Our Children, Our Classroom....

 I recently spent two days in my daughter in law Katie's kindergarten class.  Let me first say, our teachers are under paid and more than that, under appreciated.  Yes, they chose to follow this career path and I have to say, thank God they have!  Who among us can even begin to imagine five days a week with, in this case, twenty three, four and five year olds? I mean today I am dealing with day four of taking care of my Grand Dog Turk while his Dad catches big fish in the Sierras.  I love Turk but I'll tell you, he is very similar to caring for a toddler.  He doesn't eat as often or wear a diaper but it takes one older woman's time and attention just the same...and yes, we baby him.

In Mrs. Stevens class (Katie), add to that moment of imagining, that most of these kids have never been to preschool and therefore never away from home until that first day of school.  Factor in that, many parents do not speak English in the home and those that do, its minimal.  Three of these kindergartners do not speak any English....really? Really.  The question I posed to my Katie, " they are at such a disadvantage how are they expected to succeed ? "  Basically she can only hope parents will themselves attempt to learn some English in order to help their child.  With twenty three children she can't possibly give these three constant one on one time that is needed for them.  By the way, parents are welcome to come to class and learn along with their child, the language that will help them succeed.

A few of my new little peeps :-)

I spent most of my time with one little boy that understood no English.  No English to the point that  for a time I thought he may have some serious hearing loss.  When Katie was teaching it was clear he wasn't "present" in the learning.  When she spoke any Spanish at all, this little boys head turned instantly to his teachers voice.  Though Katie's knows quite a bit of Spanish, she can not nor should not have to speak Spanish to a majority English speaking class.   My heart broke for my little friend who failed to hear his teachers direction, I wished I could be there daily to assistant him.

At the end of day one (4 hours for me) I was exhausted!  On day two, a teacher and the Principle separately said when they passed me in the hall, "you came back".   Don't get me wrong, as a volunteer I loved being with all these kids and watching my Katie do a great job with them.  They made me smile many times and even laugh when I shouldn't have :-)  On my last day of that week, several said good bye as they walked out in a straight line with a finger to their lips as a reminder to walk quietly through the halls.  " See you tomorrow Mrs. Horton",  to me telling them " I won't be back tomorrow but will visit again soon.  The expression told me they would miss me....maybe I wanted to see that...but I trust I did.

Loved this little wall Katie created...

Though I hope to help Katie as much as I can this school year, it made me wonder, why don't more parents help out, volunteer? Fact is most of these parents likely have more children at home and then there are those that work outside the home.  So, what about people such as myself ?  Why aren't they volunteering?  My guess, they, much like me haven't a clue of how great the need is.  My hope is that one or two of you who have the time will seriously consider volunteering at a school near you!  Though the line is used rather loosely in my opinion,  its quite serious......these children are our future. Yours, mine and those we leave behind!

Though we aren't responsible for the fact these particular children don't speak English, they and all the others in these classrooms deserve a bright future just like the ones we wished for our own children.  This blog is not at all about who speaks what language, it is about that fact these kids deserve to succeed  regardless and its about the blessed teachers who spend every day with them. It's about the fact they go un-noticed and under appreciated by most of us even if it is due to just being unaware.

I am willing to share some self portraits these little ones drew with you.  I found it odd, that though they are priceless and totally cute, almost all of them drew their mouths just under their eyes.....they may be unaware but  I'm going with the fact that what a child see's and hears,  is very close to what comes out their mouths and how they live their lives .....hmmmm.....

I fell in love with twenty three cute little faces that want to be excited about learning, once over the separation from Mommy subsides :-)

This morning I thought about how we play the role of teacher when we become a parent.  From day one we begin to teach our children the rules of the classroom, that is really what every home is, a classroom for life.  They look into our eyes with an excitement about learning from someone who loves them, " how big " ...... " this big " :-)

This morning I was looking back on my job as Mom to my boys Mike and Brian.  The early days, gone but not forgotten.  Always wanted to be a Mom, couldn't wait to be a Mom.  Didn't do it all right, but that's where God's grace comes in.  I do know they were and are my heart and I hope they live their lives based on the good and right things I taught them, the example of how I treated others, the fact that the designer label doesn't define who you are.

