well...this has been an exceptional November week. Amazingly beautiful, sunny, blue skies, in the upper 60's & mid 70's all in all awesome. Unless you're like me and wishing for and anxiously anticipating the arrival of cooler (or down right cold) temps and my favorite...SNOW!!!! I however must wait and 'suffer' through the beautiful warm fall days.
Today I enjoyed a 3 mile walk with a friend and enjoyed our conversation and laughs. I pray for her as she's a single mom and tired of being alone. I can't imagine what it would be like to try to meet someone NOW, all the while holding a fulltime job and raising 3 kids. I want to lift her up! and ask that you will too. I also got to spend time with my mother-inlaw. Time with my in-laws is just an additional reminder of how fortunate I am. I have truely been blessed.
Again today I'm reflective on relationships. I'm trying to be more real with the ones that have happened to me. I will say they are all unique. And I feel more & more they're a God thing. While on the trail today one of the passers by struck up conversation with us and she mentioned something that she's been doing...asking God to let her be a blessing to others and said since praying that prayer has noticed a difference in her relationships. I chuckeled to myself as I too have been praying that very same thing. Many times I've questioned WHY so & so has been put in my path and of late have concluded, because that's God's plan. So, since His plan isn't always clear I've began to pray that I too am a blessing to those who I encounter. Hopefully I'm have some sort of success at this.
I challenge you to take a look at the relationships in your life, past & present. Are they beneficial, encouraging, healty? I hope so. How's the most important relationship you could ever have? ...the one with Jesus Christ? I guarentee if you allow it to it will fill you up!
Blessings that have me thankful this Thanksgiving season: (11 for the day 11) <3 Andy <3 Kathryn <3 Matthew <3 Ed & Emma Jean <3 my Mom <3 my brother <3 my church <3 my home <3 my home <3 my dogs <3 my friends & aquaintences.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Ahhh the (lack of) Power of the Lunch Detention....
I subbed for 12 years, worked as a full-time Aide for 4 years (or 3...can't remember lol) any way in all those years MAYBE I issued 1 lunch detention. Only 1 you might ask! How only 1? Well you see I went into the lunch room to get my own lunch from time to time and bore witness to the LUNCH DETENTION TABLE where punishments were being served. At this table were kids who appeared to be like all the other kids in the cafe' only just waiting for their turn in line. Oh, and there's the stern looking adult (NOT) hovering nearby. You see when you receive a lunch detention for whatever the reason you are last in line, you are to sit at a designated table and of course it's preferred if your somewhat miserable and not showing signs of enjoyment...afterall a punishment is being served. (ha!) My observation confirmed my suspicion that the punishment was a pointless one. I never observed behaviors being changed. Therefore I chose to not issue the pointless piece of paper.
My son received another (yes not his 1st) lunch detention. His infraction, not having his writing folder and his hand book, which he never uses, with him in class. He informed the teacher they were in his locker and received the lunch detention and was sent to his locker to retrieve the items. Matt's was ok, with this. (he too knows it's "no big deal" to sit at the detention table) What puzzeled my son was what transpired after he returned with the materials he had arrived with out the first time. THE WRITING FOLDER AND HAND BOOK WERE NEVER USED, OR NEEDED!!! REALLY!
Now here's where it gets tricky for me. He asked me to make sense of that situation for him. I was at a loss. And having prior experience in the building he is now in I struggled to come up with a sensable explination. He knows he's to be prepared and he wasn't and he without issue did his 'time'.
I suppose I should've said something wise like..."they're trying to prepare you for the real world". But that would've, in my opinion been a falsehood. You see, my recent stint in the real world was in the school system. Many times teachers themselves were unprepared. Yet they were still able to eat lunch in a timely manner and at a table with their friends. I know I know they're grown ups. But what about the time when they forget or don't have time to grade the test/paper/project and return it in a timely manner like they said they would? Oh, yeah...grown ups and gownups get busy in the evenings. Therefore often times students are left waiting for the grade. What would it look like if the student happened to be busy the evening that homework was assigned? Would it be acceptable for them to not be ready? NOPE!
Now don't get me wrong...I have many friends who are teachers and I'll be the first to say they are under appreciated and overworked. I just feel there are better methods to getting a point across, or modifying behaviors. Especially at the jr./sr. high level. I think the lunch detention is a joke and doesn't begin to prepare them for the real world.
Just my opinion...and this is where I state them. ;)
My son received another (yes not his 1st) lunch detention. His infraction, not having his writing folder and his hand book, which he never uses, with him in class. He informed the teacher they were in his locker and received the lunch detention and was sent to his locker to retrieve the items. Matt's was ok, with this. (he too knows it's "no big deal" to sit at the detention table) What puzzeled my son was what transpired after he returned with the materials he had arrived with out the first time. THE WRITING FOLDER AND HAND BOOK WERE NEVER USED, OR NEEDED!!! REALLY!
