We had Parent Teacher Conferences this past week. I always enjoy going to talk with my children's teachers and see how other people view my kids. I know how the behave for me at home, how rotten they can be when I ask them to do something they don't want to do. But for some reason they are usually angels for other people. This is especially true with Cameron (sweet, loving, naughty, screaming maniac Cameron). We went to Cameron's class first. I know Cameron is smart. I have always known that, his teachers have often told me. I just think that sometimes, well at home anyways, he just doesn't see the point of doing things. There have been a few times that his teachers have said "Cameron hasn't turned in such and such assignment." When I ask him it is usually, "I didn't want to." Or something along those lines. So, I was prepared to hear something like that this time around. NOPE!! He is the ideal perfect student!! He does all his work, turns it in on time, is helpful to the teacher and other students, doesn't talk too much, raises his hand, is polite, etc. etc. etc. I sat there (not sure if my mouth was hanging open or not, could have been) in shock. I wanted to say, "No, Cameron is my son. You know the naughty, gives people dirty looks if you talk to him one." Instead I smiled and said I was so glad he was a good student for her. And truth be told, she is a perfect teacher for Cameron. She has "fast finishers" for him when he is done, she has him help tutor other kids in her class, she makes him feel important and needed. He has all A's and scored the highest levels in reading and math that they test them on. Way to go Cameron!!
Next was McKenzie's class. I am always told how smart and quiet and polite she is. I can usually see how her teachers think this. She loves to be the "teacher's pet." She comes by it naturally. She always does good in all subjects, usually all A (maybe an occasional A- or B+). So I was quite surprised that we had any issues with McKenzie! Not that they are bad, she isn't failing anything. BUT she hadn't improved any from the beginning of the year math test to the middle of the year test, and her spelling test grades have been going down. Now I will admit I am partially to blame for a couple of reasons. First, we have been going through alot. Jeff lost his job, Christmas was coming. I was just a wee bit stressed out. I wasn't as dedicated to making sure they are doing their homework as well as they should. The other reason was, I thought she should be doing more by herself. Middle school isn't too far off, and she needs to be more independent. Unfortunately that didn't work too well. I let her do homework while watching TV (totally bad I know!) and she wasn't retaining the information. Needless to say, she is grounded from TV until her homework and piano is done, and her Dad is home from work. That way she only has maybe 30 minutes to watch shows. And she gets to go in early to school to have a tutoring session with her teacher and a few other kids. Now don't get me wrong, her math grade is good (a B I think), but we just want to make sure that she is understanding everything now, so as they continue to add to it she won't get lost and confused.
So, all in all PTC went great. I DO have amazing wonderful kids, even if they don't always show that side to me :)
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Grandaddy Turns 105!!
My Great Grandaddy turned 105 yesterday. He is the oldest man in Utah (there are some women older than him that he is determined to outlive!), the oldest general authority, and the longest serving general authority. BUT to me and y family he is GRANDADDY!
The Deseret News did the following article about him. President Monson came over for a visit along with the reporter, Gerry Avant. I am posting it, along with all the pictures so that I will have a copy of it in my blog book for all my family to see and remember.
Elder Eldred G. Smith , who served as patriarch to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1949 to 1979, turned 105 on Monday. Among those calling upon him at this home to extend greetings was church President Thomas S. Monson .
Sitting shoulder to shoulder on a sofa in the living room of Elder Smith's home in Salt Lake City, they reminisced about their long years of service in the church. They spoke of their travels together to such places as Australia, Samoa and Italy.
"We had a good time together," President Monson said.
They still enjoy a close association. On the first Thursday of each month, Elder Smith, who retains the priesthood office of patriarch and is an emeritus general authority, attends a meeting with all the church's general authorities who are in Salt Lake City. President Monson said he often calls upon Elder Smith to speak. "We always enjoy hearing from him," President Monson said.
In addition to sharing memories of their church service together, they spoke of their shared interest in the outdoors. While President Monson said he enjoyed hunting pheasants, Elder Smith said he hunted deer. "But once you pull the trigger, the fun is over," he said in reference to the work involved in dressing out the deer and preparing it for the table. He said his mother had an excellent method of cooking venison. "One time, she cooked venison along with some beef. No one could tell the difference," he said.
As the two talked, they learned that each once had a dog named Freckles.
Elder Smith is the last person to have held the position of patriarch to the church. The office originated in 1833 with the calling of Joseph Smith Sr., father of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Elder Eldred Smith is the great-great-grandson of the Prophet's brother Hyrum. Elder Smith's father, Hyrum Gibbs Smith, was patriarch to the church from 1912 until his death in 1932. Eldred G. Smith was called as patriarch to the church on April 10, 1949, by George Albert Smith .
As a general authority, Elder Smith traveled to stake conferences with individual members of the Quorum of the Twelve and was a frequent speaker at general conferences.
As a descendant of Hyrum Smith , Elder Smith has inherited several artifacts that he has displayed on various occasions.
He married Jeanne Audrey Ness in 1932; they had five children. Following her death, he married Hortense Child in 1977; she was then serving as a counselor in the Young Women general presidency.
Five years ago, when he turned 100, a reporter asked to what Elder Smith attributed his long life. Reminded of that interview, Elder Smith laughed gave the same answer: "Keep breathing."
The Deseret News did the following article about him. President Monson came over for a visit along with the reporter, Gerry Avant. I am posting it, along with all the pictures so that I will have a copy of it in my blog book for all my family to see and remember.
Elder Eldred G. Smith , who served as patriarch to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1949 to 1979, turned 105 on Monday. Among those calling upon him at this home to extend greetings was church President Thomas S. Monson .
Sitting shoulder to shoulder on a sofa in the living room of Elder Smith's home in Salt Lake City, they reminisced about their long years of service in the church. They spoke of their travels together to such places as Australia, Samoa and Italy.
"We had a good time together," President Monson said.
They still enjoy a close association. On the first Thursday of each month, Elder Smith, who retains the priesthood office of patriarch and is an emeritus general authority, attends a meeting with all the church's general authorities who are in Salt Lake City. President Monson said he often calls upon Elder Smith to speak. "We always enjoy hearing from him," President Monson said.
In addition to sharing memories of their church service together, they spoke of their shared interest in the outdoors. While President Monson said he enjoyed hunting pheasants, Elder Smith said he hunted deer. "But once you pull the trigger, the fun is over," he said in reference to the work involved in dressing out the deer and preparing it for the table. He said his mother had an excellent method of cooking venison. "One time, she cooked venison along with some beef. No one could tell the difference," he said.
As the two talked, they learned that each once had a dog named Freckles.
Elder Smith is the last person to have held the position of patriarch to the church. The office originated in 1833 with the calling of Joseph Smith Sr., father of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Elder Eldred Smith is the great-great-grandson of the Prophet's brother Hyrum. Elder Smith's father, Hyrum Gibbs Smith, was patriarch to the church from 1912 until his death in 1932. Eldred G. Smith was called as patriarch to the church on April 10, 1949, by George Albert Smith .
As a general authority, Elder Smith traveled to stake conferences with individual members of the Quorum of the Twelve and was a frequent speaker at general conferences.
As a descendant of Hyrum Smith , Elder Smith has inherited several artifacts that he has displayed on various occasions.
He married Jeanne Audrey Ness in 1932; they had five children. Following her death, he married Hortense Child in 1977; she was then serving as a counselor in the Young Women general presidency.
Five years ago, when he turned 100, a reporter asked to what Elder Smith attributed his long life. Reminded of that interview, Elder Smith laughed gave the same answer: "Keep breathing."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)