Yesterday I sat on the couch thinking about all of the ways that I would like to improve myself.  I do this a lot, to tell you the truth.  I began (again) identifying my shortcomings and pondering ways to eradicate them.  This is probably a healthy thing to a degree, but I do it far too often and result in far too much discouragement. 

I told James I needed to go make a "Plan of Self-Improvement", because then I would feel like I had concrete direction from myself.  He responded, "Oh, like this one?  You start out in the Premortal Existence, you are born, you live your life on Earth doing great things and making mistakes and learning who you are, then you die, experience the Spirit World, resurrection, final judgment, and discover you are in one of God's 3 kingdoms of glory...preferably the Celestial one?"

I was quiet for a moment.  "....yeah, like that."

Lucky for me, someone reminded me yesterday that there is a plan for each of us.  It is the Plan of Salvation, the Plan of Happiness, really it is the Great Plan of Self-Improvement.  It is nice for me to know this and to think on it.  It brings me a good deal of peace.  Someone has a plan for me.

A chalk rendering of the Plan of Salvation, as done by Elder Gardner in Ukraine

Things are a little quiet over at our apartment.  James has been sick (an apparent gift from my first graders to him) and I have been possessed by my Teacher Work Sample.  We've been a little melancholy with the stress of it all, but we keep pushing along.  We've found joy in milkshakes, Lost, visiting illustrator lectures, and a few hours together each evening.

I feel very sustained and supported at this time, what with the biggest project of my life due in a few days.  I owe much gratitude to James, my family, and Heavenly Father.

Oh, and to 100% juice.  Some things you cannot do without!

Sometimes I'll run across things that make me really, really happy.

Love you, family.

a few things i love

 

1. The HUGENORMOUS cupcake James bought me after I saw Cupcake Wars for the first time and thought I would die without a cupcake :)

2. I asked my first graders to make a little card with a word and picture that has to do with something in February for our word wall.  This one made me really happy.

3. James and I took a little date night and saw Red Tails after grabbing a bite at State Street Grill.  Pretty tasty...who knew?

First graders say amazing things.

Today I was briefly reminding my students that throughout the school day there are several appropriate times to go to the bathroom: before school, at morning recess, at lunch recess, and after school.  I instructed them that they should take advantage of these times so they don't have to miss out on important classroom time.

Now these are worry-prone six year-olds.... so I gave them the caveat that if it is an emergency they should certainly ask if they can go to the bathroom during classtime.  I'll let them.  Well, somehow this discussion brought up the latest first grade gossip....that so-and-so had had a wetting accident in the class next door.  My classroom erupted as all the students seemed to have the urgent need to share their own accident anecdotes with one another.

Says one, "My sister had an accident last week, too!"
Says another, "When I was in preschool I had an accident." (blushes)
Says yet another, "A long time ago I had an accident in bed."
Says super loud boy in the front, "My mom still has accidents!"

There are things I learn from them that I really shouldn't know, but gosh I love my first graders.

Politically-passionate people give me hives.  Nevertheless, there is one politicalish thing that I do each year without fail.  I don't entirely know why I do it, other than the fact that Bethanys LOVE continuity and so of course it needs to always be done.   What is it I do?  I always, always, always watch the State of the Union address.

Now it isn't that I'm crazy politically-involved.  I like to vote and I like America and I like when we have political leaders that are nice and good (it does happen sometimes!).  I think I like it for another reason, too. Somehow it is unifying, despite how markedly we can see party differences and prejudices during the address.  It is unifying in that we watch it because we all hang onto our hope of improving the country and the lives of the citizens.  And so that is why I find myself watching tv by myself this evening (James is responding to his own political call of duty....yes, that call of duty).

And hey, no matter the president or the year or the issues, they always throw in a good word for teachers!  And we kind of like that a lot!

awesome picture by Melanie

cookies and cocoa

One of the things that caused me a considerable amount of stress during our engagement was the planning of our wedding reception.  I stressed about the number of cookies we would need, how my crazy cake idea would turn out, whether or not James would die standing in the line.....

But 'twas all in vain, due the many wonderful wonderful people who stepped up to help me....and James, for being a good sport.  I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful reception.  It certainly exceeded my expectations.  Thank you, everyone!