Sporting the Boise State Pride - Going to the Fiesta Bowl!!! Jan. 4th baby! Go Broncos!
And obviously, opening presents:
Finally, Jerricho's own phone!
Monday, December 28, 2009
Christmas Morning
Christmas morning at the Sanders: Everyone on laptops! Gee, do you think the boys are taking after their father with their love of computers? =)
Sporting the Boise State Pride - Going to the Fiesta Bowl!!! Jan. 4th baby! Go Broncos!
Sporting the Boise State Pride - Going to the Fiesta Bowl!!! Jan. 4th baby! Go Broncos!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Be Thankful Poem
Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know everything,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge
because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
because it means you've made a difference.
•••••••••<<§>>•••••••••
author unknown
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know everything,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge
because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
because it means you've made a difference.
•••••••••<<§>>•••••••••
author unknown
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
My Surprise Birthday Party!
Andrew, my hubby is so wonderful to me! He planned a surprise birthday party for me. I had NO IDEA until minutes before! So sweet and thoughtful. Thank you to my friends who helped put this together, and thank you to my sister, and my good friends who came. It means a lot to me. It was tons of fun! It was a costume party, MOST people were in costume :) Check out the pictures!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
My Xylophone Ensemble
A parent of a student of mine at school put this video on you tube! This was my 4th graders last year. They did so well considering they only rehearsed 30 minutes a week!
CLICK ON THE TITLE of th post and it will link you to the video.
CLICK ON THE TITLE of th post and it will link you to the video.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
He'd rather take a nap!
Sorry for those who've seen this already on FB . . . Jerricho is good at soccer, but so far during his games and practices he hasn't been into it. He's backing away while the coach isn't look waiting to kick the corner kick. Took too long for him I guess. Throughout the game he was busy pointing out all the plains flying by!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
The Rude Things People Say about Adoption
(If you have seen my rants on FB than I apologize for the repetitiveness of this post. Otherwise, read on if you wish.)
Yesterday at Fred Meyers, while getting checked out at the register, the cashier made a comment to me: "Looks like your boys got tanner than their mother!" I sorta smiled and walked away.. fuming as I got closer to the car.
I KNOW that most people don't mean to offend, but I'm getting tired of people's ignorance.
And NOSINESS.
I want to have good come-backs to their annoying, rude, nosy comments/questions but I can never think of any at that moment, which just makes me more mad. I don't need to respond rudely back to them-even though sometimes that would feel real empowering-but I don't want to just walk away anymore, letting the moment to educate them pass me by.
I can't tell you how many times Andrew and I have heard the following comments (from strangers or people we don't know very well):
*"What happened to their "real" mom (or dad)." What I want to say to them: I think I'm pretty REAL myself.
*"Do you know who the "real" mom is?"
*In reference to our two boys - "Are they "real" brothers?" "Real? No, they are completely animatronic, but aren't they life-like?"
*"Where did you get him?" "You mean where was he born?"
*"How much did the adoption cost?" We wouldn't ask you how much your hospital bills cost when you gave birth. So don't ask us how much our adoption costs. Besides, there's not a price you can put on a child. and it's just none of your business (unless you want to pay for all the fees!). Unless you yourself are considering international adoption, and this parent has offered to give you advice/input, please don't ask this question. And asking this while my boy is standing right there! I'm just waiting the inevitable question from him asking "did you buy me?" grrrr.
*"Why didn't you adopt from the USA instead of through an international adoption? There are so many needy children in foster care here." Imagine you are holding your sweet newborn in the grocery line, just a few weeks after giving birth. A total stranger asks you "Why didn't you adopt?" or says, "There are so many needy children, how come you didn't adopt?" Of course that sounds very crazy, just as it would asking someone why they didn't adopt locally.
*"I saw that 20/20 show where the kids from Russia were just crazy.", or "Aren't you worried your child with have fetal alcohol syndrome or autism?", or "An older child, they have bonding issues" We don't need to hear horror stories. We've done the research. It would be like saying to someone who just found out they were pregnant: "Well my friend got pregnant and (insert horror story). "
*"They look just like you." (patronizing) We can tell when someone goes out of their way and try to show us they approve. OR, maybe they think they need to make us feel better? Like we feel slighted for adopting? WHATEVER.