They had to have learned  a home can be full of love and security for them even if  you don't have money for all that " everyone" else had.  I know they learned that just because everyone else's Mom lets them watch " it " on television, their Mom was more concerned with the message it delivered than being popular in any other persons eyes. That I was given them to teach the ways of the classroom not to be there friends.  Plenty of time for that when they reach adulthood.

I'm painfully aware of parents that have tried to be a friend to their child rather than their parent.  In those classrooms its acceptable to use bad language, dress without modesty as a factor, be alone in a house with a boy or girlfriend, watch movies that are not appropriate, miss school when they aren't sick, quit at something because its hard, talk disrespectfully to another human being, teach its acceptable to lie on a whim, that its not required to be accountable or deal with a consequence for a bad choice.  They want to be the "cool" parent to their child and their friends, rather than one who takes a stand  and does so at the cost of being unpopular in their own child's eyes for a time for the simple fact that they love them.

It's most important to me that how my son's live their lives and treat others, is a reflection of what they learned in my classroom, with me as their teacher.  That all things are possible with God and that forgiveness is not an option, its theirs and mine for the asking.  With that gift of forgiveness is the fact that God cannot forgive us if they aren't willing to forgive another.

So teachers are extremely important people both in the school classroom as well as  in our  homes.  I hope that some of you will give the greatest gift you can to a teacher near you, volunteer a few hours of your week.  Praying for those parents and their children who choose to be the friend of their child rather than accepting the most important assignment of their teaching career, preparing them for the classroom of life.

This is what echos from my heart today.....

Forever Happiness ...

While cleaning out cupboards yesterday I discovered a small off white, silk mesh bag about 5" wide and six" long.  My friends Tami and Scott sent me a beautiful glass bowl with a wide rim for my 50th birthday.  Along the edge are the words, faith, hope and love.  Inside the bowl set the little silk bag filled with the little cards that read along the top edge, "Wishing You".  The idea was that at my birthday celebration my guests could leave birthday wishes for me!

I took a break from my cupboard purging to read through the thoughtful words of my friends and family.  The second to the last card I read, I recognized his printing, was that of my sweet, wonderful Dad.  His wish for me read, "I wish you forever happiness.  Pop ".  When I read it after the party I remembered thinking how  sweet it was.  When I read it yesterday, all I could think was, "what my Dad wanted for me, was for me to be forever happy "! This card I once thought sweet , today is a treasure, a gift of words from my Dad, his words written, by his hand.  I framed it and put it in a place where I can be reminded everyday of what he wanted for me.

As a Christian, my Father God's will for me is to be joyful.  Ideally as a Christian, an attitude of joy should, be my natural state!  I've learned that there is a big difference between being happy and being joyful.  Happiness tends to be dependent on my current circumstance, my latest reason to wine if you will.  Joy, on the other hand comes from within me and has nothing to do with my current circumstance.

I think most of us are in agreement its easy to be happy when all is going well in our lives, but how can we possibly be joyful when its not?  My big lesson in being joyful ironically came from an evening in the hospital with my Dad when we had almost lost him quite unexpectedly.  I prayed so hard for God to not take him this way, not suddenly! I spoke to God and said "We'll take it as a heads up that you want him God, and I know that You are preparing us, as well as allowing us a few more days with him".  When he made it, when God heard my prayer, my literal crying out to not take him....that is when I first experienced true from the heart joy.  Joy from God in a time I wasn't experiencing happiness.

During those days of heartbreak during and following his death, I was so joyful that God gave us those extra days and provided me the strength to get through them.  The testing of my faith in that hospital was producing spiritual growth in me.  After that  "growth spurt", I became more confident than ever that God hears my prayers and that I will endure any heartbreak that comes my way, because He will carry me through it.

