Monday Morning Memo: Number Seven

I don't know if there's anything better than welcoming a new child to earth.  I wonder if angels on the other side get as excited to welcome children back as we are to welcome them here.

Anyway, back on topic.

Yesterday (9/29/19), at 10:15 a.m., a new little girl entered the Wright household.  Here are some important items to remember:

- We think we're going to name her Matilda Karen, but that might change so don't be making any birth certificates or personalized baby blankets yet.

- Lauren entered the hospital the night before at about 9:30 p.m. so she was there for awhile.  I arrived at about midnight (don't worry, the Grandma came over to sleep at our house in case any of the other children woke up in the middle of the night and wondered what happened to the adult supervision).

- Then we waited.  Actually, Lauren waited, I mostly slept (hospital couches aren't all that uncomfortable if you're just looking to get a couple hours of shut eye).  It was obviously a long wait (midnight to 10:15 a.m.), so it's a good thing Lauren excels at being patient.

- At some point, around 8:30 a.m. or 9:00 the doctors did a little tag team thing.  The one who had been with us at times during the night had to go to some church meetings so the other doctor tagged him out and took over from there.  That was okay though since they were both really nice and helpful.  The second one wore a blue bandanna though, so that was exciting.

- I ate McDonalds as part of my celebration.  Two McGriddle meals; they were good.

- On a very random note, one of my former students was there as a nurse-in-training from UVU.  Luckily she was one of my most favorite students because if it had been a student I hated, I don't think that would have been good for my soul.

So there you have it. 

Monday Morning Memo Number Six

I went to this celebration the other week. It was great.

Here are couple of reasons why I don't mind following President Russell M. Nelson:

- Although I have never met him, he strikes me as being a genuinely kind person. As Elder Wirthlin once said, "Kindness is the essence of greatness."

- Anyone who can give a talk like this has to be a decent fellow.  (And I like that his suit is a little different color than the normal).

- Anyone who survives raising nine teenage girls has my respect.

This is one of my favorite President Nelson conference moments.

Monday Morning Memo Number Five

I teach high school history.  I love teaching high school history.  Today is the beginning of the fifth week of our new school year (midterm).  This time of year is my favorite time to be teaching.  Students don't hate me or the school yet (most of them anyway) and I don't hate my students . . . yet.

Here are the things I like most about teaching:

- I literally never get tired of learning about history.  I especially love historical politics (I know, I'm a nerd). 
- It keeps me young (relatively speaking).  I'm sort of old-fashioned anyway so if I wasn't around young people, I think I would be really old-fashioned.
- I really enjoy seeing my students grow up.  You might not think there are any 18 year-olds that are actually grown up, but if you could have seen them as 15 year-olds, you would think differently.
- I'm excited for the day when I can have my students keep me updated on my children. (This is theoretical since the oldest is only ten, but I'm really excited to put it into practice when the time comes).
- Most of all, I love to see them be successful. They get so excited when they succeed. I really enjoy seeing those moments.