The day after Christmas is my grandson Kai Castro's birthday. This year was a special one! He turned eight! That's the other reason we were excited to be together in Texas. Kai was going to be baptized!
Kai's aunts, mom and nana (me) sang a Primary song called "When I am Baptized" for his baptism. Nana spoke on baptism and Uncle Tanner spoke on the Holy Ghost. His daddy baptized him. Uncle Sean and Aunt Emily gave the prayers. Grandpa and Uncle Sean were his witnesses. We had yummy refreshments afterwards that we brought, but mostly were furnished by a lady from their ward.
After the baptism guests were gone, we went into the gym and tried to get family pictures. We brought in two maroon upholstered chairs for the grandparents to sit on, while the siblings stood behind us and grandkids stood or knelt beside and in front of us. It was fun actually. We took a serious family picture and a silly one. We got shots of siblings, individual families, just grandkids, and generational shots as well. It didn't take as long as I thought it would, and went pretty well. The sequence the photos were taken in, allowed the kids to run and play in the gym between the poses they were needed in. That was helpful.
Marissa's family stayed awhile at Rachelle's house, while we went to Emily's for dinner. Later when we came back, before the Palmer's had to leave to go home, we played Apples to Apples while the children watched a movie or played with toys. It turned out to be a good day!
Saturday, January 24, 2015
A small back track for a moment
I'm gonna backtrack for a moment...
I don't want to forget to write about Christmas 2014.
We managed to arrange for Paul and I and both boys to fly to Texas to spend Christmas with all the girls and their families. I was so excited to be able to have the entire family together in one place for Christmas this year! Paul and I left on Saturday the 20th, with the boys following on the 24th.
We stayed with Marissa's family through Christmas and then drove to Longview to stay with Rachelle. The boys stayed with Emily's family. Space issues... (Marissa is the only one with a house big enough to fit all of us.) We had a good Christmas! Sadly, by Christmas day, some of us were starting to feel a bit under the weather. Myself included. We either don't plan enough to do or too much with too little time. The latter was the case this year. I think most of us wanted to just kick back and take it slow and easy. Just enjoy having everyone together. We didn't manage to do all we intended that week, but we enjoyed being with all the family nonetheless! That's what really matters anyway.
The girls and I had a girls day out. We went to lunch at a French restaurant called La Madeleine. It was tasty and fun to hang out with the girls!
We enjoyed a yummy BBQ dinner together while we were all there. Unfortunately, we were misinformed as to the boys arrival time. Grandpa, Aubrey, and Carlos had to spend a couple extra hours waiting at the airport for them. Fun experience for Grandpa though! :) Aubrey was tired but still chatty when they arrived home around 10:30pm.
The food was yummy Christmas day! Marissa had made a tofu chocolate pie for dessert which was tasty, but because of the tofu, had a running joke about it. Most of the guys don't like tofu and especially don't like being surprised by mystery items in their food!
We discovered a new board game called Truth Be Told. When the kids were down for the night, we adults would play it for hours. It was hilarious! It's kind of a cross between Balderdash and Apples to Apples. Every night we would try to play it once the kids were down for the night. It seem to become a bonding experience learning about each other in such a funny way.
I don't want to forget to write about Christmas 2014.
We managed to arrange for Paul and I and both boys to fly to Texas to spend Christmas with all the girls and their families. I was so excited to be able to have the entire family together in one place for Christmas this year! Paul and I left on Saturday the 20th, with the boys following on the 24th.
We stayed with Marissa's family through Christmas and then drove to Longview to stay with Rachelle. The boys stayed with Emily's family. Space issues... (Marissa is the only one with a house big enough to fit all of us.) We had a good Christmas! Sadly, by Christmas day, some of us were starting to feel a bit under the weather. Myself included. We either don't plan enough to do or too much with too little time. The latter was the case this year. I think most of us wanted to just kick back and take it slow and easy. Just enjoy having everyone together. We didn't manage to do all we intended that week, but we enjoyed being with all the family nonetheless! That's what really matters anyway.