Looking back on my life, that had many trials, many self induced, I now see that those very trials were challenging my faith, a faith that needed to grow and mature.  It took me a long time to get here and I'm so grateful that I at last I learned about joyfulness.

I chose to be joyful at a time of very little happiness and in that I experienced a change on my inside circumstances.  My free time was now focused on learning more of what God has for me to learn.  I don't want to miss any of what He wants for me.

So yesterday when reading my Dad's note I was reminded that both my earthly Father as well as my heavenly Father want the same for me....forever happiness which comes from the joy I am now filled with.

" These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full".

                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                            John 15:11

Joy is available to all of us that are willing to humble ourselves and turn to God.
This is what echos from my heart today.....

A Time Such as This.....

Last Thursday my Son  brought my Mom over for a family dinner...It became evident by the end of the evening she was suffering and in a lot of pain caused by her sciatic nerve which is creating problems in her leg, hip and back.  She stayed with us that night and has been here since.  It was clear she was having enough difficulty getting around that she shouldn't be alone.

I'm at a place in life where I'm fully aware that, life is short. It's been two years without my Dad and it hasn't gotten any easier.  I want to make the best of this time my Mom is with me.  I want it to not only be the best for me so that I can always have these moments, but, I want it to be the best for her.  Even in the midst of the pain she is currently suffering, I want her to see that she can experience joy in the midst of it all. I want her to be proud of how I care for her, I want her to feel loved and not alone.

I try and put myself in her situation at this time.  I'm sure while suffering she misses my Dad more.  I'm sure while having difficulty doing the simplest things she is reminded she is alone in her home.  She has experienced so many changes since losing my Dad.  Not only losing her husband, she has had to leave the home they shared all those years, a home full of memories.  I think she is able to see now the memories are with you regardless of your zip code.  Yes she misses her friends, yet at the same time she has made many in her new place.

She has lost her travel partner, driver, friend and husband.  She has had to watch the family her and my Dad created go through some painful changes since he is no longer with us.  It has been tough for all of us, but we as her their children are or should be doing everything to ensure her heart is at it's happiest.  If there is a single thing that can ensure that happiness, I pray it be done by each of us, their children.

Relationships can be difficult, I'm by no means suggesting this time is easy. Situations such as this require changes to be made in one's schedule,  patience will need to be ever present, adjustments will need to be made here and there.  Very glad I have my son's and daughter in-law near by to help out in any way and a husband who is more than willing to keep my Mom safe and cared for.

My hearts desire is to fulfill the promise Bob and I made to my Dad, which is to make sure Mom is always taken care of.  My hearts desire, my prayer is that I asses the heart in this situation, that it all be done in love. It's so important to me that my Dad is proud of how his family is handling life without him, that we are caring for my Mom as promised. For him to look down and see nothing that would sadden or disappoint.

My prayer is for this time to be as stress free as possible, to make each and every moment count, in a time such as this.  This is what echos from my heart today......

Wrapping Up the 2010 Road Trip....

I slacked off on blogging towards the end of our trip.  I chose instead to spend every waking moment enjoying my time with our great friends Scott and Tammy, knowing those moments would be mentally recorded for a future "story".

Tammy and I spent a couple days shopping (she is a bad influence...this was determined as fact).  We shared so many laughs and along the way realized more than ever how much alike we are.  The fact that possibly having to ship home some of my purchases just about came to be, however the memories made were greater than the sardine packed vehicle when we left!

To wrap up our time with them we all took a trip about three hours up the road to Glenwood Springs, Colorado.  Are you ready....we went through the Eisenhower Tunnel at last!

Scott had earned points for his Marriott stays and graciously shared them with us.  They shared with us at dinner that they would be staying Saturday night as well and that they also got us a room for Sunday night!  The 6 week old Marriott was really beautiful and our room was on the third floor with an awesome view.

