The changes at Hillview included closing down Snyder cottage - the girls cottage that I worked in for almost a year and a half. When I first heard the news, I was fairly unemotional. There was too much information to process at the time, leaving not much time to be sad about saying goodbye to the girls. Once the reality of it sunk it, I felt a lot of different emotions. It has been and will be so difficult to say goodbye to the girls that we have spent so much time with, loving on them and empowering them to live up to their full potential.
As I was tucking one of my girls in tonight, I had to hold back the tears. She leaves on Wednesday and she is the girl with whom I have connected the most. We have very similar family histories and I think that is what allows for such a strong bond, even though she is unaware of my past. When she heard the news that Snyder was closing, she immediately started sobbing. She started talking about all the ways we have helped her and how much she will miss our hugs. It was overwhelmingly sad, yet I also felt so thankful to have been such a positive person in her life.
I was talking to Hannah about all the changes happening and she really opened my eyes to see how God was using this situation to bless us. Having the girls leave Hillview allows us the rare opportunity to see and hear how we have touched their lives. A job like this can be frustrating, as we may never see the kids again after they leave and are only left with the hope that we helped them in some sort of way. But after telling the girls that they were going to be leaving, some of them really started verbally processing all the changes they had made here. I felt affirmed in the work that I, that my co-workers and I, have done. I know that these girls will walk away different than when they first came to Hillview. I really praise God that He is allowing us to feel appreciated and really, to see the fruits of our labor.
I will really miss this one particular girl. I came to work always knowing that she was going to give me a big hug when I walked in the door. She could never stay mad at me for that long, even though she had some major attitude problems in the beginning. When she was getting dropped off at school or at visits, she would always send a message back saying that she loved me. I took this girl to visit her mom's grave on Mother's Day. I can't even put into words how good that experience was for both her and me.
Saying goodbye is so freaking hard. I've poured a year and a half of my life into these girls - blood, sweat and tears. Literally.
I'll miss you, my little crazies.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
this and that
I feel like everybody is hurrying to get out. I've looked up some jobs, but I'm hoping to stick around a little while and save money before moving to Washington. I just hope I get out in time.
I feel so lame that I don't have much else to talk about. Work takes up all my time! Oh, I talked to Stephanie last night and it was sooooo good to catch up with her. It made me really excited about making the move after hearing about the house we'll being living in and all the social activities that are always happening. Yes, I'm super nervous about the change and that is what has been consuming me lately. But I am also really excited about the good that is to come...not getting assautled and taken advantage of. Woohoo!
I'm also excited about seeing Erin tomorrow. She just moved into a new place and is living by herself for the first time. It will be fun to see how she put it all together and to help her make a frame wall! We got the idea from the IKEA catalog. Look here on page 264-265 to see our inspiration! Hopefully it will look as cool and artsy.
Before I go, here are some pictures of the last day I spent with Stephanie and her family.
I feel so lame that I don't have much else to talk about. Work takes up all my time! Oh, I talked to Stephanie last night and it was sooooo good to catch up with her. It made me really excited about making the move after hearing about the house we'll being living in and all the social activities that are always happening. Yes, I'm super nervous about the change and that is what has been consuming me lately. But I am also really excited about the good that is to come...not getting assautled and taken advantage of. Woohoo!
I'm also excited about seeing Erin tomorrow. She just moved into a new place and is living by herself for the first time. It will be fun to see how she put it all together and to help her make a frame wall! We got the idea from the IKEA catalog. Look here on page 264-265 to see our inspiration! Hopefully it will look as cool and artsy.
Before I go, here are some pictures of the last day I spent with Stephanie and her family.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
change is imminent
We had an important meeting at work yesterday. Without going into all the details, and paraphrasing most of what was said, my job is no longer secure. Worst case scenario is that I am job-less within the next couple months or maybe even sooner. There weren't many details given. Everyone seemed to be surprised at how fast things were changing, trying to process all the information and think through all their options. I have been leisurely looking at new jobs in Washington, but now I'm really feeling the pressure of needing to be pro-active about sending out my resume and hopefully getting some interviews. I feel really confused about what I want the next step to be and how I want to get there. My brain is so jumbled.
