Lucky nines

For you blog readers who aren't on my phone contacts, I'll repeat verbatim my text from last night:

Today [Friday] was a lovely day.  I spent it working at the temple.  Then I came home to a letter telling me that I passed the Mass bar exam.

A few extra thoughts before I run out the door (this is going to be a crazy busy weekend, already has been and it's 8:20 on Saturday morning).  Actually, I might miss my bus if I indulge.  So I'll tell you my thoughts later.

Oh, quick one (because of the title).  I think days with 9 in October must be lucky.  Last year I found out I passed AZ's bar on Oct. 9 (can I tell you how that was a dozen life times ago).  October 19 was a great day last year and this year.  Oh, and every year (mostly).   And this year, Oct. 29.    Good thing I won't take anymore bar exams, because we're out of 9s.  :)

Just checking in

I really want to blog.  It's been such a long time since I've done a real update and I imagine that the 6 of you (is that overly optimistic?) who read it would like a real update.  But, the blog holds this priority in my life:  first I have to write about things in my journal, then to my family, and then I can blog about it.  So neither my blog nor my family have gotten much of anything lately.  But slowly I'm recording the most important things in my journal.  It has been a whirl wind of several weeks with all kinds of ups and downs.  Whew.  Anyway, I will write again someday, I promise.

For today I just wanted to say that.  And also to say that a day or two ago I was sending out an email to invite people to my birthday breakfast (that's what I'm doing for a party this year, because it's what I want to do).  As I'd type in a letter and auto-fill would give me options, I would think--I wish I could have that person here.  And that person.  And her too.  Oh, you've all been so very, very important in my life over this past decade and I just wish I could celebrate with you.  But, instead, I focus on being grateful that you've been part of my life.

And finally, while I'm on here I will share one little bit of news.  Today I became an aunt to a nephew!  First nephew.  Fourth niece/nephew.  Laura had a little boy very early this morning.  No name yet (that I know of).  His birthday is 5 days before mine and 12 days before his mama's.  To be honest, it seems surreal, since I haven't even seen Laura pregnant.  But, when I heard the message when I got out of class, I still cried.  The joy was real, even if my imagination can't picture it.     Update: I've heard that his name is McKay (named after my father) and then Laura's maiden name and our family name; he has lots of blond, wavy hair; and his older sister is absolutely delighted with him (as well she ought to be, little brothers are about the best thing I can think of in life).
On a rather random note, my best friend from junior high also just had a baby boy.  He was born yesterday.  Some people my age are actually grown up and old.  :)

And that's all folks.

A quick video and thought

Although the clip didn't show my favorite parts of this incredible, life changing talk, I still liked it.

The children are adorable. Adorable.  And thought provoking.

And, I was amazed to see that Pres. Uchtdorf's military training was at the bottom of the beautiful Wasatch front. :)

Here's the video:  (Talk is linked above.)

Continue-in-Patience

Let me give you a hint.  Be careful if you feel inspired to ask to be more patient.  It could lead to a lot of pain.  But, should you feel inspired, also know that Christ's Atonement can truly change you and can sustain you during the changing of your nature process.  I know.

Reason 265 why I love my students

Through the years and the wide variety of teaching jobs, I have loved my students.  Some more than others, but I love them all.  Quite possibly the main reason I love them is because they love me.  And boy does that make me happy.  Today I remembered one of the awesome effects of that, and one of the reasons I love my students.

It was a dark day.  Literally-it's been raining for 3 days now.  And figuratively--it's been a rough patch in my life (which I will not go into right now).  But nothing like the following exchange to cheer me right up.

I walk in and Student 1 says, "I like your new hair-do."  Nothing fancy about my hair.  "why?  what's different about it?"

"It's back different, it is not in your face" as she motions with her hands to show that the front is pinned back. 

Oh, that would explain.  Since I leave my house around 6:30 every day, my hair is always wet.  Still wet when I start 8 o'clock class and from there I sprint through the day, without a chance to fix my hair.  So usually it's just loose--especialy when I see this class which is only twice a week.

"I like it," she repeats.

"Yes, it is fabulous," chimes in another students.

"No," says his classmate beside him, "not fabulous.  It is gorgeous."

And then they all start spouting out the synonyms the know:  "Lovely." "Beautiful."  Etc.

I wish you could hear it all in their darling accents.  Just believe me, it put a huge smile on my face.  And by the end of that class period (in which we also learned about Columbus Day and I made them all memorize "In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue"--also adorable in their accents), there was light in my heart again. :)