Grown Up

I sponsor two student run clubs at school. I am amazed by the passion my teenage kids have for changing the world for the better, and I am inspired by their belief that they really can make a difference. I think that is one of the top ten reasons I love teaching high school: freedom that comes with dawning adulthood minus cynicism. Here are the organizations that the clubs support:

http://www.one.org/
My student for the "One Club" volunteers with AIDS patients weekly. She has organized education programs to raise awareness about AIDS in our school, and she supports, with her time and her organizational skills, programs that raise money for the larger ONE organization. She is great.

http://www.invisiblechildren.com/home.php
My student for the "Invisible Children" club has orchestrated an awesome movement within our school to support the "Schools for Schools" program. Someone asked "Why Uganda? There is so much going on all OVER the world." and she said "Why not? I want to make a difference, and I have to start somewhere." She is great, too. The movie will absolutely make your heart squeeze up into a tight little ball.

What happens to people when they grow up? Scotty and I were talking the other night before he went to bed. I was holding him, and I mentioned that some day (soon) he would be so big that I wouldn't be able to carry him. I told him that he might even be bigger than I am. After assuring me that he would carry me, then, he asked, "Why do people want to grow up?" Good question, sweet baby. Don't get me wrong. I would not relive my awkward, dysfunctional childhood for ANYTHING. I really like being older (actually I start to like life more every year), but I am not sure that given the choice I would have wanted to "grow up".

I have had no news about Daniel. Every part of me is yearning to bring him home and give him everything he needs. I am so beyond ready to be his forever mom forever. Anxiety and yearning are converging to make me, well, sad, I guess. and that makes me feel guilty. Go figure.

Now, on the up side, I love my boys like crazy. Today, it snowed! Tomorrow, I am going to see my family. My dog, Bob, is frisky and spunky at 15-years-old. Good.

Here are some songs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqbcV39Sq1o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mcZdDCOeuE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9upE_PGJVq8