I'm not sure where to start. This is why I should blog every day instead of every two or three. It has been a very hectic week, and usually by the time we're done with everything for the day, me and the girls are ready to go to sleep (though we usually don't for a while because we get to talking and then all of a sudden it's one in the morning and we HAVE to go to bed). I don't really remember Wednesday very well.I'm fairly sure that was the day that the children were little monsters. I sent two of them to see Miss Rachael, who is the camp coordinator. I had handled discipline on my own until that day, but I had two kids, one during nap time, and one during music, that could not quit misbehaving-- which in their cases either meant picking fights with other kids, continously talking back, or flat out refusing to clean up their act. Fun.
That night we didn't have anything planned with the organization, so most of the interns went to Cups, a coffee shop here in Jackson that one of the staff here works at a couple nights a week. It was delicious and fun to get to know everyone a little better. People are starting to tell their stories and open up with one another. On Monday we've planned an extreme bonding night; we're all getting piercings together, or almost everyone is. Everyone is going. By the time we get there, hopefully everyone will be talked in to it. I'm a little nervous about it, but I think I'll just get my nose re-pierced. Mom, I know what you're thinking.I'll take it out if I have problems with it this time.
Anyway, Thursday was a GREAT day-- probably my favorite camp-wise this week. I taught Jaden to swim! She brought her swim cap this time and some goggles. She was so excited to learn and within 30 or 45 minutes had the crawl stroke down. She was elated! We had our community night dinner that evening and her mom came up to me to thank me. She made me feel really good, especially after such a rough start to the week.
Yesterday was decent. We took the kids out in the community to pick up trash in the morning and my fifth and sixth graders picked up 10 or so bags of trash. We found a vacant lot that we probably could have spent the whole day cleaning, but didn't have much time. Hopefully we'll be able to take them back to work on it at some point next week. They were finding all sorts of interesting things there, including a child's car seat and some weights.I'm just glad we didn't find any drug paraphernalia. If you are reading this and went on the Memphis mission trip, you know what I'm talking about. It wouldn't surprise me if we did, though. This neighborhood is a little rough.
On that note, I will say that I haven't felt threatened or afraid here. Before living here, I probably wouldn't have gone to any of the local businesses or even really gotten out of my car in some parts of the neighborhood, but it doesn't scare me now. I don't go places alone, and everything is fine.
Yesterday afternoon we took the kids to Mac and Bones for put-put golf. I don't understand the name of the business, but the kids had a good time playing. It was HOT though,and the little ones were near tears because they were tired and thirsty. I'm getting more used to the heat, but yesterday was brutal. I know that it's hot like this in Missouri, but I'm not used to it staying so hot for so much of the day--and being out in it most of the day. Oh well. I just keep drinking my water!
Today we're headed to Mendenhall to hang out at the waterfall there. We're all so relieved to have a break.
Love,
LH
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