Now here's where it gets tricky for me. He asked me to make sense of that situation for him. I was at a loss. And having prior experience in the building he is now in I struggled to come up with a sensable explination. He knows he's to be prepared and he wasn't and he without issue did his 'time'.
I suppose I should've said something wise like..."they're trying to prepare you for the real world". But that would've, in my opinion been a falsehood. You see, my recent stint in the real world was in the school system. Many times teachers themselves were unprepared. Yet they were still able to eat lunch in a timely manner and at a table with their friends. I know I know they're grown ups. But what about the time when they forget or don't have time to grade the test/paper/project and return it in a timely manner like they said they would? Oh, yeah...grown ups and gownups get busy in the evenings. Therefore often times students are left waiting for the grade. What would it look like if the student happened to be busy the evening that homework was assigned? Would it be acceptable for them to not be ready? NOPE!
Now don't get me wrong...I have many friends who are teachers and I'll be the first to say they are under appreciated and overworked. I just feel there are better methods to getting a point across, or modifying behaviors. Especially at the jr./sr. high level. I think the lunch detention is a joke and doesn't begin to prepare them for the real world.
Just my opinion...and this is where I state them. ;)
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
a mixed bag for sure....
recap: Our family suffered a loss last week with the passing of Brian Buroker. He was one of the finest men I know. And without a doubt he will be greatly missed. Matthew made his return to school on thursday so that he would have the chance to tryout for the basketball team...only to have his fever return resulting in another day home on friday. Friday afternoon we attended Brians viewing and then headed down to Terre Haute for the night. Andy, again has been selected for the state wide deer reduction hunt at Shackamack state park and had to prepare his site first thing saturday morning. Then it was off to W. Lafayettte where Purdue was taking on Wisconsin. We listened to the 1st half of the game while driving to the stadium and once we arrived ....well, it all went down hill for the boilers. I'm beginning to take it personal. :/ Next it was on to the youth bon fire for some bonding with the kiddos. All in all Saturday was a great day, football, time with lex & haley, my boy finally seemed 100%!!!! and I can't recall any fussing. Sunday was a busy day too as Andy & the deciplship team gave a presentation after church, then there was youth...which I was unable to attend and kat's cheer dinner which I did attend. So that is pretty much the weekend update....matt still has 1 more day of tryouts to get through...we're still praying for a positive outcome!
So now for the things that have me puzzeled...and other ponderings:
Why is it ...the whole must be punished for the sins of some? ...those who break the rules continue to go unpunished? ...parents don't let coaches coach? ...you simile and say hello only when others might be watching? ...people tolerate or are afraid to out the craziess who ultimately have an impact on their life & that of their child? ...why are girls mean? ...why the personal attacks on one another?
Sadly as our kids go through this growing up process they often find themsleves "muted" if you will. Speaking up/out results in 1) risking adults & peers thinking you're a "nark". 2) becoming a social outcast 3) some form of bullying. Instead of the 'talk' taking place with the adults/coaches the conversations are held amongst each other with no solutions being offered, instead irritations are deepened. What's it gonna take for someone to stand up and call out those who need to be called out?
"Hi, Kel!" really?!? I know I know it's a simple greeting but it still take's me by surprise when it comes from someone who made a couple of things clear: 1) we are no longer friends & 2) due to the lack of "friendship" I am no longer liked... So do me a favor and save the "hi, kel". It's unnecessary and pathetic when given only in the presence of others. And furthermore...my friends call me Kel and you withdrew your friendship. I must say...for the 1st time ever I didn't reply to the greeting. It was somewhat awkard in the moment but that soon faded as it's much easier to just not be fake.
Well...here's to a warm November week. Boy is Indina crazy in the weather catagory! Good news is...it's sure to change.
So now for the things that have me puzzeled...and other ponderings:
Why is it ...the whole must be punished for the sins of some? ...those who break the rules continue to go unpunished? ...parents don't let coaches coach? ...you simile and say hello only when others might be watching? ...people tolerate or are afraid to out the craziess who ultimately have an impact on their life & that of their child? ...why are girls mean? ...why the personal attacks on one another?
Sadly as our kids go through this growing up process they often find themsleves "muted" if you will. Speaking up/out results in 1) risking adults & peers thinking you're a "nark". 2) becoming a social outcast 3) some form of bullying. Instead of the 'talk' taking place with the adults/coaches the conversations are held amongst each other with no solutions being offered, instead irritations are deepened. What's it gonna take for someone to stand up and call out those who need to be called out?
"Hi, Kel!" really?!? I know I know it's a simple greeting but it still take's me by surprise when it comes from someone who made a couple of things clear: 1) we are no longer friends & 2) due to the lack of "friendship" I am no longer liked... So do me a favor and save the "hi, kel". It's unnecessary and pathetic when given only in the presence of others. And furthermore...my friends call me Kel and you withdrew your friendship. I must say...for the 1st time ever I didn't reply to the greeting. It was somewhat awkard in the moment but that soon faded as it's much easier to just not be fake.
Well...here's to a warm November week. Boy is Indina crazy in the weather catagory! Good news is...it's sure to change.
