I spent the last few days of October in Chicago attending a meeting on school climate and behavior. Our school district was awarded a multi-million dollar Federal grant to be used over the next five years to implement strategies to improve school climate and behavior in our secondary schools. The premise or hypothesis is that if school climate is more engaging and students know what their expectations are for behavior that learning will improve. Kind of interesting, don't you think, that we have to have a grant to get schools, students and staff focusing on climate and behavior? It will be interesting to see how things roll out. I am a co-chair over the grant which is interesting, too. Not sure why we need $$$$ to impact this area of our schools. Basically, I think we can get everything done by just emphasizing the importance of being nice and kind to all and making sure we hire teachers and staff who love kids and accept them unconditionally. Go figure.
My dad insists on keeping as many of Mom's family traditions going as possible. For Halloween, that means a chili dinner for all interested in celebrating. It gives me an opportunity to make homemade chili and get things ready for a party and that's fine. The difference is that the grandchildren are now married and have children of their own. Most of them aren't really chili lovers and so we order pizza for them. It's a nice party but I am not sure how much longer to keep it going.
The entire KD Petersen family enjoyed Disney on Ice in the middle of the month. Two hours of ice skating is good for most, but the littlest children (Quinn and Jack) got tired after an hour or so. But, it was fun to sit and enjoy each others company and watch the kids faces as some of their favorite Disney characters skated around.
I have been involved in a White House initiative to improve school counseling and college access for all students. I attended a meeting in Cambridge, MA, at Harvard in July (convening number 1) on the issue. And then spent a couple of days at San Diego State University for convening number 2. Michelle Obama is taking the lead on the initiative called Reach Higher. She has attend both convenings via a pre-recorded video message and her "person" assigned to oversee everything, Eric Waldo, has been more involved. I support the effort to improve school counseling and college access but I believe there is far more to do in helping young people know what their future options are, identify what they are interested in doing, and then mapping out a plan to make things happen.
Thanksgiving for the Petersen family was at my home this year. We had 28 for dinner. It was such a nice day complete with good company and everything tasted delicious. I am so blessed and thankful for all that we have and for family and friends who still like to get together.
Now it's December. Somehow, Karl and I were assigned to be in charge of the ward Christmas Party. I can't remember all of the ward dinners and parties we have taken the lead on. This time however, we were only to be the "in charge" people. Well, you know how that goes. In charge means the night before you get the church ready for the activity -- chairs and tables to set up and decorate, roaster ovens to get in place, last minute set up for Santa. The day of means texting back and forth with all involved to make sure the turkeys are cooked and all of the trimmings for the dinner are ready to go. At 9:00 p.m. Friday evening we finished up and headed to McDonald's for a Diet Coke. I think is was a nice party -- we had good support and help.
Just yesterday I finished getting most of my decorations out and placed around the house. I ended up getting a fresh tree for the family room and put my big artificial tree in the living room. I love the freshness of an old fashioned tree and the perfect and well-light artificial tree. If I could, I would put a Christmas tree in every room - I love them. Haley and Cindy and I spent time at Dad's getting his home ready for Christmas. He has a new tree this year. The old flocked one got a little too yellow for our liking. He has a green artificial tree. I don't think he likes it that much. Sorry, Dad.
December means Christmas dishes for Sunday dinner. It means a home extra cluttered with all of the things that go with Christmas. December is extra special with the little ones around. They are so very excited for Santa and all that is involved with the sleigh, reindeer and good/bad list. December is all about drives through the neighborhood after dark to see all of the "lights" on the houses. December is the last month of the calendar year and a time to finish up whatever in preparation for a new year.
This December is definitely different without all of the family close by. There is this one big, handsome blonde kid who is only 6,000+ miles away for Christmas this December. Although he isn't here physically we will get to Skype with him and feel his amazing spirit in our home through his emails and everything. I am excited for December, too, because we celebrate Willie's birthday. Can't figure out where the 20 years he has been around have gone -- they have zipped by. I am so very excited for his future. He is a special person in our family and to so many others. Great things are in store for him.
Happy December to all! Enjoy each day of the month and the spirit for the person this month is all about, Christ.
