A Couple of Strays

I found a couple of stray cats the other day.  Their name tags said that their names are Christian and Leopold.  Cute names.  Cute cats.  I am not a big fan of cats, but these two were just irresistible.  They are of the orange variety.  I am not sure what the technical name for the "orange variety" is, but I am sure there is one.  I thought maybe I could keep them for chew toys for Maddie.  Sometimes she gets bored with me.  I am not fond of exercising her.  The cats were OK with this, but then they let me know that they had owners, and "said" owners were part of the package.  Did I mention that Liz and Josh are the owners?  Yes, I now have cats.   Cats AND boarders.  Liz and Josh spent their first night last night.  In honor of their arrival we decided to at long last finish the basement.  That would be the part of the basement that Bill was painting as recently as 14 months ago.  He's thrilled that we are finally getting it done.  I am thrilled.  It looks beautiful.  Liz and Josh are thrilled.  Josh can go to school full time and work part time.  Right now their stuff is everywhere, except in the basement.  Their arrival preceded the carpet by two nights.  But tomorrow they will get to "set up shop".  I am grateful that I have been brave about being alone these many nights.  I am grateful that I am not alone now.  I am grateful that I can help them out a bit.  I am grateful that I no longer have to pay someone to mow my lawn.  Hey, no rent=free lawn care!  Great blessings all around.

It's a Gift

I am reading a very interesting little book called "God Never Blinks" by Regina Brett. (Thank you Tracie, by the way)  It is deceptively described as "50 Lessons for Life's Little Detours".  Sounds like one of those books you can put in your pocket and read at lunch. Just a minute, not so fast.  The author has twice been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and has won numerous awards.  She has had many of life's detours and shares her life through teaching the lessons.  I have really enjoyed each chapter.  But none so much as today.  The chapter is called "God Never Gives Us More than We Were Designed to Carry".  Of course, you can guess what it is all about.  She tells a touching story of her aunt and uncle.  Their sixth child was born with Down Syndrome.  Her aunt got cancer and died when their baby was three years old.  Uncle Paul lost his job because he missed so much work, but he held the family together.  Little Brett was the "broken piece" that made the family whole.  Paul never complained about being a single parent of six.  He got his real estate licence so he could work from home.  He made Brett his life partner.  The children all took turns "mothering" him.  People wondered who would take Brett when Paul passed away.  The problem wasn't that he would be a burden, it was that everyone wanted him.  The day before Brett's sister was to marry, the family was all together for the rehearsal dinner.  Everything was chaotic as you can imagine.  All of a sudden out of the blue Brett said, "Don't worry, Mom's here.  Everything is going to be fine."  After dinner he collapsed from a pulmonary embolism.  No one could revive him.  Everyone in his family considered him a gift to them.  Quiet strength.  Paul would be the first to say, "God never gives us more than we were designed to carry.  Some of us were designed for more, some for less.  No matter what, even if we are asked to carry a portion of sky, it is beyond bearable.  It is a gift."  Sounds a little like a familiar scripture, doesn't it?  "....for I know that the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men, save He shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."

Huntsman Award for "Excellence in Education"

Today our wonderful Principal, Julie Larsen, received the Huntsman Award for "Excellence in Education".  She is the most amazing person I know in her field.  She started as principal the same year I started as a counselor.  She hired me when I was not even half way through my program.  After four years at Boulton Elementary, she was asked to work her magic at Oak Hills.  She asked me to come with her, and when the counselor spot became available, of course, I was thrilled to make the move with her.  She hit the ground running from Day 1, and has only increased in speed.  She always brings her "A" game.  She has supported me through thick and thin and thinner.  There was never a day she didn't have my back through a myriad of challenges in my life, not to mention all that she has done for our school. 

In January I started a quilt for her.  We wanted it to be sentimental, but also pretty.  I went around to everyone in the school and asked them to choose a word, just one word, that represented Julie to them.  They chose with great thought and care.  Everyone wanted their word to be perfect.  These words were embroidered on a fabric label which we attached to the back of the quilt.  Now when she wants to remember how we feel about her, she can wrap herself up in that quilt and read the words.  We were going to give it to her at the end of the year celebration we have to celebrate what we have done and goals for next year.  When we received word that she won the award, we sped it up and presented it to her today.  This morning Karen Huntsman and her team arrived to tell her that she was being so honored.  She will receive a check for $10,000 to spend however she wants.  There are only ten of these given in the state.  It is an amazing act of generosity and kindness on the part of the Huntsmans.  All in all, a great day at Oak Hills!!

Get

I have to go to school tomorrow.
I get to go to school tomorrow.

I have to go to the temple this week.
I get to go to the temple this week.

I have to go to an early meeting on Sunday.
I get to go to an early meeting on Sunday.

I have to get two more lessons ready for the end of the year.
I get to get two more lessons ready for the end of the year.

I have to preview at book group this month.
I get to preview at book group this month.

There is great power in words. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. That is what keeps us going.

What do you get to do?

City Creek

I am happy to say that we finally made it to City Creek. If you haven't been there yet, you are in for a great treat. It is amazing. We had a fun lunch at The Cheesecake Factory to celebrate Mother's Day because I won't be around, and it was yummy, of course. We only walked around for a bit, but could not believe how impressive it is. Water running everywhere, fish in the water, water falls, outdoor eating, bridges, Nordstom back in the city, The Disney Store, Tiffany's, Rolex, Coach, and many others. It is going to be worth some serious investigating when the weather warms up. For the winter there is a roof that magically protects it all. We have been waiting a long time for this project, and it is definitely worth the wait. Kels, Brooke, Mariah, Toryn, Mary (Mariah's mom), Jenn, Kate, and Liz and I sure enjoyed the afternoon. We were sad that Tracie, Lindsay, London, Lisa and Lucca weren't there. Maybe next year.