Three Bowls of Chocolate Frosted Sugar Bombs

I know a lot of you readers have graduated and are now onto full time working jobs, mommy jobs, or various other non-school jobs.  (Or somehow, you’re living on the street and still have a computer.)  But Derek and I are still here suffering in the thick of it.  Because of that, we’ve decided to share a portion of our vast intelligence with you.  Today’s lesson:  The law of diminishing marginal returns. 

Diminishing marginal returns is an economic law that describes how the value of something diminishes with each additional unit.  For example, if you could have one scoop of ice cream you would enjoy it a lot.  If you were offered a second scoop, you would likely still enjoy it.  (Who wouldn't want another scoop?) However, after more and more scoops, thoughts of your waistline or of a resulting stomachache would cause you to reject an additional scoop of ice cream, even if it were given for free.

Another way to think about it is that once a company reaches a certain size, the last employee hired is going to be at least slightly less productive than the previous ones.  The reason for that is that for each additional employee, more inefficiency is introduced into the system.  With this new hire, the HR department now has one more person to worry about, same as the financial department, etc.  More energy must be inserted into the operation in order for them to bring forth the same amount of work.

Extra credit to anyone that can find the spelling error. Hint: It's not labour (even though labor is the official American spelling).

Derek wrote that last paragraph.  It makes no sense to me.  But, I know that I like ice cream!

Or even when I’m given one candy bar, I enjoy it more than if I’m given three.  If I only have one, I’m gonna make that one count.  But if I have three, it doesn’t matter if the first isn’t good, I still have two more.  Overall, three candy bars is better than one.  But individually, one candy bar is better than the third consecutive. 

Let's see an example of this concept found in literature

So that we’ve got the basics, let’s apply this to other areas of life.

1.   If you’re given a cell phone, it’s awesome.  If you’re given a second cell phone, not as awesome.
2. Turning on the first light makes a bigger difference than turning on the second light.
3. Chuck-a-rama.  At some point, you just have to stop.
4. Church.  That’s why most wards put Sacrament meeting first. . .
5. Running....Derek wanted me to add that the more you run the stupider it gets.  "The first block is fine!  But once you get to the second and third, I'm about done."
6. Disney movies.  The sequel is never as good. 
7. Kids.  My parents like Leslie better than Kyra, and Kyra better than me.  Wait. …what? 

If we’re basing family size off of the law of diminishing returns, the more kids you have the less they each mean to you.  (Sorry Spencer.)  So once you have ten kids, you might see one of them and not even know if it’s yours, right? 

Fortunately, no. 

This is where the law breaks down.  If you look at any family….whether it has 3 kids, or 6 kids, or even 13…take one of the children out and there’s a significant difference.   Each person matters—thank heavens.

Not only is my mom telling the truth that she loves us all, but when we read about God’s love, He really cares about each of us. 

”And were it possible that man could number the particles of the earth, yea, millions of earths like this, it would not be a beginning to the number of thy creations; and thy curtains are stretched out still; and yet thou art there, and thy bosom is there; and also thou art just; thou art merciful and kind forever.” (Moses 7:30) 

Somewhere within that mess of stars I'm sitting here at my computer.

I don’t know how many little sand particles there are on earth, but there are a lot.  And to think that each represents millions of earths like this is pretty humbling.  How could Heavenly Father ever hear anyone’s prayers, let alone my simple prayer when I feel lonely or tired.  But just as a perfect Father, He hears us because He loves us and does care. 

Alright, who’s got the closing prayer for class today? 

We hope you liked our lesson today! Go home, teach your families, tease your younger siblings.  And we’ll see you next week with a quiz!

On Remembering What Doesn't Matter

  Sometimes I’ll look back on an experience and I’m surprised by what has stayed with me.  For example, from 1^st grade I can remember the color of the vowel handout Mrs. Gettman gave us (pink) and the girl who tied with me for most ‘tion’ words discovered (Jessica).

My first day of school.  Granted this was Kindergarten, not first grade.  (Poor Jennie can't go quite yet.)

Another first grade memory was when my best friend Kayley was gone on a trip with her family. 
While classtime was lonely without her (I used to watch her and copy everything she did—if she touched her hair, so did I.  If she folded her arms, I better fold mine.   I was pathetic.), recess was going to be a treat.  Being alone, it was a great opportunity to play Mary Kate and Ashley all by myself.  So out on the “spider” playground piece I sat alone, singing songs from the movie I had just seen.  And you know what?  I was having an amazing time.   I loved being with myself having time to contemplate what life would be visiting a ranch as an Olsen twin. 

How preciously lonely I must have looked from my teacher’s point of view. 

So out came Mrs. Gettman  to rescue me.  She talked to me about how it was okay to make new friends and that I should go play with some of the other kids.  (I distinctly remember feeling confused—wait, I look lonely?  And isn’t some tender music supposed to be playing in the background right now?  It always plays when scenes like this in Arthur come up.  Whatever.  I’ll just let her finish talking to me.)  Once she finished her speech to me, she left and I was left to pick up Mary Kate and Ashley where I left off.  Still, I felt awkward since she had come all that way to talk to me.  I better get up and see the other kids.  Sheepishly, I got up from the spider and walked towards the bigger playground. 

The memory ends there.  Probably because once I got to the other kids I realized how shy I really was and blocked the rest from memory. :)

Isn't that so funny?  I could probably list a hundred other memories from first grade--but all kind of weird ones like that.  And same for my other grades in elementary school.

 For the most part, I don't remember big victories and life changing instances.  I remember the little day-to-day moments with no moral lesson.   All I know is they're sure fun to look back and laugh about :)

And they kind of gives us more reason to enjoy each day's little blessings.  Cuz who knows, you might end up remembering it.