*"Just wait, now you'll get pregnant!" Only about 3% of adoptive parents get pregnant after adopting. This seems like a harmless statement, but very hurtful. It suggests that a biological child is better than an adoptive child.
*"What wonderful people you are. I admire you." -OR- "It takes a special person to do what you are doing. I could never do it." How would you feel if someone looked at your biological child and say, "Wow, you are such a special person to take care of him/her! I don't know how you do it!" What Andrew and I have done for our children is minor compared with the joy they've given us.
Then there is the STARING. I get the staring. Interracial families attract attention and it's human nature to look. We catch them staring, and they smile warmly in an effort to convey their support. (sometimes they just stare and don't smile). What we wish, was if they would realize that we don't need approval, or an enthusiastic smile. What we need is for them not to make a big deal out of noticing. Interracially adopted kids and their families long for privacy: just to be treated like any other human being whose history the public doesn't assume it knows or assume it has the right to know.
So how can we respond nicely but making our point and hopefully educating others? I saw the following on a adoption bulletin online:
~I'm sure you didn't mean to be rude and insensitive and I'd be more than happy to educate you on adoption if you would like?"
~"Not real? I'm confused....is your husband who is not blood related to you, real?"
~"What do you mean by real? Or did you mean simply that I'm not his biological parent?"
~"Wasn't it James Earl Jones, the famous actor, who said "Family relationships come from real bonding, not from something imagined, or a presumption about genetic inheritance."?
I guess I am just annoyed right now. I knew we'd go through this, and we have, and that's life, but it's annoying all the same. As someone once said (don't remember who, but yes, I'm stealing the line): That's the downside of being so interesting.
Maybe I am being overly sensitive. I know some people think so, but I also don't think I am alone.
An Adoptive child's background is not available for public discussion. Unless you are a friend or relative of an adoptive family, it's best to look for answers through adoption agencies, or online.
In closing, I'd like to share a part of an article that was in Oprah's Magazine. Some of the info in this post is from it, as well as the following paragraph.
I KNOW that most people don't mean to offend, but I'm getting tired of people's ignorance.
And NOSINESS.
I want to have good come-backs to their annoying, rude, nosy comments/questions but I can never think of any at that moment, which just makes me more mad. I don't need to respond rudely back to them-even though sometimes that would feel real empowering-but I don't want to just walk away anymore, letting the moment to educate them pass me by.
I can't tell you how many times Andrew and I have heard the following comments (from strangers or people we don't know very well):
*"What happened to their "real" mom (or dad)." What I want to say to them: I think I'm pretty REAL myself.
*"Do you know who the "real" mom is?"
*In reference to our two boys - "Are they "real" brothers?" "Real? No, they are completely animatronic, but aren't they life-like?"
*"Where did you get him?" "You mean where was he born?"
*"How much did the adoption cost?" We wouldn't ask you how much your hospital bills cost when you gave birth. So don't ask us how much our adoption costs. Besides, there's not a price you can put on a child. and it's just none of your business (unless you want to pay for all the fees!). Unless you yourself are considering international adoption, and this parent has offered to give you advice/input, please don't ask this question. And asking this while my boy is standing right there! I'm just waiting the inevitable question from him asking "did you buy me?" grrrr.
*"Why didn't you adopt from the USA instead of through an international adoption? There are so many needy children in foster care here." Imagine you are holding your sweet newborn in the grocery line, just a few weeks after giving birth. A total stranger asks you "Why didn't you adopt?" or says, "There are so many needy children, how come you didn't adopt?" Of course that sounds very crazy, just as it would asking someone why they didn't adopt locally.
*"I saw that 20/20 show where the kids from Russia were just crazy.", or "Aren't you worried your child with have fetal alcohol syndrome or autism?", or "An older child, they have bonding issues" We don't need to hear horror stories. We've done the research. It would be like saying to someone who just found out they were pregnant: "Well my friend got pregnant and (insert horror story). "
*"They look just like you." (patronizing) We can tell when someone goes out of their way and try to show us they approve. OR, maybe they think they need to make us feel better? Like we feel slighted for adopting? WHATEVER.
