The World We Live In

First off I completely apologize for not updating the blog for the past month. A birthday and anniversary pasted and finals were taken, but I just didn't find the time or anything interesting to write about. But tonight I feel the need to rant and then possibly back up and give thanks. I think I've said this before, but Travis & I teach at an inner city high school. Most days you wouldn't know you were at an inner city high school. I'm sure we deal with things all the time that we don't even identify with that label, but that others would see at "ghetto." And then again there are times when it creeps up on you and becomes very real and overwhelming. You feel helpless and unable to facilitate change. You lose that sense that what you're doing is honestly making a difference and that it is worth everything you go through.

This past weekend the captain of the varsity basketball team at our school, was murdered. Travis, being a coach for the team, is crushed. It was a case of wrong time, wrong place, and of course had to do with gang violence. So many questions come out of this. But I guess my biggest question is what do we have to offer these kids that is more enticing than the streets? Most are unable to afford college with how ridiculous tuition costs are right now. And then we as a society tell them that they can't do anything without a degree. As a nation we have outsourced so many good jobs and have reduced the value of a plumber or trades to something that only immigrants or idiots would choose to do. What do we leave them with?

The streets offer quick answers and even faster cash. It offers a sense of community and protection. And most of all it gives them purpose and value within their sphere of influence. How do we combat this? I know some of the answer to this, but it just seems easier to head out to a suburban school where kids die from drunk driving or suicide, where it seems they have a choice in their tragedy, rather than senseless violence.

But in all things give thanks. Right now, what we specifically have to offer, is our belief in the plan of salvation. I'm grateful for Temple work and a Savior who manifests the godliness of all people through sacred covenants with our Heavenly Father. I guess that is where the hope comes from that we continue to share and deplete with these kids, and then we go to church or the Temple and have experiences that renew that hope and faith.

Sorry for the soapbox. If you would like to see the story about Mario you can go to this website. http://www.wwlp.com/Global/story.asp?S=8339816. If not, thank you for listening. I don't want to be a Debbie downer, but just wanted to provoke thought on what we can all do individually to make the things or people under our stewardship just a little better.

Teenage Wasteland

This week Travis had his season opener as a baseball coach. He had 3 semi tough games right off the bat. The boys improved over the week and had some really great moments, but are struggling to keep their errors down and get their hitting up. Coach enjoys sitting on an open bucket during the games. It doesn't appear comfortable, but it's his thing. I'm proud of him.

Travis talking up the line up with one of his assistant coaches, Mr. Jones. Although not a prerequisite to go onto the field during a game at the freshmen level, Mr. Jones enjoys the baseball pants and is a firm believer in wearing them at games.

We roll deep to support Coach. This is Brocky, Anders, and Nick watching an infield error. Even Brocky gets it.

Like Father like son. Brocky kept taking Anders hat to wear throughout the game.

Post game pep talk. He is such a good coach.

This is a scene we tend to recreate every 2 weeks. Travis and I have a Saturday morning class twice a month that has insane amounts of expository reading. And of course we enjoy torturing ourselves and waiting until the last minute to start. We usually preemptively reward ourselves with take out to get us through the night. A student from our school was working at Taco Bell last night. We ordered 5 things, got 11. There are some unspoken benefits to being teachers.

Hu Ke Lau!

Our friends the Ripley's own the Polynesian dance production company that performs that the local Hu Ke Lau so they invited us for dinner and a show. I thought this was kind of a cool picture of the Tahitian dancers.

Moki is so talented and beautiful it's ridiculous. She can do things with her hips at age 40 that I have never been able to do. Must be nice.

Travis and Anders had their first catch of the season.

It was a broodstock salmon. Travis actually caught it so it was a "big deal" because Anders has caught the first one of the season for the past 3 seasons. They grilled it up nice during Conference weekend and I didn't touch it. It grosses me out, but I'm glad it makes him happy.

Welcome Back

My favorite employees of Dunder Mifflin will be back this Thursday. Is anyone else obsessed with this show? Who is your favorite Office employee? I personally am a big Jim fan. I have to get all of my homework done before Thursday now so I can watch uninterrupted. Happy Viewing.

SPRING!

I just thought I would update you guy's on what's been going on these past few weeks. My time home alone was wonderful, but it's nice to have my husband back. It's almost spring! We've been getting flurries on and off, but we're hoping we've seen the last of snow for right now. I took my last 2 teacher tests and I'll find out if I passed in the middle of April. I really hope I'm done with those. Anyways...


Travis will be coaching the boys freshmen baseball team starting Monday. He just got his cleats and Fungo bat so he's really excited. Now we just have to get him a good Red Sox hat to practice in and he'll be ready.

