Of Smiles.... and students....

Truthfully, I LOVE teaching!  If anything, for the random things that happen.  I was busy writing a letter yesterday, and my students took the opportunity to write on the board (not allowed).  Here are some of the things that showed up:

Matt + Miss Adams = Love forever = kids = family = *heart*


Perfect Match (picture of Matt and I next to a temple.  I have a bouquet and Matt a tall hat.)


Mrs. McNeff will soon be Miss Adams' name wedding on July 27th!


Congrats Mrs. McNeff.  It's a miracle! (I'm going to take this under the best light I can.... like, it's a miracle the way Matt and I met and grew in love.)


Soon to have babies!


Congrats to the teacher!

Anywho, there you go.  The students were pretty funny.  I looked up and saw them all scribbling and told them they had 30 seconds to stop.  They all moved away from the board and I started reading it.  Oh!  I couldn't help but laugh.  I was very surprised by several of them!  Some I did not hesitate to erase after a few minutes.  But the rest I left for A-Track.  They got a kick out of them, too.

We're getting Married!!!  Woohoo!!!!  

  

SMile!!!

Laughter!

I know, I know, third post of the day, but I had one last thing to say!  (oooo that rhymed!)

Okay, it is simply this: Laughter really is the best medicine!  The past few weeks I have noticed that, like Sister Hinckley said, there are two ways to go through life: laughing and crying.  I agree with her that crying gives me a headache.  Therefore it follows that I should laugh.  When I've let myself do that, it is amazing what happens!  The day gets a little brighter, my problems seem a little smaller, and my faith seems a little stronger!

I am so grateful God gave us voices!  There's nothing like singing a song, talking with a friend, or laughing!

Miss Adams is Engaged!

Well, Matt came to visit me at my school yesterday!  He brought Matt Wise to do a presentation on Taiwan.  It was really neat.  Then he stayed with me for the rest of the school day.  I loved it!

We told my class yesterday, and many of the staff, that we are engaged.  My class did not look like they believed us.  However, it was apparent as soon as they did because they were running all around telling anyone that I was engaged!  "Miss Adams is engaged!" was heard all throughout the school.  It was very exciting!

Speaking of 'Miss Adams' (which I won't be next year!!) Matt and I went to the temple the other day and I was confirmed for a "Miss Adams."  Isn't that neat?  I thought so.  It made me excited for that lady that I could do that for someone who shared my title.  It also made me very excited for my wedding when I will have the opportunity to be Karen McNeff!

My Matt

"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity" Proverbs 17:17.

I have heard this scripture a lot in the last few weeks and I think I'm beginning to understand it better.  Especially in the last few days.  Only for me the last part should say, "a [husband/fiancee] is born for adversity."  This week has been mentally stressful and physically taxing and through it all, Matt has been right there for me.  He is truly my best friend and has helped sustain me through the tough times of the week.  I thank my Heavenly Father that he came into my life!  What a blessing and a privilege to call him mine!

April Showers....? and.... SNOW??!!

I have decided that I love the sunshine!  When fall comes and the rain starts to fall, it is very beautiful and I really enjoy it.  But at the end of winter, when you see tulips just starting to pop up everywhere, and people (Matt) start randomly singing about apricot blossoms and popcorn, I really enjoy sitting out on a blanket and feeling the warmth of the sun and the little nip of cooler air and appreciating spring!

And then... what?  Snow!  I was so shocked this morning! and a little frustrated!  So.... this must mean I didn't appreciate the warm weather as much as I could have.  Solution: write down many happy 'warm' memories over the last few days.

