Christmas in Utah

We went to PF Chang's our first night in Salt Lake. The trip up here was eventful. We stood in line for 3 hours at the airport and missed our flight. But we did manage to get here in time for dinner at my favorite restaurant with most of my favorite people. Bill had to work and my mom was not feeling well.

Monte, Daevius, & Stephanie.

Ben was SO good at the restaurant

My parents, Reed and Diane Jensen

Xavey and myself.

Anna and Monte.

Derek and Diane.

Brenda, and Xavey.

The food was great. The company was better.

Random Gratitude

Here are just a few of the things I'm grateful for tonight - this list is long but certainly not exhaustive.

Yesterday we attended our ward Christmas party. It was a breakfast and service project and was more fun than it sounds like even though I was having an RA day. The food was good, the decorations were sweet, and I looked around and realized anew how much I really like those people.

After the ward party AnnaMae and I went shopping at Michael's - serious fun! I bought a bunch of stuff I needed to finish up my Christmas presents. We scurried home by way of the grocery store and got ready for Monte's annual YMs presidency Christmas party. I love those get-togethers. The faces have changed over the years Monte has served as Young Men's President but the laughter and fun has not. The best part is that Fatima has found a new home (don't ask).

I woke up this morning and didn't hurt.

I sat in Sacrament meeting at church watching the young men and their leaders providing that sacred service. Every Sunday I'm struck by what a sweet feeling it is to watch the white shirted warriors reverently offer each person there a chance to renew, repent and reflect.

Monte has built a fire in the fireplace and we are spending the evening watching sappy Christmas movies. There is good food leftover from the party so I don't have to cook. I have a job to go to tomorrow that I love (most days), and I have a vehicle to drive to said employment. We are all set to go to Utah after Christmas to see our children and grandchildren and my husband and mother-in-law (bless them) decorated the house and set up the tree.

Life is still good.

Baby Steps

I taught kindergarten today. Today is the first day of teaching for me since the MEA weekend (that's Minnesota Education Association) where teachers are supposed to have sharpened their skills. So we spend 3 days evaluating ourselves and a making plans on how to be a better teacher. I fretted. In addition we had a new student coming with particularly high needs. I got so stressed out I gave myself bad dreams for 2 days. So, today while I was singing and dancing with the kindergartners I realized just how much progress we have made in only 14 days of school (they go every other day). On the first day of school I had one who dropped to the floor of the bus and steadfastly pretended to be asleep. He not only refused to get off the bus he refused to even open his eyes or acknowledge anyone. This behavior persisted until 10:30. In the meantime, another student kept pulling the stuffing out of his pullups and eating it. Today, Mr. Sleepyhead walked off the bus and spent the first hour of the day in his mainstream classroom. True, he didn't participate much and spent some of that time rocking with his eyes closed but he maintained an upright position and no one had to "help" him move up and down the hall. Mr. Chewy is not longer wearing pull ups at all, he didn't pull the threads out of his sweater and eat them, and he took my hand and danced with me during circle time. All of my students can count to 5 by rote and with 1 to 1 correspondence, and they all recognize and write their own names. I know it doesn't seem like much but it's progress and it gives me joy to see it.