Goodbye, Mom! And Camp Begins

Poor mom!! It's hard to say goodbye to your children when Groompa Camp rolls around each summer.

But don't worry, your kids will miss you, too.

 Haha! Yeah, right! But don't let Mom see you're just faking!

 Or see those smiles as you load up Grammy's car with your luggage!

Good idea, JC! Dark glasses will hide the fact that your eyes AREN'T red and puffy from crying as you leave Mom behind.

A happy reunion with Uncle Curt...

 ... means a big hug...

 ...and some hopping and dancing in place together. Along with some yells and screams of joy.

 Ian, quad #4, is the first quad that JC and Trinity get to meet.

 Millie checks "her baby" (as Ian is known.)

And Trinity gets a chance to hold her youngest cousin.

Outside, I showed Trinity the hollyhocks she planted for me last summer.

 (I can't believe that Trin is almost as tall as me!)

She hasn't topped the hollyhocks yet, though!

I love this picture of Trin's hair blowing in the wind as the flowers sway gently, too.

Trin helped me fix Sunday dinner (Granny Slash joined us!) and then Craig, Lisa, and JC cleaned up. Trin made the most delicious stuffed mushrooms and then brownies for dessert. After dinner, we watched The Lego Movie and stayed up late talking, making plans for Monday.

I simply love having these two spend time with us!

Retirement Dinner

Friday night, Curt, Vanessa, and Ian joined Craig, Lisa, and me for dinner to celebrate Craig's last day of work. Where did we go?

 Up to Fowler to eat at 100 Mile Rib and Chop House!

 Lisa took a couple of snaps of Ian while we ate.

Isn't he cute?

We had prime rib and BBQ pork sandwiches for dinner. On the way home, we played songs in the car that Lisa had pulled together and sang along with them as we drove.

Moving In

Lisa's classroom at Burnett Creek has been cleaned, and so she can start arranging things and moving in. She took me out to see it last Thursday evening.

 Ta da!! Her name plate and class designation.

(Sorry for the poor quality photos.)

 Looking into the room from the door. Only the one window which looks to the east, so she gets early morning sun but no hot sun beating into the classroom in the afternoon. (A good thing - Burnett Creek turns off the air conditioner at 3:00, a half hour before school lets out!)

 And still from the door, looking left.

 The north wall. (She has the same carpeting and color on her walls as me.)

 There's lots of storage!

 A computer station - wish I had one of these!!

And she has some beautiful bookcases.

There's lots of work to do, but she has good things with which to begin.

Groompa Camp Awards

Groompa Camp begins today! I am driving over to Illinois to pick up JC and Trinity after church this morning (they arrived in Champaign Thursday evening and are staying with Todd's parents) and we'll kick off the visit with Sunday dinner and some board games this evening.

I also have a new twist for camp this year - awards!

I ordered ten medals with 2014 on one side and Groompa Camp Winner on the back. There are enough for Braden, Addie, and Corinne to win a medal, too. Kyle's family is arriving around the 4th of July, so we'll do some day camping when they get here.

I am so excited, and can't wait for camp to begin!

Craig Retires

Craig's last day of work for CES was Friday, although his official retirement date is Monday, June 30. He taught his last class on Tuesday, and then spent the rest of the week wrapping up loose ends and packing up books to bring home.

It's been a wonderful career - how many people do you know who are in the same job their entire career? That's a testament to CES as well as to Craig's abilities to teach. And Craig is an outstanding teacher.

 An early picture at the Purdue Institute taken just as Craig was finishing Purdue and getting ready to begin his first job. (1976 or 1977.)

Craig and me at his retirement party in May.

All day long on Friday people popped in and out to say goodbye and wish Craig well - including Curt and Ian, who brought Pops/Boompa BBQ sandwiches for lunch!

Here's a little something to do during retirement - Boompa-ing!

(Craig is standing before the same closets that are in the first picture - different doors, but the same place.)