*"Just wait, now you'll get pregnant!" Only about 3% of adoptive parents get pregnant after adopting. This seems like a harmless statement, but very hurtful. It suggests that a biological child is better than an adoptive child.
*"What wonderful people you are. I admire you." -OR- "It takes a special person to do what you are doing. I could never do it." How would you feel if someone looked at your biological child and say, "Wow, you are such a special person to take care of him/her! I don't know how you do it!" What Andrew and I have done for our children is minor compared with the joy they've given us.
Then there is the STARING. I get the staring. Interracial families attract attention and it's human nature to look. We catch them staring, and they smile warmly in an effort to convey their support. (sometimes they just stare and don't smile). What we wish, was if they would realize that we don't need approval, or an enthusiastic smile. What we need is for them not to make a big deal out of noticing. Interracially adopted kids and their families long for privacy: just to be treated like any other human being whose history the public doesn't assume it knows or assume it has the right to know.
So how can we respond nicely but making our point and hopefully educating others? I saw the following on a adoption bulletin online:
~I'm sure you didn't mean to be rude and insensitive and I'd be more than happy to educate you on adoption if you would like?"
~"Not real? I'm confused....is your husband who is not blood related to you, real?"
~"What do you mean by real? Or did you mean simply that I'm not his biological parent?"
~"Wasn't it James Earl Jones, the famous actor, who said "Family relationships come from real bonding, not from something imagined, or a presumption about genetic inheritance."?
I guess I am just annoyed right now. I knew we'd go through this, and we have, and that's life, but it's annoying all the same. As someone once said (don't remember who, but yes, I'm stealing the line): That's the downside of being so interesting.
Maybe I am being overly sensitive. I know some people think so, but I also don't think I am alone.
An Adoptive child's background is not available for public discussion. Unless you are a friend or relative of an adoptive family, it's best to look for answers through adoption agencies, or online.
In closing, I'd like to share a part of an article that was in Oprah's Magazine. Some of the info in this post is from it, as well as the following paragraph.
Someday, I hope, we'll live in a world where racial or sexual or familial differences don't matter because we'll have achieved the understanding that one kind, or one way, is not necessarily better than another. As for now, I fear we routinely call unneeded attention to these differences. For example, why are Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise's kids described as their "adopted kids"? Why aren't they just identified as "their kids"? Or why did the press write that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt were expecting their first child when they already have a son and a daughter? What's next? "Angelina and Brad's biologically born child joins their adopted son and adopted daughter." Or "So-and-so's donor-egg-born son joins their gestationally carried, IVF-born daughter." We don't refer to how biological children become a part of their families, so why do we point out adoption?
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
A Trip for Dad!
Here's a few pictures of our trip. It's about time I post them!
We first drove to Seattle and visited Andrew's H.S. friend Brenda, unfortunately we didn't get pictures taken. Forgot to grab the camera I guess. Then we drove up to Camano Island to stay with my brother Brian. He and Angee were so graceous in letting us stay with them last minute.
Here's all the cousins together. From left to right: Boston, Jerricho, Solomon, Chad, Madison.
We visited a couple more of Andrew's H.S. friends, Jodi, and Sherri.
We stopped in to say hi to Andrew's sister Kim and the kids. It was very good to see her as well. Conner is growing. He's almost as tall as his mom!
That Saturday night, we traveled back down to Seattle to catch the Mariners vs. Diamondback game. That was very fun. This was the boys first professional baseball game. Mariner's won, so that made it even better!
Wouldn't you know, luck would have it, another of Andrew's H.S. friends, Jennie was there!
We went to the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, OR. That was very cool. I touched a shark and a sting ray. We say many fish, seabirds, seals and otters.
We visited the old Historic Lighthouse that is no longer in use. Then we walked down to the beach there, and flew kites. This is also the time when Jerricho lost his pants in the water as seen in the video below.
"Let's Go Fly a Kite up to the highest heights,
Let's go fly a kite and send it soaring . . ."
After our visit for a couple of days at the beach and with Deedee, we began our drive back home but stopped in Tillamook to tour the Cheese factory.