Taking a nap.
Hugs from friends and family.
Matt kisses.
Random emails.
Learning something new about geometry.
Helping students.
Good smelling cleaner when students can't hold breakfast.
The word "hemoglobin."
Uno.
Sherie and Emilie's blogs.
7am visits with Matt.
Student reactions to discussions of what your blood is made up of.
A clean board.
Discussions of where the heart shape came from.
Graham Crackers!
Math lessons that are better than I planned.
Excitement from students about talking with dads that are far away over web cams.
Puppy pictures!
Half of my grading done!
Music.
Hobbits.
Laughing.
Heehee.... giggling!
The End of School!!!!(matt)  :(  (karen)
MATT!!  (karen)
KAREN!!! (matt)  heehee! (karen)

And I'm back....

"How was YOUR spring break?"  The famous question asked for two reasons:  1) They really want to know what their teacher did over the break.  2) They really just want you to answer so they can tell you ALL about their break.  Either way, it is entertaining!

How many of you left the state?  Where did you go?  California, Nevada, Texas, Idaho, Oregon, Colorado....

Did you get married?  Are you Mrs. McNeff yet?  (they don't know I'm engaged).

How many of you had a good break?  A bad break?  How many didn't raise your hands because it was half bad, half good?  Remember the good parts.

How many of you are glad to be back in school?  Put your hands down, I know you're teasing!  Just kidding, I know you're serious.

Same classical music as always.... didn't realize I would recognize it and slightly dread it....

New speakers and books have arrived!

Doubled stress over "to do" list that was not finished.

Appreciation for 5th grade simple minded pleasures.

Almost done with The Hobbit which I listened to all the way to and from Oregon.

"Miss Adams, you're happy today."  "Aren't I always?"  "Yeah, but you're actually happy today."  Guess the break did me good.

Matt's parents are out of town and Matt and I get to play the parents.  It is kind of fun!  We read scriptures and had prayer with them last night.  It's been interesting watching the way Matt and I work together on it... we both approach this "assignment" differently.

I'm not sick.... well, mostly not.  I might be allergic to school.  As soon as I arrived, I had a sniffle again. ;)

Funny how you stare at the "New Post" thing for so long wanting to write something but not know what, starting on whatever's on the mind, and suddenly, the post is forever long.  What?

Pre-Spring Break Show n Tell favorites

Billy Mayes imitation.

"They don't have names.  They are erasers."

Two trophies and a medal for paper airplane contest won by my little Mexican boy.  :)  Attended BoyScouts with his cousins.

Collection of balls: weird bouncy ball, green and white golf balls, LaCrosse ball found in the street, tennis ball found by a tennis court.

Pictures of baby brother that died and the hands of the mother who died with him.

A ring from an uncle who died.

Somebody else's football.

How to be Miserable book section.

Random Days produce Random Thoughts

I find myself staring into the future looking at the present.

There are times I get that feeling of confusion and panic, like when the person next to you rolls forward at a red light and you think you are moving too.

I enjoy turning a microphone on near me, speaking softly, and hearing my voice come from the other side of the room.

I like the illusion of control.

Warm soft things are comforting.

There is superiority in knowing everything, but respect in asking questions.

Short skirts and shirts are short sighted.

"There must be a cockroach in the girl's bathroom"--Josh  (explanation for random screaming in the hall)

I'm getting MARRIED!!!

Happily made excuse to explain everything (and not let Matt feel like he's missed something):  

"I'm a girl."

Thought Process....

You know how good things always follow the bad?  

Well, I submit that life is a spiral

(hopefully going upwards)

until one gets booted out

(death)

Which means...

Bad also follows the good

but not as a consequence

it's just a cycle.

So you can't really get mad...

...right?...

what's the point in that?

Afterall, good things will follow

if you make the right choices during the bad times

which must mean that good times

are a consequence of choice.

But I suppose if you make bad choices during the good times

that the ensuing bad is a consequence.

However, if life is a cycle, it doesn't really matter

unless we want the good times

in the which case it is important 

to make good decisions

during all times of life.

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Hee hee!!!

Okay, frankly, I'm just happy!

A quarter of a century!  Woohoo!

Thank you to all who made it so special!  From texts, to calls, to gifts, to emails, to food, to repeated choruses of "Happy Birthday"....!  You all make me feel so special!  I love you all!