Monday, January 30, 2012

Motivational Monday: Showing Primary Children You Care


Showing Primary Children You Care
Kersten Campbell, “Showing Primary Children You Care,” Ensign, Apr. 2002, 65

Teaching Primary can be challenging at times, especially if your class has discipline problems. You can help the children behave better by helping them feel the love you have for them. Here are eight ways to show you care.

1. Pray for them—at home and also in class. Children feel good when they know you are concerned about them. During opening or closing prayer, mention them by name, and pray for their specific concerns as needed.

2. Learn more about the children. Find out their likes and dislikes. After the opening prayer, let them raise their hands and take turns talking about their week.

3. Give children a hug or a squeeze on the shoulder. Though we must be careful about showing affection appropriately, children need to know we love them.

4. Talk to them when you see them outside the classroom. Say hello when you see them at an activity or in the neighborhood. This shows the children you care about them always, not just when they are in Primary.

5. Write them a note occasionally. Drop off or send a card or letter telling them the good things they did in class the previous Sunday. This will positively reinforce the good behavior you like to see in your classroom.

6. Remember them on a holiday. I will never forget the looks of surprise and delight on my Primary children’s faces when I showed up at their homes Valentine’s Day morning with a special treat.

7. Remember their birthdays. All children love to be remembered on their birthdays. Send them a card, sing a song to them in class, let them be the class leader, or give them an inexpensive present. Above all, make them feel loved on their special day.

8. Prepare good lessons and bear your testimony. Children will know you love them when you have a well-prepared lesson, which could include visuals from the ward library. Study the lesson material and pray for help in conveying the lesson and reaching the hearts of the children as you testify of gospel truths. Children learn from your example as they feel the Spirit testify that what you say is true.

Using these ideas to show your Primary children you love them will greatly reduce problems you may be having in your classroom. As you show them your love, they will develop love, loyalty, and respect for you and your classroom. Your heart will be filled with joy as you love and teach Heavenly Father’s little ones.—Kersten Campbell, Pullman First Ward, Pullman Washington Stake

Friday, January 27, 2012

He's Here! James Dalton

I'm a Great Aunt!
 January 26, 2012
James Dalton arrived
Weighing 6 pounds 7 Ounces

Proud parents: Jerry and Taylor
Taylor and baby James.
James is beautiful!
Both Mom and James are healthy and happy.
 My Brother Lyle is Grandpa.
Lots of dark hair.

I'm so happy for their little family.
Taylor gets to take 3 months off of work to bond with her baby, which is such a nice benefit.

I'm hoping that when Taylor starts back to work that Aunt Sondra will get to babysit now and then. I can't wait!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Way Back Wednesday: When Snow was Fun

I remember when we couldn't wait for it to snow.
My boys would go out and build a snowman.
 Brady age 3 in Salt Lake City. It must be October because their are ghosts in the tree and ducks in the yard.
Brady is such a cutie!
 Brady age 7.
Now .... when it snows we aren't that excited anymore.
We're old.
And we have to drive in it.
No more snowmen to be built.
*sniffle. ... they grow up too fast.
Sometimes it's not fun when your children aren't playing in the snow anymore
AND there aren't any snowmen in your yard.

Primary 2 Lesson 5

Primary 2 Manual
Lesson 5
I Can Make Right Choices




Monday, January 23, 2012

CTR 7 Primary Class 2012

The first day of my 2012 Primary class, I decided to take a picture of the children with their new binders. I had 9 out of 12 students there. Pretty good for a holiday, January 1, 2012
 Shelby, Hyrum, Baron
Shelby is one of the youngest in the class and it's taking her some time to warm up to me. Finally during the 3rd class she spoke and had a smile. Yea!
 Tyson, Seth and Brox
Jaylynn, Kendell and Lyndsy

We were missing 3 students. But Josey came yesterday and she is a darling little girl. Next week I'll remember to bring my camera and take a pictures of her.

This year I was warned that this class would be a handful and I would need a team teacher. However, they have been perfect. But, I am a very strict but loving teacher with set rules that must be followed.