The girls and I had a girls day out. We went to lunch at a French restaurant called La Madeleine. It was tasty and fun to hang out with the girls!
We enjoyed a yummy BBQ dinner together while we were all there. Unfortunately, we were misinformed as to the boys arrival time. Grandpa, Aubrey, and Carlos had to spend a couple extra hours waiting at the airport for them. Fun experience for Grandpa though! :) Aubrey was tired but still chatty when they arrived home around 10:30pm.
The food was yummy Christmas day! Marissa had made a tofu chocolate pie for dessert which was tasty, but because of the tofu, had a running joke about it. Most of the guys don't like tofu and especially don't like being surprised by mystery items in their food!
We discovered a new board game called Truth Be Told. When the kids were down for the night, we adults would play it for hours. It was hilarious! It's kind of a cross between Balderdash and Apples to Apples. Every night we would try to play it once the kids were down for the night. It seem to become a bonding experience learning about each other in such a funny way.
New Year~new job
So January 5th rolls around. It's time to head back to work after the holiday break. This new student hasn't been in school for the last year due to family issues. So they have modified her schedule to compensate for that. She attends Kindergarten in the morning and buses to first grade for the afternoon. Then at the change of the semester, she will be transitioned to full day first grade.
She's a little cutie, but has NO FEAR. That, along with no understanding of social behavior norms, make her a handful! We adjust fairly well to each other prior to the transition date. The first day of transition went better than I had expected, but it was still a TOUGH day for both of us. By day three of transition though, she is beginning to understand expectations and is mellowing out a bit.
Who would have guessed that this is what I would be doing this year after interviewing for three different elementary positions! I never expected this opportunity to come along, when I was trying so desperately to move out of my old position.
She's a little cutie, but has NO FEAR. That, along with no understanding of social behavior norms, make her a handful! We adjust fairly well to each other prior to the transition date. The first day of transition went better than I had expected, but it was still a TOUGH day for both of us. By day three of transition though, she is beginning to understand expectations and is mellowing out a bit.
Who would have guessed that this is what I would be doing this year after interviewing for three different elementary positions! I never expected this opportunity to come along, when I was trying so desperately to move out of my old position.
January 24, 2015 life is surprising sometimes
It is surprising how life takes it's twists and turns sometimes.
I can't believe it's been half a year since I last blogged. At that point, I posted about a job interview that didn't pan out for me. Life has taken some interesting turns since then with respect to work.
At the beginning of the school year I was asked to come meet with my principal. He told me, that because of my shoulder injury and inability to do my current position, they didn't have a place for me. I needed to go discuss this with the Superintendent and Special Ed director. When I did, it didn't look promising. After some serious fretting and their discussion, they finally placed me at the HS with a boy in a wheelchair. He needed little assistance beyond me being his hands. The first week of school a women at the Middle School quit her job. Since my current position appeared a temporary fix, I decided to apply for this other job. Two weeks later they moved me to this new position. There I was assigned to work with two boys all the time. One who was autistic, and the other Undiagnosed ADD. Along with them, I had a boy who needed reading assistance 2x week and later another who needed math assistance 2x week. It was a good placement. The only real drawback was that the undiagnosed ADD boy talked non-stop, which drove me nuts. I received an email from the SPED director asking if anyone had Sign Language skills. I hesitated to respond, not knowing what I might be getting myself into, but responded anyway. Early December, she cornered me and said she wanted to offer me a position working with an hearing-impaired girl. I thought to myself, "Finally I have something the district needs!" That's pretty rare! After discussing it with Paul, I agreed to accept the position. I wouldn't start until after the holiday break though.
I can't believe it's been half a year since I last blogged. At that point, I posted about a job interview that didn't pan out for me. Life has taken some interesting turns since then with respect to work.