Yummy cheese, and very YUMMY ice cream. The kids liked seeing them make the cheese and the ice cream.
We just had to stop at the falls since we were driving right by them. Gorgeous. We took the hike up and Solomon said "how beautiful".
That concluded our trip. It was productive, and fun.
Happy Father's Day Daddy. Hoped you enjoyed seeing your friends and family, AND the game, and the coast, and everything else.
We first drove to Seattle and visited Andrew's H.S. friend Brenda, unfortunately we didn't get pictures taken. Forgot to grab the camera I guess. Then we drove up to Camano Island to stay with my brother Brian. He and Angee were so graceous in letting us stay with them last minute.
Here's all the cousins together. From left to right: Boston, Jerricho, Solomon, Chad, Madison.
We visited a couple more of Andrew's H.S. friends, Jodi, and Sherri.
We stopped in to say hi to Andrew's sister Kim and the kids. It was very good to see her as well. Conner is growing. He's almost as tall as his mom!
That Saturday night, we traveled back down to Seattle to catch the Mariners vs. Diamondback game. That was very fun. This was the boys first professional baseball game. Mariner's won, so that made it even better!
Wouldn't you know, luck would have it, another of Andrew's H.S. friends, Jennie was there!
We went to the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, OR. That was very cool. I touched a shark and a sting ray. We say many fish, seabirds, seals and otters.
We visited the old Historic Lighthouse that is no longer in use. Then we walked down to the beach there, and flew kites. This is also the time when Jerricho lost his pants in the water as seen in the video below.
"Let's Go Fly a Kite up to the highest heights,
Let's go fly a kite and send it soaring . . ."
After our visit for a couple of days at the beach and with Deedee, we began our drive back home but stopped in Tillamook to tour the Cheese factory.
Yummy cheese, and very YUMMY ice cream. The kids liked seeing them make the cheese and the ice cream.
We just had to stop at the falls since we were driving right by them. Gorgeous. We took the hike up and Solomon said "how beautiful".
That concluded our trip. It was productive, and fun.
Happy Father's Day Daddy. Hoped you enjoyed seeing your friends and family, AND the game, and the coast, and everything else.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Bumper Sticker
I saw a bumper sticker on a car the other day:
"If you can read this thank a teacher.
Since it's English thank a soldier."
"If you can read this thank a teacher.
Since it's English thank a soldier."
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Because I just have to post about him.
As weird as Michael Jackson was, you can't deny how incredibly talented he was. Great performer, great music, great dancer. It's weird to think that one of my (gen xer) icons has passed away. He WAS the 80's. And he was soooo cute -- pre- '90's anyway.
This is my favorite song by MJ.
This is my favorite song by MJ.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Solomon the Photographer
Solomon received a camera for his birthday and he hasn't stopped taking pictures. He has become quite the photographer. Some of the pictures he has taken are really amazing, and you can see he has a different view point of many things in his 8 yr. old world.
Unfortunately for me, he is also capturing me at the most inopportune times! I didn't even know he took this picture . . .
. . . and I promise: I SWEAR: Jerricho was NOT begging me to get off of FACEBOOK -- he just loves climbing on things!
Unfortunately for me, he is also capturing me at the most inopportune times! I didn't even know he took this picture . . .
. . . and I promise: I SWEAR: Jerricho was NOT begging me to get off of FACEBOOK -- he just loves climbing on things!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Hearing or Deaf? Video Art
I am just so proud and impressed by my good friend Sherri's artistic ability that I just have to share this. She is a wonderful artist, and one of her projects in her art class was to make "video art".
See below at the bottom of the page.
In her words: "This is a video made from 1400 pictures taken as I drew and smudged..This video shows my conflict as a child trying to fit into a deaf world and a hearing world but being forced to choose between one or the other instead of embracing both cultures. Being told I have a great voice for a deaf person, or that I am not hearing enough. I am me and I am OK ."
See below at the bottom of the page.
In her words: "This is a video made from 1400 pictures taken as I drew and smudged..This video shows my conflict as a child trying to fit into a deaf world and a hearing world but being forced to choose between one or the other instead of embracing both cultures. Being told I have a great voice for a deaf person, or that I am not hearing enough. I am me and I am OK ."
