and the politician or professor.

• "Would it seem reasonable to an eye doctor to be told to heal a blind man by spitting in the dirt, making clay, and applying it to the man's eyes and then telling him to wash in a contaminated pool? Yet this is precisely the course that Jesus took with one man, and he was healed. (See John 9:6-7.) Does it seem reasonable to cure leprosy by telling a man to wash seven times in a particular river? Yet this is precisely what the prophet Elisha told a leper to do, and he was healed. (See 2 Kings 5.)"

9.)The prophet can receive revelation on any matter--temporal or spiritual.

• "Temporal and spiritual things are inseparably connected, and ever will be." [Journal of Discourses, 10:363-364]

10.)The prophet may be involved in civic matters.

• Isaiah was deeply involved in giving counsel on political matters and of his words the Lord Himself said, "Great are the words of Isaiah" (3 Nephi 23:1).

11.)The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.

• "The learned may feel the prophet is only inspired when he agrees with them; otherwise, the prophet is just giving his opinion--speaking as a man. The rich may feel they have no need to take counsel of a lowly prophet."

12.) The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.

• "Popularity is never a test of truth. Many a prophet has been killed or cast out."

13.)The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency--the highest quorum in the Church.

• Doctrine and Covenants (107:80)

14.) The prophet and the presidency--the living prophet and the First Presidency--follow them and be blessed; reject them and suffer.

• "You cannot destroy the appointment of a prophet of God, but you can cut the thread that binds you to the prophet of God and sink yourselves to hell. (Brigham Young)"

FOCAL POINT FRIDAY--Geeky Fun

Howdy, folks. This week's focal points...

BEST:

Friday night, we went to see the long awaited Harry Potter movie. Andrew's been preparing with the earlier films for weeks. 

The new Harry Potter movies are really the only flicks we deem worthy of paying full price in the theater for. Usually, we just wait to Red Box 'em. 

The verdict? 

• Because this book has been divided into two movies, it was fun how true to the book they were able to stay. 
• The special effects were incredible.
• It certainly earned its PG-13 rating. 
• Some scenes seemed much more intense and emotional in the book than in the movie. Such as: killing Nagini and Ron destroying the horcrux.
• The acting sure improves each time.
• Overall, we LOVED it. 

WORST:

I don't really want to talk about it. 

But an evening spent pouting spurred me to give it some thought. I don't want the grumpiness in one aspect of my life to begin poisoning home. And my recent habit of negative thought and speech is transforming me into a bitter, unhappier me. By bedtime I concluded, and felt a distinct impression, that I need a serious attitude adjustment. 

No more gossip. A mindset steeped with gratitude. And a stronger daily reliance on the Atonement. {Why do I insist on doing it alone?}

Well, here comes another week.

Wish me luck. 

WEBSITE WEDNESDAY--scherenshnitte

papercutting.blogspot.com

This is a paper cutting blog that I love to check in on every once in a while. Cindy has done pretty well with her art, putting on whole gallery shows, with only her exacto-knife and paper. She even offers free printable templates so you can attempt it yourself. Find all of them HERE. 
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I think I'd like to try my hand sometime soon. What great handmade gifts for Christmas! 

Which ones are your favorites?

{Cheshire Cat}

She's done alot of fairy tale paper cuts.

{Alice in Wonderland}

ha!

{Mad Hatter Tea Party}

Center piece and place cards. 

{The Silence}

I love that you can see above and below ground in one glance

{Wynken, Blynken, and Nod}

Remember this poem?

{Stygian Witches}

Fun one!

{Watership Down}

Isn't it fun what we can see that the girl can't?

{It's a Lovely Cage}

I don't really understand this one...but bars of the cage are sure beautiful.

{Because They Have Taken Away my Lord}

So delicate! Her hand, the clouds, the plants on the wall...

{The Frog Prince}

This one is 3-D in a shadow box.

{The Woman at the Well}

I love her silhouettes from the scriptures.

{It Taught me to Hope}

Any Pride and Prejudice fans out there?

{Thank You Card Silhouette}

Doesn't she come up with the most lovely designs?

{Woman with an Issue of Blood}

This story in the scriptures has sacred meaning to me, and it was done so beautifully. I love that you can actually see the virtue of Christ healing her, as if seeing with spiritual eyes. 

{Rooks}

Isn't it amazing she cut this out of paper??

{Birds on a Wire}

So simple. Yet one of my favorites. 

Halloween--FOCAL POINT FRIDAY

BEST:

Halloween. We carved pumpkins with friends yesterday. This is the back of Andrew's. 

Andrew's black widow and my gnarled old tree. 

My Halloween costume at the school's festivities. Throughout the day, my kiddos called me a gangsta, a boy, and a rapper. But I was supposed to be a student. See the backpack?

 ...the wildly popular, silly-shaped bracelets?

...and this T-shirt I found at the Deseret Industries Thrift Store last night?

I was a STUDENT...modeled privately after the large handful of rowdy boys I have been blessed with this year. *ahem*

I do so adore dressing up for Halloween. (You might remember last year's costume from THIS POST.) But I have come to the conclusion that guy's baggy styles far outweigh the heels and skirts of the fairer sex. It was like wearing pajamas all day long, I tell you!





WORST:

I was looking for something to watch on Netflix while I graded a mountain of tests, and chose a documentary on stress. Why I chose such a topic, I'm not sure. Maybe it's because it is my normal, constant state of being. The emotion feels comfortable. Homelike. Oddly enough, stressed is the only way I feel content. When I'm not stressed, I begin to get stressed that there's something I should be stressing about.

But  after watching this documentary and seeing what stress does to the human body (clogged arteries, weakened heart, weight gain, a haywire reproductive system, ulcers, headaches, lack of self control, depression, weakened immune system, dead brain cells, loss of memory, and loss of ability to learn new concepts), I concluded that I will probably die in the next 10-20 years. It was stressful just learning about stress!

And I'm sure it didn't help that I spent the week very conscious of my stress level and imagining its effects on my quickly deteriorating body.