Struggle #7: Family Vaca without Me

Growing up sucks sometimes. This week my family is in Golf Shore without me. With my two brother's crazy busy schedule, my parents' insane work schedule, and my school/clinical schedule, this was the only week that we could get four out of five people together. Unfortunately, I was the one left out of this deal. So while my family was sitting on the beach today (and sending me pictures), I was working away in Cincinnati.

Yeah you could say I am a bit jealous! But it's ok... I do absolutely love where I am working right now! Working with kids, whether it be swim coaching, babysitting, or in the PT clinic has always been one of my favorite things to do. Kids just bring so much joy to everything they do with their energy, innocence, and love of life that it rubs off on me and puts me in a good mood. My long days of driving, CrossFit, and work fly by! I find myself looking at the clock about 3 times a day and it is usually when I am hungry and I am just seeing how much longer I have until I can eat.

There are very few dull moments when you are working with children in a PT clinic. The questions that they come up with just blow my mind. They want to know everything about all of the equipment we have in the clinic, why they have to do an exercise, and when they are going to get better. I get asked at least once a day, "When am I going to be able to play my sport again?" I constantly have to think of different ways to explain things to them because they don't understand things in "adult" terms yet. I talk about the spine as a "set of blocks with cushions in between them" and explain the proper squat mechanics as "sitting down on the toilet."

I am constantly reminded over and over again how tough kids are and it amazes me every day. Things that would make adults cry, kids just keep pushing through. How messed-up (for lack of a better term) some kids are just amazes me but they just keep going and don't complain at all. I have learned that I have to ask if a kid is in pain because they are most likely not going to tell me. They only want to get better and will do whatever I tell them to do in order to get back to their sport. Most of my kids are very determined and adhere to their home exercise program way better than my adult patients ever have. It amazes me the resilience they show me every day.

This clinical experience has shown me that I really want to work with kids in my future. It is something that I truly love and want to be able to do for a long time. Everyday, I leave work with a smile on my face and a story to tell someone about how awesome my kids are. So while I complain about my family leaving me here in Cincinnati, I honestly can't complain that much. I  love where I am and what I am doing and that is all anyone can really ask for (besides being in Cinci and not STL).

Mark, me, and Hannah at CrossFit 

Plus my family and the Gutzwiller's (the other family traveling with us) made a stop in Nashville for the weekend so I could hang out with them for a bit! I absolutely love my family and the Gutz's are like a second family to me and getting together with them is something I can never complain about. We had a blast exploring Nashville! My bother, dad, and I made it downtown on Friday night and did some of the best people watching ever! Hannah G., Mark, and I went to CrossFit Nashville on Saturday for a 3 person team workout burner (holy burpees over a partner)! And we visited the Country Music Hall of Fame, the outlet mall (where I got an adorable dress), and the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday. We capped off the day with pizza at 11:45 at night (I know not on the approved food list but no where else was serving food). Sunday stunk to say goodbye but overall the trip was awesome and I cant wait to get back!

Grant and I looking adorable (above)

Mark and I at Wildhorse Saloon getting our line dancing on

Oh by the way... I am slowly starting to figure out the blog settings, check out the "About Me" tab on the top of my blog!