What do you make?

I am a third grade teacher. I teach at a Title 1 school  in downtown Salt Lake. My class is comprised of 28 little 8 and 9 year old kids. Most of them qualify for free breakfast and lunch. For most of them English is their second language. Some of them live in the homeless shelter, some in the hallway of the shelter. I hand picked this school to teach at because I knew I could be a good influence in these kids lives, yet I have to admit that there are some days when I get in my car at the end of the school day exhausted and nearly in tears wondering why in the world I chose the career of teaching. And there are even days that I get home and cry to my husband that I can't do it anymore because it's too hard and too frustrating. Today both of those things happened. Three years ago I would have thought it was silly to become so frustrated with being a teacher that someone would just fall apart. Admittedly, it happens to me alot. It's hard being a teacher. It's hard knowing that you are responsible for 28 kids 6 1/2 hours a day 5 days a week. It's hard knowing you have a list 10 miles long of things you are required to teach and to know that your students must know it. It's hard knowing that I have 28 different levels in my room ranging from beginning kindergarten to middle school and knowing that I am responsible for keeping every single one of them engaged in what's being taught. It's hard spending hours preparing lesson plans and materials, all for them to complain and whine that they "don't want to do it." It's hard knowing that I can spend day after day after day teaching something and there are some who will never grasp it.
...After I spent some time tonight moping in my frustration and exhaustion, I called my dad who always offers good advice. After receiving some great advice, I have a renewed surge of will power to learn some patience (those of you who know me well, know I am not a patient person), and to realize that while my job is hard, I am making a difference and that's all that matters. My advice from my dad made me think of an email I got from a good friend when I began my student teaching. (It is a little cheesy, but I like it).

What do teachers make?

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. 

One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education.

He argued, 'What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided
his best option in life was to become a teacher?'

He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers:
'Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach.'

To emphasize his point he said to another guest; 'You're a teacher,
Bonnie.  Be honest. What do you make?'

Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied,
'You want to know what I make?

(She paused for a second, then began...)

'Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.

I make a  C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor.

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't
make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental.

You want to know what I make?' (She paused again and looked at
each and every person at the table.)

''I make kids wonder.

I make them question.

I make them apologize and mean it.

I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.

I teach them to write and then I make them write.

Keyboarding isn't everything.

I make them read, read, read.

I make them show all their work in math. They use their God-given brain,
not the man-made calculator.

I make my students from other countries learn everything they need
to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.

I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.

I make my students stand, placing their hand over their heart to say the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, One Nation Under God, because we live in
the United States of America .
I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given,
work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life. '

(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)

'Then, when people try to judge me by what I make,
with me knowing money isn't everything,
I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because
they are ignorant... You want to know what I make?

I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make Mr. CEO?'

His jaw dropped, he went silent.

Spaghetti and meatballs anyone?

My sister-in-law, Lauren, and I have been taking a continuing ed cake decorating class. It has been a fun way to spend Thursday nights while Don is at his lsat class. This last week we made spaghetti and meatball cupcakes! So easy and fun.

Don't mind the low quality picture...it was taken with my phone while my other hand was covered in frosting! :)

Here's what you'll need....
cupcakes
white frosting
pastry bag (or a ziploc bag)
number 3 cake tip
sugar-free strawberry jam
ferrero chocolates

Here's what you do...

• Frost the cupcake so there isn't any cake showing
• Fill pastry bag or ziploc bag with white frosting
• Wriggle the frosting around so it looks like spaghetti
• Coat ferrero chocolate in jam
• Place chocolate on cupcake and voila!

Stuck Like Glue

8 years ago we met here...

4 years ago we bumped into each other here...

A year ago (nearly) Don bought this...

And then asked a really important question...

A few months later, we took some pictures to show people how in love we are and to come celebrate with us...

And then, six months ago we did this...

Happy six-month anniversary to my wonderful (and very attractive) husband!

Men vs. Women

Yesterday as we were getting ready to go to school/work at some obscene hour (usually the 6 o'clock hour), I emerged out of the bedroom with one shoe on one foot and a different shoe on the other foot...I couldn't decide which one to wear.
Jen: Which shoes should I wear?
Don: The green ones.
Jen: They're both green.
Don: Oh. The ones that look green then.

Gotta love it! And no, this is not a sign I have too many shoes (even though they may or may not have taken over one of our bedroom closets...and some of our coat closet....and under our bed....).

Jen, Don and the Giant Peach

Today we decided to make a little trek up to Brigham City to get ourselves some peaches. Don's family goes up every year to buy a bushel, but I had never experienced this. So, we decided to go up today since we had the day off of school and work. Don's sister, Lauren, and her friend joined us for our little adventure. As it turned out, we made really good time and got up there pretty early, so we decided to drive around Brigham City a bit. We went over to Willard Bay (I think we need to go back and rent wave runners) and then over to the future temple site. We ended our peach adventure by stopping at Pace's in Bountiful for rainbows! Oh, how I love days off of work.

Of course the fruit stand wouldn't be complete without a giant peach.

And of course you then have to take pictures in front of the giant peach.

Success!

P.S. We also bought 1 watermelon, 3onions, 2 garlic cloves, a bunch of carrots and 1 eggplant for $4.00. Thank you, Brigham City!!!

End of Summer Highlights

Somehow, September has already snuck up on us! I can't believe that today is Labor Day. We're looking forward to all of the fall fun stuff around the city (Greek Festival, Oktober Fest, pumpkin patches, haunted house, etc). But in the mean time, here's some end of summer highlights.

One of our last weekends in Maryland, we went with some friends to catch some good old Maryland blue crabs. Yum!

Some of the catch for the day.

Derek's ready to go!

On our way back to Laura & Derek's house to eat, we stopped to buy some fruit--look how HUGE this cantaloupe is!

Mmmm!! All cooked and drenched in Old Bay. Yum

Later that day, Don and I went up to Annapolis to look around and, of course, get one last crab cake sandwich.

In front of Annapolis State House. (Don't mind the construction).

State House--the Senators & House members still use it today.

Our last crab cake sandwich of the summer--so amazing.

Had to get a feet picture in sometime during the summer.

As mentioned, we had a fun summer adventure, but we're glad to be home and back to "real life." Our first weekend home we went for a little hike up Ensign Peak.

It was SUPER windy! We almost blew away!