March 12-25 ... What's happened the past couple weeks

March 13, 2012

Substituting in Seminary

 The Domino Effect

              I was asked to substitute in Seminary on the 13th. I was thrilled. I really do enjoy teaching Seminary. I really miss the challenge of coming up with an engaging lesson and getting to know “my kids.” I will be honest. I don’t miss getting up at the crack of dawn to teach by 6 am.

         The lesson was the book of Esther in Bible. As I read the manual and tried to come up with what I could teach that would be just right for these kids I didn’t feel inspired. So, I read the book of Esther then went back to the manual and tried again. Nothing… what to do? I was teaching in two days. I went about the rest of my day and tackled lesson preparation at bed time. Inspiration hit. THE DOMINO EFFECT!!! The decisions that were made had the domino effect. Think about it. 

¨ Queen Vashti refused to dance before the drunk king and princes. She was dethroned.

¨ The king looked for a new queen. Esther was brought to the palace by her kinsman, Mordecai.

¨ While seeing how Esther fared Mordecai overheard an assassination plot. The would-be assassins are killed.

¨ Mordecai won’t bow down before Haman. Haman’s pride is hurt and he convinces the king to allow him to send forth a death decree to all Jews.

¨ Mordecai tells Queen Esther of the decree and asks her to petition the king the rescind the order. She asks him and his people to join her and her maidens in a three day fast.

¨ The kings allows Esther to speak with him. She invited him and Haman to a banquet.  At the first banquet, invites them to a second banquet.

¨ Haman returns home after the banquet and tells his family what a great day at the office he had. He then explains that even though his day was great one thing still irks him…. Mordecai won’t bow down before him. His wife and friends suggest that he build a gallows for Mordecai to be hanged.

¨ The king can’t sleep. He starts reading the chronicles. He discovers that Mordecai was the one who revealed the assassination plot. Decides he wants to honor Mordecai.

¨ Haman comes in to ask the king’s permission to kill Mordecai. The king asks Haman how he should honor Mordecai. Then Haman must follow through with giving the honors.

¨ Haman attends the second banquet. Esther reveals that she is a Jew and asks the decree be lifted. The king is upset and Haman is hanged on the gallows that were built for Mordecai.  Mordecai is promoted.

        Did Queen Vashti realize that her decision to not dance before the king would have such an effect on so many people? Did Mordecai know that when he brought Esther to the palace she would be the key to saving all the Jews? Did Esther know when she was chosen as queen she would save her people and change Haman’s life? The answer to all these questions is no….. So, my question to you is this. What decision are you going to make today that will have a huge domino effect on the future? Are you willing to be true to yourself and live your life with absolute integrity? What decisions have you made in your life that you can look back on and see the domino effect? An example from my own life: I decided to go on a mission. I served with Rebekah Rice. She went to BYU. She and Josh were in the same ward. Josh and I were invited to her engagement party. You know the rest of the story.  I have often wondered if I would have met Josh if I hadn’t served a mission.

 March 16, 2012

Bus Rider of the Week

     

          Matthew was awarded “Bus Rider of the Week.” Each week the bus driver picks a student who is safe and considerate on the bus for this award. They are given a certificate and are allowed to sit wherever they want on the bus, which is a big thing because Stan assigns the kids spots. Matthew was happy to get this recognition. We were happy too because it shows that Matthew is improving in making safe choices. WAY TO GO, BUD!!!!

March 16, 2012

Setting the Leprechaun Trap

              We have a tradition of setting up leprechaun traps each St. Patrick’s Day eve. This began as a science experiment for Ceithlinn in Kindergarten and has continued the last 4 years since. Our kids really get into this. The traps are set in the kitchen with fake gold money leading to them. Matthew’s has a “Do Not Enter” sign because everyone knows that leprechauns to the opposite of what you want. They are mischievous that way. This year in addition to the sign and coins the kids decided to leave half of a cheese stick in each of their traps. This was decided because Matthew remembered the leprechaun leaving us “cheese” last year, so they must like cheese. I reminded Matthew that our leprechaun, Phineas O’Malley of the Faire Folk left us pudding that turned green when we stirred it. He said that pudding was made of cheese so we needed to leave the cheese for the leprechaun. How could I argue with that logic? Ceithlinn left a note for our leprechaun. It reads, “Dear Phinious O’mally, I like you. Can I see you in person? I won’t harm you or capture you. Your Friend, Ceithlinn P.S. Can you give me something green?” Ceithlinn also left Phineas her “gak.” This is a mixture of glue, water and Borax. That night both kids were so excited as they went to bed. Ceithlinn said she felt like it was Christmas.

