Oops, Soap Box Post

I will not be watching the election coverage tonight. No, it is not because David has forbidden me to do so; although, he might have if I didn't have another commitment to attend to tonight. Tonight I will be doing Parent Preview night for Human Growth and Development. Generally this is not a big deal. You go, show the video, ask if there any questions, and quickly wrap things up. This year may be different. Washington State passed a law last year stating that if a district teaches abstinence curriculum they must also include information that is medically and scientifically accurate. Now I want to know, what is medically inaccurate about abstinence being the only 100% effective way to prevent pregnancy and transmission of STD's? I'm frustrated because on this issue, we are given the edict that no personal values may come into play. Now, maybe I should be grateful for this because, let me tell you, there are some of my colleagues that I would not want teaching my children because of their personal belief system. HOWEVER, I strongly believe that children need to hear that it is not "normal"(yes, the feelings are natural, but following through on those feelings before marriage should not be part of every day routine), nor OK, for sexual activity to be a part of their lives. They are not ready for the commitment and consequences of such an act. Almost everywhere children turn these days, they are bombarded with scenes of sexuality and behavior. It is so prevalent, that it is easy to assimilate these beliefs into their lives--remember how many swear words you heard as a child, teen-ager, and young adult and how conscientious you needed to be to make sure that those words did not slip into your own vocabulary. I find it ironic that we (being educators, teachers, school personnel) spend a lot of time, effort, and money on "character building and education programs". Programs that focus on responsibility, respect, integrity, honesty, kindness, friendship, etc. And then on this issue (sex ed), they want to keep it about "biology and science" only. Why?! This gives the children a perfect chance to use all of those "character" skills that we have worked so hard to build. But no, we cop out and take the easy road because, after all, we don't want to impose our values on anyone else.

Smile

I was going to blog about how I was a tortured soul yesterday during Fast and Testimony meeting and how it had nothing to do with the actual testimonies that were being born. No, I was tortured by the toddler sitting next to me c.r.u.n.c.h.i.n.g every so LOUDLY on his goldfish crackers. Those yummy, baked cheesy goodness that I will never be able to eat again. Oh how I wanted to rip that bag right out of his chubby little hand and eat everyone of those crackers. But I didn't. I just sat there, trying to focus on the feeling the Spirit, all the while ignoring my stomach and my head, which was almost mocking me with "Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, you can't have those". That was what I was going to blog about, but then I thought how would that make me sound? So instead I want to share with you another simple joy. Tonight in yoga the instructor asked us to think about what the best part of our day was. At first I thought it was the beautiful stars that were shining in the sky when I was running this morning (I've mentioned this before), but then another thought came into my mind. The best part of the day was when J (student at one of my schools) smiled at me. J has autism. He is non-verbal and most of the time you aren't sure if he completely understands what is going on. Today I greeted him as I always do, but this time he paused, turned to me and smiled. It was awesome. I loved that part of the day. Another simple joy to add to the memory bank to draw upon on those days when things are a little rough.

When I Grow Up

Today at the middle school was "Career Day". A day for students and staff to dress in attire representing their desired careers. I did not dress up for the day, but I did spend some time thinking about my life and different careers.

For as long as I can remember I had always wanted to be a doctor--with the exception of my freshman year in college when I thought I wanted to be a lawyer. But I quickly found my way back to the light. Anyway, a doctor. That's what I wanted to be when I grew up. I even interviewed for medical school. Once. That was all. Not again because by that time I was a mother to a wonderful little girl and all of my priorities had shifted.

Now my children are growing up so fast and I wonder if I'll stay in school nursing. It has been a good choice that allows me to work, but also to be the kind of mom that I always wanted to be. But my children will not always need me at the level they need me now and so again my mind begins to wander towards a different career path...one entirely different from the healthcare field.

Maybe because it's an election year. Or maybe it's because I am find myself thinking about my Grandpa Whiting a lot and his service to his community. But for whatever reason, what I really am finding myself drawn to is running for political office someday. I mentioned this to David the other night and he said "you should. you'd be really good at that." So now the question is, when? When would be the right time to jump in to the political arena? Do I wait until K & C are all grown up and out of the house? Where do I start? City council or throw all caution to the wind and go for state rep or senator? i don't know. Maybe these are just pipe dreams conjured up by someone absorbed in this current election season. Someone who really wants to make sure that our Constitution and our Country are protected. Someone who really does believe in the political process, but also someone who believes that government's role should be about leading by example in the areas of personal responsibility, honesty, and a strong work ethic.

Or maybe I'll go work as a Park Ranger at Yellowstone because then I could see things like these all of the time...

