Tunnel Vision

So, I've had a little eye opening tonight which I am so thankful for.  The past little while, I've been really frustrated and well, focusing on some negative things.  It wasn't things having to do with myself (well a little was I guess) but mostly things with people I love.  I wasn't wondering why these things are or have been happening because I know there is a reason for everything, even if I don't know what the reason is.  But I've just been frustrated with the various things.  In the back of my mind, these have had me kind of down.  I was going about life as normal and things have been fine however, I have had these things in the back of my mind at all times.  Well, I just received some news from one of these individuals (one of my best friends in the world), it was great news and I realized something very important.  Although she has had constant faith, I have had tunnel vision.  I have seen these horrible things happening to people around me which I've tried to be a support to them and stuff but I have not seen the blessings that these people do have.  The trials have been big enough to take away focus from the constant blessings which we take advantage of so often.  I have some amazing people around me who are such great examples to me in my life.  People who teach me that we must have faith no matter how long it takes for certain trials to work out.  God knows us individually and is constantly blessing us in different ways.  We just need to recognize those blessings, do our very best, and in God's time things will all work out the way they should. I know I really need to work on focusing on staying out of a tunnel and clinging to the many blessings in my life and the lives of those I love.

Saved by the weekend.

Sometimes I just feel like my brain gets overloaded.  This week has been one of those weeks with a lot of different things on my mind.  It  felt like it would never end and I just had to struggle through it. Things went fine for the most part it just seemed like the neverending week but oh man am I thankful for the weekend and beyond that, I am SO SO glad that my sister is here with me.  Such good timing and such a blessing to be able to spend some time with her and not think about anything.  I've decided to ignore homework (which I will regret later since a lot is due on Monday) but for now, other than work tomorrow, I am just going to enjoy time with Traci and family here in Utah.  I'm so glad I have them here. Ok, I just heard some great thunder.  love it!!!  Tomorrow will be a good day.

Another day at work

Working at a Group Home always has it's exciting days.  Are you ready for a story?!  Today I showed up to work with my dear friend Julia.  For the first few minutes we discussed what we were going to do with the girls today.  It was such a beautiful day and we wanted to take them all to the park and play kickball or something.  We were both happy and ready to have fun with the girls. At the beginning of the shift the girls were in their rooms for the shift change as always.  They all take naps or do something in their rooms for that time.  As I got there, another staff (Laura) informed me about an incident this morning.  One of the girls had to get taken down and now her wrist was hurting her so we may need to take her to the E.R.  (well that stinks!)  A couple minutes later a different girl motions for me to come over because she wants to talk.  She proceeds to tell me that her head hurts.  Why, I ask? Well, apparently earlier in the day she felt like she was going to pass out so she decided to go take a shower and did end up passing out which resulted in hitting her head. Now, I don't know if I believe her because (long story way short) last time I worked she faked passing out in the bathroom.  I found her laying on the ground etc.  So instead of pittying her and saying how sorry I was, I lectured her a little bit and told her that I didn't really believe her.  I told her that if she "feels" like she is going to pass out, then she better not go into the bathroom or somewhere by herself.  Well this made her really mad and she stormed downstairs.  She is not supposed to leave our line of sight so one of my staff followed her and sat in her doorway, watching her.  She was really mad at me so I left her alone.  In the mean time, our diabetic girl was supposed to go upstairs but would not respond to anyone.  Another staff was trying to wake her up and she was non-responsive.  OH COME ON!  This has become a habit for her as well. Coma? I don't think so.  She eventually talked to us and we informed her how serius the situation was and that she needed to act mature and talk to us instead of pretending a coma.  While dealing with her I get a text from the staff watching the other girl so I head over there.  I walk into her room and right up to her to find her bleeding.  She was cutting herself with an earring and had blood on her shin and fingers.  After a bit she came out of her room and we got her cleaned up but a little later with another staff she was found in the bathroom cutting herself again.  I got her upstairs sitting on the couch so that I could watch her.  I sent one group of girls to the E.R. with the girl who's wrist was hurt and then I started things at the house.  Everything was going fine, the girls were good and got things done.  After dinner, the girl who had cut herself was downstairs with another staff and I was upstairs getting the girls to do their chores when she comes storming upstairs.  Apparently she was really upset downstairs and threw a fit which ended in her punching the tile floor in the bathroom and now her fist is all red and swelling up.  Geez!  So I end up sending another group of girls to the E.R. with her!  While they're gone, Julia and I get gloves on (because of the blood) and search her room taking ANYTHING she can use to cut herself.  Once they all get home it's already 10:30 so I send them right to bed.  The girl throws somewhat of a fit because she is mad at life and realizes we went through her room so she doesn't want to go to bed.  She is lucky though, I was planning on strip searching her when she got back for extra precaution but I didn't.  After paperwork and doing all my stuff I got to go home only 30 min late!  Not too bad!  So yeah, there was a lot of little side drama as well but this was the main stuff.  I'm just really glad that nothing worse happened and we as staff were able to handle it without getting too mad.  It was frustrating but I never got really mad or upset.  It really helped that I had great staff with me.  I know them really well and trust them which makes a huge difference! 
Well, there's the latest on the drama in the group home!  Gotta love work!

