Happy Retirement Mom!

Yeah, can you believe my mom is retiring after 27 years of service from Davis County School District?

15 years of Teaching 6th grade and 12 years of being an Elementary School Principal

She is an amazing example, a great teacher, mentor and educator.

So we decided to throw her a party!!

That just happened to be on the 4th of July!

 Here is mom next to her table of treats. Recipes found Here. There were fun Cake Bites, Red White and Blue Strawberries, at Red White and Blue Beverage and lots of treats that family brought too!  We had Curried Chicken over Rice, and Corn on the Cob and Red White and Blue Jell-o, salad Etc....

She got new business cards that she got to pass out to everyone.....

I can't get these darn photos to turn sometimes!

 After dinner the family gave her gifts.  Each one of us kids read her a poem we wrote, my uncle wrote one too but I dont have that one:

Retirement haikus for Mom

Shaping multitudes

Correcting bad attitudes

Enough is enough.

Were crying children

Or the students the worst part?

Personal zen earned

Hyper active youth.

He peed where? She bullied who?

Never EVER more

 

Suns set on careers

But never on adventure

Go and find your path

 -Jon (Jeff)

An Incorrect Haiku for Mom

By David Parkin

My mom teaches school

She was my sixth grade teacher

She taught me Haiku

Five syllables first

Seven for the second line

Five for the third line

For an assignment

We had to write five poems

It wasn’t that hard

It is incorrect

To write out a bunch of them

To form a story

Just thought I’d say that

So my mom would understand

I learned my Haiku

Who’s the Boss??

No more pencils, No more books, no more Teacher’s dirty looks……

Cause You’re the Boss.

No more 4pm clock watch or 6am commutes,

Cause You’re the Boss.

No more faculty meetings or annual reviews….

Cause You’re the Boss…..

No more clueless parents or entitled kids…..

Cause You’re the Boss….

No more PTA Carnivals or silly fundraisers…..

Cause You’re the Boss…..

More time for you

More time to create

More time for peace

More time to dream

More time with us

More time to wander

More time to be whatever or wherever you want to be

Cause You’re the Boss!

Love,  Kelley

I also made her a "Retirement Suggestion Jar" stuffed full of ideas for when she gets bored, everyone got to add their ideas too.  I have tons of stuff in there, websites to visit like "Watch Paint Dry.com" and "99 most viral Videos" and "TED.com" Etc. Plus ideas of places to go, people to see etc.
 
It was a fun day! She had a great time and we were happy that Rachel could come too! We missed Dave but he was there in spirit.
 
Happy Retirement Mom!!

Yea!! Nama and Papa are coming home!

I don't think I've said much about Kevin's parents in this blog yet, but its high time I did!

Mike and Carol are terrific people. They are kind and extremely generous, caring and very good to their children and grandchildren. They've helped us out of many tough spots more times than I can count and I don't think we can ever thank them enough for that.

They are wonderful! We love it when they come visit (which is never often enough!) and now they are FINALLY getting to retire and move back to Cedar City! These two have sacrificed so much to be away from family and lived in the Chicago area almost their entire working career to be able to provide for their children. Chicago was a great place to live and have their children grow up, but I know in their hearts they've always wished they could be "back home" and now they can be! We are more than excited for them and hope we can see them so much more often when they get back to Utah.

Mike is the hardest worker I know. He is a great example of a protector and provider. His attitude has always been positive and he is helpful and kind. He is easy to be with, generous to a fault, and funny! He has had some struggles with pain for as long as I've known him but he doesn't complain and he works hard right through the pain. He is extraordinary.

Carol is a great person and is up for almost anything! She will be right in the middle of the grand kids, right there to do whatever they'd like to do, play in the yard, go to the zoo on a hot, humid day, she'll play with them on the floor, help their mom with anything she needs, take the kids for walks, and play the Wii! She is very cool! Carol is kind, caring, and such a great grandma and mom to her children. She send suprises in the mail, which the boys love. Her gifts are very thoughtful and individualized for the boys. She is very in tune to what would make them happy, that means a lot to me. She has always taken such good care of the family and is there for all of us, all the time. She takes great care of Dad and makes sure he has what he needs to succeed. And bless her heart she is trying to get the family home all packed up and ready to sell all by herself, and that is a HUGE job to take on. I know it is difficult, frustrating and exhausting work ,and I wish we could be there to help her, but she has amazing energy and a positive attitude and will get it all done!

Both parents have always been strong and faithful in the Church and have always been a fantastic example in this capacity.

I feel very privileged to have them as my parents too and feel like Dad has been a great father figure for me. I hope they know that we think about them often and pray for their safe arrival here in Utah. And we CAN'T WAIT!!