More change - today was the last time I will see Steph before she moves to Washington. I spent time with her family and then helped her vacuum pack some things before saying goodbye. It was a fairly brief goodbye. I couldn't handle getting emotional because I knew that I wouldn't be able to stop the tears. Ugh.
My heart is heavy today.
More change - today was the last time I will see Steph before she moves to Washington. I spent time with her family and then helped her vacuum pack some things before saying goodbye. It was a fairly brief goodbye. I couldn't handle getting emotional because I knew that I wouldn't be able to stop the tears. Ugh.
My heart is heavy today.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
crafty
Here was my project today:
Snyder is the name of the girls cottage that I worked in for a little over a year. I made that big poster picture out of scrapbook paper, with the intention of hanging it up somewhere in my room, but I just couldn't find a good place for it. I think it's quite calming and definitely girly, so I donated it for the betterment of this lonely white wall in Snyder.
Snyder is the name of the girls cottage that I worked in for a little over a year. I made that big poster picture out of scrapbook paper, with the intention of hanging it up somewhere in my room, but I just couldn't find a good place for it. I think it's quite calming and definitely girly, so I donated it for the betterment of this lonely white wall in Snyder.
Friday, August 13, 2010
lameness
After I got back last night, I made a joke that I probably should have had someone drive my car around while I was gone so it wouldn't die. I found out this morning that I really should have...it was completely dead. It wouldn't start at all. I recently got a new battery, so if I use cables to start it, I'm hoping it will be fine afterwards. My poor little Saturn with 150,000 miles on it is slowly dying...I need a new car!!
In other news, being back in Chino is so depressing. Getting up this morning...going to work in an hour...I feel like I'm dragging my feet. And the fact that my car won't start makes me even more annoyed. Oh life. Back to the real world, I guess.
In other news, being back in Chino is so depressing. Getting up this morning...going to work in an hour...I feel like I'm dragging my feet. And the fact that my car won't start makes me even more annoyed. Oh life. Back to the real world, I guess.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
goodbye and hello
I'm back. I arrived back to Chino less than half an hour ago and feel so blah. My vacation in the Bahamas with Julianne was incredible. It was so relaxing and adventurous, packed full of activities, but not rushed. Today, as I flew out of Nassau, the clouds were gorgeous and I saw a freaking rainbow in the sky. It was SO pretty. Less than an hour later we were flying over Miami to land, and there was a thick brown layer hovering over the city. What a great welcome back to the US of A.
I was trying to figure out how to sum up my trip on here without having a loooooong post. But. That just might have to happen because the Bahamas was that good
Day 1: We arrived in the Bahamas. We got to Kristi's house and relaxed the rest of the night. We crashed pretty early because we got NO sleep the night before. Traveling days are always tiring.
Day 2: JB and I went to church with Kristi and her family. We were lucky to be there on the Sunday that Kristi's dad gave the sermon. Church was out around 200pm and we did nothing for most of the afternoon. Sundays seem to be lazy everywhere.
We went out around 1000pm to tour the Atlantis aquarium. It was "closed" and all the lights were off, but we were still able to walk around in the dark and look at what we could see. Having Kristi show us around was super helpful...there was so much to see!
Day 3: Kristi took us to Cabbage Beach...my first time seeing the Bahama beach in the daytime! It was gorgeous. The water was so clear and warm.
Day 4: Kristi had to work today, so her cousin picked us up and showed us around a little. We went to an old fort...I couldn't tell you much about it because I'm horrible with history stuff, but I know it was old and had cannons and was used to protect the land. We didn't want to pay to go inside, so we walked around and avoided the security cars.
