a long time..

It's been a while since I have blogged anything. I think I have a new found freedom because tonight I had a strong impression to delete my facebook account. I know it seems strange since everyone just about has one, but I really think it's the right choice. I have had a few negative experiences relating to facebook dealing with comparing myself to others and wasting time learning about people that are not significant in my life. Although it is just a website, I feel it has a tendency to bring people into a realm of security that can gradually pull you down without your recognition. Everything has become too easy. Families don't call eachother as much. We all assume it's just as personal to update our status for 500 friends. When my dad had eye surgery, I found out through my step mom's posted status a week after it had occurred. I'm glad I found out, but..just another example. I think we should all consider how much time we spend on these sites and who it is benefitting. --Mindy

Joy through transitions

Recently Marc and I have traveled across the country from Virginia to Alabama to Arkansas to Colorado to Utah. Looking for a job is lots of fun! Not really. But we have had some interesting experiences. Yesterday we were in Hurricane, UT visiting Marc's sister and baby. We went with her husband to ride horses in the heat:) I was nervous at first considering I was putting my life in the hands of a large and strong animal. Especially since there were rocks and cacti everywhere to break any falls. I rode a beautiful tan horse named Turbo and Marc rode a dark tan horse named Roper. We knew Roper was more likely to misbehave but luckily all was well. We even saw two jack rabbits and my knees were aching but what a fun time! I actually rode for 2 miles on a horse on my own:)

The greatest gift ever

Today one of my favorite students gave me a beautiful gift bag with blue tissue paper and said "This is for you!" I said "Oh thank you." and proceeded to open the gift. As I unfolded the tissue paper I continued to see nothing. I was confused. She opened the bag and said "No, let me see." She reached into the bottom corner of the bag to pull out a piece of play-dough the size of a lima bean. It had rainbow colors drawn on it with marker. She said "It's a piece of Play-dough and I colored it for you." She was so proud of herself and smiling so wide. I sort of wanted to laugh, but it really touched my heart and I said, "Wow, thank you so much!" Basically the best gift ever and such a funny story!

Valentine's Day!

Marc and I celebrated Valentine's Day on Saturday and it was lots of fun. We exchanged flowers, cards and treats, then went to lunch at Firebird's Grill in Short Pump. That place was delicious. He had his famous bacon cheeseburger and I had Chile Asiago chicken pasta with a yummy salad. If only I could eat there every day! Later I made a special dessert and we watched Time Traveler's Wife (very interesting movie) Yay for V-day!

Oliver's First Birthday!

My nephew Oliver turned 1 on Jan. 11th. Brian and Ashley wanted an idea for a Dump truck birthday cake and I found this one online. We worked together to create the famous cake, I love it and Oliver did too!

This was an abandoned barn in New Freedom PA It was fun until this lady pulled up in a van "What do you think you're doing?" We had to leave:)

What is love?

This Valentine's Day is a good time to wonder about the true meaning of love. The Bachelor seems to think that a few quick dates over 1 to 2 months is enough to know if you have truly found lasting love. I have found that it is more about the little things and spending real time. Does he/she look at you strange when you're just being yourself? Do they make eye contact when you tell a story? Do they look for little ways to show they care? Do they focus on your imperfections or beautiful qualities? We all should ask ourselves if we are giving just as much love as we are receiving every day. There is no shame in giving more than we receive.

Finding Joy amid chaos

Every day there are reasons to be frustrated, worried or annoyed. It can be so easy to see the negative aspects of life, but some days... you can wake up to bright white powdery snow and watch a bird lightly hop across, just barely scathing the surface. These are days when simple joys are experienced and hope is renewed once again.

Don't you wish...

This year I have a new challenge in my class..there is always at least one. Among all of the many joys that she provides in my room, my favorite has to be random burping, humming, eating like a monkey and crying like Chewbacca. But yesterday as I was helping her with writing..I had the special treat of hearing one of her lovely ballads.. "Don't you wish your girlfriend was HOT like me!! Don'tchya wish..." you know the song. She says "My daddy always sings that song!" When I was 5 I sang "Once there was a snowman, Popcorn popping and Have a gratitude Attitude!" Times have changed indeed:)

A new year..

It has been a while..so I have a new class this year and it has already been very interesting. From the runny noses to the hugs and "I love you". I gain a perspective each day into the deep level of patience and determination required to guide children with love. I am in awe at how children love the smallest things in life. Each of my students are examples to me and I am grateful for that.

That's my sista's name!!

The great thing about kids is the how big of a deal everything is and sometimes they will do just anything to get out of trouble. Within the first few weeks of the school year, a boy told me, "She said you are mean." I glanced at the girl and she insisted that she was talking about her sister. That, in fact, her sister's name just happened to be Mrs. Utley. She really thought she had me. :) I almost started rolling on the floor laughing.

The little things

In order to survive the life of a Kindergarten teacher, you have to laugh as MUCH as possible. Yesterday, after carefully placing 5 new colorful erasers on worn down pencils, I started preparing the class for dismissal. Among all of the other things I was setting in order, helping the children pack up, answering the phone, etc. here comes my little, often clueless student.
"Mrs. Utley? Can I have these?" I look down to find the 5 new colorful erasers, now looking not so new, in her hand. I was amazed that she had taken the time to take each one off and walk across the room waiting for the perfect moment to kindly suggest that the erasers should now belong to her. Just one of MANY endearing, hilarious and most random stories in the life of me.