At the beginning of the school year I was asked to come meet with my principal. He told me, that because of my shoulder injury and inability to do my current position, they didn't have a place for me. I needed to go discuss this with the Superintendent and Special Ed director. When I did, it didn't look promising. After some serious fretting and their discussion, they finally placed me at the HS with a boy in a wheelchair. He needed little assistance beyond me being his hands. The first week of school a women at the Middle School quit her job. Since my current position appeared a temporary fix, I decided to apply for this other job. Two weeks later they moved me to this new position. There I was assigned to work with two boys all the time. One who was autistic, and the other Undiagnosed ADD. Along with them, I had a boy who needed reading assistance 2x week and later another who needed math assistance 2x week. It was a good placement. The only real drawback was that the undiagnosed ADD boy talked non-stop, which drove me nuts. I received an email from the SPED director asking if anyone had Sign Language skills. I hesitated to respond, not knowing what I might be getting myself into, but responded anyway. Early December, she cornered me and said she wanted to offer me a position working with an hearing-impaired girl. I thought to myself, "Finally I have something the district needs!" That's pretty rare! After discussing it with Paul, I agreed to accept the position. I wouldn't start until after the holiday break though.
Friday, August 1, 2014
July 29, 2014-- Tuesday
The hour is nearing dinnertime when the phone rings. This is it! This is the call I’ve been waiting for…. The answer is near. As I address the caller I brace myself for the outcome. I take a deep breath and steady my voice with a cheerful tone.
“ We had five very good applicants,” he said. “ Each of them we felt confident could do the job. I’m sorry to tell you that we’ve given the job to another, one who has recent experience in working in the Resource Room. That recent experience was the only deciding factor between all the applicants…Don’t be discouraged…I’m sure something else will come up.” I graciously thanked the caller and hung up the phone.
My heart just ached! I felt such a great disappointment. All I could do was cry! I’ve waited eight years for an opportunity like this. After applying to 3 different jobs this year to work in an elementary school, not getting any of those positions, my hopes were crushed!
I was feeling that I might never get another opportunity to work in a grade school again. After wallowing in my sorrow awhile, I texted my family to share the news.
Tanner was the first to respond. ”I’m sorryL ! I guess Heavenly Father has different plans for you.” I agreed and added, “I just wish I had a sneak peek at those plans.” then self-chastening I continued, “I know… I gotta walk by faith!” Rachelle quickly responded expressing the sorrow she felt for me and tried to encourage me with these words, “have faith! Maybe you will, but Heavenly Father is saying not just yet.” I mentioned to her as well my wish at a peek of God’s plan for me. It would sure help with the patience side of this. She agreed. “But we are learning that if we don’t practice patience, He just delays what we seek that much longer. At least that seems to be the case for Carlos and I.” I told her that I had found that to be true in my life as well. I expressed that I couldn’t help but wish I knew at least His timetable though. I find I do alright being patient when I have some idea how long I might need to wait for a desired outcome. I don’t do as well when it seems a never-ending wait. I felt like 8 years of waiting for this opportunity was surely long enough! However my time is not the Lord’s time. I need to remember this quote by Neal A. Maxwell: “Faith in God includes faith in His timing.” It’s still HARD!
Rachelle explained that that quote is what got her through years of infertility. She understood how hard it is.
Through our discussion Rachelle recognized similarities in her life to that of ours, her parents. I agreed that her life does parallel my experiences. All we can do is to put our trust in the Lord. Remember that He knows and sees the big picture of our lives. He knows what is best and needed in our lives. We have to trust He’ll make those things happen for us that will help us become who we are meant to be! He knows our potential and what we need to experience to reach that potential. He loves us and wants to bless us. Sometimes those blessing are not the same as the ones we are wanting for our lives. We must trust Him and have faith in Him. All will work to our good. We can turn to Him for comfort, peace and understanding. He promises to comfort and cheer our hearts. So with that reassurance of testimony, I prayed for comfort and understanding. He offered me comfort, peace and the hope needed to press forward.