Congratulations, honey, on a stellar career, one in which you touched hundreds of lives and made them better. You shared your knowledge of the gospel and helped testimonies to form and grow. Best wishes as you move on to other things. I am so very proud of you, and I love you very much.

A career summary, written for his surprise retirement party in May.

Craig joined the Church while at Purdue, and as his knowledge of the gospel grew,  plans to become a medical doctor quickly changed as the family became a priority for him. He needed a different career path. (He has a double bachelors in biology and psychology as a result. His masters is in counseling psychology; he thought that would help him in his work for CES.) 

After serving in the Spain Mission 1973-1975 (Spain was only one mission then), meeting and marrying me, and being a faithful Institute student, he spoke with the Purdue Institute's director, Dan Bachman, about becoming an Institute teacher while finishing up grad school at Purdue. 

Dan contacted SLC who said he needed to teach an Institute class for experience (which Craig did) and then Seminary. So, Craig started an early morning Seminary class which he taught for a month on a trial basis, the first early morning Seminary class in the area. Reps from SLC came and observed him, and they invited him to come out to SLC for training for new hirees that summer of 1977. (Most people went to Utah for Seminary/Institute training; Craig's training out here under Dan Bachman was not the usual hiring route!) 

Craig did not know for sure that he was hired; all we knew was that he was simply invited to come to the meetings.  When he arrived at the meeting for new hirees, still unsure of his employment status, he was handed a folder and packet that said "Craig Isenbarger/Central Michigan University." No one ever said, "You're hired!" But, we took the packet and folder at its word and they began sending us paychecks, so... Craig was the first Institute man located at CMU for the Church.

We loaded a U-Haul with our possessions, found a tiny home in the "banana belt" of Michigan as it was called (we have never, ever seen so much snow in our lives - we still wonder what the non-banana belt areas of Michigan were like!) and rented a home near campus at Mount Pleasant, Michigan in August of 1977. Craig taught weekly classes at Central Michigan University, Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo), and a satellite class in Grand Rapids. That plus his seminary duties (if I remember right, he had 3 stakes of Seminary) took him all over the lower peninsula. At the time, he was expected to teach Super Saturdays monthly for each stake, so he was constantly on the road.

Two years later, we had just built a new home on the border of the Chippewa Indian Reservation and moved into it. It was late September, and school had already begun so Craig's classes were in full swing. The phone rang and it was SLC calling. Due to a death in CES, they were shuffling positions. We were asked to go to the University of Illinois (ironically replacing Dan Bachman who had moved there after his Purdue days and was also being transfered in the shuffle.) It meant moving after Institute classes had begun, and the Lansing Institute (Michigan State University) had a man who was asked to take over Craig's area and classes.

Again we packed up our possessions and this time we headed to Champaign, Illinois in October, 1979.

The program at Illinois was very small at the time, but Craig taught 5-6 different classes and that really pulled the students in. It was heavenly to have a building (he'd worked out of our home in Michigan with me as his secretary. Like I knew anything about secretarying!!) and not as much travel; however, he now had 5 stakes of Seminary, and in those days, no Seminary supervisors. Saturdays were always full as a result with Super Saturdays.

(Craig also served in several bishoprics and branch presidencies, as a counselor in the Stake Presidency of the Champaign Stake, as Bishop of the Champaign 1st Ward, and as a High Councilor many times. We also added five kids, Sarah having been born in Michigan.)

The program grew and grew and grew.  When Craig first arrived, two or three students per class were the norm. Ping pong challenges with "Brother I" brought in some kids, who then hung around and started taking classes. Soon we were celebrating a class of eight, then ten, then the Wednesday night class climbed to 30+! (Surprisingly, he was not cooking his famous soups then!)

(Much of the Williamsport Branch was in the Champaign Stake at the time, and Craig has actually taught four generations of a couple of those families, something that always makes him smile in wonder.)