See, she's up for anything! Look at those crowds!

Nama giving Cameron a big squeeze when he was 4

Nama and Cameon when he was one

Nathan and Papa

Nama braving Dinosaurs with Cameron

WE LOVE YOU NAMA AND PAPA!!

An Inspiring Quote

"The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before....Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty."

-President Uchtdorf

The rest of the talk is quite reassuring too....

http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-37,00.html

I wondered why most of us have this constant, never ending drive to make, create, invent, improve & believe things can be better and believe we can make it happen. From cooking to gardening, home improvement, decorating, photography, crafting, improving peoples lives at work, home, church, wherever! I thought it was Human Nature, but it looks like from this talk, the correct term would be Eternal Nature. I suspect that is what God is doing all the time, and what He was doing as He created us, the world, and the universe. Makes me feel even closer to Him knowing He shares my love for these things too.

glenn

K, You have to know something about me.... I am very involved in politics. I could care less about politicians per say, but I am very up on world events. I am in tune to the outside world. I never used to have a desire to be this person, this one "up on the issues" but I've learned a lot about the world around me and found that I used to buy into a lot of things that were not real. I didn't used to be this way, this one to argue about political issues, banter back and forth with my siblings about who's right who's delusional when it comes to political issues. I didn't used to even care. But someone taught me that being ignorant is no fun either.
I have to tell you about Glenn. He is a guy just like you and me. He could be my big brother, he is someone that I get. Someone who knows what I'm thinking and delivers every time with honesty and genuine innocent concern for the whole world, but even more so for his family. Glenn is an alcoholic (well, he hasn't had a drink in 9 years), but he was into drugs, had pride and egocentric tendencies and hurt people with his desire for fame and fortune. This was until he looked around one day and noticed that he had everything...and nothing. He was at the very end, suicidal, ready to leave this earth because of indescribable woe and frustration with his material world, his lack of purpose, his emptiness. But by the grace of God..."Saw the light" and changed. He found a good woman, and together they found our religious Faith, a faith that changed him and bought him purpose, direction, and real love. His purpose is exemplified by his new radio program and TV show. He is a grounded man. Faithful. He tells the truth, wants to find the truth, is a man of values, an independent. He will show you both sides and show you the way God looks at things. We need this in this time of unpredictability. He's Focused on a goal of brining us together, encouraging you to be a better person, he has a focused goal....though he'll tell you he's "riddled with ADD." His humor is refreshing. I admire him and what he has to say. He speaks to me, I feel like he gets me too. I'm aware that this is the plan, to get more listeners.....get them to connect with the host. But I am aware of those tactics, but still, there's just something about him.....
Get a taste of his honest brilliance, and you will be hooked.... while explaining our maddening economy crisis he can connect with you and show you the future, the consequences of our actions....Check him out. glennbeck.com but better still, find him on the radio. He's the third most listened two radio program in the country.

See website links for "Economy crisis explained"

Everwood

There Are Few Shows that transport you into another brilliant world like Everwood does. I am a big fan, love the actors, the writers... the set!! (Of course!! I'm a Utahn) But I have never watched a show, and begged in silent prayer that the episode never end. I am so touched by the cast, the stories, the heart and warmth Everwood portrays. Humor, real life, real irony mixed with beautiful scenery; sometimes I can't believe that this is just a story, and that they are only actors.
It is the Series Finale this Monday. I am heartbroken that this show will not go on forever.
I will really miss this show. I will be buying the season DVD's and will watch them as often as I need an escape, when I want to be touched emotionally, when I want a good cry.
Here are some quotes from the show:

Dear Valentine
by Dr. Andrew Brown
Dear Valentine, come away with me. If I had a day with you and you only, I would enjoy the simple things. The things that bring joy to the drudgery and the mundane, the things that, in the end, when time steals the rest away, are the only things we'll remember. I would paddle you across a still lake in a rowboat and read poetry to you until you fell asleep, and I would never ever think about the hours. Dear Valentine, if I had one day with you and you only, I would admire every line of your face, every strand of your hair, every graceful movement of your hands or your eyes or your body. If I had one perfect day. Don't you see, my heart beats only for you? Dear Valentine, these are the things I remember, my love... A warm hand, your warm breath, your warm mouth, your arms around mine. I remember feeling safe, ceaseless, like one person, the two of us, still, at rest, entwined. I remember how I felt the first time I kissed you. It felt like... the high dive. What do you remember? How will I ever know what was inside your heart? Where do they go, all the things we think and feel but don't say? Dear Valentine, these are the things I never told you, these are the things I need you to know... that I loved you always, and my love was so big, it lives still after you're gone. I'd like to tell you that I would do it differently, that if I had one more day I would do everything right. But I know that not to be true. I'd make all the same mistakes. That is, except one... I wouldn't say good-bye.