July 28, 2014--Monday
I enter the office and take a seat. I wait with baited breath for the interviewer to come for me. He strides into the room with an air of cheerful command. We exchange pleasantries as I follow him to the interviewing room. Once there, I meet the other interviewers, a few brief explanations and we begin. Questions come and answers are given. A feeling of distress rises within me. Why can’t I think of the things I need to remember and say. I struggle with a sense that there is more I need to share, but it’s as if a stupor of thought has come over me. The interview is over and I feel empty, unsure that it was enough. Now the waiting begins.
I busy myself attending to the needs of the day, giving only occasional thought to the interview. Raising an humble prayer to God, desiring His will be done. Nonetheless hoping for my desires to come to fruition.
Friday, July 18, 2014
hey it's finally a nice day
hey it's finally a nice day... it has been high 90's lately. That's unusually warm for us. I'm glad though. I hope it keeps cooling off. Next week is Girl's Camp. I've been busy getting ready for that. There has been much to do!
I just came home from a trip last Saturday. For the 4th of July, Paul and I drove to Utah to spend the holiday with Diane and Jon. Originally it was supposed to be the annual golf tournament that Paul plays in, but they moved it to last weekend. Paul had to be back to work on the 9th so he couldn't stay and play. Bummer for him. So he and Jon just played golf the whole time we were in Utah. I hung out with Diane plus did some running around of my own. On the 4th we spent the evening with Chantelle and Marshall's family for a potluck picnic. Then went to Chantelle's house to watch the fireworks.
On Monday the 7th, I flew out of Salt Lake City to go to Texas. Rachelle was having baby number 3. The doctor was inducing her that day. O'lina Mae arrived at 3:26 p.m., July 7th, 2014. Weighing in at 7lbs and 13 ounces. She was 19 3/4 inches long. She has blue eyes and is the spitting image of big sister Keilani. She is a little bit fairer complexion than Keilani though. She is a good baby, lovely temperament. I spent time with Kai and Keilani at a church member's pool on Thursday and with Emily and her boys. We had a lot of fun. That evening we went to R.S. and enjoyed a chocolate chip cookie contest, while learning about how the gospel helps us be made up of the things that help us 'hold our shape' when the heat is on, like the chocolate chip. I flew home on Saturday the 12th.
I've been scurrying around since then trying to finish preparations for camp. Now it's Friday and I'm almost ready. Just need to work on laundry and getting my personal things together.
So that's been my month so far...looking forward to a fun, quiet week a camp! Ha ha!... like that's gonna happen. Quiet and Rest will come after camp.
I just came home from a trip last Saturday. For the 4th of July, Paul and I drove to Utah to spend the holiday with Diane and Jon. Originally it was supposed to be the annual golf tournament that Paul plays in, but they moved it to last weekend. Paul had to be back to work on the 9th so he couldn't stay and play. Bummer for him. So he and Jon just played golf the whole time we were in Utah. I hung out with Diane plus did some running around of my own. On the 4th we spent the evening with Chantelle and Marshall's family for a potluck picnic. Then went to Chantelle's house to watch the fireworks.
On Monday the 7th, I flew out of Salt Lake City to go to Texas. Rachelle was having baby number 3. The doctor was inducing her that day. O'lina Mae arrived at 3:26 p.m., July 7th, 2014. Weighing in at 7lbs and 13 ounces. She was 19 3/4 inches long. She has blue eyes and is the spitting image of big sister Keilani. She is a little bit fairer complexion than Keilani though. She is a good baby, lovely temperament. I spent time with Kai and Keilani at a church member's pool on Thursday and with Emily and her boys. We had a lot of fun. That evening we went to R.S. and enjoyed a chocolate chip cookie contest, while learning about how the gospel helps us be made up of the things that help us 'hold our shape' when the heat is on, like the chocolate chip. I flew home on Saturday the 12th.
I've been scurrying around since then trying to finish preparations for camp. Now it's Friday and I'm almost ready. Just need to work on laundry and getting my personal things together.
So that's been my month so far...looking forward to a fun, quiet week a camp! Ha ha!... like that's gonna happen. Quiet and Rest will come after camp.
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