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Trip to Cally
We are home after a vacation to California. What a trip - figuratively and literally. My sister Allie, her son Coltin, myself and my two boys, Solomon and Jerricho all piled in the car and heading to Fresno to see my grandma. Allie and I met up with my older sister Rachel and her boys Jimmy, Jacob and Zachery, as well as our parents in Fresno, so we could all visit g'ma together. Seeing grandma was rewarding and challenging.
I have always felt a special bond with my g'ma. She was so musically talented and influenced music in my life. I remember when I was five years old I called my g'ma on the phone to see if she'd drive down to Southern California to play the piano for me while I sang "You are My Sunshine". This is a song that g'ma always sang to me, and to all the grandkids. It's a very special song. She did, and I sang on stage at a church talent show while she accompanied me on the piano. G'ma couldn't read a lick of music but was phenomenal on the piano - playing by ear. She could jazz up any song you wanted. If she didn't know the song, you could just humm part of it, and she'd be able to play it in no time. I also remember once when I was about 13yrs old, we visited my g'ma. I remember sitting at the piano playing the duet "Heart and Soul" with her, improvising throughout trying to get each other to mess up. The song lasted 20 minutes! How fun.
The challenging part of the visit was seeing grandma struggle with her dementia. She remember many things, but mixed up the facts, and added bits and pieces of everything together. Very confusing. She did remember all of us at some point. She remember that I played piano and was a music teacher, and we sang "You are my sunshine" together. But, the things she would tell me were mixed up facts about her past and about the news, or other people she knows. It was hard to see my strong, and very smart and talented g'ma be so confused. But she still could sing! I wonder if there was a piano around, if she could still play.
The rewarding part was to see her again, and to have the opportunity to tell her the things I've wanted to for so long.
I'm glad I saw her even though it was difficult.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While in Fresno, Allie and I also met up with our Ex-step-cousin/friend Christine, and her mom-our ex-Aunt Lynn. It was fun to see them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Then, we traveled down to Rachel's house in the San Bernadino Mountains. We stayed there for a few days visiting - good chats, lots of laughs and kids playing. I haven't gone down to see my sister in years, and going there this last week has made me realize how much I miss her! Wish we lived closer together.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While in Fresno, Allie and I also met up with our Ex-step-cousin/friend Christine, and her mom-our ex-Aunt Lynn. It was fun to see them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~While I was in Southern California, I was able to go see a very good friend (the one friend I've known the longest too - 2nd grade), Karrie. I was able to see her at her home with her two boys Conner and Owen, and her husband Patrick. It was so good to see her. It had been 12 yrs since I saw her. We had lost track of each other which was hard for both of us - but thanks to the blessing that FaceBook can bring - we found each other again! (Go FB!) That was great to catch up and see that we are just as close as we've always been.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Allie, the kids and I piled in the car again and drove up north back to Idaho. It was also fun to go on a road trip with my sister Allie. We had good chats and laughs as well.
All in all it was a much needed, good little vacation. I need to get to Cally more often!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Solomon's Award!
Solomon was chosen for the "Positive People Award" at his school for the month of February. He was given the award by his teacher who said " Solomon is receiving this award because of his kindness. He cares about others and it shows in the classroom and on the playground. Solomon is always ready and willing to help another child. If someone asks to play with him, Solomon always says 'yes'".
We are so proud of him! (too bad he doesn't always act like this at home *wink wink*), but glad he is a sweetie everywhere else -- as it should be!
We are so proud of him! (too bad he doesn't always act like this at home *wink wink*), but glad he is a sweetie everywhere else -- as it should be!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Deaf interpretation of songs
This is an awesome website called D-Pan, "Deaf Performing Artist Network"
Also if you go to D-pan.com to the video section, you can see their interpretion "Beautiful" by Christina Aguilar. It's my favorite.
Also if you go to D-pan.com to the video section, you can see their interpretion "Beautiful" by Christina Aguilar. It's my favorite.
