Love Will Keep Us Together

The title is such because that song has been in my head, not sure why, and I can't think of a way to title the thoughts I'm about to post.

We had our first MLK Commission presentation at our school today and it coincided with a conversation I had yesterday. First, to find out more about the MLK Commission and its Adopt-a-School program, visit their website: http://community.utah.gov/MLK_commission/adoptaschool/index.html.

The conversation yesterday was about being non-Mormon in Utah and do I feel treated differently. My answer to that one would depend on the day. Most days I feel great about living here, I love the education I'm experiencing, as well as feeling I might be broadening some people's minds. Other days I feel angry. Sometimes I think that anger is justified (see coffee maker not allowed in school post) and other times I think that anger is an irrational reaction on my part.

Today I sat through the 3 presentations that Michael Styles did on behalf of the Adopt-a-School program and as I listened I vacillated between feeling really excited and feeling worried. Excited because of the enthusiasm of the students and hearing them talk about issues they obviously deal with in their lives. Worried because I know there will be adults who think we should not be talking about this kind of thing in a public school. What kind of thing do I mean? Differences.

Why do we shy away from talking about things that are so obvious? I think it is because we don't want to offend others, right? Or is it because by talking about such things we have to really look at ourselves and question our own beliefs and actions. Do I stereotype people based on race, religion, socioeconomic status? Yes. Have I been proven wrong? Absolutely! Am I trying to learn and be more open to other ideas? Yes, but it does scare me sometimes, because I feel comfortable with my beliefs and it is hard to fully accept another person who believes differently than I do, because by accepting them I might be saying I could be wrong!

So I like to go around saying I'm open-minded and accepting and tolerant and all those wonderful things that one is suppose to say, but I'm not always and I know that and I appreciate it when people feel comfortable to talk about what they believe. Thank you.

This probably wouldn't happen in any other state

Soph's friend just asked her if she knows who Joseph Smith is and Soph said, "Who?" Her friend then started singing about Joseph Smith, Brigham Young...la la la. She said, "They're prophets." My child (and this is one of the reasons I love her) then asked, "Do you know who MoMo is?"

Since we're on this topic... I attended a debate against an atheist and a theist the other day at USU and I was telling Sophie how it is her friend's dad who is the athiest. Soph asked, "Why doesn't he believe there is a god?" I told her I didn't know and she should ask him. She guffawed, "Mom, I can't ask him about religion!" Hey Soph, don't you know we're in Utah! If you can't talk about religion, well, then you can't talk about the big ole elephant in the room.

Turn that Volume WAY UP!

Sophie's school does this really cool thing to reward students for positive behavior. It's called The Flight of the Owls and the students, and staff, absolutely love it! Sophie was one of 10 students who got to participate this time and I couldn't have been prouder!! Her exclamation when it was over was, "That was deafening!" Being allowed to run in the halls with the whole school cheering is a really cool thing.

What you do in Logan for fun!

This is a special video for my nephew, Ryan. The apartment building across from us was torn down. Now we're anxious to see what's going in its place!

So Utah

This is the view from a trail above our house, which Sophie, her friend and I walked along today. On the way back to our modest, 1800 square foot house, we passed our neighbor's 14,000 square foot home and a truck was just pulling out of the driveway, after only pulling in the driveway a moment before. The driver then pulled over and spent a minute gazing at the home. When we walked by, I could see into the truck and there was a man driving and 2 women, both dressed very similarly to the women from the polygamist compound in Texas. The women's hairstyles were identical to the women from Texas and so I concluded that these were indeed, polygamists. I then wondered if they were scoping out the 14,000 square foot residence, hoping to set it up as a future compound or if they were wondering if it already is a compound.

I've been to the residence and can say with certainty that it is not a compound, of any sort. A family of 4 lives there, one mom, one dad, but perhaps if they decide to move someday, we'll end up with some very interesting neighbors!

Darn It Woman! Pay Attention to ME!

Ahhh, I have been spending far too much time on the computer and not enough with...the cat! She is exerting her dominance over the monitor.

New Blog Features

I've been inspired to add some things to my blog...and, since I'm only working part-time this year, I have more time on my hands!

Check out the left side and be sure to cast your vote in my poll (especially if it's for Obama...ha).

Also, see the Jones Soda website, I really like their numbers!

That's My Girl!

Today I was helping Sophie with her homework. For spelling, the students are given words each week that follow a pattern. This week the pattern was the long u sound with the silent e and short u that is vowel-consonant-vowel. After writing her words, Sophie is suppose to write what she learned from the sort. When I asked Sophie what she learned, she said, "Nothing." I pointed out the patterns and then suggested she write something about the silent e, long vowel, no e, short vowel. She looked at me and responded, "I didn't learn that. I already knew that." So, on her paper she wrote, "I didn't learn anything new." I love that she is so honest.

Mondays

The first photo is one I took this morning, the moon was amazing, though it might appear more amazing without the wires in the way. The second photo is of a park we like to walk to behind our neighborhood, across the river. Look at that view!

We had a funny morning, Sophie and me. We were cutting it close and of course after I kept nagging Sophie to get ready, I realized I couldn't find my car key. After a frantic few minutes searching, I finally declared that we would have to walk to school. We are fortunate to live only a mile away (with gas prices the way they are, we should be walking everyday...but that just doesn't happen yet) and it is a pleasant walk. Once I realized we were going to be really late, I decided we might as well enjoy the walk. Soph and I chatted, told stories and got over our Monday grumpies. Sophie also had the chance to practice her reading skills, because someone had posted on their fence a lovely, handwritten note that read, "Clean up your dog sh&*!" Oh, and yes, Sophie read every word out loud.

This led to a discussion of bad words and why someone would write that word instead of a more appropriate word. We've had the bad word discussion before and Steve and I try to follow Spalding Grey's parenting advice: there are no bad words, just bad times to use them. I'm sure many people would disagree, but really, sometimes nothing else will suffice but a good, loud...well, you can fill in the blank. Also, a word itself isn't bad, it's how it's used. I've often used "bad words" as a humorous declaration, as I would, "Wow, that's great!" I know not to use such a declaration in the company of certain people, and certainly not at work, but I think that replacing some words with "more appropriate" words actually draws attention to how ridiculous the speaker is.

I also think it is good to be creative with language. My mother-in-law says, "Holy buckets!" which I find myself often saying and Mrs. Bauman, my first grade teacher, used to declare, "Heavens to Betsy," which might sound silly nowadays, but sometimes that's just the sentiment one needs.

This does not mean I want Sophie walking around using "foul" language, in fact, I have criticized those who are not smart enough to find other, more intelligent words. I just try to be realistic. Sophie will say "bad" words...heck, she said one today, though she was just reading it and I don't want her to feel guilty for something that is perfectly normal. I also just want her to close the door to her bedroom when those words are aimed at me!

I want to end this post by noting that I did not use any "bad" words when I could not find my car keys...or if I did, I muttered them, out of earshot of my child...and look what good that did!