March 17, 2012

St. Patrick’s Day

Phineas’ Visits — Here’s Proof

              The kids woke up about 7 to see if Phineas had visited. They were excited to see that our fake gold coins had been replaced with chocolate gold coins and that footprints had been left on the kitchen floor. This was the first year they figured out that Phineas must have stepped in paint before coming in so we would know he was there. He also left something green… a helium balloon. He also left a note for the kids that reads, “My dear Friends Matthew and Ceithlinn, You forgot, us wee folk can’t be seen, It’s against the law says King Cavanaugh; But I brought you both something that’s green! I hope that you like this balloon And the pile chocolate doubloons. Have fun on St. Paddy up there in Seatty With all of those Irish buffoons! Signed Phineas O’Malley”  Phineas must have brought us our other surprise… SNOW! Can you believe it snow on St. Patrick’s Day? The weather this year has been so crazy.

March 17, 2012

St. Patrick’s Day

Irish Festival in Seattle

      We  ate a quick breakfast and drove to Seattle for the Irish Festival. We weren’t sure what to expect because this was our first time going. It was at an exhibition hall. There were about 6-8 booths for shopping or looking into Irish genealogy. There was one stage for performing and a beer garden, of course. There was a small children’s art area that looked promising along with face painting and balloon animals. The face painting and balloon animals cost $2-8 depending on what was wanted… we passed. The children’s art area was scarce on supplies so Ceithlinn drew a couple shamrocks and leprechauns. Matthew was disappointed he couldn’t make a sword. Not sure where he got the idea he could make a sword, but he was disappointed nonetheless, and decided to look at some nearby maps with Josh. He made this face that makes him look like he is in pain. He thought that was funny so, that was the pose we got for the rest of day.  I really enjoyed watching the different Irish dance groups and got even more excited to start my own studio in a year or so. I get to lose some weight, get some stamina and technique back before I start teaching. Ceithlinn also competed in a “Most Irish Face” kids contest. I’m still not quite sure how this was being judged, but she had fun and even gave her 2nd set of green beads to another little girl that accidentally was passed over. All in all the festival was okay. I think I may get involved to make it GREAT. There really is so much that could be done to improve on the base they have.



Matthew's pained expressions

Ceithlinn's leprechaun

Most Irish Face

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What else is happening in our lives? Josh’s counseling practice is doing okay. We feel like we are starting to figure out how to be small business owners. Josh has also been asked to portray Judas Iscariot in our upcoming Multi-Stake concert “Lamb of God” by Rob Gardner. It is a beautiful oratorio about the last few days of Christ’s life and His resurrection. Josh does a great job, of course. I am in the choir. 

I just completed another quarter at Pierce and have enrolled in my last full quarter. I will graduate in June with my Associate in Business degree. It is nice to see the end of this tunnel.

Ceithlinn continues to do well in school and has become a very giggly girl. I love listening to her and her friends play. They are so silly and fun. It is really great to watch her grow up. I dropped her and her friend, Katie off at church on Tuesday for an activity. As they got out of the car the both got really excited as two other friends approached. Then all  four of these 9 –10 year old girls started talking and giggling together. Ceithlinn didn’t even turn around to say good-bye like she usually does. I realize in that moment that she is on the threshold of tween and then teen. I was so happy to see she was surrounded by good friends and that they had fun together. Here’s to hoping we can keep that going.

Matthew is doing okay in school. We have conferences on Friday to get the total update. He tends to have more good days than bad and has some good friends. Every time I go in to volunteer in his class Kelly Jo asks if he will come to her birthday party this summer because he’s going to be the prince. Last year Matthew said he wanted to marry Kelly Jo. This year it is Katie, but he and Kelly Jo are still friends. Matthew turns 7 tomorrow (26th). It doesn’t seem like it has been that long. He is very excited about being older. This morning he came into my bed and said, “Mom, tomorrow is my birthday.” in a hushed, excited whisper. I said, “ I know. Isn’t it exciting?” He said, “Yeah, tomorrow’s my birthday.” with a HUGE grin and then he cuddled in for a little while. So very wonderful.  Oh, that reminds me. On Friday Matthew was doing some math. He was writing just the answer without showing his work. His para educator, Mrs. Kelly, said he needed to write down how he got his answer for Mrs. Bunker. He looked at her and in all seriousness said, “Why? Mrs. Bunker already knows the answers?” How do you argue with that? Man, I love my boy! I am so  grateful I get the privilege of being his mom. I had no idea how he would change our lives  for the better.