Daddy ~

I have been blessed with a wonderful father. He has been supportive of me in everything that I have done in my life. I have realized as I've gotten older just how lucky I really am. I always knew that I was lucky to have two parents in my life who loved me and supported me, but it never really sunk in until I met some of the people I know now. So many people I know did not have a father figure in their lives. Or they did, but he was never there to support them or show them that he cared. My father has always been there for me. I love that he is sometimes over involved in my life, and super protective. He looks after me, and makes sure that even though I'm on my own, I'm still surviving in the best way possible.

I've always been Daddy's girl. I may be 21 years old, but Daddy is still just that to me, "Daddy." I don't call him that because I use it as some lame attempt to get him to do what I want, or anything of the sort- it's simply a term of endearment for me. Of love and respect. I will always love and respect my father. No questions asked.
I love my Dad more than anything in the world. Just for that, he deserves a fantastic Father's Day. Happy Father's Day Daddy- I love you lots!

"Dad, your guiding hand on my shoulder will remain with me forever."- Author Unknown

With Love,
Sam <3

One week down, many more to go

I survived! My first week in my new job, is complete. I cannot believe how much I learned in my first 4 days, but it certainly was a lot!! These kids are amazing. It amazes me how some of these kids posses no verbal skills, yet they can still communicate to me their appreciation and affection for what I'm doing. They can also communicate to me pretty effectively when I do something they don't like. It's pretty amazing. Unfortunately, I can't talk about each child individually, for confidentiality reasons, but I can say that I adore just about every single one of them. I'm so glad that I got this job- it is so useful in everything I'm doing with my life. Hooray for another summer of learning and growing as a person and as a professional!! :D

This is a short post, I know, but I just had to share my excitement about what I've learned so far in my first week. I'm looking forward to another week of trials, tribulations, and fun.

Here's your quote of the day:
"You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives." - Clay P. Bedford

'Till next time~
Sam <3

The Joys of Life

To me, there is nothing better than teaching a child something that you love. I get to help teach children at work every day, whether it's basic life skills, or the parts of the body. Seeing them understand, or at least come close is one of the greatest joys I have experienced. Then on the weekends, I get to teach violin lessons. These of course are the summer jobs to keep my occupied every day, but they are something that I look forward to doing. I woke up this morning with a sense of excitement, nervousness and anticipation. I look forward to that feeling every morning this summer- the excitement of going to work. It's not just some retail job to get me through the summer, it's a real job that has meaning to my present and future. An experience like none other. These kids are in all sorts of different areas of development, and it's my job to help them grow further in their developmental process. I'm one lucky girl for sure.

And then, to top it all off, I get to come home and spend the evening with my wonderful family. It's days like today that I will treasure forever. The little moments with my family that are getting fewer and farther between as I get older. Those mean the most. Laughing at the dinner table until we are all crying, hanging out and watching Ace of Cakes or some other random Food Network TV show, and just enjoying each others company is something that I try to never take for granted.

Well, it's the end of another night, and another post. For now, I will leave you with this quote:

"The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each others life." -Richard Bach

Until next time~
Sam <3

Summer Lovin'

So many things to accomplish this summer, and so little time. I cannot believe how quickly the time flies. Already, I have been out of school for a month and I have seen my little sister graduate High School, completed 38 hours of training for my new summer job and gotten half way through a new book. The rest of the list? I will spare you the details, but just trust me when I say, there is still so much to accomplish in the next month and a half. August 6th is too quickly approaching!

Summer is by far, my favorite season. No school for 2ish months, adorable sun dresses, flip-flops, BBQs, and watermelon. How can you go wrong?! Unfortunately for me, my days begin early as I have a new job. Fortunately for me, I have a new job. Tomorrow marks the first day, I will begin with a new field of working with people with developmental disabilities. The excitement for my first day is slowly building as the night progresses, I've spent a grand total of 38 hours in a classroom going through all the necessary training, now I get to put it all into practice. Specifically, with children in the summer day program. I have no idea what it entails for me, or what new adventures it has in store for me, but I'm excited to find out!

For now, I will leave you with this quote:

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who come alive." - Howard Thurman.

'Till next time,
Sam