Lessons I have learned from daycamp

Ok so i have learned some very good lessons so far at daycamp. Some are really good lessons and others are ones the kids have learned or taught me which are funny.

Lesson one: I am developing patience. Ok this is a very good lesson because before I didn't like to wait around or be patient but the kids have taught me all about it especially when you want to do something and they don't want to move.

Lesson 2: If you whine enough you will eventually get your way (this is one of the riles kids have). Some of my kids whine a lot so eventually I let them not play the game anymore because who wants to argue.

Lesson 3: When you get yelled at cry because people stop to make sure you are ok. I have one little girl and she is a great little girl. The only thing that drives me crazy is she cries when she a. doesn't get her way or b. gets yelled at. I have learned to see past fake tears and follow through with what I say so that she learns to obey rules.

Lesson 4: Leave your hands off others. This is an important rule so that no one gets hurt. Some of my kids like to put their hands on each other and fight so i separate them. We find that everyone gets along better when no one hits or kicks.

Lesson 5: shoes will get lost for a little bit but if you look hard enough you find them. Someone alway forgets to put their shoes on at times and so we have to send a search party (aka me or another worker) to find them. I think we should just all now start barefoot and see how many shoes will follow.

Lesson 6: It's important to listen so no one gets hurt. We have some young kids and so we have to watch them to make sure they don't fall and get hurt.

Well here are a few lessons I have have learned so far in the last two weeks at daycamp.

Well I survived another week of daycamp

Well today was the last day of camp for the week. It went well. We ended up not playing cornhole but that was ok. Today we ate breakfast. Then went out and played for awhile. Then Helen taught the kids a few signs and taught them the abc with sign. Then we took them outside and game them popcicles and then they played for a few minutes. I tried to get them to play tag. I have never seen so many kids that don't want to do anything. Then the Akron Zoo camp and brought a lizard, a snake, and a porkipine. Was pretty cool. Only two weeks left of camp. I love camp i really do i am just ready for it to be over.

So update from the last two days of daycamp

So I didn't get a chance to post yesterday (was hanging with a friend of mine). So yesterday we had breakfast which the kids ate up fast and then we did a scavenger hunt outside. The kids had a really fun time with that. Then they played outside and then played bingo. They were wild during the last half hour but hey its all good. So today we had breakfast and then went and played kickball and duck duck goose outside. They came in and did an art project. It was an awesome day. I still love daycamp don't get me wrong I will be glad when the week is over and i have the weekend to regroup. I go tomorrow also to see the knee surgeon to see if surgery is the next option.

Wrap up from day 2 of the 2nd week of daycamp

So today was a really busy on your feet day at day camp. It started with me getting Shannon and she helped with daycamp. So we put breakfast together and I got my first injury at camp. I cut my finger on a can opening peaches (it could have been worse so i'm grateful it wasn't). So then we ate breakfast and I took the kids out to play while Steve set up for music. I feel terrible cause the kids don't like music time (they think its boring so i'm trying to see how we can get it more enjoyable). Then after music the big kids went and played kickball with Helen, Morgan, and Heaven and I took the little kids and we played duck duck goose and played a few games with throwing balls in hoops. Then we had a snack and water break. Then outside to play. We had a few cuts (the kids) and one injured ankle but other than that it went well. I am truely grateful for this summer job it is just getting to be a challenge. Hopefully the rest of the week goes well.

Daycamp started with a bang today

Ok not really a bang but I liked that title. Anyways today was the first day of daycamp for the week (week 2 out of 4). The kids are no comfortable with us (Helen, Morgan {one teen whose been there every time} and myself) and now are acting like they probably well the rest of the summer. We ate breakfast and from there went on a walk and picked up trash (aka our nature walk). Then we played on the playground equipment. Then Pastor Deb (from the Methodist church the one I help ROCK group with) came and did some cool activities with the kids. They made a thunderstorm (this was really cool) and sang some songs. Then they went out and played some games. Then from there they came in and got their lunches and left. I tell you what I am very worn out today. Daycamp is a challenge but i am still grateful for it. I really love each of those kids and they told me today (Julie) she wanted to be my partner cause i'm awesome! Made me smile. I am struggling daily to make it through the day. I really messed up my knee and am waiting on the knee surgeon to call me back and see where we go from here. I can barely make it through daycamp every day but I made a comittment and I plan to the best of my ability to stick through it. I am hoping to inch along until after daycamp and then do something about it. I am excited to see Paul tonight (he sent me a text this morning and told me how he is looking forward to seeing me tonight and to have fun at camp).

It's truely amazing where life can lead

So anyways this weekend has been somewhat of a challenge just emotionally but at the same time very rewarding. I went tubing down a river yesterday and hurt my knee worse but hey it could have been much worse and I'm no longer grumpy after last night. So I've been talking to this guy named Paul for a little while and I have known him for a year and a half. Anyways we went on our first date last night. It was amazing! I had an awesome time and I feel so comfortable with him. He makes me laugh and smile and is a great guy over all. I am just grateful for the time I had to spend getting to know him better. He and I are going out tomorrow! I'm excited!!!

Wrap up of the week at camp

Well today was day 5 of the camp and I can say I am grateful that it is done for the week. I'm tired. Today they had breakfast and then exercise and games. Then the Akron Zoo came with a stories plus they brought tortoses, owls, and a rabbit. The kids had a blast. They want to go outside though and today we couldn't because of rain. No injuries again today (so that is awesome). Next week it will be a busy week but a good week. Monday we have camp games, tues music, weds sacivenger hunt, thurs not sure, and friday the zoo again. Anyways I am off to nap.

Daycamp day 4

Well today was day four of daycamp. They were a little wild but still good kids. We had about 38. We ate breakfast and then went and played kickball outside. Had only one injury which is good because we played on the gravel. Then we went in and play upset the fruitbasket. From there Kristy came and showed us about racing. It was a great day.