I always start the first class telling them that they are not babies anymore. They have moved onto Senior Primary and they need to act that way. I told them that we are going to have a very special year getting ready to be baptised.

Then I tell them our class rules. and put a copy on the board. I had to make 4 rules this year:
1. If you want to talk, you must raise your hand.
2. Sit in your seat like ladies and gentlemen, you are not an animal.
3. Do not touch other people, stay in your own bubble.
4. Keep your clothes on - shoes and ties.
(I had to add #4 this because last year I had a young boy that would come to class and immediately take off his tie and play with it and shoes. It drove me crazy in trying to cure him of this. So, this year I wanted to make this rule up front).




I am absolutely loving this new class - and to think I had been warned about them - snicker. I knew I could handle them. It's going to be a great year!

Yesterday I sat around and looked at all the children in Sr. Sharing Time. This is the 4th year I've been teaching the CTR 7 Baptism class. Almost everyone in the room had been in my class and it is amazing to see how much they have grown (Valiant 8, Valiant 9 and Valiant 10 class).  

I LOVE PRIMARY!

Primary Class Christmas Card 2011

Here is the Christmas card our Primary Presidency gave to each of the teachers in our Primary. With their own class of course:
Back row: Mady, Davin, Teija, Lacy, Carson and Kade
Front row: Ella and Ben
Missing from the photo: Kyleah, Jacob, Kindra, Sophia, Reggie

Inside the card it said:
Sharing with you the joy
of this Christmas Season.

Thanks for serving n the Primary.
Merry Christmas.
Love the Primary Presidency

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Primary 2 Lesson 4

Primary 2 Manual
Lesson 4
I Chose to Follow Jesus Christ



 Instructions on the box: Cut around the solid black line. Fold on the dotted lines to make a box. Glue the end flaps. Fold the top end flap to close the box, but don’t glue it shut. Draw or glue a picture of yourself inside the blank frame. Read the scripture reference on each side of the box.

Cut out the scripture reference strips, and place them in the box. Each day choose a reference, and mark it in your scriptures. The scriptures will remind you who you are. Share the box during family home evening.


Monday, January 16, 2012

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.
Martin Luther King Jr., I Have a Dream, 1963.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
Martin Luther King Jr., I Have a Dream, 1963.

Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away, and that in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty.
Martin Luther King, Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail

Now is the time to lift our national policy from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of human dignity.
Martin Luther King, Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail

I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality.
Martin Luther King, Jr., Nobel Price Acceptance Speech

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Be Yourself

Note: I didn't write this, I found this great motivation article on my Spark Team page - it didn't say who wrote it or I would have included the author. I thought it was great and wanted to add it to my blog.
It's quite possibly the most commonly used phrase in the history of advice: Be yourself. What do they really mean when they tell you to be yourself? And is it really as easy as it sounds?

Find yourself and define yourself on your terms.

Oscar Wilde once said with his usual wit: Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. As humorous as this might seem, it's a basic summation of the truth. Yet, you can't be yourself if you don't know, understand, and accept yourself first. It should be your primary goal to find this out. Find the time to dwell upon what you value and take time to consider what makes up the essence of who you are.

Contemplate your life and choices.

Try to think about what kinds of things you would or wouldn't like to do, and act accordingly; finding out through trial and error helps more than you might think it does.
Avoid fixating on the past and not letting yourself grow.

One of the most unhealthy approaches to being oneself is to make a decision that who you are is defined by a moment or period of time, after which you spend the rest of your life trying to still be that person from the past rather than someone who is still you but grows with the passing of each season and decade. Allow yourself this space to grow, to improve, to become wiser. And allow yourself to forgive past errors and past behaviors you're not so proud of. Work on accepting mistakes and choices you've made; they're done and in the past.
Stop caring about how people perceive you.

