Life's Adventures

So I have officially been in San Francisco for 8 months! What an adventure this has been! It sure has been a roller coaster and I have learned so much about myself; but first let me tell you about my nanny family.

I feel so lucky and blessed to work for the family that I do. I just love them all. I get to work with three kids, a seven year old girl and four and two year old boys. They are really great kids. The seven year old loves to do anything crafty and always wants to look on pinterest with me to find our latest project. She is also very much into gymnastics and has been practicing her cartwheels and front flips constantly. It took me a little bit to win this feisty little girl but now that I have she is so sweet. The two boys are into everything vehicle. They both love to watch construction and play with their many toy trucks. The two year old always asks to watch tractor videos on youtube. The four year old is one of the sweetest little boys I have ever met. He compliments if he thinks you look pretty and always says things that make my heart melt. The two year old has so much energy but so cute and knows how to work his cuteness. Both parents and their family around here have been so welcoming and great to work with. I feel so appreciated and I just love these kids, even on the hardest days.

As much as I love my job and this city, it hasn't always been easy. I have probably never been so lonely in my life. I have made some great friends here but it has been difficult being away from my family and friends back home. I got so used to always being on the go and with someone that it has taken some adjusting to doing things on my own, especially in such a big city. I have spent many nights in tears so lonely and wondering if anyone cares. I spent my first Thanksgiving all by myself and that was really hard. I took myself to a movie and buried my sorrows in chocolate. I have probably questioned everything in my life while in this dark place. I questioned my faith, my self worth, my relationships, and my ultimate goals in life. Despite all these hardships, I have NEVER once regretted my decision to move to San Francisco and being a nanny. Recently in a book I have read called, After You, the main character said this, "Because there would be lonely days. And bad days. and days when I wondered what the hell I had just agreed to be part of. Because that was all part of the adventure too." I have felt all of these things, but it is just a part of this adventure. I have learned and grown so much because of those lonely and hard days.

To try and combat these lonely days I have enrolled in an American Sign Language class. It is so hard but I love it. We are working on being able to form sentences and be able to communicate. This class allows me to get out once a week and socialize with a variety of people. My teacher is great and so funny. I think I am starting to improve and maybe just maybe catch onto everything he is trying to teach us. I have also learned how important my faith is too me. I may have questioned at first but I have had experiences here that helped me hold onto my faith. I started going out with the missionaries to help them with lessons. I started to do it for the socialization and ability to get out of the house. It then turned into me getting very passionate about the subject matter. I have also learned who will always be there for me. My parents will always be there for me. Thank goodness I have a mom who sends me hundreds of pictures of the puppies and is willing to answer my daily phone calls. My dad has been so great on my darkest of days, talking me down and giving me great advice. My sis has also had the kids send me pictures they have colored and we have skyped a lot. I have  had friends back home who will randomly call me. These calls have always been very well timed. It seems like they always come when I am feeling particularly down.  I have also been blessed with great home teachers and sisters in the Relief Society, and other nannies. They have all been there for me when I have needed it, whether it has been for blessings or just needing to talk to someone. Kenadie in particular has been so great. She has been there for me from the day I landed in SF. She is always ready to serve and is there when I need her. She has spent hours in the ER with me and will come over and cheer me up in a heartbeat. She also pushes me to do new things and go on fun adventures. My nanny kids are probably the best medicine I could ask for. They seem to sense when I need the extra hug or cuddles. I remember one night when I was just physically and emotionally exhausted. We were watching a movie and they all just wanted to cuddle. I had the 7 year old on my lap and the baby wanted to sit with me. Since there wasn't room he was content with just holding my had. He held it for probably 45 minute and this is from a very active two year old who never holds still. That night I had tears of gratitude and peace.   All these things prove to me that I am where I need to be and that I am being watched over.

My time in the city has been so great despite my hardships. I feel in love with it from the moment I landed. I never thought I would like living in a big city but now it doesn't even faze me. I have learned to drive in the insane traffic and how to drive like a Californian. My experiences have helped me kind of decide what I want to do in the future. I stopped going to school because I couldn't decide what to do with my life. Now I am thinking I want to major in Early Childhood Education and Deaf Studies. I got into school at Utah State and they offer a dual major in this. When I finish grad school I will have two teaching degrees. I start in January of 2017! San Francisco has been great for me these past eight months and I can't wait to see what the next five months bring. They may not always be easy but it is all apart of the adventure!