Sudden Phone Call/Update

I received a phone call from a lady representing the law enforcement office. I was a little confused/worried at the beginning of the conversation. She explained that she was calling about “the attack in June.” I thought it was funny because she was calling me and obviously looking at the file but she couldn’t remember where it was so I had to tell her. She asked me how I was doing and if I was having any long lasting medical issues from it. Also if I had any medical bills from the incident she told me that they can help me with those bills. I told her that my back had problems for a while but now I’m doing fine. Also, my hand still has the bite mark on it and is numb but other than that I’m fine. She then told me that the case manager is out of town but that she will know more details about the case. The girl is going to be tried as an adult and the judge may want to hear my side of things and see how I’m doing. She didn’t know for sure if I’ll be called to court but gave me the case manager’s number so I can call and get a full report on the status of the case. They will also be sending me a letter telling me what happens with the girl. I guess I just wait now and see what happens. It will be interesting if I have to go to court. That’s the update.

No explanation, I just love it!

I was just looking back on some pictures and thinking back. I really love nature. I love the beach, stars, the mountains, forests, deserts (Nevada would be ok but it separates me from some of my family, and it’s a long/boring drive), did I mention stars?  I currently miss the stars. As I look outside I see only a few….

Does it make me a big nerd if I can think of my top 5 (well actually 4 most perfect) absolute favorite starry nights? I really do have a top 4 and each of those nights was just amazing! It is annoying being in a place where there are not as many beautiful bright stars in sight. As I look back on those top 4 nights and I know that God loves me. Not that the stars are just for me specifically but I feel a connection to Him. I love being able to look at something so wonderful and know that He is almighty and knows me personally. At those times I wish I could take pictures so that the sight would last forever but I know that no matter how great the camera is, justice would not be done for the amazing scene.

Not only am I able to experience those moments but I have those times to look back on as a reminder. I can remember those instances very clearly and can feel Gods love in simple things. Sometimes I forget this but then I see something which acts as a reminder. It may just be one star in the sky to remind me of the millions I have seen on those special nights, or it may be a quiet place under a tree which reminds me of sitting in the forest up in the mountains.  Somewhere I can feel the peacefull calm and hear the birds chirping.

I can't wait to go camping again either in the mountains or to the beach.  Going on hikes and just being able to relax and enjoy hikes and such outside is so fun.  I have so many memories with my family in those types of settings which I will never forget.  Those are the memories which just keep coming!

The End of Practicum

Wow, today was my last day of teaching summer practicum!!!  It went by so fast it's remarkable.  When we finished putting the kids on the bus to go home it was such a weird feeling! I'm so glad Practicum is over but I love my kids.  They are cute, funny, and very strange sometimes but i love them.  It has been quite the experience.  I've learned and grown while teaching them.  Now what will I do with my time for the next couple weeks before my trip home?!  Well other than my law class.  I'm going to have time!  What a crazy concept! Then soon I head home for some real excitement there before I come back and start student teaching August 30th!!!!  I'm so close to the end it's crazy!  I'm excited!

I'm Moving

Well over the last couple weeks I've been gradually moving my stuff into my new home/basement.  I've moved a lot of stuff.....the stuff I don't need now. Winter stuff, canned stuff from home, games, etc.  Well last night I went and stayed there for fun then went to the temple this morning and took Grandma with me.  I just have to say I'm excited to live there and love the basement.  Watched a movie down there and loved it!  It was cool down there with the most comfortable couches, and a big TV.  It was fun, Grams came down and watched an old movie with me.  Good times.  She stayed up with me until after 11 (maybe closer to 12) then we got up in the morning and went to the temple.  Good day!  It's going to be a nice change which I am ready for.  Out of Provo!!  Now I'm back in my hot apartment with uncomfortable couches and need to do some research for my paper.  Ugh..... but on a positive note, only 1 more week of Practicum!!!!  I'm so close!  August is going to be here before I know it. YAY!!

Journal

So, I've decided that having this blog has helped me keep up in my journal as well. Not completely but it does make some parts easier.  I've been copying some of these blogs into my journal then write a little more around that experience.  Good stuff to have in there.  There have been some things which I have slacked on in my journal though so I'll have to do better at keeping that updated.  Maybe I'll work on that today.  Good Sunday activity.  Happy Sunday!

Great Song

 Ok, so I was just listening to this song and had to listen to it a couple times to really pay attention to the lyrics.  It has really hit me today even though I've heard it before, I guess I really listened to what it was saying.  It's so true.  As I look back on my life, or even just the last year, there have been people who have changed my life.  Sometimes in general we do not realize the influence people have on us.  We learn and grow from so many different people and experiences.  Some of which are constant influences in our lives but also there are those which were short experiences and we may never see again.  That does not mean that they did not influence our lives though.  It's so great when we can recognize those wonderful blessings in our lives.  I guess we just have to hope and pray that we can be that influence "for good" in other's lives.  We never know the impact we can/do have on those around us even if we will not keep in touch with them and see them ever again.  We are blessed as we bless the lives of those around us.  It goes two ways.
(just click on the title to hear it, I love it! Here are most of the lyrics below)

"For Good"  

I've heard it said

That people come into our lives for a reason

Bringing something we must learn

And we are led

To those who help us most to grow

If we let them

And we help them in return

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true

But I know I'm who I am today

Because I knew you...