The simple things

Holding hands with my husband at church on Sunday, I was struck with how such simple acts can bring such peace and happiness into my life. Everything was just so right as I sat there with my husband,holding hands, listening to the Primary children sing their songs and present their parts for the Primary Program. I spent the rest of Sunday thinking of simple pleasures. These are my simple pleasures:

• My husband's daily phone call at lunch just to see how my day is going. And then his daily phone call as he leaves work to let me know he's on his way home to see "his woman".
• Katelyn's hugs because she finishes her hugs with the same little "mm" sound she has done since she was a toddler.
• Carson's mischievious grin that gives him away long before we actually discover what he has done--this is so like his dad.
• The colors of the trees in Spokane right now.
• The beautiful stars that are shining in the sky when I'm out running in the morning.

Finding joy in the simple things...I try to reflect on these at the end of every day and thank my Heavenly Father for blessing me so.

The depths of despair

Carson would like you to listen to Angel by Sarah McLachlan while reading the introduction to his Christmas list... In this remarkable list they’re the gifts NEEDED by a poor soul named Carson Graham. Carson has lived in agony of being beaten and neglected, having to mow the yard with no pay, being forced to spent his Saturdays, a child’s time to rest and have fun, working eight hours at the farmers market. If Carson earns money he can’t even spend it the way he wants to spend it. He has no agency living with tyrants. If you don’t act now it may be to late for Carson Graham. If you send Carson presents he needs we will send you an autographed picture of Carson Graham. Please help a child who is screaming for help This enpassioned plea was written the day after he had the following conversation with some of his wrestling buddies: Dude 1: Man those shoes are sweet. Carson: Yeh, my sponsor got them for me. Dude 1: What?! Really!? Dudes, come check out these shoes. Carson is being sponsored by Adidias! Carson: No, I'm not sponsored by Adidias. Dude1: Well how much did they cost? Carson: About $140.00. Dude 1: Man, my cost 20 bucks. Enough said. Oh if anyone can give me a simple explanation on how to include music on my posts it would be greatly appreciated as this post really needed Angel to be playing to have the full effect of Carson's desparate plea for help.

A New Leaf

Today was collaboration day, which means from 8:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. the school nurses in our district get together and meet. Sometimes we discuss very pertinent practice issues and other times...well, we meet together anyway. Often times I find myself thinking of about a million other things I could be doing during the 2 hours I am meeting with my colleagues. I even tend to be a little vocal about my frustration with the "apparent" waste of time that collaboration can be. Not this time. Today could have turned very negative. The school nurse supervisor is trying to develop a survey for us to complete on how we manage our time and interact with staff and she was seeking our input on the development of the questions. The questions on the survey were starting out with such a negative spin...what are your biggest frustrations. Actually we only got to the first question before I piped up with: "I can't do negative. I have set a goal this year to love school nursing and I cannot start the year off with a questionnaire that is only going to focus on the negative. I just.can't.do.it" You should have seen the jaws drop--Nurse Graham not negative? Nurse Graham loving school nursing? They were delighted with this new outlook of mine and the tone of the meeting as well as the survey questions immediately took on a new direction. I truly am content with my life.

Does it get any better?

I suppose you could read this question a couple of different ways. Perhaps you read it as an impassioned plea from a mother of teen-agers seeking reassurance and hope that "this too shall pass". Or maybe you read it as a rhetorical question from a mother of teen-agers who is quite content, yea, joyful about her life as it is. Well, if you read it as the latter, you are in the same state that I am in. Don't get me wrong, the whole teen-age thing can be a challenge. But fortunately the "teen-age" moments are few from the true teen-ager and I am hoping that the "teen-age" moments from the 12 year old just mean that he is getting them out of his system and not just ramping up. For those of you experienced with teen-agers, please don't burst my optimism bubble by replying "he is just ramping up". Let me live in this bliss for right now because honestly, that is what I cling to on some days. But really, I am just grateful to be here to do all of the every-day things--go to the grocery store, do laundry, argue with my 12 year old that reading is not dumb and that you just have to do it, etc. On the days that I start to feel frustrated, overwhelmed, overloaded, and every other feeling that goes along with motherhood, I pop over to http://blog.cjanerun.com/ and read how things are going. Jane is caring for her young nieces and nephew while her sister and brother-in-law recover from a horrific plane accident. Her sister is still in a medically-induced coma and the brother-in-law has started rehab. What I love most about Jane's posts are that she is always joyful, even in the direst of times. I don't think I have ever read a "whoa is me" pity-party post. The other day i was visiting the dentist and the person in the chair next to me (well we were kind-of separated by a little wall) was being told that they were going to have to have extensive work done. That started me praying right there, thanking my Heavenly Father for good teeth and flouridated water when I was young. From there my mind wandered to all of the other things that I should be grateful for and it all boiled down to being grateful for everything. Gee, didn't I learn that in Sunbeams? i guess sometimes we are slow learners. So, I am a contented mom who is trying hard every day to have a more optimistic outlook on things--even teen-age drama. For grins and giggles, I remember the note that a little first grader wrote me last year "Dear Nurse Graham: Thank you for teaching me not to pick my nose". Does it get any better?