During this time, SLC twice asked us to move to Church Headquarters in SLC. An early computer user and very active with the Macintosh Users Group on campus, Craig was frequently called upon to fix computers for CES all over the midwest and east. SLC/CES asked him to head up CES's computer operations for the world. Gulp!! We had to think about that one. But Craig has always wanted to teach, despite being able to easily solve tech problems. And, he'd given up ideas of being a doctor because he wanted to be home with his family. The position being offered meant traveling all over the world. Just not what he wanted to do. We turned that offer down. (Craig was asked again a few years later to move to Church Headquarters; again we said "no.")

The Institute program at Illinois got so big that SLC ended up adding another full time man to help Craig. Then, after many requests from Joe Stucki (president of the Champaign Stake and a Purdue alum who was an Agronomy professor at Illinois) the Institute building was extensively remodeled. They took it down to the studs! Craig, the other CES man, and the secretary had to move into other quarters for nearly two years as the Church redid the building. The offices were relocated at the stake center which was off campus and about four miles away. This was a problem. Through the LDSSA, which was officially recognized by the University of Illinois as a student group, Craig was able to reserve classes in campus buildings and teach Institute in the heart of the U of I campus. 

Lots of upheaval and a tough two years all around as the construction of the new building droned on. But it was worth it - the building looks like a visitors' center now and is absolutely beautiful.

Several times CES asked if we wanted to come back to Purdue - we had told them that eventually we would like to return to our roots. But it never felt "right" to us the times they asked, and we were lucky enough that CES accepted our polite request to remain at the University of Illinois rather than transfer back to Purdue. But concerns over our aging parents were rising, so in February of 2006 when CES asked again, we prayed and felt the time was right and accepted the position.

Coming back to Purdue meant big changes for us. This time Craig used ping pong and his famous soups to recruit students. He was very, very happy to come home, to teach in the place he used to come as a nonmember (complete with afro, cut off shorts, and heavy beard and moustache) and then as a new convert, a prospective missionary. A returned missionary and a new husband. This is the place where Craig began his gospel journey, and where he ends his Institute service as part of that journey. But it is fitting that things have come full circle, and that he ends it where he began.

Lisa - It's Official

Lisa had her second interview (a mandatory interview for all new TSC teachers) with Susan DeLong this week. Susan is Assistant Superintendent over Human Resources, and is the one who had the policy of no family members working together. She was also the recipient of a bombardment of emails and phone calls questioning that policy with Lisa as the focus. Susan told Lisa that it was "nice to put a face to the name." I am sure she was curious as to just who the teacher was for whom the others were so strongly advocating!

That second interview plus a vote by the Board of Education makes Lisa an official hire and employee. And thus the Burnett Creek web site reflects that.

While I am glad she has her own classroom, I admit I am sad to no longer have her name on the Hershey staff list right above mine. Unfortunately I did not get a screen shot of that before the switch of schools was made.

Hooray for Charis!

I was just looking at this issue of Hymns Today and was delighted to see a familiar name - look under the word "Mother's."

Charis!! She has a piece in this issue.

As I studied the magazine's cover, I realized that I know a second composer on that cover, Michael Hicks. He did his doctorate at the University of Illinois and is now a professor at Brigham Young University.

Makes me feel a bit wistful - one of these days I would love to get back into music myself.

Tree Swallows

Tree swallows love our neighborhood. They decided early on that the newspaper boxes attached to our mailboxes make perfect nest boxes, causing most of us to keep something in the box to keep the birds out.

They're beautiful birds, with iridescent green or blue feathers, and will defend their nests fiercely, repeatedly diving almost to the point of touching you, all the while scolding you with angry clicks and squawks.

Years ago Kyle made me a bird house in Boy Scouts. It has been hanging on a shepherd's crook in our yard since we moved in, and almost every year a brood of tree swallows has begun life in it. This year is no exception.

Last night I was on the back porch filling my bird feeders. The swallow parents decided I was too close to their premises.

In the lower righthand corner you can see the birdhouse on the hook. And above, one of the birds making a beeline for me. I grabbed my camera and began paparazzi-snapping, hoping to get a good close up.

