Home Sweet Home! by The Pioneer Woman
6 years ago
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
What been going on...
I've had a long couple of weeks that have gone by way too fast, if that's possible.
Part of it has been crap at the elementary school and high school. Part of it has been Primary. Most of it has been because I've been working and I've been sick. But I'm tired.
I subbed two days last week, teaching 9th grade English. It was fun. The kids are good and do what they're supposed to. I really enjoy doing it. Junior high is easy because it is a 45 minute class and then they're gone. I can manage a classroom for 45 minutes, no problem whatsoever. And N seemed to be okay with it (it wasn't her class). She would stop by between class and say hi. That makes me happy.
The downside is I got sick. I'm not sure what it was, but it wasn't fun. I was so tired and achy for a week. But I wasn't nauseous and didn't have a cough or sore throat. But I had a lot of junk in my lungs. After a few days, though, even that went away so I dodged a big one. I'd like to think it was my really good vitamins (Advocare!!!) and my voodoo doctor.
So the crap at the high school is the next easiest thing... We've had some pretty serious scandals lately. First there was the choir teacher who married an 18 year-old and was put on leave while the district investigates it. Then the principal was put on administrative leave while an audit was conducted. Both are still on leave. But it has been pretty disruptive to the school. I've said for years there was something hinky going on with the principal. And the choir teachers has been a thorn in many a student's side, although he's pretty loved by his students. Still, it is weird.
Then I got an e-mail with a link to a parent at my elementary school who wrote an article about homework in the local newspaper. The article itself wasn't that defamitory but it hurt the teacher's feeling pretty deeply, especially because she didn't talk to them about her concerns before taking it public. Then she posted some more about it on her blog which caused another firestorm of harsh criticism. She was feeling attacked and so were the teachers. And I felt caught in the middle, as a PTO president and as a parent. To make matters worse, it was the topic of conversation at the refreshment table at the stake Leadership meeting. She wasn't there (didn't feel like she could attend with all the controversy), but she had friends who were there. They reported that I was there in the gaggle of gossipers. I did hear the gossip but I walked away. I didn't stop it, I just walked away. But I still feel so guilty that I was a party to it and didn't stop it. What a lesson in standing for truth and righteousness. I failed.
The most stressful thing was Primary. We just had our RS and YW reorganized. This has left the rest of the ward (read Primary), in shambles. I was, at one point, functioning at 30% staff. They were holding off on callings while they made the changes in the other auxiliaries. When they finally made the changes, they took my two choristers. One they made my councilor (which was totally ok but left me without a chorister). They released my old councilor without telling her or me or the new councilor it had happened. So when the new councilor went to get the councilor's handbook, she was surprised. Talk about awkward. They released a teacher and didn't tell her, either. I feel responsible, but it wasn't my fault. Releasing people isn't my job. But I'm the one who feels guilty.
Anyway, coming up with names for callings is the most difficult, time-consuming part of my calling. I actually hate it. Passionately. And it is constant in Primary. I've never been 100% staffed. So they asked me for names for a chorister and I gave them two names. One had to say no for family reasons, the other had been requested by another organization. They asked me for more names. I told them there were no other names. The job is a hard one with a certain skill set, and not just "anyone" could do it. I told them I needed the one that had already been requested. After a bit of haggling back and forth they agreed to take it back to Bishopric meeting and council over it again. I heard on Sunday they are going to extend the chorister calling to this very "popular" sister. Now I can breath a sigh of relief because that is such a HUGE part of primary. If the chorister isn't a good one--and I don't even mean one who can sing, but rather one who loves the children and teaches the gospel and sings with them--then Primary doesn't work. I long for the days when my biggest concern was teacher appreciation gifts, not staffing.
So now I sit, listening to the rain today, watching the leaves fall from our Cottonwoods in the backyard. I feel like I can go on, at least one more day. I need to clean and do laundry today. And I probably should go to the grocery store (what's for dinner tonight?). I teach again this week (Thursday and Friday) so I have to get all my stuff done this first half of the week. Hmm... more to come.
Part of it has been crap at the elementary school and high school. Part of it has been Primary. Most of it has been because I've been working and I've been sick. But I'm tired.
I subbed two days last week, teaching 9th grade English. It was fun. The kids are good and do what they're supposed to. I really enjoy doing it. Junior high is easy because it is a 45 minute class and then they're gone. I can manage a classroom for 45 minutes, no problem whatsoever. And N seemed to be okay with it (it wasn't her class). She would stop by between class and say hi. That makes me happy.