Church- when? Brain lapse
Now a funny about me: So, while I was on facebook and typing the previous post early this morning, I should have been in church! Our church time in 2008 was 11:00 a.m. It changed in January to 9:00. So, I set my alarm last night at 9:30 like last year, but I woke up before my alarm went off, 7:30, irritated that I couldn't sleep in, thinking I had plenty of time to get ready for church. So I got on the computer. Then Solomon wakes up and comes to me and says "Don't we have church?" I said, "Not yet, we have time before we have to get ready". Continued on the computer, heard Jerricho wake up, got him out of bed. Then, Solomon told me he didn't want to go to church because he felt sick. I took his temperature (at 9:00 a.m.). Just as I finished taking it, and telling him he does have a temp. and he can stay home, Andrew comes out laughing at me. (Andrew just waking up). He said, "Jen, it's 9:00" AHHH, I just realized that church was at nine. I'm still in my pj's. So what's the big deal aside from just missing church??? Well, I CONDUCT the music for the first meeting - sacrament meeting! Totally missed my job. Didn't plan on this so I had no sub for me. I can't believe I did this! I'm not going today. By the time I get ready, sacrament meeting will be over, and I don't want to show my face right now! So embarassed. That means the music started, and someone had to get up and conduct for me! Everyone in the congregation knowing I'm not there and obviously thinking I am very irresponsible for not getting a sub.
I still can't get over this. I had all the time in the world this morning to get up, and I thought church was later. Even last night I thought so because I set my alarm for later.
Andrew is not going to let me live this one down I'm sure! I even facebooked about how irritated I was that I couldn't sleep in when I had the chance to.
I still can't get over this. I had all the time in the world this morning to get up, and I thought church was later. Even last night I thought so because I set my alarm for later.
Andrew is not going to let me live this one down I'm sure! I even facebooked about how irritated I was that I couldn't sleep in when I had the chance to.
Funny things about my boys
My boys are characters.
Solomon - On day we were walking down the hallway at my school (he goes to the same school I teach at). Everyone seems to know who he is. Mr. Popular. The other day I saw him walking in the hallway ahead of me and Solomon passed a 5th grader and say "Yo man, what's up" and flashed him a peace sign (you know, at the chest) and gave him a head nod. The 5th grader did it back and gave him a high five. Funny because I can't believe that he did that. He's only in 2nd grade. Even more unbelieble . . .
My boss, his principal told me the following story. Let's see if I can explain it well and give it any justice: First of all, Solomon is very comfortable at my school, for obvious reasons -- his mom works there and he's there a lot. Well, Solomon walks into the principals office one time and sees all the pennants he has up. There are all different teams - football, baseball, hockey. Solomon points to the Greenbay Packers pennant and says so confidently "That has got to go. That should not be up. Why do you have it up there?" The principal said, "Well, my boss likes the Greenbay Packers so I thought I would impress him with that." "No, not good enough, it's got to go" Solomon replies. Solomon begins to walk out of the office, turns back around to the principal and one more time says "Cover it up or hide it, it's gotta go fast!"
When the principal told me the story, he explained that 2nd grader Solomon made him feel like he was the student in trouble and Solomon was the boss. He thought it was so funny. I was going to apologize on behalf of my child, thinking he was being a bit disrespectful, but my boss said "wow, I wish I was that confident when I was a kid". So what did we do that weekend? Solomon insisted that we buy a Seahawk pennant to give him. We did. He brought it in the next Monday, and gave it to him. The principal laughed. It is now hanging up in his office -- NOT covering the Greenbay Packers. (I think Solomon also mentioned that the Steelers needed to go as well).
Jerricho -- We were in the car driving, listening to Michael Jackson's Thriller C.D. (Solomon's favorite right now). The song "Pretty Young Thing" came on. There is a part in the song where Micahel grunts and pants "Uh, huh huh huh". That part came on and all of a sudden we hear Jerricho laughing histerically. He thought it was SOOO funny, so every time that part repeated, we heard Jerricho laughing in his famous belly gut laugh. We kept repeating that part over and over just to hear it. We repeated it so much that Solomon was getting irritated because he wanted to hear the rest of the song. HA!
Solomon - On day we were walking down the hallway at my school (he goes to the same school I teach at). Everyone seems to know who he is. Mr. Popular. The other day I saw him walking in the hallway ahead of me and Solomon passed a 5th grader and say "Yo man, what's up" and flashed him a peace sign (you know, at the chest) and gave him a head nod. The 5th grader did it back and gave him a high five. Funny because I can't believe that he did that. He's only in 2nd grade. Even more unbelieble . . .
