Ouch this hurts...

This has been a really difficult week for me this past week. Working with struggling families has been more challenging than I expected...not that I expected it would be easy, but I can't deny that its effected me. I've worked with struggling teenagers before at Piney Ridge, a rehabilitation center for teenage sex offenders, but never with mothers and their child. At Piney Ridge the kids were separated either from the perpetrators or their victims, a "controlled environment" if you will. We could control the messages going into the teenagers heads by constantly encouraging them, cutting out tv and radio. They all had therapists and nurses caring for their every need. As a youth care worker you were there as a teacher's aide, a watchman for any fights, and mainly- a motivator. It was such an awesome atmostphere most of the time. But now I go into the "lions den" so to speak. To the heart of the family- the home. Nothing is hidden, nothing can be candy coated. I see the environment as it truely is. Some families struggle on just getting by each day with a meal on the table, but some families live off the beach! There's so much diversity in this job. I've met people from all walks of life. All with one goal- to fall in love with their child, for guidance on how to be the best parent possible. I'm always so impressed that these families have reached out and asked for help, do you know how hard that is?? I know I struggle with asking someone for help, even family. But I can't say seeing and experiencing all this doesn't hurt. Some nights I just come home and cry. There are some days I think I'm just not cut out for this type of job. It has brought me to the Lord, forced me to lay at His feet and ask for His wisdom. This past year I've gone back and forth from extreme highs and lows. And His love is enduring and faithful. Though that sounds cliche what it means to me is that his voice is there if I only slow down to listen. Turn off the tv, my phone, the computer, all distractions and just listen to the still small voice. I look to my Father as a friend, a friend who listens and cares. But I ask for help now, to my friends, to pray for me at this job. For His wisdom to guide me.

Its a small world after all.....

No I'm not going to Disney World, even though its only 2 hours away and I've neeever been (hint hint husband...). But I wanted to share a weird story. So David and I have started attending a new church in Bradenton. We actually found it by googling "non demoninational churches" in the area! So the first time we went there we were blown away, by the music, lights, and all the people with smiles on their faces. We've been going there for about 6 months now. If you want to read more about it here's the website http://www.baysidecommunity.org/
Our pastor is on vacation so we've been having different speakers come every week for about a month. So this last week after some rocking worship we look up and see a portly, but friendly looking fellow on stage. And he starts telling us he's Randy (our pastor's) brother. Randy is originally from Louisiana. And he says he's from Arkansas! I of course give a hoot and holler and yell "Go Hogs" while everyone in front of me turns around and looks at me like I'm crazy...Not many Arkansans here in Florida. Anyways, so he does an amazing job, we're all rolling with laughter and I'm proud, once again, to be an Arkansan. Then later David and I look him up, Pastor Rick Bezet, and randomly enough he helped start a church David and I used to attend in college called Keypoint! Weeeird. I think somehow or another all Arkansans know each other or at least have something in common. He also helped start a church in Conway called New Life Church. And then it turns out my parents know him and his church. So yep, its always a small world after all if your from Arkansas!!!

I need your prayers

I can't go into much detail due to lagality issues but last week my supervisor and I decided to make a call to the Department of Children and Families on one of my families. The child had a health risk due to the mothers lack of understanding on feeding her infant. I know in my heart it was the right choice because I want this child to be healthy, mom was even told he was at risk for failure to thrive b. His pediatrician. My heart aches for this child and his young mother. And I can't help but feel guilty, worried she will feel betrayed. Calls to DCF aren't always what the media dramatizes it to be, it can usually be a good thing. But the process is still unfolding, we'll see what happens. I just need your prayers to remain strong, trust God, and not let myself get sucked into this. Pray His will be done. Thanks

Puppy update

I think its been awhile since I've posted an update about my two puppies (now both 6 months old) Lily and Roman! They are so sweet and I am so glad that we got the both of them. Even though some days they are completely exhausting I couldn't do without either one of them. Lily is extrememly independent and thinks she is the head of the household. One of the funniest things she does is grunt like a little piglet when she's on the trail of another animal outside. Her favorite past times are: sniffing through the grass outside for cat poop, running after the laser pointer full speed into the door, playing in the mud (especially right after I bathe her), and squeeze under the beds upstairs in hopes of snagging a kitty hiding underneath. Roman is our resident "love pig". Even though he's an American pit bull terrier he has the heart of a little bunny. He especially loves David. When we're watching tv in the living room he'll set his face on David's lap and just stare up at him lovingly. His favorite past times are: chasing his favorite red ball in the park and hope to catch it in the air before its second bounce, chew on Lily, chew on his cage, chew on socks, chew the plaster off our walls, watch tv (especially Family Guy) and lick everyone he meets. Here are some pictures of what they look like now!

Feliz Navidad in July!

We recently attended a Christmas in July Mexican themed pool party this weekend!! All I can say is F-U-N!

Amazing song!!

If your in the mood for a power booster song I reccommend Hillsong's "You'll Come". We sang it at church on Sunday and I felt like shouting out the lyrics. Please go check it out at itunes!

Verse 1
I have decided I have resolved
To wait upon you Lord
My rock and redeemer shall not be moved
I'll wait upon you Lord

Pre Chorus
As surely as the sun will rise
You'll come to us
As certain as the dawn appears

Chorus
You'll come let your glory fall
As you respond to us
Spirit reign flood our hearts
With holy fire again

Verse 2
We are not shaken we are not moved
We wait upon you Lord
Our Mighty deliverer my triumph and truth
I'll wait upon you Lord

Bridge
Chains be broken
Lives be healed
Eyes be opened
Christ is revealed

Product plug: FURMINATOR

I have to plug this product, I just bought it yesterday and used it on Lily and Patches and it was amazing! This product is freaking fantastic. Its a pet brush with some special type of sharp blades that takes away the undercoat. It almost looked like I was shaving my animals. It works really well with long & short haired animals. Patches has white fur and its always everywhere! When I even pet her there's fur all over my hands and clothes. Lily is a corgi, which is basically a sheep dog. There are layers of fur on my tile floor all the time! If you have a pet I highly reccomend it. Its about $34 bucks and its a rather small brush but I assure you, as soon as you brush them once you see why. Seriously, you should go get one. And if you take delight in immediate results its also an enjoyable hobby! I haven't taken pictures of all the fur we got from Lily and Patches yet but here's some pictures of other examples. Its hilarious!

Guest room!

I finally got my guest bedroom decorated, after living here nearly a year and a half. I wanted to have it finished when my family came to visit. Its typical ecclectic Katy randomness but just wanted to share! Feel free to come stay in it whenever you want! Mi casa es su casa!

Our master bedroom

Just wanted to post a picture of our new bedroom furniture just in case you haven't seen it! :)