Love them... just love them!!!

Today I had the best afternoon!! I was able to spend some time with my two uncles (Peter and Don), two cousins (Matthew and Danny) and my grandfather for Father's Day. :) FABULOUS!

To be honest, my expectations for this gathering were pretty low. I usually feel like I need my mom or brothers at these gatherings to make more fun for everyone when I'm there as well. One of my uncles is VERY well read and educated, and (although he has NEVER said or indicated this) I feel like I am not able to keep up a conversation with him that would be at his "level" or enjoyable for him. My other uncle is pretty down to earth, funny (and more common folk for my liking!) but growing up his two sons were seven and nine years younger than me so there was always a huge age gap between us and our developmental stages when we were growing up. We never had too much in common at family gatherings... until recently. His youngest son is a junior in college and the other one just graduated from high school.

AND, to top it all off, I GOT TO RIDE THE T INTO THE CITY AND OUT AGAIN FOR FREE. CAN'T BEAT THAT! (Did anyone else in Boston know that the commuter rail is free from Porter Square to North Station?? I just found out yesterday... and it's almost been five years living in this city!)

I don't know what it is exactly, but I feel like we're on more of an even playing field now and have things/experiences in common. On top of that, they're hilarious. It was such a fun afternoon. I didn't want it to end. I am so fortunate to have family living close by in Boston... and especially to spend the special day with my grandfather!!

Change... change is a good thing

I don't know if my blog is the best place to write down these thoughts, but since I don't keep a journal... this will have to do because I want to write it somewhere! (If anyone is reading this and doesn't want to read about some random/mixed thoughts on my life... start scrolling past this!

Embracing change has never been one of the things I enjoy and live for. I usually dread it and sometimes truly fear it! I tend to avoid change when I can control it... which is silly and stupid... but sometimes I have no control over it and that scares me!

One such instance (and this is silly of me, but true)... is that for the past three years I have been serving as the enrichment counselor in my ward. I have LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this calling in every way. I loved working with the sisters in the presidency and every aspect of my calling.

I have known for a few months that my release was coming because our president was moving, but almost dreaded, in a way, being released. Everyone kept telling me how excited I must be... and I would smile at their comment, but inside was telling myself how sad I would be! However, because this change was a while in the making, I've been praying to HF to help me make a smooth transition in my life, to embrace the change and move on in a very positive way.

Well, today I was officially released and it I was amazed at how calm and peaceful I was over the past few days and especially today as I have made the transition with the new counselor and with my calling. I have truly felt the Lord guiding me with people and things happening just at the right time and in the right way... it has been an inspiring and faith building experience for me.

I am currently calling-less and I know that won't last for long, but I am excited to see what's next. Truly, I am. And, it's comforting to know I can say with confidence that I know that right now is the best time for me to be released and to move on to the next stage.

Can I request being a sacrament meeting greeter??? I Would LOVE that calling!!

Cute story

I had to post this story...

In my school there is a little "peanut" of a first grader who is just adorable! Well, yesterday, his teacher announces that they are going to clean out their desks. Less than 30 seconds later, this little boy is at the teachers desk, shaking slightly, saying that he feels really sick. Concerned, the teacher sends this boy, with a friend carrying a waste basket, (in case he threw up on the way) to the nurse.

Well, the nurse has stepped away for a minute so the secretary asks the boy if he feels like he's going to throw up. The boy was hesitant but quietly he said, "no". He still doesn't look very good so she asks him what's wrong. He slowly (and almost with guilt in his voice) says, with his head down, that he feels worried. (now, remember that this is a tiny little first grader who is just adorable!) The secretary asks him why he's worried and if he would like to talk about it. He looks up and says with more confidence: "Yes. Yes, I would like to talk about it." So she tells him she's listening and wants to help. She asks him again what's wrong and he tells her that he's worried because his teacher announced they were going to clean out their desks and he has unfinished work hidden in the back of his desk and he's worried that she would find it!!!!!!

Now, the other funny thing is that his teacher is such a nice, caring, understanding and patient lady. Far from being a tyrant or a mean person. :) Kids are just so funny... and so precious!

Reasons why I love my job :)

There were so many things that happened this week that helped me remember why I love my job so much. There's never been a day this year when I dreaded going into work, but there have been days when I left and wondered why do I love this so much?!

Well, this week was SPIRIT week at Fox Hill Elementary. We kicked it off with an assembly on Monday and everyone wore Fox Hill colors (green and white). I always think it is so neat to see the entire school community together singing the Fox Hill Song! Tuesday was "Colors of the rainbow" day and each grade wore a color of the rainbow. We also had field day (now, it was 98 degrees that day and no breeze, but fortunately only one girl passed out! She was ok in the end, but I will never understand why we didn't postpone it. Fox Hill doesn't have ANY AC. It was brutally HOT when we arrived at 8 am and it's the first time I've ever seen kids stop running or wanting to do the relays, even the water relay, after only one try... because it was SO DARN HOT!) But, we survived and fortunately for me, I was at the water relay :) That was also the day that I literally never stopped sweating. It was beyond gross.

