School Safety

These are a few of my most precious gifts.

In life, I want many things for them: a relationship with God, forever closeness to their parents, great friends, good work ethic, wonderful math skills, common sense, decency, love for nature, worthy spouses (is that possible, though?), happiness, safety, and so much more.

I spend a lot of time worrying about their safety. They can’t leave my sight when we’re out. I constantly even remind Matt to watch them, when I know he already is. The kids do not go out to play by themselves, and we have yet to even let anyone else take them swimming. Yes, we may be a bit overbearing on the safety side, but we feel it’s necessary.

Horrible things happen all too often. The most recent evidence: the school shooting at Discovery. My heart goes out to the families involved, to the students and faculty there, and even to the shooter. Somewhere along the line, someone failed that child, and he made a terrible decision that can never be undone. It’s such a shame. Another shame about this situation is the news media. I am appalled that the news stations have sounding boards on their websites that allow any content. I read comments about how the victim deserved it, how there is no God and prayer is never helpful, and how the teachers were all to blame. I understand that freedom of speech exists, but do we also have to have freedom of idiocy? God’s help and prayer are the only things that will somewhat soothe this situation. It will take time, of course, but without God’s strength, only more bad will come from this unfortunate incident. Every good gift and every perfect gift are from above. This shooting was neither good nor perfect; therefore, it did not come from above. But, I know a Man who can wipe away the tears and who can fill hearts with love when they are breaking, and that’s what I will be praying for.

The year I was a high school senior was when the shootings occurred at Columbine. It was such a sad time. Back then, my friends drove to school with loaded guns in their gun racks in the back windows of their trucks. I grew up in the country, and boys went hunting after school. After Columbine, the guns were not allowed on school grounds. Other precautions were made too, and yet we are really no closer to making our schools a safe environment. Don’t get me wrong, I am an advocate for public school. In fact, I would like to personally investigate all people who homeschool their children. Sidenote: Homeschooling can be done effectively, but not everyone doing it is doing it effectively. In fact, not everyone with a teaching degree is teaching effectively. Though I wish they were, because they are making us good teachers look real bad. As I was writing before the need to not offend you homeschoolers interrupted my thoughts, I believe public education is mostly good. I think most of the problem with public education is a lack of parenting skills (not in my classroom though J) at home.

But, the biggest problem I see in public schools that the schools can fix, is school safety. Can you believe there is a school close to me where there are at least ten portables being used as classrooms? These classrooms are totally vulnerable to intruders. Furthermore, doors leading to the outside can not be locked because students are coming and going through them all day. If they are locked, students may be left to stand and bang on them for five minutes or more, before someone opens the door for them. A lot can happen in five minutes.

When the issue of safety is brought up, there is never any money to help the problem. Well, money is going to be found when a huge lawsuit, following a violent attack, occurs, so why can’t we just find the money now? I would be willing to have my sales tax increased by half of a percent if the money was going towards equipping schools with safety devices, such as metal detectors and buzz in doors. I think I would have a difficult time finding a parent who wasn’t willing to do the same! We as parents are going to have to take a stand for our children and insist on safety devices being installed in ALL schools! I want to hear your comments on this, even if you disagree with me.

Like Mother, Like Daughter

A week or so before Christmas Kennedy had some of her Barbie dolls in the living room, and we were playing with them. When I looked at her, I had an image of my childhood to flood back to me. I remembered a picture of myself, around the age of six, playing with Barbie dolls in the living room. I knew I had the picture somewhere, and I just HAD to find it. So, I went on a treasure hunt in the attic, and luckily I found it rather quickly. It was just a bonus that the picture of me taken playing with Barbies was also near Christmas!

I am so blessed to have my sweet, precious Kennedy. I am so happy that she and I share common interests. Though she doesn’t have exactly the same personality as me, we are enough alike that I can understand her ideas and theories. And we are different enough that we will never drive each other crazy.

I remember when Kennedy was in my tummy. I just knew that she was a girl, and that we would be best friends. I was right on both counts. When days have been dark, I have been able to look at her face and know that our God has everything in His hands. Kennedy is one of His good and perfect gifts. I never want a day to pass that I don’t remind Kennedy (and myself) of this. She is a perfect gift! I thank our Savior every single day for Kennedy’s life and love. What do you thank Him for? I know we can all find plenty!

The Sleep Habits of Men

A few weeks ago, while at Target, Kennedy saw this tin with Papa Smurf on it. If you look closely, you can see that the black sticker reads ‘Men’s Sleep Short.” As in, there are men’s sleep shorts inside. Kennedy read the black sticker as ‘Men Sleep Short.’ Then she looked at me, and said, “No they don’t!!!” HAHA! Too funny! Can you tell she is the daughter of a man who likes his sleep!?!?

I just threw in the picture below of Kennedy because she's so cute in her camouflage pants. She was four in this picture. How time flies...

Bootball

The other day Case was playing with Kennedy’s bouncy ball, when the ball accidentally landed in Matt’s boot. Thus was born the great Clark Family pastime of Bootball. Case couldn’t get enough of the game, and soon Kennedy joined in too. So, if you’re ever in the neighborhood, just drop by for a friendly game of Bootball. We’ll tell Case to take it easy on all of you rookies.