The downside is I got sick. I'm not sure what it was, but it wasn't fun. I was so tired and achy for a week. But I wasn't nauseous and didn't have a cough or sore throat. But I had a lot of junk in my lungs. After a few days, though, even that went away so I dodged a big one. I'd like to think it was my really good vitamins (Advocare!!!) and my voodoo doctor.
So the crap at the high school is the next easiest thing... We've had some pretty serious scandals lately. First there was the choir teacher who married an 18 year-old and was put on leave while the district investigates it. Then the principal was put on administrative leave while an audit was conducted. Both are still on leave. But it has been pretty disruptive to the school. I've said for years there was something hinky going on with the principal. And the choir teachers has been a thorn in many a student's side, although he's pretty loved by his students. Still, it is weird.
Then I got an e-mail with a link to a parent at my elementary school who wrote an article about homework in the local newspaper. The article itself wasn't that defamitory but it hurt the teacher's feeling pretty deeply, especially because she didn't talk to them about her concerns before taking it public. Then she posted some more about it on her blog which caused another firestorm of harsh criticism. She was feeling attacked and so were the teachers. And I felt caught in the middle, as a PTO president and as a parent. To make matters worse, it was the topic of conversation at the refreshment table at the stake Leadership meeting. She wasn't there (didn't feel like she could attend with all the controversy), but she had friends who were there. They reported that I was there in the gaggle of gossipers. I did hear the gossip but I walked away. I didn't stop it, I just walked away. But I still feel so guilty that I was a party to it and didn't stop it. What a lesson in standing for truth and righteousness. I failed.
The most stressful thing was Primary. We just had our RS and YW reorganized. This has left the rest of the ward (read Primary), in shambles. I was, at one point, functioning at 30% staff. They were holding off on callings while they made the changes in the other auxiliaries. When they finally made the changes, they took my two choristers. One they made my councilor (which was totally ok but left me without a chorister). They released my old councilor without telling her or me or the new councilor it had happened. So when the new councilor went to get the councilor's handbook, she was surprised. Talk about awkward. They released a teacher and didn't tell her, either. I feel responsible, but it wasn't my fault. Releasing people isn't my job. But I'm the one who feels guilty.
Anyway, coming up with names for callings is the most difficult, time-consuming part of my calling. I actually hate it. Passionately. And it is constant in Primary. I've never been 100% staffed. So they asked me for names for a chorister and I gave them two names. One had to say no for family reasons, the other had been requested by another organization. They asked me for more names. I told them there were no other names. The job is a hard one with a certain skill set, and not just "anyone" could do it. I told them I needed the one that had already been requested. After a bit of haggling back and forth they agreed to take it back to Bishopric meeting and council over it again. I heard on Sunday they are going to extend the chorister calling to this very "popular" sister. Now I can breath a sigh of relief because that is such a HUGE part of primary. If the chorister isn't a good one--and I don't even mean one who can sing, but rather one who loves the children and teaches the gospel and sings with them--then Primary doesn't work. I long for the days when my biggest concern was teacher appreciation gifts, not staffing.
So now I sit, listening to the rain today, watching the leaves fall from our Cottonwoods in the backyard. I feel like I can go on, at least one more day. I need to clean and do laundry today. And I probably should go to the grocery store (what's for dinner tonight?). I teach again this week (Thursday and Friday) so I have to get all my stuff done this first half of the week. Hmm... more to come.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Frank's Letter October 5, 2009
Dear Marissa,
Thanks for writing me! where did your teacher go? Did you like it up in Logan?
Love,
Elder Robby
Dear Holly,
You have ballroom dance up at your school? That's way cool! I wish I had taken better care of my teeth, I'm going to have to have one of my teeth fixed out here it looks like. There's a dentist who gives missionaries a special deal though, so it shouldn't be too bad. Have fun at school!
Love,
Elder Robby
Dear Mom,
I don't know if I can keep up with writing so many people each week. It's a lot of time to take care of it all, and we're pretty strapped for time.
This week has been great. We don't have many investigators right now, but the 2 families we have are pretty good. We went with Carlos to 2 of the sessions of conference and a baptism for a little girl in the branch this weekend, and it just got me more excited for him. When it was all over he asked us, "so, in two more weeks that'll be me, right?" Yeah. So the 17th is his new date for it. He's really excited too.