Some of them will like you and some of them won't. Either attitude is as likely to be right or wrong. It's next-to-impossible to be yourself when you're caught up in constantly wondering "Do they think I'm funny? Does she think I'm fat? Do they think I'm stupid? Am I good/clever/popular enough to be a part of their group of friends?" To be yourself, you've got to let go of these concerns and just let your behavior flow, with only your consideration of others as a filter — not their consideration of you. Being a people-pleaser or always wanting every one's love and respect is a totally pointless exercise in the end that can harm your personal development and confidence. Who cares what other people say? As Eleanor Roosevelt said once, "no one can make you feel inferior without your consent" and what matters most is that you listen to your own inner confidence and if it's missing, that you start developing it!
Be honest and open.

What have you got to hide? We're all imperfect, growing, learning human beings. If you feel ashamed or insecure about any aspect of yourself — and you feel that you have to hide those parts of you, whether physically or emotionally — then you have to come to terms with that and learn to convert your so-called flaws into individualistic quirks or simply as basic, down-to-earth acknowledgments of your own imperfections. Be honest with yourself, but don't beat yourself up; apply this philosophy to others, as well. There is a difference between being critical and being honest; learn to watch the way you say things to yourself and others when being honest.

Relax. Relax.

Stop worrying about the worst that could happen. So what if you fall flat on your face? Learn to laugh at yourself both when it happens and afterward. Turn it into a funny story that you can share with others. It lets them know that you're not perfect and makes you feel more at ease, too. It's also an attractive quality for someone to be able to laugh at themselves and not take themselves too seriously!
Treat yourself as you'd treat your own best friend.

You value your friends and those close to you; well, who is closer to you than you are? Give yourself the same kind, thoughtful, and respectful treatment that you give to other people you care about. If you had to hang out with yourself for a day, what is the most fun/enjoyable/fulfilled/calm/contented type of person you could be, while still being yourself?

Love and accept yourself as you are now, just as you do for your close ones.

Be responsible for yourself and for boosting your self-esteem.
Tell yourself you're special, wonderful, and worthwhile.
When you believe these things about yourself, others will recognize that glow of self-confidence and begin confirming your self-affirmations in no time!

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Priest Quorum

Last weekend Brady was sustained as the 1st Assistance in the Priest Quorum.

The Priest Quorum President is the Bishop, and Brady is to help the Bishop along with the rest of the Priest Quorum presidency in serving the Quorum. He'll have to attend monthly meetings with the Bishop, Quorum presidency meetings, and call/communicate with the quorum members each week for the Wednesday activity.

 When Brady was asked to serve in this position, I asked Brady if he told the Bishop how busy he is right now. He didn't tell him and doesn't feel like it's a problem. I know with the Lord's help he will be able to serve diligently in this calling.

They set Brady apart during church last Sunday. I was kind of mad that they didn't grab me out of Primary to attend the blessing to set him apart. When he has been in past Y/M Presidencies they have always grabbed me to attend the blessing.
I gave Brady and the Young Men's president (who is also our home teacher and friend) a hard time for not getting me.

I told them I only have "months" left with Brady before he is on his own - "not years" - and I wanted to be there.

I was half joking with them but half serious too. I'm sad I couldn't hear the blessing he received. I love Priesthood blessings - they are the best!

One last note... Brady hasn't completed his Eagle project yet either. He has until August to get it done. (One of the things I hate about being a single mother - getting this scouting stuff done).

Brady's College Acceptance

Brady is going to college!

He has been accepted to attend Boise State University.

However, somehow he didn't check the appropriate box to indicate we are an Idaho residence so he was accepted as a Non-Resident for the tuition. Yikes! I called them and now have to prove I'm a resident by filling out forms and taking it to their office with my state taxes. I guess using his transcripts that says he's attended Meridian High for the past 4 years isn't good enough. Oh well, if he selects to attend BSU we'll make sure we are an Idaho resident.

We have been instructed by Church leaders to send our children away to college prior to their mission. Attending BSU is our last option. I prefer that Brady leave home for a year before his mission so that he gets over his homesickness and learn to be on his own. That way when he is on his mission he is adjusted and can just get to work.
Brady has also been accepted by University of Utah.

We are in a unique situation where Brady is "in-state" tuition in Utah and Idaho.
His father pays taxes and is resident in Utah and I pay taxes and am a resident in Idaho.