My boss, his principal told me the following story. Let's see if I can explain it well and give it any justice: First of all, Solomon is very comfortable at my school, for obvious reasons -- his mom works there and he's there a lot. Well, Solomon walks into the principals office one time and sees all the pennants he has up. There are all different teams - football, baseball, hockey. Solomon points to the Greenbay Packers pennant and says so confidently "That has got to go. That should not be up. Why do you have it up there?" The principal said, "Well, my boss likes the Greenbay Packers so I thought I would impress him with that." "No, not good enough, it's got to go" Solomon replies. Solomon begins to walk out of the office, turns back around to the principal and one more time says "Cover it up or hide it, it's gotta go fast!"
When the principal told me the story, he explained that 2nd grader Solomon made him feel like he was the student in trouble and Solomon was the boss. He thought it was so funny. I was going to apologize on behalf of my child, thinking he was being a bit disrespectful, but my boss said "wow, I wish I was that confident when I was a kid". So what did we do that weekend? Solomon insisted that we buy a Seahawk pennant to give him. We did. He brought it in the next Monday, and gave it to him. The principal laughed. It is now hanging up in his office -- NOT covering the Greenbay Packers. (I think Solomon also mentioned that the Steelers needed to go as well).
Jerricho -- We were in the car driving, listening to Michael Jackson's Thriller C.D. (Solomon's favorite right now). The song "Pretty Young Thing" came on. There is a part in the song where Micahel grunts and pants "Uh, huh huh huh". That part came on and all of a sudden we hear Jerricho laughing histerically. He thought it was SOOO funny, so every time that part repeated, we heard Jerricho laughing in his famous belly gut laugh. We kept repeating that part over and over just to hear it. We repeated it so much that Solomon was getting irritated because he wanted to hear the rest of the song. HA!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Concentrate on this Sentence
'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Church
Today, we went to church. I am amazed that Solomon LOVES to go to his primary class now -- now that he is with the older kids. He is reading so much better now, and he was asked to read some scriptures from the Bible in front of the children's group. He did, and he did a great job.
It touches me that he wants to go to church, and wants to read the scriptures -- quite honestly without his parents example (or at least not a very consistant one). We have always felt that we wanted to teach him the gospel of Christ but didn't want to force him into it. We want him to believe in Christ on his own accord, not just following along with what others around him do. We want him come to the belief and faith on his own. To believe it from his own doing and his own questioning and answering and he has.
It's fun to see him WANT to go to church, and want to pray. It's cool.
It touches me that he wants to go to church, and wants to read the scriptures -- quite honestly without his parents example (or at least not a very consistant one). We have always felt that we wanted to teach him the gospel of Christ but didn't want to force him into it. We want him to believe in Christ on his own accord, not just following along with what others around him do. We want him come to the belief and faith on his own. To believe it from his own doing and his own questioning and answering and he has.
It's fun to see him WANT to go to church, and want to pray. It's cool.
OK< seriously - facebook is amazing. I have found dear friends that I had lost contact with and it's great to get in touch with them again. :)
Saturday, January 17, 2009
A Cherokee Legend: Two Wolves
I came across this story (one of my favorites) while cleaning my bookshelves. A lesson in life for me.
A Cherokee Legend: Two Wolves
A Cherokee Legend: Two Wolves
An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.
"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
Here is the same story, but it is called "Grandfather Tells" which is also known as "The Wolves Within"
An old Grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice, "Let me tell you a story.
I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do.
But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times." He continued, "It is as if there are two wolves inside me. One is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.
But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger,for his anger will change nothing.
Sometimes, it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit."
The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?"
The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed."
"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
Here is the same story, but it is called "Grandfather Tells" which is also known as "The Wolves Within"
An old Grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice, "Let me tell you a story.
I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do.
But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times." He continued, "It is as if there are two wolves inside me. One is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.
But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger,for his anger will change nothing.
Sometimes, it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit."
The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?"
The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed."
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