We found another family who Nefi taught, the Moras. I didn't know he had worked with him. She is from near where tanner is going on his mission and I sent an explanation of their funny accent to dad, if he wants to hear a bit about it. We were over at the Mora home last Tuesday and they pulled out a photo album with a picture of him in it at her baptism. The Gomez family is good, but still struggling a bit.
As far as clothing goes I'm good. I've been through it all now and I'm pretty much set I think. If I need anything I'll tell you though.
Thanks for all the pictures by the way.
Just another 1-2 weeks on the package.
We got our call outs last night, I'll be staying here with Elder Fishback for another 6 weeks. I'm also staying District leader, but they've realigned the districts again so that I've now been district leader for every area in the mission except the zone leader area and had no duplicates besides the other spanish area. That's been interesting.
So, conference was awesome! It was pretty different from last time but it was of course amazing. There were so many things I learned from it all. And there are some events that inspire you to want to do all you can to be your best, that was definitely one of them. It was great for our branch too. Carlos got to hear the prophet, and told us afterward, "there's no way he can't be a prophet". That's one of those south american miracle stories that don't come around all too often up here, which makes them all the more worth working and praying for. He's just awesome.
It sounds like you had a pretty great excursion up to Logan. I had one up there to look at USU, it was 7 degrees and windy and they took us on a walking tour of campus. If not for the scholarships I would've stopped right there I think. I like the cold, but it was too much for every day for me then.
My leg is good. We played soccer earlier today, and it's a little sore now but it'll be alright. It's recovering well.
I'm about out of time, but I love you all.
Love,
Elder Rob Christensen
Subject: Dear Elder
Dear Rob,
Another crazy week...
Here's Marissa:
I miss you. School is great! how are you? I am good.My teacher is back. I was so happy!
Here's Holly:
Hey Robby! I have been so busy! I am taking Ballroom Dance classes in school and I am also doing Choir again. I have 5 minutes until I have yo go to school, and I have to brush my teeth. (Look at me, my dental hi gene!) I love you! I miss you! Goodbye!
Back to me... As you probably already read, Hillary spent Thursday up at USU, having a blast. She felt so grown up :) I'm hoping for an equally fun, liberating experience at BYU the end of the month, although I personally think USU is a good match for her. But Dad doesn't like the idea of you guys at different schools. I know she'll make it a matter of prayer and it will be all right, no matter what happens. We met Hillary and Teah up in Logan and spent a day driving around. We went to the cheese factory and got squeaky cheese and the Peperidge Farm store to get cheap goldfish. We swam at the hotel and checked out the Tabernacle and the temple and drove up Logan Canyon to see the fall leaves. It was a nice visit.
Wasn't conference great? I was trying to decide what was my favorite talk, but I didn't have one. I always love the way Elder Holland phrases his sentences so his stands out, besides it was such a moving message. And I loved the choir's O Divine Redeemer. Did you remember it was what Hillary and I played at your farewell? It will always be a moving piece for me.
How is it going with Carlos? Did you have to move his baptismal date? Do you have anyone else you are teaching? I did send Nefi an e-mail chewing him out for not writing and I told him to write the Gomez (was that it?) family. I hope he does it. I know he is busy with school and working multiple jobs, poor guy.
Anyway, I hear the weather is turning. Do you need sweaters or anything? I would love to hook you up that way.
I am going to send this while I get some pictures from our trip together. And I'll try to write more, but I don't want to miss you this morning! Last week was so fun, writing back and forth. But I don't want to chance missing you altogether!!!
Xoxo
Mom
Thanks for writing me! where did your teacher go? Did you like it up in Logan?
Love,
Elder Robby
Dear Holly,
You have ballroom dance up at your school? That's way cool! I wish I had taken better care of my teeth, I'm going to have to have one of my teeth fixed out here it looks like. There's a dentist who gives missionaries a special deal though, so it shouldn't be too bad. Have fun at school!
Love,
Elder Robby
Dear Mom,
I don't know if I can keep up with writing so many people each week. It's a lot of time to take care of it all, and we're pretty strapped for time.
This week has been great. We don't have many investigators right now, but the 2 families we have are pretty good. We went with Carlos to 2 of the sessions of conference and a baptism for a little girl in the branch this weekend, and it just got me more excited for him. When it was all over he asked us, "so, in two more weeks that'll be me, right?" Yeah. So the 17th is his new date for it. He's really excited too.