Once checked in to our rooms we headed to downtown Glenwood Springs for, well a little more shopping.  If I bought really small items they could be squeezed in to a gap here and there. As we entered town I spotted a "Saloon" called Doc Holliday's Tavern.

I knew I had to get some photos of the signage out front and I knew we would have to check out this establishment.  My youngest sister Donna's husband Ralph Holiday was often called Doc Holiday by many.  I loved my brother in law so much as a person and the fact he made my sister so happy.  I was blessed to have known him as he was one of a kind.  I was with him along with my sister and a few other family members when he took his last breath.  I wanted to share this with my sister....and somehow taking note of it and yep, having a few beers inside in honor of my friend  Doc (Ralph) felt right!

We spent a couple hours there laughing and talking about our time thus far spent together. Bob and I bought T-shirts.....for proof we were really there..... We eventually headed back to the hotel to shower and change for dinner.  Dinner was at the very popular Juicy Lucy's, a steak house.  The meal was incredibly good, the wine was perfect and the company excellent!

We left Juicy Lucy's feeling full and happy.....we might as well see what Doc Holliday's Tavern looks like at night right?

We found a booth and continued the evening totally enjoying ourselves until late into the night, back in our cab for the ride back to our Marriott.

The next morning we all awoke wondering how we ever stayed up so late all those years ago?  We were used to 10:00 bedtimes....four exhausted adults managed to make it out to breakfast.  It was our last couple of hours with Tami and Scott.  Again with the laughs and talk of getting together real soon.
We said our good byes which are not easy with these two people that we love so much.....we so miss being neighbors!

Bob and I now a twosome for the first time in almost a month headed to the spa.  First stop was down to the vapor caves, and I do mean caves.  Dark and hot, a natural giant sauna...my stay down there in the dark was approximately 15 minutes, that maybe an exaggeration, but it felt like longer!

From there we had a 30 minute private mineral bath complete with candle light and music. At our 30 minute limit we were led to our 80 minute full body massage(s).  Needless to say, I found myself falling asleep several times...when I inquired I was advised this was fairly typical.  Couldn't have had anything to do with our previous nights late bedtime......

From our massage we parted ways.  Bob returned down to the vapor caves, I up two flights of stairs to my very first facial.  Nothing quite like it, I could get used to this!  Again a few times startled myself awake, again told it was fairly normal....  :-) I'm going with that..

We left the spa feeling great.....but knew it was going to be an early night.  In the morning we would continue our drive to St. George Utah.  When in St. George we stay at La Quinta Inn and Suites...very nice rooms indeed.  We had a pizza delivered and called it a night.

Excited to know as we left St. George the following morning, we were close to home.  We planned on stopping by our daughter Jackie's to spend some much needed time with her and her husband and the grandkids!!!
We brought little souvenirs for each (the shopping wasn't all for me)...and took some photos.

For Gavin we brought, brown bear slippers from West Yellowstone.  These aren't just your average bear slipper.  A little push of a tab on the slipper and you hear the sound of a BIG brown bear!

Our little Aubrie now sports some frog slippers, and yes, they too have a tab to push which allows ribiting (sp) to be heard as she hops around the house :-)

Our big girl Julia we brought a little silver necklace with a heart attached.  I saw this little heart necklace and thought...she was the first Grandchild and she indeed caused my heart to overflow at first sight.
It seemed just right at the time....then I had brief concern she may be disappointed that she too didn't receive some little slippers that made a noise.



When she opened the jewelry box and saw her necklace, her eyes lit up, opened wide and said "Oh, Grandma I love it!" Uggh....there went my heart again....she is indeed growing up.....

So, four hours later we said our good byes to our much loved CA Grandchildren;

One little brown bear........

One happy little frog giggling as she hopped right by us........

One grown up little girl.... sporting her grown up necklace, doing her homework without being asked :-)










It doesn't get any better than this when it comes to ending a month long road trip.

Dorthy said it best, "There's no place like home"........

Love those ruby slippers!

Special thanks to my driver, traveling companion, husband and best friend Bob....I love you to bits!