Wednesday was dress up day and there was a special "elegant" breakfast for the teachers! It was fun to get dressed up and see little Kindergarteners walking around with little ties on! Thursday was Red, White and Blue day because it was also Flag Day. We had a very ncie assembly in the morning and had reminders all day long of why we love our flag and our country!

Finally, Friday was amazing!!! We had our spring celebration. I think the music teacher started working on this with the kids back in September. We had an hour long performance by groups of kids, whole grades, individuals, etc and there was lots of singing and revelry! Then, we ended it by all going outside and they had a Maypole... and more songs, awards, etc. Parents were invited to come and it was awesome. It brought tears to my eyes!

Also, this week was filled with classroom performances for the parents. Whether it be an author's breakfast, Kindergarten graduation, or some other creative way to celebrate the work each class did this year, the kids were excited to perform as a class for their parents. I can't really describe the powerful feeling I had watching these precious students perform throughout the week in different capacities. Also, the feeling of community that was there with teachers, students and parents coming together as one. I felt so much pride and joy to be a small part of this community.

And, thinking back to my tedious and sometimes torturous job search last year... when it seemed like NOTHING would work out, at the last minute (two days before I started) I was offered this job. HF knew what was best for me and I learned a lot about myself along the way. It is a gentle reminder to me that the Lord really is mindful of me... and things do work out for the best IN HIS TIME - NOT MINE. But, looking back on this year, I am glad it was HIS time and not mine!

The next generation of Slip'N Slide's!

This is a picture of the new generation Slip'N Slides!

You would never believe that Boston was in the 50's yesterday and that I wore a long sleeve shirt and fleece all day.

(On a side note... it was raining and yet we still went on our field trip to the Farm! Yes, the Kindergarten class at Fox Hill still went to Drumlin Farms yesterday... ponchos and all! Fortunately, it was only misty when we were walking around. But hey, at least the Farm didn't stink like it would if it was HOT!)

Anyway - one of the things about Boston that I have just grown to accept is the crazy weather changes we have from one day to the next. Yesterday was cold and 50... today is HOT and 92!! My wardrobe is now shorts and a t-shirt and AC is on full-time!

What better way to celebrate the start of summer by using a Slip'n Slide!!! My family had one when I was a kid... but it was pretty basic. The water didn't shoot very high and there weren't pegs to hold it into the grass, so we were asking to hurt ourselves in one way or another.

But, today, I go to Slip'N Slide and it was AWESOME! (same one as the picture above) I quickly learned I am not as agile as I was when I was seven... but the fun factor is still there. :)

Ahhh.... summer is here!!!

Love my Friday night temple shift!!!

Elder Russell M. Nelson

There are a number of reasons why I love my Friday night temple shift twice a month. Of course I LOVE just having the opportunity to be in the temple and to work with such amazing men and women. But on Fridays I also usually see many of my friends as well.

It also happens that Friday nights are popular nights for VERY special guests to come to the temple once they land in Boston. I've had the opportunity to meet Ann and Truman Madsen, Elder Oaks' wife, Sheri Dew and a few other church leaders.

However, yesterday was an exceptionally fantastic temple shift! I got to meet Elder Russell M Nelson! He's in the area for a stake conference and he is also giving a special Boston Temple worker's fireside tomorrow afternoon (which I am also fortunate to attend!) It was so awesome to be standing outside one of the rooms in the temple and see him walk by with the Temple President and his wife! AND, to have the chance to greet him (Silly me for ever complaining about my assignment sometimes to just greet people in the temple.... I'll do it anytime :)

Just for today...

I ran across this poem in a book I was reading. It sums up what I would like to be more like :) I do try and do some of these things each and every day, but I think if I could really have this perspective everyday my life would be a LOT calmer and I would feel more at peace. I've printed a copy and posted it on my wall at school. Maybe if I read it everyday it will start to seep in. Did I spell seep right? I don't think I have ever written that word before!

JUST FOR TODAY

Just for today I will be happy. This assumes what Abraham Lincoln said is true: 'Most folks are about as happy as they make their mind up to be.' Happiness comes from within; it is not a matter of externals.

Just for today I will try to adjust myself to what is; not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will take my family, my business, and my luck as they come and fit myself to them.

Just for today I will take care of my body. I will exercise it, care for it, nourish it, not abuse or neglect it, so that it will be a perfect machine for my bidding.

Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind. I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires effort, thought, and concentration.

Just for today I will exercise my soul in three ways: I will do someone a good turn and not get found out. I will do at least two chores I don't want to do, as William James suggests, just for exercise.

Just for today I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, speak diplomatically, act courteously, be liberal with praise, criticize not at all, nor find fault with anything, and not try to regulate or improve anyone.

Just for today I will try to live through this day only, not tackle my whole life problem at once. I can do things for twelve hours that would appall me if I had to keep them up for a lifetime.

Just for today I will have a program. I will write down what I expect to do every hour. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. It will eliminate two pests: hurrying and indecision.

Just for today I will have a quiet half hour by myself and relax. In this half hour sometimes I will think of God, so as to get a little more perspective into my life.

--- Copyright © Sybil Partridge