And I did. The bird came within inches of my face. Brave little bird!!

Then I figured, in for a penny, might as well go for a pound, so I hurried over to the birdhouse, held my camera up to the opening, and again snapped a few shots, hoping to get a picture of the babies.

Success! Look at the bottom left - see the nestling? I am not sure if the other shape above it is a baby or just some nesting material.

Then I hustled away from the nest and into the house. I didn't want to upset the parents too much, nor did I want them to abandon their brood.

After all, it's THEIR yard, isn't it??

Never Act in Anger

There are always two sides to every story. Sometimes more. And it is important to hear all sides of a story before taking action or, even worse, reacting. An incident at Hershey last winter illustrates how critically important this is.

I know all those involved - I know the student, a troubled boy. I know his mother, an overwhelmed woman dealing with a difficult, difficult son. The teacher is a good Christian woman and the wife of a local minister, and the student teacher, a bright shining star just beginning her career.

And that career was almost ruined before it began. Why? Because the boy lied about something that happened. And things began to build from there. The mother did not bother to ask the student teacher, the classroom teacher, or the principal what happened, but went straight to the Dean of the College of Education. And the dean never asked for the student teacher's side of the story nor the classroom teacher's, either. (That, to me, is a huge omission.)

Time has passed, things settled down, and the student teacher graduated and will have a teaching career, thank goodness. (She's REALLY good.) I'd forgotten about it until today.

This morning I was reading blogs and found a link to a new one, one that sounded religious based and was co-written by a local group of women. I clicked on what I thought was a post on adoption, but instead discovered it was actually about the incident and the mother's perspective, written the day it had happened.

We had reached a corner. We stood on a shiny new acceptable diagnosis and stood poised to have a successful school year. Until the school decided it would benefit itself with the funds a student teacher brings. They brought her to J's class. Trouble started from Day One. Anxiety, fear, depression all stemming from the loss of his teacher. Then the student teacher publicly humiliated my son.
     I put down my name, my pride, my decorum, my dignity, and only felt the familiar raging love that threatened to undo me. The email started simply, "I am J's mom. That is all you need to call me." I identified teacher, school and class. I ended with, "I will only care about your student if you care about MY STUDENT."
     The Dean of Education of Pudue University is calling me on Monday. Most of the time I recommend following appropriate channels. Most of the time I say, "Use your nice words." I always say that love wins. But sometimes that love will not be silenced, marginalized, or quieted.  Not until every piece of the puzzle fits into place.

Clearly she is in full mama bear mode and upset. VERY upset. She herself describes it as "raging love that threatens to undo me." Rage is such a dangerous emotion! And the mother concludes with a thought about every piece of the puzzle falling in place.

Except...  she's missing one or two puzzle pieces. Big ones. Perhaps that "raging love" she describes has blinded her to the other pieces. Such as, what about the student teacher's side? The teacher's side? The side of those who were in the classroom and were witnesses to what happened? She's forgotten her son's documented history of not being truthful. (Having had several run-ins with the boy myself during bus duty, I know of what I speak.)

I wish the mother had followed her own advice to follow appropriate channels. To use nice words. To make sure she has EVERY piece of the puzzle before taking action.

Surely she would want that for her son were the shoe on the other foot and he the one falsely accused?

I'm a mom, like she is. I've felt that mama bear mode, too. But when we let our anger overcome our common sense, our knowledge of doing the right thing, of "following appropriate channels," even if we believe we are doing so out of love, we risk doing harm.

The Savior speaks of being long suffering, kind, meek. Forgiving. Eschewing anger and false accusations. Wise advice, and clearly the take-away lesson from this sad incident. Never, ever act in anger. And, be sure, despite your anger and your certainty that you are in the right, that you have ALL sides of the story before taking action.

Action that could quite possibly destroy someone or their career. Because you just may be wrong.



