Good Feelin'

I had a really exciting afternoon today. I've only been at work for three hours and it's already a good day! (It's study hour so I'm still being a good staff. Yay for multi-tasking!) We had a really great group about which girls are taking advantage of what Sunrise has to offer and which ones aren't. For those interested, the numbers were about 9 and 6, respectfully, so a bit more than half. It was so interesting to see how the group played out. I usually talk a lot in groups but today I observed more and learned a lot! One girl spoke only once the whole hour, but her facial expressions were so telling! I think I knew exactly what she was thinking, but no one else did! She's totally flying under the radar (which we've known for about a month) and the girls just let her! They rarely hold her accountable so she's just floating along in her treatment, not really taking advantage of the facility.
One girl was called out 4 different times by different people for being a bully, being sneaky, demeaning others, and being defensive, and each time...she got defensive!
But then there were girls who really seemed to take it in, and that moment, when they realized how their issues were coming out in their behavior and how it affected others, and it was beautiful to behold! It's so cool to watch a girl get it! Of course, we'll see what she really got out of the group later based on her behavior, but it's a start.
I love seeing these girls figure out their lives, partly because it's extremely rewarding, and partly because I learn from each of their lessons. Awareness truly is the first step to change and I am blessed with the kind of job where I learn self-awareness as well as the tools to actually change destructive or unnecessary behaviors.
The other cool moment of the day was talking to my Relational girl's parents on the phone. I sent them an email a couple of weeks ago by way of introduction and their response was lovely! Talking on the phone was no different. The best part is, it's representative of my relationship with their daughter.
I think I've mentioned before that I didn't have a great rapport with my last relational girl. I worked so stinkin hard on that relationship and she just wouldn't have any of it! It was very, very frustrating and I have to admit I was a little relieved, albeit disappointed when she left. When this new girl came, I actually requested to be her Relational Coach because we connected almost immediately. She's a bright, fun, insightful girl who isn't resisting the need to form lasting relationships here and we're already doing so well! Today when I came into group I said, "Dibbs on sitting next to my relational girl!" She giggled and said, "yes!!" I never would have had the courage to say that to my last girl! She definitely wouldn't have responded like that!
It's just such a rewarding experience to feel like there is mutual concern and motivation. I love those girls and it's nice to feel some of that back. I'm very blessed with the job I have!

Hello!!!

Hello Blogging World!
So I've been stuck in this mindset that if I don't have the pictures ready and the right mood and words to write, I shouldn't blog. The last 2 weeks without internet at home has changed that belief! So I obviously still need to write about that kind of big, important day we had 2 1/2 months ago, but for now, I'm just going to catch up a bit.
Josh and I had a wonderful wedding. It seemed perfect to me and that belief didn't tarnish when friends and family started telling me how many things went wrong after our weekend in Springdale. It was my perfect day and I'll never forget it. I'm very grateful for good friends who hid the weather, a car accident, a broken frame, and drama from me all day long!
Springdale was in a word, perfect. The room was beautiful and we had such a great time relaxing and decompressing that I forgot to take pictures of it. Oh well. Our hotel was nestled between the Court of the Patriarchs and West Temple and the weather was sunny and balmy despite the disastrous storm in Cedar the night before. Matt, Ashley, Andy, and Jan gave us a couples massage for our wedding. I knew I needed one and had tried in vain all week to get one, but Josh had no idea what he was missing! We agreed after that it was a perfect gift!
We checked out two days later and had a lovely breakfast with Jake and Ashley before they jetted back to Chicago.
Josh and I settled into what should have been quiet domesticity but our lives have not slowed down! Rather they accelerate daily and I'm still fighting against time to get our thank-you notes out!
Well, that's all for now. More to follow.