My Tragic Flaw
by Ephram Brown
The more things change, the more they stay the same. I'm not sure who the first person was who said that. Probably Shakespeare. Or maybe Sting. But at the moment, it's the sentence that best explains my tragic flaw: my inability to change. I don't think I'm alone in this. The more I get to know other people, the more I realize it's kind of everyone's flaw. Staying exactly the same for as long as possible, standing perfectly still... It feels better somehow. And if you are suffering, at least the pain is familiar. Because if you took that leap of faith, went outside the box, did something unexpected... Who knows what other pain might be waiting out there. Chances are it could be even worse. So you maintain the status quo. Choose the road already traveled and it doesn't seem that bad. Not as far as flaws go. You're not a drug addict. You're not killing anyone... Except maybe yourself a little. When we finally do change, I don't think it happens like an earthquake or an explosion, where all of a sudden we're like this different person. I think it's smaller than that. The kind of thing most people wouldn't even notice unless they looked at us really, really close. Which, thank God, they never do. But you notice it. Inside you that change feels like a world of difference. And you hope this is it. This is the person you get to be forever... that you'll never have to change again.

Princeton Essay, Written By Ephram
Tell us about yourself in such a way that we will have a good sense of who you are; 500 words.
I wish you would've asked me that two years ago. I could've told you exactly who I was, who I'd be. Two years ago I knew it all and the thing is, I was right. Plans are like candy to the Fates. The only thing you could ever be sure of is nothing ever goes the way you imagined. I should probably be used to that by now. The thing is you can never tell when everything you counted on might fall apart – no matter how solid the rock. Rocks break. Everything changes, even when you think you’re sure, especially. To be fair, if I was one of the Fates looking down at the best laid plans of dumb little people, I'd probably see mine and want to mess with them too. You want to know about me in 500 words? I get scared sometimes and disappointed. I have doubts and I love getting my way. I don’t like change, but I know it's good for me and inevitable so I welcome it as best I can. There’s a poem by Johann Franck that says it better than I will. "Defy the old dragon, defy fear. The world may rage and quake but I shall remain singing in perfect peace." Yeah, things happen – things you don’t expect – or want or like. The world rages and you become someone you didn’t know you’d ever be. And there you are, in your clothes, in your life, this is my future, this is me. This is me and I want things I never thought I would. I want the possibilities a school like Princeton can afford. A place to grow, meet new people. A place to be surprised when life turns out to be nothing like I imagined. You have to be grateful for it – in perfect peace.


My Dearest Ephram, Written By his Mother
This letter from Julia to her son was written on the inside cover of the book that would serve as Ephram's graduation gift. The book was called "Oh, The Places You'll Go!" and was written by Dr. Suess. The episode goes by the same name.
My Dearest Ephram, I've been sitting in our kitchen for the last half hour simply imagining you. Wondering what you must be thinking right now. What you must be feeling. How handsome you must look in your cap and gown. If you're thinking about me...stop. Send a kiss to the sky, and then focus your thoughts on what's coming towards you, not what you left behind. I am forever entwined in your past, your present, and your future. You needn't pause to look for me. I'm right here. If you're feeling frightened about what comes next...don't. Embrace the uncertainty. Allow it to lead you places. Be brave as it challenges you to exercise both your heart and your mind as you create your own path towards happiness, don't waste time with regret. Spin wildly into your next action. Enjoy the present, each moment, as it comes, because you'll never get another one quite like it. And if you should ever look up, and find yourself lost, simply take a breath and start over. Retrace your steps and go back to the purest place in your heart...where your hope lives. You'll find your way again. Love, Mom