Daycamp day number 3

I can offically say no injuries today!!!! (it was probably because we were inside due to the rain). Well we had breakfast and then we played Bingo with prizes. We have some young kids who can't read numbers so i went and helped one little girl with it. Then we played upset the fruitbasket (they kids loved this game and want to play it again). Then they had theather class which went well as far as i could tell. We had a snack (poptart) and then we played heads down 7 up (or what ever its called). Then had lunch and signed out. We tried a new sign out policy today and it went well. I am grateful for this new job just struggling thought. It is hard and challenging work but i love it.

Daycamp day number 2

Alright so I survived yet another day at camp. It was fun. We ate breakfast, played on the playground (had a couple cuts {the kids not me}), had music with Steve, had a bloody nose (one of the little boys), had some races and ball games, came in and painted name tages, went back out to play (had a fall and one little girl hurt her knee), and then came in to get lunch and go home. I am tired yet again today. I had fun except that the sight of blood makes me sick and makes me feel like I am going to pass out. I managed just fine today thought which is good. I love the camp and the kids that come. I am grateful to my coworker Helen and to the 4 teens that have helped so far. I am grateful to have this job to do this summer. I am loving life and the challenges it brings and will bring.

Wrap up from day one of camp

So today was the first day of camp. It went really well and they all listened pretty well. Had two minor injuries (dust in an eye and a cut on the knee). I'm grateful that that is all the accidents we had. We had roughly 40 kids and 4 teens helping. We started them inside to eat breakfast and then I took them outside and played human juggling (fun ask if you want to know more). After that I had them scream (which all the kids loved). We took them inside where they painted their wooden nametages and then back outside we went. From there we named our camp. They had 3 choices which they came up with a) bobcat camp; b) Camp Rock; or c) Sunshine camp. Camp Rock won out and so now that is the name of our daycamp. They made an art project and then we gave them their sack lunch to take home and we cleaned up. I am tired and my knee hurts but I am grateful for the oppurtunity I have at the camp. They are a blast to work with and I am sure I will learn a lot over the next 4 weeks. Stay tuned for more updates!

I did it!!!!

Well I coined out (completed) my Choices (intensive outpatient group) today. It feels amazingly good to be done. The last 3 months have been a challenge full of blessings and setbacks. Today one of the girls said she saw something in me she liked and she wanted it. Life is what you make of it. The rest of the week is busy and then daycamp starts monday. We have 25 so far signed up.

Life can be interesting at times

Well I have seen so many blessings lately in my life as the result of following God and trying to get closer to him by following his commandments. I went somewhere on Friday and ran into a couple of people. One of the guys asked if he could talk to me and I said i guess. I stood out side and talked to him. He told me he wanted to make ammends to me. He said he wanted to do it now because he knew how much he had hurt me and he was truely sorry. I told him he was forgiven and I was appricative of the ammends. A few months ago or even hours before this happened you could have told me one day I would tell this person he was forgiven and I would have laughed at you and said yeah right. Since this ammends was made I have been feeling so peaceful and calm. I also have the blessings of my friends love and support. There are way too many to name but I hope you all look at your blessings and remember to thank your heavenly father for them.

Summer so far

So my summer so far is well planned. Tonight I had a meeting on the daycamp and it sounds exciting. I am excited at the chance that I have to help these kids this summer and we will have a blast i'm sure. This weekend is actually my slow weekend (thanks goodness). The only real thing I have is singing Sunday at my grandma's church and the other church attached to it. It's an amazing oppurtunity to be able to share my musical talents. Next week will be busy but exciting at the same time. I am in Choices for only TWO more groups!!!! I am so excited and can't wait for it to be done!!! It's been a long hard road this time trying to maintain my soberity. There are days I think why even try but in the end I play the whole tape through and find that using isn't the answer. On Weds I go to Cleveland with a friend and her two kids to the Zoo and other things. Next Saturday if i am up to it will be going to the Akron Zoo. I start work June 15 and for the next four weeks will be busy every day (Monday thru Friday) with camp. It will be a fun experience and challenging but i'm looking forward to it.

ROCK Group wrap up

So ROCK group is offically over for the summer. I am glad it is over but sad at the same time because I have grown to love all the kids. We always had a blast. It has been amazing to see the kids grow to be a family and love each other. I sit here and think of all the stuff they accomplished from remembering to bring their bible to learning the Lord's prayer. It's truely amazing!

Hopefully June will be a change for growth and change

So today is June 1st. Wow hard to believe that almost a half of a year has flown by. Lets recap what this year has been so far. January was 2 years since my grandfather passed away (its hard to believe that 2 years have passed). Also in January I fell and injured my knee and so most of feb and early march was spent in physical therapy (which hurt me more). In March I went and saw a surgon and we decided to try some meds. In April my grandma turned 80 and I turned 30 (and I acutally handled turning 30 well). Also at the end of April I was in the hospital for a couple days due to my small bowel slowing down and my hemogolbin dropping too low. Then in May I got to go on my first country trip and loved every minute of it. Jessie turned 22 (my sister). I went to Zion's Camp and heard Elder Groberg speak. Also my rock group is over (i will post on this in a later blog today). I also started to receive shots in the knee (my left) which are no fun and hasn't helped much at all. But through out all my trials and all the temptations I have faced in the last 3 months I am grateful because they are refining me to be a better person. Life is how you make it not what is happening to you. I also received awesome news . I on tues (june 9th) will be coining (completing) my Choices (intensive outpatient treatment for drug and alcohol ) group. I am exciting and am ready to go to aftercare and then work on being done. There is a lot in the next year I want to accomplish and in order to do that I can't be in treatment.