Later that night, we went out with a bunch of Kristi's cousins to a place with bowling, pool tables, arcade games, and on this particular night, karaoke. It was so fun to be out with a bunch of people and listen to ridiculous people try to sing.
Day 5: JB and I went to the Wyndham and Sheraton hotels to "borrow" their beaches and pools.
Day 6: This was probably my favorite day in the Bahamas. We took a ferry to the Blue Lagoon Island, where the water was gorgeous. Instead of following everybody else, we wandered around to explore and found incredible beaches. We searched for shells and enjoyed the calm peacefulness of the island.
We also paid to go on some sweet water blow-up toys - there was a slide, an obstacle course, a trampoline. We also got free snorkeling gear out of the deal thanks to a flirty guy who worked there.
Day 7: We moved from Kristi's house to Comfort Suites, where we were able to enjoy all the perks of the Atlantis, including the waterpark. We spent the entire day at the waterpark...mostly in the "lazy" river, which wasn't so lazy. In the evening, we dressed up and ate out.
We wandered around the Atlantis hotel, looking at everything. The hotel goes on forever.
Day 8: We went to the waterparks again and met a friend at the Dolphin Cay. He used to train dolphins and was able to get us backstage for a free, mini-session with the dolphins. It was my first time touching and seeing a dolphin up close. It was so cool.
At night, we walked around the Atlantis again. We went to the theater they had (inside the hotel!) and watched an okay movie...but that's fine because it was free! After more wandering, we found the library, also inside the hotel. It was late and closed, but we had nothing better to do, so why not take pictures?
Day 9: We went to the Atlantis waterparks again! We went on all the rides and then walked around the park to take pictures. Later in the afternoon, Kristi met up with us and took us out to eat with her aunt. Then we went to our next hotel, Sandyport.
Day 10: We did NOTHING this day, and it was fabulous. We sat inside our hotel room and watched television while surfing the internet. It rained a lot, but we decided to go out in the evening for some ice cream.
Day 11: Thankful for the sunshine, we went to the Sheraton hotel again to use their beaches and hotel. It was perfect outside. JB spent a lot of time tanning, while I was super engrossed in my book. We went up on a balcony and sat on some comfortable wicker chairs when it got too hot in the sun. So relaxing.
After cleaning up, we went to eat at a restaurant in the Sandyport village, called Barnacles. We got some more ice cream and then attempted to watch a sunset. It was too cloudy to see much, but we took a lot of cool pictures at the Sandyport beach.
Day 12: This was our last full day in the Bahamas. We spent a lot of time in the sun and went out for ice cream at dusk. It was soooooo pretty outside and the perfect temperature.
We went in the pool around 1000pm and loved the slide. We took a couple of chairs, put them in the water, and stared at the stars for a little while. The sky had only a few floating clouds and we were able to see a beautiful shooting star...I have never seen one so clear. It was a good ending to a great trip.
I was trying to figure out how to sum up my trip on here without having a loooooong post. But. That just might have to happen because the Bahamas was that good
Day 1: We arrived in the Bahamas. We got to Kristi's house and relaxed the rest of the night. We crashed pretty early because we got NO sleep the night before. Traveling days are always tiring.
Day 2: JB and I went to church with Kristi and her family. We were lucky to be there on the Sunday that Kristi's dad gave the sermon. Church was out around 200pm and we did nothing for most of the afternoon. Sundays seem to be lazy everywhere.
We went out around 1000pm to tour the Atlantis aquarium. It was "closed" and all the lights were off, but we were still able to walk around in the dark and look at what we could see. Having Kristi show us around was super helpful...there was so much to see!
Day 3: Kristi took us to Cabbage Beach...my first time seeing the Bahama beach in the daytime! It was gorgeous. The water was so clear and warm.