Talk Show Hostest with the Mostest

I used to be a closet Dr. Laura Fan. Well No MORE!! I am out of the closet and here to tell you that she is just brilliant. I love that she speaks her mind and doesn't let people get away with crap. She HAS to be "harsh" to get her point across to people in need; in such a little time frame. She doesn't like or accept Psyco-babble. She has no sympathy for pathetic excuses. She makes me want to stand up for what I believe in as well. She makes me a better person each time I listen to her. She is conservative, pro-stay-at-home-mom, pro-life, pro-military, pro-values!
Hating Dr. Laura (An Appreciative Essay)
Hating Dr. Laura is a prerequisite for Americans shaped by the country's me-first culture. For them, kicking around the popular radio host is almost as much fun as abusing the President. But what exactly do they hate? First, they hate the way Dr. Laura holds people responsible for their own choices-even ones made when they were young and stupid. Especially irksome is that irritating observation frequently put to disgruntled wives: "You picked him." They hate the way the nation's designated nag rejects convenient "I don't know" answers and expects callers to face up to facts they'd rather forget. They hate it when she downplays the importance of feelings and places moral obligation on a higher plain than emotion. They hate it when Dr. Laura makes people feel bad about doing bad things. They hate it when she turns the expectations table and asks dissatisfied callers, "How would you like to come home to you every day?"-a query inevitably followed by an extended period of silence. They hate it when the daily dispenser of hardcore compassion responds to "It's so hard" whiners with the callous retort, "So what?" They hate her for destroying the illusion that there's an easy way to do difficult things-for not pretending that a pill or a slick technique can undo messes and avoid hurt feelings. They hate the fact that Dr. Laura uses the term "shack-up" for relationships where couples don't pledge to stay together "in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live"-as if their unwillingness to publicly express their commitment to each other implies a lack of commitment. They hate it when the impertinent shrinklette says, "At least a prostitute gets paid!" They hate the fact that Dr. Laura puts the lives of children above the sex lives of adults-and that she has the temerity to suggest staying together for the sake of the kids. They hate it when she looks at custody arrangements through the eyes of children and asks parents to imagine how their offspring feel about being shuffled back and forth and "crammed"-not "blended"-into his, hers, and ours families. They hate that Dr. Laura dismisses the adult-centered excuse, "Kids adapt," and has the gall to say that mothers who don't want to raise their children shouldn't have them. They especially hate it when she condenses current legal reasoning on the subject of abortion into a simple, morally indefensible proposition: "If she wants it, it's a baby. If she doesn't, it's not." They hate when she says "Hoooah"-as if soldiers make the world a better place. And they hate it when she says, "Do the right thing,"-as if most actions aren't gloriously gray. Most of all they hate it when, having turned off the radio in disgust, a barely perceptible but persistent voice keeps whispering in their ears: "You know, don't you, that what Dr. Laura just said, is right?"

Friend for Life

We have a good friend staying with us this week from Chicago. I hope he'll forgive us for the chaotic week we have had. Really, we haven't had much time to spend with him; with Hubby starting school (yea!) , my play every night, and hubby's parents in town (obligating us to spend time with them... It'd be fine if they came another week, but they wanted to see my play too! My 10 year old is in it also) , and with our 18 month old, we really can't do much else than hang out at home, it's freezing! ... or go shopping (....ick....) He and Hubby did get to go skiing, but the first day they tried; the canyon was closed due to bad weather, so they had to turn around and come back home. On top of that; the poor guy got the stomach flu from us while he was here and was sick for a couple of days, and then his computer went wacko. How super lame. After this bumber of a trip, I fear he will not want to see us again...ever.
But really, he's not that petty. And he's incredably forgiving.
I've been reflecting on how awesome this guy really is; I wish you all out there a good friend like this one; He'll make a great hubby someday. I hope he'll find someone who adores him, never takes him for granted, and takes great care of him.
He and hubby have been friends forever; through thick and thin; He's smart, SO smart. Resorceful. Incredably motivated. Sweet, caring... great with kids. He's a loyal friend. Totally low maintainance. He's happy to just hang with us, eat dinner, sit and talk. No pressure. He'll forgive us for this lousy vacation. I could list ALL his talents here, but I wouldn't do them justice; nor, I'm sure, do I know them ALL. But! He's creative, and artistic, and can create amazing, original things; furnature, costumes, personalized dvd's ie; he's a videographer for weddings, dabbles in stop anamation and other creative stuff, he also does video collages complete with amazing menu's and dvd covers, portraits, pencil drawings, new inventions, photography & he could do anything in this arena really. He also knows a lot about computers and software. For work he is a graphic designer and creates original logo's, brochures, advertisements, posters; anything they need really. He has a degree in graphic design, AND archetecture. Wow huh?
We would like more than anything to have him here in Utah with us. I think he would find happiness here. Maybe even find himself a good woman to take care of him. But she better love him like we do. Better even? Is that possible? I'm not sure. :) We'll miss him terribly until he gets out here. Then we'll shower him with love and attention when he finally arrives. Is that, and our eternal friendship, and the prospect of a brand new and exciting life in the beautiful Northern Rocky Mountains and all the perks that come with living in a beautiful setting; a short drive from all kinds of outdoor activities, kayaking, mountain biking, skiiing, rock climbing, (shameless plug) going to be enough for him? Wish us luck!!