Left a Bunch of Love in Kansas ........

 
Well, our good bye's in Kansas were so very hard, just as we expected they would be. I was kinda getting used to seeing Calib change daily and sad that we will miss seeing him grow other than in photographs.

And then......there was my new BFF Dominic.  I can' even tell you how much I love being with him and watching his millions of expressions that little face displays.  When Grandpa was holding him saying good bye Dominic looked at him with a sad little face, as tears began to run down and said, " can she stay "?  That is when I had to take him from G-Pa and hold him until I had to return him to his Daddy as I got in the car to leave.

I always said to Calib "who's the cutest baby in Kansas".....it was so adorable to watch Dominic look at his little brother and say the same :-)

So far the highlight of our trip was the time spent with Joseph, Angel, Dominic and Calib...... both Bob and I cried as we drove away....geeze....I'm ready to cry just typing it !!  It was really, really tough to leave and we can't wait until we are all together again.

Safely back in Colorado, we do miss the humidity of Kansas.....NOT so much !  Bob flew out this morning on a turn around trip to Spokane Washington to attend a memorial service for his brother Larry.  So happy he will have some alone time with his nephew while there and returns to me tomorrow.  Scott has left for a turn around trip to Canada on business, so tonight Tami and I get some girl time !!

Tami is working today, me, I think I'm going to watch cooking shows all day!

Hugs!

It's Going to Be a Long Hard Goodbye....

 7/24/2010

Today was my baby brother Tonys' Birthday....started my day with a phone call to him!
Happiest of Birthdays Tony!

This was our IHop morning :-)

Calib has watch dogs !

Daddy's first attempt of eating while holding baby in sling....the attempt was successful ..

Dominic now prefers to be chauffeured by Grandpa and Grandma:-)

BFF's for life .... heart strings have been pulled, big time!

Just Love them!

7/25/2010
Today is our last full day in Manhattan/Fort Riley, Kansas and our waitress at IHop actually recognized us this morning :-( Says something.........right.....?

We met Joseph, Angelina and the kiddos and headed to the Big Red One Musem on base at Fort Riley.  The Big Red One is the division Bob was in while in the Army when he served in Vietnam and the same division Joseph is in as well!

The Musem covered WWI and WWII, Vietnam, The Tet Offensive, Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom.  It was done really well with life size Army Men.  Dominic was kinda scared they might wake up so I explained to him they were just big dolls.  When we went through the Vietnam area that was set up as if you were walking through a jungle in Vietnam, I told him Grandpa was in Vietnam and it looked like this.  He replied, "Grandpa was a really big doll then".  :-)

Bob met up with another gentleman that happened to be in Vietnam at the same time he was.  It is always a tear jerker to see vets start to reminisce about the war.  I always sense they could talk all day to each other, regardless of the fact they don't know each other......they get each other.  I love that whenever Bob meets up with a vet he always says, "welcome home brother" as he gives them a hug.  Something they all should have received upon their return...  Proud my Bob does his part to welcome them home all these years later.  I left the museum so proud to be with my two Army men :-)

Dominic my new bff........

Calib travels well with Daddy in the sling :-)

Calib looking more grown up than ever...

He's changing so fast already..loves to be held in the form of the letter "C", it is what he's used to after all ...

Spent the rest of today watching movies, enjoyed yet another great meal made by Martha Angelina :-)
The bonds have grown closer in every relationship.  We so love this little family and really hate to leave.  Dominic became teary eyed when he realized tomorrow morning we would be coming by to say good bye.  He said, "you mean then you go back to your hotel'?  Grandpa explained we were actually leaving our hotel too......oh the sadness on his little face, his tiny voice became weak and cracking :-(  It was explained he could come and see us in California, Grandpa tossed in a ride on the Harley.....he walks over to his mommy...semi crying..."mommy, will you take me to California to ride on the bike and then we go to Florida"?  Angelina and I on the verge of bawling.....quick, change the subject please....here.....have an Oreo Dominic. So thankful for chocolate (how often I say this!).....