Like a comet pulled from orbit

As it passes a sun

Like a stream that meets a boulder

Halfway through the wood

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you

I have been changed for good

It well may be

That we will never meet again

In this lifetime

So let me say before we part

So much of me

Is made of what I learned from you

You'll be with me

Like a handprint on my heart

And now whatever way our stories end

I know you have re-written mine

By being my friend...

Like a ship blown from its mooring

By a wind off the sea

Like a seed dropped by a skybird

In a distant wood

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you

I have been changed for good

And just to clear the air

I ask forgiveness

For the things I've done you blame me for

But then, I guess we know

There's blame to share

And none of it seems to matter anymore

Like a comet pulled from orbit

As it passes a sun

Like a stream that meets a boulder

Halfway through the wood

Like a ship blown from its mooring

By a wind off the sea

Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood

Who can say if I've been

Changed for the better?

I do believe I have been

Changed for the better

And because I knew you...

I have been changed for good...

Work: Round 2

Ok so here is the story from last night at work. I’ll just change the names so it’s easier to keep straight.


As I got to work, the staff leaving told me that “Betty” (the same girl from the night before) had pooped in the shower while she hid from staff and left it so I needed to deal with that situation. I just waited that out for a while then confronted the girl. She completely denied it and flipped out saying that she wouldn’t clean it. I called the staff who had originally told me so that I could get the full story to make sure I wasn’t in the wrong if I was going to make her clean it. Long story short, it was not 100% that she did it but it was 90% so after a while I told her that she was going to have to clean it but there was lots going on at the time. We made dinner, and girls started their chores. I noticed the girl doing dishes (Amy) had stopped working. I went over there and got her to the couch. She was crying/screaming in pain. By the way she is pregnant and we just found out yesterday she’s having a girl. So, I ended up sending one of my staff to take her to the ER. In the mean time we just got things done with minor drama. After a bit, I told Betty that it was time for her to clean the bathroom so I took got her some gloves and a little bleach in a bottle and we went downstairs. Oh man, gross!!!! The bathroom smelled so bad and ugh I can’t believe someone would do something like this. But, Betty was in the bathroom cleaning the shower when she suddenly had the lid off of the bleach bottle and put it up to her mouth. Good thing I didn’t give her very much in the bottle but I instantly grabbed the bottle and she started dry heaving. Threw up some in the shower then proceeded to throw up a lot in the toilet. Another client was down there with us through all of this and brought me water. Betty refused to talk to me and said that she was leaving. At this point I had the other girl go upstairs with the other girls to get away. I allowed Betty into the sink area to wash her hands which she refused to do. She argued saying that she was leaving and pushed past me. I chased her into the living area where I was able to put my arms around her and redirect her to the couch. She punched me but didn’t connect very much. At this point Mary, the other staff, came down and helped me. Betty was lying on the couch and we rolled her onto the floor so that we could prevent her from throwing up more while being face up to prevent any choking. Also at this point we were able to use our ICP training to restrain her. In the process of getting into the restraint, Betty bit my left hand really hard for an extended time as well as pulling my hair with her right hand. She head butted me and slapped my head multiple times. She also kicked both Cami and Mary multiple times. We held her in this position for about 15 minutes before I had Mary get my cell phone and dial 911. With all of the commotion we called for another girl upstairs to come tell the police the address. While she was standing there, Betty kicked her too. We then remained in that position for a while with her screaming wonderful words of praise and happiness at I mean to me until the police arrived and hand-cuffed her. What an ordeal!!!! After the police and stuff left I had to do the incident report on the computer which took a while and I couldn’t start because a few of the other girls were freaking out about what had happened and how they were scared. Apparently I don’t understand the stress and emotions they were feeling. Do they think I am not a person and have no feelings of stress ever??? What had I just gone through!?!? Anyway, finally I got them to bed, did my reports, and went to clean up the bathroom a little bit until they could clean it today. Finally I got home and went straight to the shower where I stayed for a long time because I felt so gross between the poop, throw up, and bleach chemicals. Ugh. Today my hand is swollen, I have a headache, and my lower back hurts some but overall I am ok. I’ll just relax today and will hopefully be great by tomorrow. Ok, as I’m sitting here writing this, I just got a text telling me that Betty is coming back!!!! Today!!!! I don’t know why the crap they would send her back!!!! Well, I’m glad I don’t work again until Friday. Until then, I’ll be glad I’m not at work.