This week started off great. I felt like I was getting plenty of rest, had lots of energy and was accomplishing a lot. Sunday night, I thoroughly cleaned my house and got caught up on everything. Monday, work went well and we had fun at small group. Tuesday morning, I woke up feeling fine. Then about 11:00 at church, my throat began to kill me. So I came home and went to sleep for two hours before heading off to work. At work, I lasted 3.5 out of my 5 hour shift before I left to come home sick and I haven't been back to work yet.
I went to the doctor yesterday. He made me kinda mad because he was more concerned with my ingrown toe (which I had already seen him for) than with my throat. But he gave me some antibiotics anyway. My throat is feeling better, but the nausea hasn't left yet. (Joel had the pleasure of waking up at 3am to me throwing up.)
Please pray that I feel better tomorrow because I'm supposed to fly out tomorrow night to North Carolina to see Tony, Jennifer and Olivia.

Puppy Party

Stokley went to his first birthday party this weekend. A friend of ours has a black lab that turned one, so they invited all their friends who have dogs to come over for a party. Stokley had a blast playing with three other black lab mixes and a white terror of some sort. It was quite a site to see. He even got to eat his very own cup of ice cream!
Wow! Dogs are spoiled these days!

Employee of the Year Award

I hurried home from church yesterday morning because I had to be to work at 1, so I needed to let Stokley out and feed him and leave by 12:30. I got to work on time and started helping students. I had been working about 20 minutes when someone came up to me and said "Are you subbing for someone today?". "Why, do you ask that?" I replied, thinking that I was on the schedule as an extra. "Because you aren't on the schedule" the person replied. "But I'm an extra." "There are no extras scheduled today."
I had somehow written on my calendar and my day planner that I was supposed to work from 1-2 as an extra, but I wasn't. ARR... I went into work early for nothing!
However, by going in early, I was able to witness a harsh arguement between the husband of one of our students and the department chair. Public Safety ended up being called to take away the man. It was quite interesting to say the least.

Almost back to Normal

I'm feeling much better today. Tons of sleep has helped me greatly! And my house is actually clean and back to normal! (Sorry that it wasn't clean before you came over JR!)

Joel was taking with his family this weekend and his dad applied for a job in Hastings -- which isn't too far way (30-45 min i'm guessing). I think its for a job that's pretty similar to the one he has now and its with the same union. So if you think about it, pray for the job situation and for wisdom about whether they should move or not. If they do move, it means they'll be much closer to their soon to be first grandchild who arrives in September.

Play too much = Sick

I think all the festivities of the last few weeks has caught up with me. Instead of just getting to relax and clean my house on Sunday night, I came down with a massive cold. I was able to make it to work on Monday, but I came straight home and went to bed. Unfortunately, I had to miss Julie's going away party and didn't get to say goodbye to her in person. (I'm so sorry Julie!) I'm starting to feel a little bit better now.

I Survived!

I've survived kids kamp. Even thought I am incredibly tired, Kids Kamp was well worth it. The kids had an amazing time. My favorite part was Friday night when Joel was up on stage leading the kids in their song and all 300 kids were surrounding him. (If anyone has a picture of this, I'd love to have one!)

I've also survived Molly's baby shower. I drove about 3.5 hours on Saturday morning to go to my sister-in-law's baby shower and then drove 3.5 hours back. Caffeine is a wonderful thing when driving!

I'm hoping to have a few hours to rest up this afternoon. All the house work will just have to wait another day.

Note to Self

It is not wise to bake brownies at 350 degrees wearing jeans in a non-airconditioned house when its 90 degrees outside.

Is it Wednesday or thursday?

I never thought that starting Kids kamp on Sunday would totally throw off my whole week. I can never remember what day it is.

Only two days left! The kids had such a great time tonight. And the workers are amazing! They totally deserve huge rewards for all their work, patience, and time. One of our tribal leaders has 18 kids in her tribe, and she doesn't have a steady helper. But she does a GREAT job with the kids. I wish I could reward them all with a steak dinner.