Day 4: Kristi had to work today, so her cousin picked us up and showed us around a little. We went to an old fort...I couldn't tell you much about it because I'm horrible with history stuff, but I know it was old and had cannons and was used to protect the land. We didn't want to pay to go inside, so we walked around and avoided the security cars.
Later that night, we went out with a bunch of Kristi's cousins to a place with bowling, pool tables, arcade games, and on this particular night, karaoke. It was so fun to be out with a bunch of people and listen to ridiculous people try to sing.
Day 5: JB and I went to the Wyndham and Sheraton hotels to "borrow" their beaches and pools.
Day 6: This was probably my favorite day in the Bahamas. We took a ferry to the Blue Lagoon Island, where the water was gorgeous. Instead of following everybody else, we wandered around to explore and found incredible beaches. We searched for shells and enjoyed the calm peacefulness of the island.
We also paid to go on some sweet water blow-up toys - there was a slide, an obstacle course, a trampoline. We also got free snorkeling gear out of the deal thanks to a flirty guy who worked there.
Day 7: We moved from Kristi's house to Comfort Suites, where we were able to enjoy all the perks of the Atlantis, including the waterpark. We spent the entire day at the waterpark...mostly in the "lazy" river, which wasn't so lazy. In the evening, we dressed up and ate out.
We wandered around the Atlantis hotel, looking at everything. The hotel goes on forever.
Day 8: We went to the waterparks again and met a friend at the Dolphin Cay. He used to train dolphins and was able to get us backstage for a free, mini-session with the dolphins. It was my first time touching and seeing a dolphin up close. It was so cool.
At night, we walked around the Atlantis again. We went to the theater they had (inside the hotel!) and watched an okay movie...but that's fine because it was free! After more wandering, we found the library, also inside the hotel. It was late and closed, but we had nothing better to do, so why not take pictures?
Day 9: We went to the Atlantis waterparks again! We went on all the rides and then walked around the park to take pictures. Later in the afternoon, Kristi met up with us and took us out to eat with her aunt. Then we went to our next hotel, Sandyport.
Day 10: We did NOTHING this day, and it was fabulous. We sat inside our hotel room and watched television while surfing the internet. It rained a lot, but we decided to go out in the evening for some ice cream.
Day 11: Thankful for the sunshine, we went to the Sheraton hotel again to use their beaches and hotel. It was perfect outside. JB spent a lot of time tanning, while I was super engrossed in my book. We went up on a balcony and sat on some comfortable wicker chairs when it got too hot in the sun. So relaxing.
After cleaning up, we went to eat at a restaurant in the Sandyport village, called Barnacles. We got some more ice cream and then attempted to watch a sunset. It was too cloudy to see much, but we took a lot of cool pictures at the Sandyport beach.
Day 12: This was our last full day in the Bahamas. We spent a lot of time in the sun and went out for ice cream at dusk. It was soooooo pretty outside and the perfect temperature.
We went in the pool around 1000pm and loved the slide. We took a couple of chairs, put them in the water, and stared at the stars for a little while. The sky had only a few floating clouds and we were able to see a beautiful shooting star...I have never seen one so clear. It was a good ending to a great trip.
Monday, August 9, 2010
blog break
I have not written on here in a long time. Why? I'm on vacation in the Bahamas! It has been such a relaxing and adventurous vacation. JB and I spent a week staying with Kristi, my roommate from college, and she showed us around. It was cool to get a taste of the local life. This second week, we have been staying in hotels and spending time at the Atlantis waterpark on Paradise Island. Hello tourism.
I'm excited to get back and see people, but Nassau has been so good us. Mmm, we're already planning next summer's vacation! The picture below was taken at the Blue Lagoon...probably one of my favorite days here.
More details and pictures to be shared when I get back to good old Chino, California!
I'm excited to get back and see people, but Nassau has been so good us. Mmm, we're already planning next summer's vacation! The picture below was taken at the Blue Lagoon...probably one of my favorite days here.
More details and pictures to be shared when I get back to good old Chino, California!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)