We found another family who Nefi taught, the Moras. I didn't know he had worked with him. She is from near where tanner is going on his mission and I sent an explanation of their funny accent to dad, if he wants to hear a bit about it. We were over at the Mora home last Tuesday and they pulled out a photo album with a picture of him in it at her baptism. The Gomez family is good, but still struggling a bit.
As far as clothing goes I'm good. I've been through it all now and I'm pretty much set I think. If I need anything I'll tell you though.
Thanks for all the pictures by the way.
Just another 1-2 weeks on the package.
We got our call outs last night, I'll be staying here with Elder Fishback for another 6 weeks. I'm also staying District leader, but they've realigned the districts again so that I've now been district leader for every area in the mission except the zone leader area and had no duplicates besides the other spanish area. That's been interesting.
So, conference was awesome! It was pretty different from last time but it was of course amazing. There were so many things I learned from it all. And there are some events that inspire you to want to do all you can to be your best, that was definitely one of them. It was great for our branch too. Carlos got to hear the prophet, and told us afterward, "there's no way he can't be a prophet". That's one of those south american miracle stories that don't come around all too often up here, which makes them all the more worth working and praying for. He's just awesome.
It sounds like you had a pretty great excursion up to Logan. I had one up there to look at USU, it was 7 degrees and windy and they took us on a walking tour of campus. If not for the scholarships I would've stopped right there I think. I like the cold, but it was too much for every day for me then.
My leg is good. We played soccer earlier today, and it's a little sore now but it'll be alright. It's recovering well.
I'm about out of time, but I love you all.
Love,
Elder Rob Christensen
Subject: Dear Elder
Dear Rob,
Another crazy week...
Here's Marissa:
I miss you. School is great! how are you? I am good.My teacher is back. I was so happy!
Here's Holly:
Hey Robby! I have been so busy! I am taking Ballroom Dance classes in school and I am also doing Choir again. I have 5 minutes until I have yo go to school, and I have to brush my teeth. (Look at me, my dental hi gene!) I love you! I miss you! Goodbye!
Back to me... As you probably already read, Hillary spent Thursday up at USU, having a blast. She felt so grown up :) I'm hoping for an equally fun, liberating experience at BYU the end of the month, although I personally think USU is a good match for her. But Dad doesn't like the idea of you guys at different schools. I know she'll make it a matter of prayer and it will be all right, no matter what happens. We met Hillary and Teah up in Logan and spent a day driving around. We went to the cheese factory and got squeaky cheese and the Peperidge Farm store to get cheap goldfish. We swam at the hotel and checked out the Tabernacle and the temple and drove up Logan Canyon to see the fall leaves. It was a nice visit.
Wasn't conference great? I was trying to decide what was my favorite talk, but I didn't have one. I always love the way Elder Holland phrases his sentences so his stands out, besides it was such a moving message. And I loved the choir's O Divine Redeemer. Did you remember it was what Hillary and I played at your farewell? It will always be a moving piece for me.
How is it going with Carlos? Did you have to move his baptismal date? Do you have anyone else you are teaching? I did send Nefi an e-mail chewing him out for not writing and I told him to write the Gomez (was that it?) family. I hope he does it. I know he is busy with school and working multiple jobs, poor guy.
Anyway, I hear the weather is turning. Do you need sweaters or anything? I would love to hook you up that way.
I am going to send this while I get some pictures from our trip together. And I'll try to write more, but I don't want to miss you this morning! Last week was so fun, writing back and forth. But I don't want to chance missing you altogether!!!
Xoxo
Mom
What the Hail?
We had some wicked weather the last week. It finally got "cold" and we even had a bit of snow. Not enough to photograph, but still... It got the trees changing color. But this morning, just as the kids were going to leave for the bus stop, we got hit by a good hail storm. This was the beginning of it and it already covered the road. It is hard to tell, but off in the distance, just over the red fence of the neighbor's yard, you can see the one poor boy waiting for the bus...
Here is a close up of the hail on our front stoop. I should have taken something to reference the size, but they are pea to marble sized, which, for Utah is pretty good. We usually don't get blessed with hale that size. Now we are getting a bit of sun, finally.
Here is a close up of the hail on our front stoop. I should have taken something to reference the size, but they are pea to marble sized, which, for Utah is pretty good. We usually don't get blessed with hale that size. Now we are getting a bit of sun, finally.
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