It's Been Looking a Lot Like Christmas

December has been so much fun. We have enjoyed MANY activities. However, all of these fun activities have definitely limited my Blogging time. In fact, I am trying to stay off of the computer (except to check e-mail when I first get home) until the kids are asleep. Then, by that time, I am either too sleepy or too busy to even get on the computer. I wanted to share some December highlights though, so here goes the first 23 days of December in pictures and long captions! ENJOY!!!

We have had a few Daisy Scout activities. This past weekend we went caroling at a nursing home, and the girls did a fantastic job! A few weeks ago we attended the Festival of Trees at the GS office, and then we headed to the Christmas Parade. We found a spot with plenty of sunshine, so the parade was nice. I wish I could say the same for the outdoor pictures we tried to have taken of the kids after the parade. For the record, outside pictures and 40 degrees do NOT like each other. Thanks for trying, Sandi. We’ll try again in the spring!

~Sidenote~ Please see us for all of your Girl Scout cookie needs. We are currently taking orders. J

We played in the snow! Yes, Case is wearing his sleeper. I know, genius of me to think f it, right? They loved the snow. Case did not know what to think of it at first, but then he began throwing it, and that was a ton of fun! Kennedy made a gorgeous snow angel. Case tried to wipe the snow off of HIS slide. They were too cute. We’re praying for more snow soon. Maybe next time Matt will even get out of bed…

Case has really taken a liking to Kennedy’s robot dog lucky. Case drags Lucky all over the house, usually to give him to me so that I can awaken Lucky and give him commands. Case hugs, kisses, and pets Lucky. He also gives Lucky noggin (bumping foreheads).

We’ve been going to church (though not as much as we would like to).

Our beautiful Christmas tree is up and decorated. Kennedy was a big help this year. We finally convinced her that all of the ornaments do not have to hang on the same bottom branch of the tree. Case does NOT like the tree. In fact, the only time he has touched it was when a friend was over, and I was trying to show her how much Case couldn’t stand it. Then he began trying to touch it, but he hasn’t since then. Go figure!

We had our Christmas play at church. Unfortunately, I didn’t get any good pictures. Case went home before presents were even handed out. Case is ILL after 7:30 pm!

We’ve been watching Christmas movies. That is one of our favorite December activities. We do not let the kids watch Christmas movies out of season (even though we have them on DVD), so these movies are always a BIG deal!!!

Case loves to drink. While drinking his sippy, he found his morning bottle in the fridge, so he had to have both. He walked around this way for a good twenty minutes! No diaper can contain him at night! I wonder why!?!?

We went to Santa’s Village last week. I would like to lodge a formal complaint that the line to see Santa was WAY too long when there is a sixteen month old with an already runny nose in the mix. We did not see Santa. In fact, we left very disappointed after about 35 minutes. We have always loved Santa’s Village, but this year it was somehow different. Perhaps it was the before-mentioned sixteen month old with the runny nose??? We are hopeful that next year the Village will again live up to our expectations.

Tonight our neighbor came over for Christmas. We had a traditional Christmas meal of spicy baked chicken, baked potatoes, broccoli and cheese, and slightly overcooked rolls. Oh, that’s not traditional? Well, we enjoyed it anyways! Have I ever mentioned that we have the BEST neighbor in the world? Mr. Dana is a wonderful person. He is helpful, giving, and loving towards everyone. He is wonderful with both of our kids, even though he doesn’t have nay of his own, and he always buys them very thoughtful gifts! Mr. Dana gave Kennedy markers, a giant book of Dora coloring pages, and a Tinkerbell ColorWonder book. He gave Case a puppy that talks.

The Nutcracker Ballet

I first went to see The Nutcracker Ballet my first year of teaching when I was a third grade teacher. Kennedy was a few months old, and I remember falling asleep during the field trip. Over the next few years, I grew to love it though! Since I moved to first grade, I had not been in four years! I wanted to take Kennedy this year, but I kept putting off getting the tickets. Finally, ealrier this past week, I e-mailed a student's parent to ask about getting tickets (her daughter was in it), and she offered me four FREE tickets, and they were GREAT seats. I knew I didn't want to take Case, so I told Kennedy that she could invite two friends. It was quite the adventure--taking three young girls to the ballet, but they were wonderful! We had a fantastic time! I am so thankful that I got to enjoy the ballet with Kennedy. And did I mention that it was FREE? Thank you so much, Dahlberg Family, for the tickets!!!

Catching Up

WOW!!! I am SO far behind that I may never recover. I have TONS of posts that I know my now 7 Followers can not wait to read, but between working 60-ish hours a week, going to church, tending to Matt and the kids (and occasionally the house), being a room mom, being a Daisy Scout leader, and trying to get Christmas presents wrapped, I simply do not have the time to post. I am going to try to catch up this week though.

By the way, I know you're reading, so go ahead and become a Follower. It won't hurt you, but it will make my heart happy. :) Go bless!