Yes, tomorrow is going to be really tough.  We have had such an awesome time with them and so blessed we could be with them the days we have had.  Time for us to travel on and more importantly time for them to have their alone time as a family. A time for them to make many special memories of their own without the extra bodies in their home :-)

The love we have for them made me think of those we have at home that we can't wait to see again.......

Hugs!

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

 7/23/2010

Okay, favorite movie of all time (told you it would come up again) The Wizard of Oz.  As a child watched it every year starting at age three....my sisters and I would gather for possibly one of the biggest nights of our year, The Wizard of Oz was coming on the television.  I can still remember how excited I would be each time.  Then there was that horrible event that occurred one year when we were at my Uncle Jack and Aunt Roseva's in Oak View, CA.  The movie had barely gotten started and an electrical storm came through and knocked out the power!!!!!!  Words cannot describe the feeling.....it would be equivalent to waiting for Santa all year and just prior to him reaching our house we find out his sleigh broke down.... and therefore will not make it to Fisk Lane until NEXT YEAR???????

So needless to say today's adventure was a biggie for me!! Shortly after breakfast we headed down the highway to Wamego Kansas, home of the Wizard of Oz Museum.  Upon our arrival Bob headed to the trunk and handed me a surprise.....prior to starting our trip he had purchased my my very own ruby slippers and a Glenda the good witches wand :-)

I had made it!  I'm here at the Oz Museum at last and I can't wait to get in the door!






Once in side is the store where they make all the money off us Oz fans.....more on that later.  I didn't even want to shop, I needed to be inside!  We purchased our tickets and  I opened the door............

There she was, Dorthy Gale....and Toto too!!!!!!  I  turn around and there he was, the Scarecrow... I checked his stuffing immediately and all look fine ....

 I then see the ruby slippers on the witch that Dorthy's house landed on....so tempting to remove them and try then on :-)

 Gave the Tin Man a little oil ....he looked so real.....real?.....what?  Of course I know the Tin Man was an actor in costume......?

The cowardly lion, I confess I did want to give him a little hug.....he was so sweet.....uh...in the movie.


And there she was...............................the WICKED WITCH !!  
















 I reminded myself she was never real.....I agreed to sit on the broom with her if just for the photographic proof ......and no I don't have a broom of my own :-)

Then, there was the flying monkey......I was so deathly afraid of them year after year as a child.....
but today, I confronted my fears.  I faced that monkey and I experienced victory over that monkey!

He doesn't look nearly as scary in this photo as he was in real life the movie.......

The Poppy Fields really do make you drowsy....



And there she was......Glenda the Good Witch.  As beautiful as ever.....she's the one on the left in the long pink gown.

I was hesitant, but I had come all this way..... I had to knock!
The door wasn't as big as the original and the all powerful Oz had used some Grecian Formula or something on his hair.  Not a white hair on his head...... :-)

It was not allowed, but I did almost get all the way on the powerful Oz's chair....my husband accused me of being a rule breaker, a rebel of sorts ......imagine!

Ahh.. the instructions, Follow the Yellowbrick Road......

and so I did....................

It led me to the theater where the movie plays non stop.....I could have sat all day.  Fortunately for the sake of time....we caught the end just as she was clicking those ruby slippers together.....

...and there she was back in her room surrounded by the people she loved most....

Ready to leave the Land of Oz.....and shop!!!

I have to admit I shopped and shopped and purchased many Oz memories of my morning at the museum...the pictures are the proof.

Do you suppose that Dorthy is somewhat responsible for my abundance of shoes????? 

Okay, so I bought another book bag...... The proceeds went to the museum, how could I not!

Now lets give credit where credit is due.......................................

Never new Toto was played by Toto!

It's not over folks, we also spotted these little surprises just outside....
                                                                                                                       

So that was my morning at the Wizard of Oz Museum......and for that short time I wasn't in  Kansas anymore.....it was a dream come true!
Hugs!