Day 31 - A picture of yourself, plus some thoughts.

Well, day 31 seems completely pointless to me, but I hate the feeling of not finishing... so here it is.

A picture of me. (and Jaymeson)

And that's it! Thank you Photo Challenge for filling the last few months of my blog.

Now, I have some random thoughts for the day.

I was just sitting here talking to my roommates and I was thinking about something that I learned from my recent volunteering experiences that I think everyone should know and apply to their own lives.

Last semester, I volunteered at a mini shelter for children who are taken from their broken and/or abusive home lives to stay until they are put into foster care. I worked with the younger kids so my sole role was to play. I got to sit there for 4-8 hours every Saturday and just play with kids from ages 0-8 years old. These kids are hurting, they are struggling, and they are confused. We weren't allowed to probe them for information or answers as to why they had bruises all over their faces, but we were allowed to listen if the children had grown to trust us and had freely given us the information. The purpose of this little half way house that I volunteered in was to help and show the children what a normal lifestyle is like. Most of the kids had been forced to grow up way to fast, and we wanted them to be kids. To forget everything else, and just be kids.

Before I was able to start volunteering I went through extensive background checks and "training". Which is where the source of this blog post comes from. The most important thing that I think I learned in training was to "validate their feelings." It took me a while to figure out what exactly that meant, but when I did, it opened up my mind, and my relationships to a whole new level.

"Validate their feelings". How simple and important is that! We may not understand, or agree with the way people are feeling sometimes, but regardless, they still do feel that way. And it's important to show them that it's okay for them to have those feelings. It's so easy to say "I understand why you feel that way", or "I'm sorry you feel that way" and it makes people feel that much better and helps them open up more to take them one step closer to a resolution.

Anyways, that was just a random thought I had earlier and thought I would share. That little piece of information has definitely helped strength relationships with my family, and my friends, and with significant others.

:)

Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss

Mi Familia 

All the kids, minus Jesenia

I didn't realize how much I missed my family until this past weekend.

I spent the day with Jaymeson and Jayah, and then Jayah went with her mom, and Jaymeson went off to work. I dropped him off and on the way there got very emotional. I couldn't pin point it until I thought... what the heck am I going to do tonight? I don't have anyone here. It was hard. And made me cry.. A LOT.

All I ever wanted growing up was to get out of my house and be indepedent. I've had a full time job since I was 15 years old, and moved out of my house and across the country the first minute that I could, and I've been gone since. I don't get to see my family very often, maybe once or twice a year, just a few days at a time.

So this long, holiday weekend, went from amazing to depressing in just a few short minutes. I realized how much I missed my family, and relived a few of the same feelings I felt last summer... being alone. It was hard.

Aside from my own family, I've been a part of one other family. I was only a part of the family for such a short time, but it felt like an eternity. I was so close with everyone, and spent as much time as possible with each of them as I could. I am no longer a part of that family, and it has been one of the hardest adjustments I've ever had to make. Knowing that they were all here, together, celebrating with each other while I was all alone, made it that much harder.

Just another stepping stone I guess.

That night, I ended up going over to Jaymeson's aunt's beautiful home and taking part in their Annual Fourth of July Party. It was the first time I'd met any of them, except his brother and sister in law, and it was the time of my life! I had so much fun, and everyone was so nice to me and made me feel right at home! It reminded me of what it's like to be a part of a family again, and I loved it! I hope they know the impact they had on me that night.

Luckily Jaymeson didn't get off work TOO late, and he was able to come to the end of the party and the homemade, spectacular, firework show put on by one of his uncles. It was the perfect ending, to a perfect weekend. :)

 Just one more day, and I'm finally done with this blog challenge! Woo hoo!

Stadium of Fire

It's Independence Day weekend! My favorite holiday!

I love American pride, and country music, and fireworks, and everything about this holiday.

This year, I got to go to the Stadium of Fire with my two favorite people in the whole wide world. It was such a dream come true! I have been wanting to go to Stadium of Fire for the longest time.

Last year, I was THIS close to being able to go and see Carrie Underwood... but let's just say it was stolen right out from under me. (ha)

So this year, I got to go with Jaymeson and Jayah. We didn't have the best seats, but it was amazing!

About 10 months or so ago, Jaymeson won some tickets to see Brad Paisley in concert and had invited me to go with him. I had planned on going but for whatever reason, was always very, VERY flakey with him about anything and everything at the time, so of course, I flaked. And he didn't get to go. (Sorry babe!) But guess who was performing at Stadium of Fire this year....

BRAD PAISLEY!

So I figured I should make it up to him and find a way to get us there. It was an adventure, but we made it!

And we had a blast! Jayah was so excited to see the fireworks, and it was definitely the best firework display I've ever seen in my whole life. Totally worth it. And it will be a great memory for all of us.

Speaking of Brad Paisley, I heard this song the other day and thought it was hilarious. Reminds me of at least one person that I know...

Oh wait, make that two people. And I think they are related?