One of his Christmas presents was a ticket to go see Seinfeld perform in Springfield. Seinfeld is his favorite! He did not disappoint. He said he was hilarious for an hour and a half which if you think about it, is pretty hard to do. Travis was a little freaked out because it was a crowd of white people. After living here for a while white people do begin to freak you out. You almost feel like you've done something wrong when your in that kind of homogeneous crowd.

3, 2, 1, Dodgeball! Travis also took part in the school dodgeball tournament. His team won! Do you remember when you used to think 30 was old? Yeah these kids just think our staff (which is mostly comprised of late 20's to early 30's) is geriatric. They don't know what to do when their butts get handed to them by their teachers. It was beautiful and Travis did not hit anyone in the head this time.

Last but not least... I have gone to one of my Doctor's appointments this month. I am currently down 10 pounds since my last appointment, but was advised to lose 10% of my body weight. More than half way there so that's good. My blood pressure is looking good and they could find no obvious reasons why we haven't been able to get pregnant. So I think that's good news. Maybe. ? ! I have my next appointment on the 24th and we'll see how that goes. I feel good and I am hoping for good news with the cardiologist.

Do married people really do this?

1. 
   So here it is...I am home alone for 5 days! I don't put an exclamation point because I'm really that excited to get rid of my husband, but every once in a while it's nice to have some time to yourself. He's off to California for a few days and I'll miss him. But just thought I would give you guys an idea of how much time we really spend together.

• We work at the same high school. Different floors, but we always have the option of seeing each other if we need to.
• We have one car. We drive to work together, leave together. If one of us has to go someplace alone, the other person has to drop them off and pick them up.
• We have had at least one grad school class together for the past year. We share the same books and spend our Saturdays listening to lectures and trying to make sense of our notes together.
• We have a stake calling together and we are both 4th Sunday Relief Society and Elders Quorum teachers. We travel most Sundays to other wards and branches and where we basically put on the "Reed Show".
• Every Sunday night we become Elder and Sister Reed to our Addiction Recovery Group. Yeah. So after travel time, preparation, set up, group, take down, and assessment of how it went- that's pretty much our night.
• We coach the same season so we are always at each other's events helping out or supporting.
• We have a lot of students in common so not only do we "work" together to creatively problem solve we are role models for what a marriage should look like to staff and students.

I am probably forgetting some stuff, but suffice it to say we are constantly together. I know some of you are jealous. It is nice to have him right here whenever I need him. But I think, just for the next few days, I am going to enjoy my alone time.

A Cinderella Story

In what can only be described as A Cinderella Story, my girls performed fiercely at the Western Mass Swim Championships this past Monday at Harvard. Everyone had an amazing swim and I was so proud to be their coach. The medley relay dropped 7 seconds off their time as our freshmen phenom was personally responsible for 3 of them. The individual swims didn't end up qualifying for states, but did however boast best times for all. Those times were good enough for 1 of them to receive phone calls the next day from several colleges and the NCAA clearing house. Our 400 free relay dropped 11 seconds out of nowhere and ended up with a 12th place finish, enough for a ribbon.

But the huge surprise of the day was the 200 free relay. The boys team had just qualified for states two heats before us and now the pressure was on. They needed to drop a combined 4 seconds to make states. 4 seconds is not a lot in terms of time. However in a race that is a dead sprint it's almost impossible. But I believe in miracles and apparently so do my girls. Not only did they qualify, they are close to beating the school record set by a dream team of swimmers. This comes on the heels of a no win season. It couldn't have been scripted better. The reaction was priceless. They are the little girls from the hood that could. We will be back at Harvard this Sunday at 7:30 am to hopefully lay claim to a record that rightfully belongs to the lionhearted. Please keep us in your thoughts!

In other news, Travis' freshmen basketball team completed a perfect season today. 21-0. He was very afraid of pulling a Pat's, but ended up running away with his last game 78-47. Travis earned high praise from the officials, parents, and players for being a coach with class, optimism, and the ability to focus on learning the game instead of winning. Yea Coaches Reed!

Bunko Night!

I'm actually somewhat embarassed to write about this, but it's true: I am officially part of a girls bunko night that will be happening monthly. I went to my first one tonight. Few observations...1) Stay at home Moms like to make a lot of noise when they have the night off. 2) I miss real food. 3) Who really cares about Bunko? I need a solid game of Phase 10 or Ultimate Spoons to get my Irish up. 4) If you win the prize for lowest point scorer, do you even want it? That's basically saying here is your prize for being a loser. And 5) If you receive wall words as your gift and you don't want words on your wall are you allowed to switch?

Overall good times. I admit I got caught looking at my watch with an hour to go. I know, I had to back pedal. It's just weird to hang out with a bunch of girls again. It's been quite a while. It makes me miss my friends, roommates, sisters, cousins, etc. Just know I was thinking of all of you guys tonight. I wanted nothing more than to go back to the simpler times when I would get body checked into a door frame by Brie as she made a diving leap for a pile of spoons. Gosh I miss everybody. Fun girls rock!