American School Counselor Conference

• I am in Atlanta (Hotlanta) -- American School Counselor Conference -- at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The sessions have been good but very crowded. I always learn new things -- attending a conference is like being part of a compact, condensed graduate level program. I love the energy and enthusiasm that radiates from the presenters and participants. Attending helps me do a better job working with students, counselors, . . . . .
  
• I have been very blessed to have so many awesome career type experiences -- sometimes I bring family with me -- this time I am flying solo, but there are 6 other counselor folks here from Granite School District. Willie and Karl came with me to Atlanta a year ago last December. I know the weather was much better then than now. They were smart to opt out this time.

Willie and the Woods

When I mentioned a new "gang" in my previous blog (Willie and the Woods), I was referring to Willie, Meranda, and Parker. They get along fabulously and I am so thankful they have each other during the summer. They have been bowling, bike riding, swimming, and even to the SL Arts Festival. Cousin Peter has joined them on occasion -- but he now has a job! How great is that?!?!?!

Week at a glance . . .

Sunday -- yes, I know it's really the last day of the week, but for this post it's the first. We had dinner at Haley and James' and it was delicious! We enjoyed good company and watching Elliott play with Haley's left over Primary Activity Day props.

Monday -- to work and home. Willie and the Woods (a new and upcoming gang of Hunter hoodlems) organized their day together and ended up at Grandma's for swimming and fun in the sun.
Tuesday -- no work at the office --just at home. Carpet cleaning at Mom's (it looks awesome - my carpet cleaning person is the best); bid on a patio cover pergola for the back yard; invited to lunch (ABS) with the Stokers (sister Chris and nephews Alex and Peter) --Willie and the Woods and me; and a visit to see Grandma P (she has had the worst month ever and is now at Highland Care for care, recovery, and strength building). Haley was here for guitar and piano lessons. Willie and the Woods biked it to Grandma's for swimming and fun in the sun.


Wednesday -- to work (short day). Annie and Elliott and Willie and the Woods headed to Grandma's for swimming and fun in the sun. Grandma got her new furniture and with some help from a bunch of people -- we got the living room back together! It is absolutely beautiful! Wednesday evening Willie had his first public speaking engagement. He talked to Annie's cub scouts about sportsmanship at their Olympics pack meeting. He did a fantabulous job. He stood straight and tall, spoke clearly and precisely, involved the audience, and finished up with a challenge for the cubs to practice good sportsmanship - awesome! Elliott and I tagged along as spectators. Peter got a job!!!!!!!
Thursday -- to work (long day) while the disaster recovery team gave assistance to our family members in need. Then visiting teaching -- face to face visits with 5 of my 8 sisters. Willie and Karl went to the NBA draft that never was. Dragged Magna Main with the main men in my life.
Friday -- day off. Willie and the Woods plus Pierre (they've added a temp) -- and Haley are headed to the Arts Festival while I am home doing housework, yard work, and getting ready to head to Atlanta for the annual school counselor conference.

More to come, sometime!

Disneyland magic spreads to flower gardens --

Marigolds . . . Not sure what these are -- dahlias maybe . . .

Geraniums . . .

I am always amazed at the Disneyland gardens. This is a photo of some cosmos -- an old-fashioned flower. I have grown them off and on, but they usually end up mostly greenery stems. I couldn't pass up a chance to get a snapshot of this beautiful display.

Fast trip, fun trip, fantastic trip

We made it -- to Disneyland and back in a flash. Last week at this time, we were all frantically getting ready to head out on our summer vacation. We're home now and it's hard to believe we were actually there. We had a great time! Highlights -- too many to describe -- it will take me awhile. I know the kids loved the rides and the "fast passes" to short lines. I loved the visits to the beach before and after the days in Disneyland. I was so proud of my kids and kids-in-law and of course my little grandson. We all got along fabulously and enjoyed laughing and screaming and talking turns spoiling Elliott.

First official day of summer vacation . . .

Basketball camp at the U of U for Willie. It was very cool for me, the parent. Willie is the youngest of the older group this year (13 and older) -- he was oldest in the younger group last year. Coach Boylan does a great job. We were greeted by all the Ute b-ball players as we walked to the northeast doors of the Huntsman Center. Then came an energetic welcome by the coach himself. That was definitely a top notch grade for PR. The boys hustled to the floor to shoot some hoops before the official start at which time Boylan had all the boys (200+) under control, paying attention, and feeling good about being there within a matter of minutes. They followed the commands, tucked their shirts in, learned the importance of good people skills and more.

Word of the day: ENTHUSIASM -- "If you don't have it, get it!"

Phrase of the day: Learn to listen and listen to learn.

I can't wait for tomorrow! I only hang around for the first 15-20 minutes of camp, but that's time to give me enough positive energy to last a week.

I hope my comments aren't too obnoxious.

Four graduates -- 3 high school and one USU

Meranda graduated from Hunter High (she's going to SLCC); Maddie from USU; Natalie from Kearns High (she's going to the U of U); and Rubie from Cyprus High (she's going to BYU). Haley, Willie, and I attended two of the four commencement exercises. They were good. There's just something about a graduation that renews and rejuvenates.

It's what I am all about . . .

It's that time of year --you know, when school winds down and the transitions to what's next begin.

Some time ago, as part of my school service, I spent one day a week at the Young Parent Program (YPP) as the counselor. It was the goal of the school's administrator to increase graduation rates and assist students in owning their own education, graduating, and planning for their future (mom and child). I seemed a likely counselor to fill the order. It was clearly one of the more challenging experiences of my professional and personal life.

The program enrolls 95-105 young women -- some with children and some with children on the way. Although pregnant teens can attend their home high school, the YPP is sometimes more appealing because of it's child care component. The young girls can take their babies to class from weeks to 6 months and then early head start takes over from there.

I have been away from the school on a regular basis for a couple of years. But I am invited to their annual "graduation brunch" each year. It was today. There are 35 graduates this year -- a record! The graduation brunch program was awesome -- four graduates spoke about their struggles and successes and school. Their messages were awe-inspiring. The featured adult speaker was Judge Andy Valdez, and his remarks were awesome and very fitting. He shared his story of growing up in a single parent home and how his mother cleaned houses, worked in a bar, and did other odd jobs just to pay the bills and take care of her kids and made huge efforts to show them how important their education was to her. He challenged the girls to do the same -- that their own education and making sure their children were taken care of and educated was a top priority. He challenged them to stay away from prison -- visiting boyfriends and fathers of their children is no better than doing time themselves. He complimented the girls on the hope he saw in their eyes and encouraged them to keep it alive.

When I spent my time at the YPP -- I had a message on the white board in my little office there that I took from President Hinckley. It went something like -- "If we lose a young woman, we lose generations." I truly believe that a program like YP can help in saving young girls and we can only hope that its impact on their lives while there is lasting.