Kids Kamp Day 2

Well, I've survived and actually got to enjoy Day 2 of Kids Kamp. Registration and everything ran smoother last night. When you put something like this on, you constantly wonder, "are the kids really enjoying it?" But they really did! I talked to several parents and their kids just raved when they got home about how much fun they had. It's so nice to hear those comments. I'm glad all of Julie & I's and so many others time has been well spent!

Is it only Monday.....

I can't believe its only Monday... this week seems so long...and I have so much to accomplish before I get to rest...Stokley ate my Bible today...definately have to spend more time with him...only got 4.5 hours of sleep last night...I worry too much...work is going well...

I listened to Steve's message today. He talked some about will power and how that can get us in trouble. Wow --- that really home hard. The past few days have all been about my will power and trying to do things on my terms with my strength.No wonder it has been so crazy. I've got to let go and let God have control. That's my goal for the rest of the week!

Do I Laugh or Do I Cry

Wow! Today has been one long day! I left for church this morning at 9:05 and returned home at 9:07. I spent the morning helping with RivKids, then finished all the decorating for kids kamp which began tonight.

Kids Kamp went pretty well for the first night. We had a few no shows for helpers and a glich here or there, but overall the kids had fun. And that's the important part isn't it?

Then Joel and I came home and found that Stokley had torn up a two inch by six feet long portion of the carpet in the basement. Boy was he in trouble! I'm pretty sure that he was just mad that he was left alone all day long. No matter what, he lost his roaming priviledges.

So now I'm home trying to relax after a crazy day. I'm full of emotion and I'm just not sure whether I want to cry, laugh or fall asleep. Maybe I'll do all three!

Back to work

After having a month off (hahah...) I returned to work on Monday. It's kinda nice to be back, but also it makes it really hard to find the time to work on remaining Kids Kamp stuff. Thankfully, Julie has been picking up my slack. What would I do without her?! She's awesome!

Stokley hasn't been too happy that I've headed back to work. However, he's been a really good boy and has earned the privilege of roaming the house while we're gone -- that way he can visit the basement where it is much cooler.

Well I must head off... so much to do... so little time.

I hate my tongue!

About three months ago, I made a short comment to someone that is still hanging over my head. I hate that! I hate when I speak before thinking. Then I spend hours and hours thinking about the situation and feeling guilty about it. Arggg.... if I only had a buzzer to go off in my head saying "Wendy, is that really what you want to say?"

Thanks Riverview

To all those folks who might be reading this from Riverview, thank you for all your donations for Kids Kamp. We received so many supplies. Julie and I are so thankful for your support and dedication to RivKids. Kids Kamp is going to be awesome --- thanks again for your help!

Life Lessons I've Learned from my Dog

If you know me at all, you know I absolutely love and adore my puppy. I was just realizing how much he's taught me in the last three months.

1. He makes me take time to relax.
Most of the time I can't just sit and watch TV or veg, I feel guilty for not getting things done. But Stokley makes me take time out to play with him, sit outside and watch him chase birds, or just pet him.

2. He keeps me from over commiting myself.
I can't get too busy when I have to come home and let a dog out and feed him. Not to mention that I feel guilty leaving him locked in a room for hours at a time.

3. He reminds me that relationships are more important than getting the dished done.
Who can resist those cute little puppy eyes that say "Would you play with me?"

4. He reminds me that naps are much for fun when you have someone to cuddle with.

5. He motivates me to exercise.
I tend to care more about his health than mine, but he can't walk himself.

Bet you didn't think you can learn anything from a dog!

Confessions

Sometimes I make cookies just so that I can eat the cookie dough.

Sometimes when no one is looking, I eat spoonfuls of brown sugar.

The D in Wendy D Smith stands for Danette.

Sometimes I like to go to bed at 7pm.