One week down!

     Well, I made it through my first week here in New York!!  I'll say it right now, it wasn't an easy week.  There were many ups and downs and second thoughts, but in the end, it all worked out the way it needed to.

     So I guess we'll start at the beginning!

Day 1: It was my first day so I didn't really know what to expect.  I was open minded, enthusiastic and ready to work!  The whole day was spent with Ethan and Aaron with no distractions.  I was there for them and, boy, did they love that!  They had so much that they wanted to do!  They wanted to sword fight, play Legos, toss a football around, it didn't really matter what we did as long as I was with them.  Later, we went to the skate park for the first time and it was a whole new world for the boys.  A new, big, scary, DANGEROUS world.  They had all their gear on and they were ready to go.  They rode on their scooter for close to twenty minutes when big, buhrley teenagers came speeding through on their BMX bikes.  The boys decided the skate park wasn't their cup of tea after that.

     After work that night, I headed to Family Home Evening with the singles ward.  Those beautiful people welcomed me in with open arms.  They made me smile and laugh and open up so much, it was as if I was talking to old friends.  Being surrounded by people like that make it really easy feel the spirit even when it's hard.  They make the homesickness go away, even if it's just for a second.  I'd say it was a great first day.

Day 2:  Today was harder.  I woke up feeling very fatigued and low in spirits, but I kept a smile on my face and worked through it.  Having to adjust to the boys personalities is going to be a challenge.  I'm not quite sure how to work with them yet, and I feel very frustrated about it.  I don't want to feel ineffective, but I really have no idea what I'm doing right now.  It was Beth's birthday today, so Ross' parents came over for dessert.  They are definitely New Yorkers.  They love to talk.. And talk.. And talk.. About the same topic for a solid ten minutes.  They're extremely loud, and up in your face pretty much the whole time.  And it doesn't matter who you are, you are referred to as "sweetheart" or "honey."  They're darling people, but extremely overwhelming.  I had fun with the boys, but the homesickness was constantly on my mind.  I miss hugs from my mom.  I miss coming home to big hugs from my brothers.  I miss being surrounded by the Gospel at all hours of the day.   Being out here, away from all that is difficult.  I felt ready to come home today.  But I can't.  Because I can do hard things.

Day 3:  Today was better!  I was able to sleep in a little bit before starting and that helped a lot.  The day started out great and it continued throughout the day.  In the afternoon, we went to Bounce, which is a trampoline park pretty similar to Get Air in Utah.  There is an age limit on most of the areas in the park and Aaron didn't meet them.  Luckily, there was an area for kids his age that he had a lot of fun with!  While there, I was so focused on making sure Aaron was ok and having fun that I didn't even care to bounce, I just wanted to watch him! #Nannylife.  Later on, was volleyball at the church.  I had the opportunity to ask President Nulty for a priesthood blessing.  In his blessing, he told me that "it will get better."  I have been repeating those words to myself ever since.  It may be difficult right now, but i am here for a reason.  I may not know why just yet, but things will work out the way they are supposed to.

Day 4:  The days are slowly but surely getting easier.  The homesickness is still there, but I feel better about being here.  We went back to the skate park today!  We went a little earlier in the morning, so the BMX bikers weren't there to run the boys over.  They were much more confident in themselves than they were the last time!  They were rolling down the ramps, picking up speed, attempting to jump their scooters, all with a smile on their face.  That's the kind of thing I live for.  I love to see them smile and to know they're having fun.  It doesn't matter if they're

good, and they don't care, so long as they have a blast doing it.  Today was very difficult with Ethan.  He likes to poke and to prod.  He likes to know he's irritating you and he doesn't care.  He also isn't a huge fan of being obedient.  Like most kids his age, he likes to do what he wants and doesn't care about what others say.  I'm having a hard time getting through to him, so we'll see if I can.  I just need him to know that I'm here to be his friend and he can trust me.  Wish me luck!

Day 5:  I have officially made it through a week!!  As hard as it was, I pushed through and I'm doing alright!  Today was relaxed and very chill.  This morning was rough for Ethan.  He was very angry and aggressive and things got very frustrating for him.  He ran into a room and hid underneath a blanket as if he could hide from everyone.  I went in there to try to talk to him and he didn't want to at first.  Then, I said "Ethan, I'm here to be your friend.  I'm not trying to be your mom, or the boss of you.  I just want you to know that you can trust me, ok?"  He was quite for a minute and then peeked out from under the blanket, looked at me with a little grin (he'll deny it), and said "Ok."  Later on he was back to his happy self.  When he was bored and pacing back and forth in the living room he sat down and played a couple notes on the piano.  So, I sat next to him and he didn't push me away.  So, I pulled out a book and put it on the piano.  Then he stopped, opened it up and started tinkering!  After a couple songs he told me all about the piano at his school and how he loves to look at the strings and try to see how the hammers work.  It was as if he was talking to a friend!  BREAKTHROUGH.  

     At dinner, I had the amazing opportunity to participate in Shabbat with the family.  Shabbat is a way that the Jews welcome in the Sabbath.  It was so fascinating to see there culture and see how they do things!  After being part of that, I feel much more comfortable.  They are a darling family and I'm so blessed to be working with them.  One week down, I can't wait for the next one!

     On Saturday, I went to New York City for the first time!! I walked down Times Square, saw my first broadway show, met Kyle Dean Massey from the cast of Pippin and so much more!  NYC is a beautiful place with beautiful places to go.  I'm so glad I have a whole year to experience everything.  I love my life!!!