Have you ever....

Been in a position that someone assumes something about you and it's way off base? Gosh, I've been there! What a horrible feeling that can be! It may not even be a big deal when you look at the whole picture, but the fact is it's out there and the first reaction is naturally to defend ourselves. Children are the same way. I am a teacher of 13 little tykes during the day and we have classroom lessons designed to teach them conflict resolution. In our class we have a flower that we hold called the "peace flower" and the person that has gotten offended by another picks up the peace flower and explains their complaint/frustration to the other child. What a necessary skill they are learning! Each person gets a turn to hold the "peace flower" and no one interrupts the person holding it. Once each child has had a turn, then they can put the flower back and go about their day. The most precious thing is when the children get the flower out during a conflict, but then forget what they got it out for. They end up just asking the other child to join them in another activity and work together as if nothing happened. True, They may not have all the words to communicate their feelings at times, but watching their gestures one can see that there are times when a child is completely free and forgiving. Teaching us that we also need to be forgiving and not accept the bondage that frustration, anger, and resentment (even when they are logical) can bring. How humbling this is!

Weekend notes

This past weekend our family visited the Yakima fair. I haven't been there since I was a kid and it was a lot of fun. If you've never been, check out their website... http://www.fairfun.com/fair/about_us/fair_history.asp . Living so close to Monroe and actually living in Monroe for over 6 years we naturally took the kids to the Evergreen State fair, but this year we opted to go here. It is a lot like Evergreen State Fair, but much more spread out. We parked at the Target shopping center and rode the city bus FREE to the fairgrounds - it was great!

Being in Yakima was nice. It's home. Although, Seattle area is home too - I was able to go to the cemetery and see my Dad's burial site. They haven't gotten his marker up just yet, but I know it will be nice when they do. I dropped off some Orange Lilly's for him and Yellow one's for my Grandma.

On a up beat, I think I am going to use this blog or maybe start another blog to post my Montessori idea's, materials, and links. I see there are a lot of parents out there that want to give their kids a head start in their pre-school years before they reach school age; yet cannot afford to do so. I feel education should be free to anyone whom wants to presue, it and therefore want to use any resources I have to help that become more of a reality.

A Pledge

Earlier tonight my mom handed me a sectional from the newspaper. It had a photo of someone that I knew. One of 5 in his family that has risen to fame. I played basketball and graduated with his older sister, my brother played ball and graduated with him. It was neat to see, and I am very happy for the success that family has found!

I realized something after reading this article. Hours later, but still I feel God is speaking. Excellence is not something that fits into your day planner nice and neat. It is something intentional. It is something you work for. I admit I have become comfortable being mediocre/ or average. Blending in! That was my main goal in High School. I just wanted to blend in. If I did, no one would expect something I didn't feel I could deliver. Unfortunately, it became a life habit. I fight this everyday. But, God didn't place me in a life surrounded with successful people, and expect me to learn to be average. He placed me in this life to learn, and be excellent myself. To help others find their excellence. I think we all have examples of people we know, or relate to that are really good at something. You know what I have learned. Find something you enjoy - and work at it! Sounds so cliche. But it is so true! If you work at something you already enjoy, it will become something you excel in and will give you the tools you need to be successful in life. So, I pledge this. From now on, I pledge to make time for excellence in my life. To give God the glory for my success because it is all for his purpose anyway. Will you join me in making a pledge?

Letterboxing

While in Yakima this last weekend I was introduced to letter boxing. My cousin Bryce and his family have been doing this form of "Scavenger hunting" for a couple of years now and he introduced us to it. It looks like a fun thing to do with kids or on your own. It is fairly cheap cost wise and could keep us entertained for hours*. I found one site that is pretty good if anyone is curious to look at it. It's www.letterboxing.org and there are links to other blogs as well. So, today I set out to get our notebook, Family Stamp and ink at the local art supply store and I think we are ready for Letterbox # 1. Once we find it, we will be able to stamp in and find another. These boxes are hidden from sight and some even require a compass to find! Luckily, there are tons that are easy to find, but once a seasoned letterboxer, one can start looking for more challenging ones. I checked it out. There is one at Lord's Hill in Monroe that has never been found! If you have ever been to Lord's Hill you will know how possible that is!

* depending on the day, time, and temperaments. Pack snacks! :)

Heaven Bound

Although past biopsies showed no cancer, Dad was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer on July 9, 2008 with 2-6 months to live. We (my mom,brother,and I) did everything we could to find a therapy, cure, or sustain my Dad's life longer than the prognosis. Dad was heaven bound August 8, 2008 a little after 3am. We don't always understand God's plan and that is okay. I do not blame God, but am looking for how God is working in our lives and I do see God's mercy at work. Dad's health took a turn for the worst a couple of days prior to his departure, But I find joy in the fact my Dad found true faith 7 days prior to death. He did not go into a coma like many do, and departed from this life while sleeping peacefully. He got to see all of us prior to going to sleep that night and we were able to tell him how much he was loved. I know that the number 8 represents "New Beginnings" and Dad has a new beginning as a child of God, in Heaven. He blessed us with countless memories and stories to share with our kids and the pictures to go along with them.