two good things to look forward to

this:

and this: 

book review

If we have had a conversation within the past couple of weeks, you have probably heard about this book:

It is about Greg Mortenson, who is just a "regular guy" who made an unthinkable difference in the lives of numerous Pakistani children.  It is a long book, but so worthwhile.  So inspiring.  

Read it; I know you'll love it.  

off to cali

because samuel is off studying mountains and rocks, the girls and I are off to sunny california to hit the beach, celebrate kaite's mission call, and have an adventure.

happy summer

Fourth of July weekend is summer at its peak.  Its best.  Its boldest.

It involves so many things I love: parades with Lyv, patriotic pennant flags, homemade hamburgers/ lemonade/ ice cream, sunshine, water balloon volleyball, breakfast up Milcreek canyon, sitting on the grass to watch fireworks, the national anthem.  And this year it means Samuel will be home (for 2 days)!  I'm so jazzed.  We're going to ride bikes.

It will be nice to be home this year, but the past few Independence Days have been nothing short of amazing:

Last year I spent the fourth of July weekend in Ghana.  We went on some adventurous hikes, and then ate mangoes and guacamole.

The year before last I spent the fourth of July at Hebgen with roommates and family.  West Yellowstone knows how to do fireworks, that's all I can say.

And in the epic summer of 2007 I spent the fourth of July in London.  A little ironic, but completely worth it.  I think we ate hamburgers.


Anyway, here's wishing you a weekend full of barbeques, red + white + blue, fireworks, the Sandlot, parades, and watermelon.  Stars and Stripes Forever!

this is lyv as a tiny patriot- 2(ish) years ago

things you should do

• hang out with your awesome sisters
• get married and inherit more awesome sisters
• read Three Cups of Tea and be inspired
• go to wheeler farm with your niece
• go on morning walks
• plant a garden
• plan a road trip
• paint a kitchen table
• have your awesome mom show you how to sew a blanket
• ride bikes
• watch the USA vs Ghana match
• eat watermelon
• buy water balloons

can't imagine life without

these people:

thoughts on teacherhood

Next to parents, teachers are the most influential people in children's lives.  We love, care, guide, and nurture.  We collect baby teeth, check foreheads for fevers, and can punch the little silver dots on top of juice boxes with one swift poke of the straw. We are used to being called Mom and Dad.  Teacherhood is knowing that softer voices are more effective than louder ones, that students read better under their desks, that kids will not hear the difference between than and then, and that children will always choose chocolate chip cookies before oatmeal and raisin.  Teacherhood is understanding that you should never try to teach anything on Halloween, that when kids start learning cursive they forget how to spell, that students who are usually quiet will become chatty the week before Christmas break, that desks swallow papers, that any given moment a child could announce something random like he's been to Denver and saw a banana slug, that the best lessons on paper can tank in real life, that children who are about to throw up get clingy, that reading nothing but comics is like eating nothing but pasta your whole life, and understanding that a child may forget what you taught her--but will always remember how you made her feel.  -Philip Done
School ended a week ago.  I love my job.  I love my students. I may or may not have cried when they left.  I think that your first year of teaching is like your first time out of the country, or meeting a life-long friend for the very first time.  You never forget any of it-- even the difficult stuff.  And mostly you just remember the good stuff.