"You Gave Me a Prize!"

Last Friday, most of the children were gone by the time I dropped off my key and picked up my time sheet in the office. When I stepped outside heading for my car, a little boy who was waiting to be picked up in front of the school jumped off a bench and stepped up to me. He was so tiny. He had dark brown skin with straight long black hair that trailed down his back. It was pulled into a low ponytail to keep out of his face. He looked up at me with his dark eyes that were a bit askew. He had to be a 1st grader, not only for his size, but I could see by his wide smile that he had all of his baby teeth glistening up at me.

He said, "Do you remember me?"

I didn't, but before I could react or quiz him about what class I had him in, he said, hoping for recognition, "You gave me a prize!"

My face lit up, "You must have been extra good because I don't give out prizes very often."

He told me how I had only given out two in his class that day. "You gave one to me because I was very quiet," he said.

"You need to remember that about me." I replied. "When I give instructions to students and I find most of them aren't following my directions, I start looking around the room to try and find someone who is."

"You gave me some clackers," he smiled again.

I wish now I had gotten down on one knee. He was straining his neck to look up at me and was so attentive and intent on listening to what I had to say. "It's nice to get a prize, but whether you receive a prize or not, you feel good inside when you do what your teacher asks you to do."

His face glowed in agreement. I was so proud of him. I said good-bye, me grinning from ear to ear, and then I was off to my car.

The class I had substituted that day was especially difficult, but I got through it. I don't think that little boy realized how his cheerful conversation made my day. I should have said to him, "You gave me a prize!"


“My dear brothers and sisters, may the laughter of children gladden our hearts. May the faith of children soothe our souls. May the love of children prompt our deeds. ‘Children are an heritage of the Lord’ (Ps. 127:3.)”
Thomas S. Monson, “Precious Children—A Gift from God,” Ensign, Nov 1991, 70

Student of the Month

I have a friend, Teri Woolley, who shared this story with me. She was having one of those, not so good mother day's. You know, the kind where you are discouraged and beat yourself up over not being able to get it all done or do it right - been there, done that. She went on to say that she was crying when her little boy found her in the midst of discouragement. With great concern he asked his mother what was wrong. She replied through her blubbering tears, "I'm never going to be Mother of the Year!" As he patted her on the shoulder, he said sympathetically, "It's okay Mom, I'm never going to be Student of the Month."

I don't think I'm going be to be Mother of the Year either, but happy day, Sammy is Student of the Month! Hooray! I received a call from his teacher a few days ago making me aware of Sam's honor assembly today.

Hugh and I both filed into the assembly together and surprised Sam. We took pictures and complimented him on his achievement. I was so happy for Sammy and he was pleased about it too. What a nice way to top off his school year.

Ms. Munoz (Sam's teacher) and Sam at the awards ceremony

"There is a brilliant child

locked inside every student."

Marva Collins

My Mother's Day

I got my happy Mother's Day phone call from Elder Blair at our arranged time of 6 a.m. on Sunday. We had 40 minutes of asking questions, sharing, and just plain saying, "It's great to talk to you!"

I also received a Mother's Day gift from Tommy earlier in the week. I was so pleased. It's a shadow box with a white shirt and tie with the pocket stuffed with all the things Elder Blair keeps in his pocket as a missionary.

A piece of Elder Blair

I certainly had other gifts and well wishes on Mother's Day, but Tommy's call and gift were definite highlights for the entire family.

"Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them." Alma 57:21

Traditional Girl

GRATEFUL FOR STANDARDS

Janna has a friend, a foreign exchange student from Belgium. He grades the papers in her French class. The other day he wrote on her paper, Traditional Girl and illustrated a smiley face. She wasn't sure what to make of Traditional Girl, so she asked him about it. His response was, "You know, Traditional Girl." He's learning english and sometimes in his attempt to communicate things gets lost in translation. Anyway, Janna came home and told me about it and wondered what I thought. I told her, "I think he's saying a traditional girl is a girl with standards." In spite of my immediate reaction, Janna still isn't sure what to think of her friend's statement.

I tell this story in conjuction with Janna's prom events. She attended the Lancaster High School prom with some friends when I was visiting in Arizona and then last night she went to what we refer to as the "Mormon Prom". She wore the same dress to both events and looked lovely as the Traditional Girl.

Emily and Janna ready for the prom.

Holy Fusion of Color, Batman!

Yes, even superheroes stop in their tracks in amazement to do a double take of the color that reigns in front of our home. Well, at least I was amazed. My garden was blooming when I left for Arizona, but I was so surprised at what I viewed when our car pulled up in front of our house after a week long hiatus. The flowers were bursting with color, especially the roses. What can I say, "It's spring!" Many of the blooms were far spent. I obviously needed to do some clipping and pulling off old blooms. It's so difficult to cut back all that color, but really that's what needs to done to keep the flowers coming.

I've always loved this Primary song. It isn't in the current Children's Songbook. I remember singing it when I was young. Knowing both verses is important in understanding the message. It's a song I remember well and I still sing it to myself usually in medley with, My Heavenly Father Loves Me.

I Have a Garden
by Maryhale Woolsey
"Sing With Me" G-18

I have a garden, a lovely garden,
With flowers blossoming ever fair;
Where sun shines brightly and rain falls lightly,
And breezes gather sweet fragrance there.
Songbirds come singing out of the sky;
Butterflies winging, hovering by;
And in my garden, my lovely garden,
There's always beauty to greet the eye.

I have a garden, a secret garden,
Where thot's like flowers grow day by day;
'Tis I must chose them, and tend and use them,
And cast all wrong one like weeds away.
Goodness and love are seeds that I sow;
God up above will help me I know,
To keep my garden, my heart's own garden
A place where beauty will always grow.

If ever there was an affirmation, I hope that my blooming garden will be a reminder of what my thoughts and heart should be.

Also, Sammy received his YELLOW belt today. Congratulations!

And, It's Billy's B-day. Happy 29th Bub!

Move Over Susan Boyle

I've blogged about my niece, Janet, before (The Next American Idol). She's graduating from high school this year and moving on to BYU-Idaho in the fall. We saw Janet perform last January in an incredible high school performance of Les Miserables, but I didn't have a video to share then. This is a bit distorted, but her talent still shines through. Best Wishes Janet!

"As simple as it sounds, we all must try to be the best person we can: by making the best choices,

by making the most of the talents we've been given."

Mary Lou Retton

Ryan Mae

Grandma and Ryan

Ryan looking really cute.

I had the rare opportunity of being with my granddaughter for an entire week. Bill and Chelsea were there too. The point of my trip was to help with babysitting. Chelsea is finishing up her last six weeks of teaching 1st grade. She already had 2 weeks behind her when I showed up. I was in Arizona April 25th through May 2nd.

It was such a pleasure tending to Ryan. I had a nice visit, but everyone missed me at home. I definitely had to get back to my Lancaster agenda. Besides caring for Ryan I exercised, which I hope to continue. I haven't been as consistent as I should since I started working. I also did a little cooking for Bill and Chelsea and took advantage of the opportunity to do some reading.

Grandma

~ Author: Unknown

Grandmas are for stories about things of long ago.

Grandmas are for caring about all the things you know.

Grandmas are for rocking you and singing you to sleep.

Grandmas are for giving you nice memories to keep.

Grandmas are for knowing all the things you're dreaming of...

But, the most important thing of all,

Grandmas are for love.