Girls Camp

Wow, picture going back to girls camp ten years later, when you are an adult and have a different perspective on life. That was me yesterday. It's so funny how some things never change. Girls getting hurt right away, girls feeling left out right away, and oh yes, secret sisters starting right away. It was quite a fun, and sometimes eye-rolling couple of hours. We of course had to start out with a skit. If I can get a hold of someone's camera I'll maybe post pictures. We leaders came onto our elaborate stage wearing our swimming suits over our clothes complete with goggles and swim caps. We were supposed to be doing a synchronized water ballet. However to the audience members laughing we probably looked more like mountain women gone wild dancing around what they thought was water but ended up being green paper with blue painted sprays.

The few hours I was up there I was able to get to know some of the girls a little better. For most of the girls I was able to picture a completely different face, probably knowing how that person is in school, how they are treated, and possibly what might happen as they grow up. It's sad really, you want them to see that they are important and loved and that a dirty look doesn't mean anything in the big picture (and was it actually a dirty look, or was the person squinting into the sun...?). But I was once their age and realize that they will only learn this on their own and realize for themselves that sometimes life isn't fair but its not the end of life.

Kayla's First Tooth and First Steps

Kayla got her first tooth about a week ago! Last night she also took four steps. I guess her walker toy is paying off. She LOVES pushing it around the house and gets so mad when she runs into something and can't go anymore. It's funny how much I can see her emotions starting to build. Usually when Jaida would push her away from a toy she would just get distracted with something else or keep going back for the toy - no crying. Last night Jaida was pushing her away from a toy and Kayla would start bawling. She would crawl over to me with the saddest face and you could tell that her feelings were hurt. This happened several times because Kayla still wanted to touch the toy Jaida had. The last couple of shoves had Kayla screaming (literally) and in tears. With her bottom lip shoved out and huge alligator tears she would slowly come crawling to me and just want to be held for a minute. Jaida is usually very nice and let's her play but sometimes just wants the toy for herself.

Thanks For Checking

Wow, for those of you reading this post, thanks for checking back. I have not posted in a really long time. Starting July 1st I cut back my hours at my primary job so that I wouldn't have to take my kids to daycare. This has been both good and bad.
PROS:
- It's great that I don't have to pay $300 a month on babysitting
- Hopefully my kids won't get sick as often
- I'm not embarassed when I pick up Jaida and find out that she's been in time-out three times for not listening
- My kids are happier in the morning
- I spend more time with my kids
- I structure their day

CONS:
- I structure their day (kids never slow down)
- Neighbor girl over at 8:30AM
- Kids get sick of seeing the same walls 24/7

I also have been working another job. This one I do from home, and it's a lot harder working from home! There are SO MANY distractions. Food breaks, drink breaks, tv breaks, laundry, dirty diapers, getting band-aids, filling water balloons, cleaning up popped water balloons, finding toys, crying baby, dishes...I could go on. I also recieved a calling in my church to teach the 14 and 15-year old girls. I teach almost every Sunday, and also have an activity once a week. So, add lesson prep and activity prep to my distractions.

I love being at home more and I love leaving for work. I'll just have to schedule in a time to post.