Strawberry season!

Apparenty Miranda and I like strawberries.  Last summer we had a lot of fun making this delicious strawberry pie.

  

And a couple nights ago we decided to make a yellow cake which turned into Strawberry Shortcake!  Oh so fluffy, fresh, and delicious!

Quote of the Week

"Be the change that you want to see in the world"  ~Gandhi

I really love this quote.  In daily life we hear many complaints about how things are and how they could be better.  I am guilty of this as well.  Complaining about situations I/we could  have an influence on, things in life which we wish were better.  If everyone sits around wishing things were different/better, things will never change.  There has to be some action on our part in order to improve the world.  If you want to see change, then maybe you need to change yourself first and as a result, change the world around you.  I know that we do not always have control over situations and cannot change others but that quote has made me think this week about my role in complaining vs. making change.

School life

So, this may be a bad idea to start a blog. I'm sitting here playing with this instead of doing my homework which I have a lot of. Along with my heavy school load and work, I was informed a week ago that I have a little under a month to also complete 32 extra hours in a classroom which includes teaching and writing lesson plans for that. Boy am I glad they let us know in advance about this so we could be prepared. I've been realizing lately how close I am to being done with school. It's an odd thought, school has been a big constant in my life and to now think that I will not be going to classes and doing homework is strange. I do realize that I will still be going to school and doing "hoomework" but it will not be the same. I am going to be the teacher, deciding what to do, and in charge of how things go. How is it that time goes by so quickly?! How am I 24 and almost done with college!? I'm currently living with Miranda. We just moved into an apartment across the hall from our old one. We now have the apartment to ourselves which is beyond explanation!!! We do not have to deal with awkward and messy roommates!!! We also have so much more room for our stuff without feeling crowded. It's been 2 days now and I'm loving it!

Best Family in the World!

I couldn't have a Blog or any page without having a picture of my family! My family is my life and I love them so much!

  Aren't they cute!!!  I love my parents.  They've been the best examples and I couldn't ask for more.  They've always been there for me no matter what, even if it's just to vent about something.  Talk about active in my life all while growing up, Mom was there through it ALL.

My siblings:  What to say about them.....  They have no idea how much I have looked up to each of them my entire life.  I watch them so that I can observe how things are done.  I just want to grow up to be like them.  : ) 

As for my nieces and nephews, I absolutely adore them.  All 25!!!  I love spending time with them, playing games, going to their sports games, and just hearing the stories they have to tell.  It's so much fun being an Aunt!

Here we go

Well, I don't know why I'm doing this. I don't know if I'll really have much to put on here but I suddenly decided to make it. I guess we'll see how long it lasts. I'll try it out but no promises on anything too great.
I've never done the whole blog thing so no making fun of me! :) I'm a rookie at this and I know it.