I'm disappointed that his dad hasn't even let us know that he has been accepted. The acceptance letters are mailed to his address. Thank goodness for an email from the college or we wouldn't know he's been accepted. I've tried to call his dad with no response either. (shaking head). But, I KNOW he has the letter. I wonder why this isn't an important fact to let his son know he has been accepted by calling him or texting him.. (I'll get off my soap box now).

I'm also leaning towards having him attend UofU because he can hop on a plane and fly home instead of driving.
Brady has applied for Utah State University too. Unfortunately we are in the same boat and the acceptance letter is mailed to his dad's house. I'm sure he's probably been accepted - but so far we don't know. Waiting....waiting on some kind of acknowledgement that Brady is important in the life of his dad. OK.... I'm back on my soap box.

I lived in Logan, Utah for 4 years. I loved it. I loved walking around the Logan Temple nightly with roommates. I loved being in family home evening groups. It was a fun college town and I loved every minute of living there. I know Brady will love it too if he selects to attend there.

Brigham Young University

I would love Brady to attend BYU Provo - that would be my first choice. However he received a 24 on his ACT test and to be accepted you have to have a 26 -- even though he has straight A's all 4 years.

Also, Brady has been procrastinating the application - I'm sure due to his ACT score and because he has to submit an essay on "a challenge he has had and what he has done to overcome it". Brady can't think of anything to write about. I told him to write about how his life would have been better if he had a father in his home raising him. It's a good feeling that he feels he has a perfect life - the problem is he feels it has been a blessing to be raised only by me and not his dad. I told him not to think of a full time father as Maurice but a good dad/husband and what that would have meant to his life.

As a positive person who has an optimistic view on life, I always have a problem answering questions like this in job interviews. I don't look at life about problems I have had to overcome, I look at life as wonderful and happy -- always.

Brady does the same thing.

I don't like questions like this. Brady has promised to complete this application this weekend. I hope he comes up with a good essay response.

To be accepted at BYU, Brady had to have an interview with the Bishop of our ward and a member of the Stake President. When Brady met with a member of the Stake Presidency (who is our friend and former bishop) he wanted to help Brady get accepted to BYU because Brady is such a great kid. He said he would meet with BYU's office/councilor and let them know that Brady was such a great kid and see if he could help get Brady accepted.

He was in Provo last week and met with a BYU councilor. Unfortunately Brady hasn't completed the application. When Stake Presidency met with the BYU councilor, He couldn't do anything to help out Brady because the application wasn't completed yet. I'm embarrassed that our Stake Presidency took time out of his busy schedule to help Brady when the application is incomplete.  Brady promised him he would get it done this weekend.  

Brady is extremely busy right now. He is up late  EVERY night completing homework (11 - 12 PM), due to his Hello Dolly play practises and his heavy school schedule. He is constantly going and going. 

As an example: this weekend is busy. Friday play practise until 5:00pm then he attended a birthday party and was home by midnight. This morning he is off to play practise 8:30 am until noon, then he has a Men's choir workshop 1:00 - 9:00 pm. Somewhere this weekend he needs to complete his homework, complete BYU application, work on scholarship applications, attend church and rest.

Every day I pray that he can sustain this busy schedule. But, I know he is loving every minute of it. What a way to end his high school years - with a bang! 

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Way Back Wednesday: Baptism

I pulled out my sons baptism photos to share with my Primary class. I shared with them my baptism, but didn't have any pictures to share. I wanted to share some pictures so I brought Jason and Brady's baptism pictures for them to look at and told them about their baptism too.
 I thought this would be an excellent way back Wednesday post, since I already had the pictures out of the albums. Brady and his dad Maurice. Maurice traveled from Salt Lake City to perform the baptism. Brady had to be baptised 2 times. The first time he didn't go all the way under the water.  
 Brady and his mom, Sondra.
 I was a single mom with Jason. Since Jason didn't have a dad with the Priesthood to perform the ordinances, he asked Uncle Kurt to baptize him.
And Jason asked Uncle Kelly to confirm him a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We were able to reserve the church to have a private baptism for Jason. They don't allow that today, but back then they let us.

Both baptism days were wonderful. I love looking at those cute 8 year old boys. Awe!

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