update.

Staff training is over and I'm back on the island for the day. I have seen a major change in myself when comparing this year's training to last year's. Last year my first impression was that those people were a bunch of loonies. Little did I know, those loonies would become some of my closest friends and that I too would join the loony bin I love to call my fellow staff. They say that camp is for the campers, but this place has one heck of an impact on the staff as well. I feel like I write about camp a lot..so you already know how much this place means to me and how much it has changed me.
This week I am headed to Cook, Nebraska to do day camp. whoop whoop. So excited to get this summer started! I cannot wait to come back to Carol Joy and hear how the first week went for all of my new friends. Some of these newbies are going to be absolute rockstars and I cannot wait to see them in action.
In other news, ran a totally random 3k this morning with my friend, Jason. It's a pretty funny story. He had friends on a team for the race and a few had dropped out so we took their place and therefore had their names on our stuff. Jason's name was Brooke and mine was Stephanie, who couldn't run the race because she was 9 months pregnant. Hence the reason for the size large tshirt I was signed up for. good times, good times.
Today I also celebrated Paisley's 1st birthday party! My have I missed that beautiful baby. :) It was a great day with my family!
Now it's time to pack up and get some much, much, much needed sleep.

Today is the day!

Heading to camp in a few hours!
I'm so beyond excited.
I don't just want to go back. I need to go back.
Things will certainly be different this summer.
I'm no longer a newbie and the staff has changed significantly, but I'm thankful I still have a few good friends returning.

I'm not ready to return to the ginormous bugs who like to join me in my sleeping bag, the nasty humidity and heat, and most certainly not ready to get back on a horse...but it's all worth it. (Okay, not the horse--still have nightmares, but you get the gist.)

I'm so excited to see how God is going to move all these kiddos and staff, I feel so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful ministry.

Carol Joy, I'll see you soon.

"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you, because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places."
-Roald Dahl

Friday's to-do list.

Pretty excited about today's to-do list. (except Jillian)
1. Bible/journal time.

2. Ripped in 30 with Jillian Michaels. Come on rain, go away, I want to run!
3. Going to the book store to get Heaven is for Real.

4. Spending as much time as possible without technology.

5. Getting stuff ready for camp. (5 days!)

6. Cleaning out my junk boxes. Man it feels good to purge and organize!

You are everything You've promised.

You guys. God is so good. It's late and I don't want to bother anyone so I'm just going to write it because I have to get it out! I've mentioned before a few precious little boys who have had a very, very rough go at life. I've been praying all year, and especially all week for today's events, and I finally got the news from a coworker just a few minutes ago.

I have a whole lot of colorful feelings for the "mom" of the boys. I have a hard time using the term "mom" for her, because, well because she's the farthest thing from what I know to be a mother. Anyway, that's not the point. The point is--she is finally giving up her rights to the boys, which means they can now be adopted! (as long as she doesn't change her mind by June 10th. prayers, please!) The best part is, there is an awesome family who has been a part of this process for a while now and they want all three boys. How wonderful is this? My goosebumps just won't go away.

The next best part? The youngest took his first steps today at work. This was much more exciting than hearing about the first steps of the other kids at the daycare. We expect those kids to all start walking once they hit a certain age, but this little guy is different. He is 18 months old and was born on meth. and he took his first steps today. I'm so excited for these boys. What a life they have to look forward to!

My problems are small today. God is so good.

It's almost summer.
One more final.

I think I can. I think I can..

dos de abril

I'm a lot behind on posting and a lot busy with life. I figure I'll just do updates in small chunks. Plus, I'm not sure if I'll ever print pictures like I think I will, so blogger is serving as a temporary photo album. Chunk #1: 21st birthday. Went to Omaha to see my friends Kristin & Katie and did some shopping. After that, made my way down i80 to see my wonderful family. It was a very low-key day spent with some of the most important people! Kristin & myself

Kris, me, Katie It was Paisley's 10 month birthday, too! :) I love this face.

Playing dress up?