(Note: Another misperception she has is that the school benefits from funds a student teacher brings. Cooperating teachers are paid a nominal stipend of $150. Over 10 weeks of time that the student teacher is with us, that is $15 per week. When you consider the extra work and time that hosting a student teacher causes the classroom teacher, $15 a week does not even begin to compensate the teacher for her time. )

Our Last CES Husband/Wife Meeting

Craig retires from Seminaries and  Institute (I will always call it CES - Church Education Systems) on June 30. That meant that our annual June husband/wife cluster meeting was our last.

We met Thursday and Friday with Robert and RaeAnn Tibbs, Darrin and Jennifer Simpson, and Craig's replacement, Ryan Garner and his wife, Jody, at the Abe Martin Lodge in Brown County State Park.

It was terrific - the Garners fit in well with the rest of us, and ideas about good teaching were put forth and discussed both days. (Interesting to me how good teaching is good teaching, regardless of the classroom focus, be it seminary, institute, or public schools.)

Craig, me, RaeAnn, Robert, Darrin, Jennifer, Ryan, and Jody.

They surprised Craig at the end with some delicious carmel corn, a lovely card, and then everyone took turns sharing something about how he had touched their lives. I knew they respected him, but I don't think HE knew just how much until he heard what they had to say. Craig was pretty blown away by it, and I am glad I was able to be there and hear what was said.

I will miss being part of the CES family. It's a very unique group, chock full of men and women who have dedicated their lives to the Church and the gospel, and I have loved being a part of it.

A Lonely Place

The cowboy pauses on the dusty flat of the butte, looking around at the endless scenery of barren rock and desert below. Nothing. As far as the eye can see. In the distance, a coyote howls, a lonely sound in a lonely waste. He is alone, absolutely alone in the empty wilderness.

That's what Hershey feels like right now (sans coyote, rocks, and buttes, of course.)

The joy is gone; the sounds of laughter and learning all are silenced. There is no life, no joi de vivre.

A school during summer break can be a lonely place.

Groompa Camp 2014 Invitation

This is a decidedly tongue in cheek post. JC and Trinity know that, as do their parents!

Dear JC and Trinity,

Okay, you two... it's time for summer, and so we have to somehow DITCH THE PARENTS so the four of us can have some fun together. Any ideas on how to do that??

How about this. Let's tell them that you will be staying with Boompa and me to "help" us out.  And it will be quality time with your lonely grandparents.

 Such a lonely man, that Boompa. But look how happy he is when you are by his side!

And me, too!  That ought to work on Mom and Dad!

Besides that, here are some other things we will tell Mom and Dad.

Boompa and I promise we'll "make" you keep up with your piano practicing. (Gosh, Trin, such talent, playing the piano with your feet and no sheet music!!)

 And your folks know that we'll put you to work cleaning our home...

... and working in the garden.

 We'll even "make sure" that you are always appropriately dressed.

Even if we go out to lunch at the Lindy Freeze!

Think Mom and Dad will believe that? Let's cross our fingers, for here's the reality of Groompa Camp.

We will do dangerous things....

 ... like playing with knives and matches and other sharp, scary implements.

That includes playing with fire.

We'll climb big, dangerous rocks, posing on the precipice without fear. (Okay, so you know your Grammy really DOES get the willies when you climb Prophet's Rock!)

We'll eat less-than-healthy food like Mary Lou Donuts. (Oh, those are soooo good! I can't wait!)

 We will grill out (actually, shish kebobs are pretty healthy fare! Maybe we'd better have some ice cream for dessert.)

And enjoy Popcornpalooza! (Hey!! Who picked out all the M&Ms?!? It wasn't me! I promise!!)

We'll do things inside the house that kids aren't supposed to do.

Such as flying remote controlled helicopters in the living room. (Do you think we can land it on the blade of the ceiling fan? Let's try!)

And we will eat s'more after s'more after s'more....

Don't forget Tropicanoe Cove, camping in the back yard, marshmallow and water fights... So much to do together!

So, that's our plan for the 2014 Groompa Camp.

What do you think? Are you in???

Love, Grammy & Boompa