EMULATE the SUNFLOWER

Well, this week is over and I said my goodbyes as a therapist to my families. It was an emotional week as I have worked with some of these families now for over 7 months and would of continued on for another year for some of them. I walked away feeling robbed of being able to see them continue to grow and progress. Going into someone's home 1x week you really become attached and you become a part of their family. I know with my job we are suppose to keep a fine line between friendship and professionalism but it is hard when you help and see a child and their relationship with their parents grow and blossem to not become attached and feel like family. I am overwhelmed with the thoughtful cards and little going away gifts they gave me. I try my hardest to give my all and give strategies that will end up with progress but I NEVER realized the impact that I gave those families by coming once a week into their home. I am so thankful for the profession that I chose. It has taught me a lo...

A little over a month a go I was asked by my Supervisor if I would take on a different part of my responsibilities for my job. I was asked to run an Autism Playgroup for some of our families that we serve on Tues and Thurs mornings at one of our sites. My first response in my head was NO. I have a lot on my plate and the thoughts of the added stress and preparation that goes into doing those groups filled my mind. I have done it before in Las Vegas and Utah and it takes a toll on you physically and emotionally. I am working on not adding any extra stress to my mind and body and wondered if this would be a good idea. I asked if I could have a few days to think about it. I took those few days to weigh my options and the more I thought about it the more I felt I needed to say yes even though my heart was not excited about what it would all entail. After saying yes I would have to continually switch my caseload around in the week to be able to meet and attend the meetings and details that ...

A couple of days ago a dear friend asked me to come over because she had something that she wanted to give me. I had lots of thoughts run through my head of what could she possible want to give me. I got to her home and she had the biggest smile on her face and was so giddy! I was like what? She then went behind the counter and pulled out this big bag. Excitedly she said OPEN OPEN!!! So I opened it and found all this wonderful stuff to help me RELAX. Just what the doctor has ordered me to try to do and what I am constantly working on. She also had a hard time relaxing and her sister did this gift idea for her when they were trying and she said that she wanted to it for me! I was in awe the things that she had bought for me. From Epson salt with speriment and eculuptus to oils to put on my wrists before I go to bed, to eye mask and cucumber to stuff for my feet. Even a special spray to go on my pillow for me to smell. She knows how much I love lemon and got this lotion for me that smell...

At the end of July 2007 I was visiting my parents in Utah and I was counciled by my dad through a blessing to start writing in my journal. I have done journal writing off and on through out my life and had not been doing it since college. The thought had crossed my mind a few times before my dad had told me to do it but I had shrugged it off as I'll start next week and you know how that goes! :) Well I am one to always do what I am asked because I always fear of the outcome if I dont and started writing in my journal since then. I tried the goal for a little bit to do it once a week. It became mainly Monday or Sundays since I could have some alone time due to Ryan watching sports. I would be good some weeks and the at times it would be a month. I was counciled to write about my feelings, blessing, concerns, and so on and that it would be a great support to me when needed. I thought to myself as I started writing how could this be a support to me? As I have continued to write in it ...

NEW YEARS EVE ended up being a quite one. We planned on going to dinner and hanging out with some friends and bringing it in with dinner and an outing but had to cancel the day of due to Ryan being sick. He got sick Monday night and by Wed night was dealing with a full blown cold. So we did New Years Eve with style and ordered Pizza, breadsticks, and Good old Henry rootbeer. I had Ryan take a picture before I disected the pizza from it's cheese to not gross anyone out ( Ryan did not want me to take a picture of him since he did not feel well!) We then attempted to watch Walk the Line( Ryan needed his head to be rubbed while we watched the movie cause he did not feel well, oh wait that is how it is all the time! :) Half way through our movie the DVD/VHS we have had over five years called it quits on us!!! I swear 2009 needed to come and come fast! We finished watching Law n Order and woke up to fireworks all around our house! Gave each other a hug since no kissing due to me not ...