"Oh my gosh, when you see this you're going to throw up."

A student told me that and I expected her to pull a bloody fingernail or moldy piece of food out of her pencil pouch. By throw up, she meant that I would think it was really cute... I'm not sure how that translates. Mikaela was right that these are so precious. She is also the girl that made me miniature cupcakes once.

Abby was so proud to show us this owl iPod holder creature. She got an American Girl kit yesterday in her Easter basket and quilted him all by herself. Mad skills.

Bridget made me my very own ribbon bracelet- I was jealous of the one she sports every week. She moved last Friday, we miss her already.

Tonight at Campaigners Ellyn delivered my newly renovated name tag. The is friendship epicness. In textile design at Carmel all the kids make lanyards for their final and I convinced Ellyn to make me one for my camp name tag. Is it too early to start wearing it all the time?

I love the beginning of Campaigners when all the kids are just arriving. Kids go to sit by their leaders and friends and catch up about whatever has been going on since they last talked.

In leadership tonight we talked about vulnerability, connection, and worthiness after watching this video of Brene Brown speaking. She is a researcher of vulnerability and has gathered information through people's stories. She says, "stories are just data with a soul." I love that. But we heard some really great things and I couldn't take notes fast enough as she spoke.

When we started talking together about it after the video it was helpful to work through a lot of these ideas together and learn from each other. These are some of my favorite lines I want to remember:

Connection is why we're here. It gives purpose and meaning to our lives.


The one thing that separates people into two groups is whether or not they believe they are worthy of love and belonging. 


Courage is about telling your story with your whole heart.


Vulnerability is the birthplace of joy, creativity, belong, and love. Vulnerability makes you beautiful. The way to live is to stop controlling and trying to predict.


You cannot selectively numb emotion.


You are imperfect and wired for hardship but you are worthy of love and belonging.


And here are four things Brene says we must focus on:

Let yourself be seen. Love with your whole heart even though there is no guarantee. Practice Gratitude and joy. Know 'I am enough.'


If we do those things then we will be gentler and kinder to ourselves and others.

We were about to start our girls' Campaigner small group when we had a stroke of inspiration. Jenna had to leave to go to the Westfield Young Life club where her fiancee Kyle is a leader. Their theme tonight was "Kyle's Wedding" and Jenna was a key participant in a couple of the skits. We decided that our whole group should crash club. Once we got the go ahead we snuck out of the house and shot across town. Ellyn had a clutch playlist for lots of singing en route.

We cheered Jenna on in her skit with Kyle about receiving wedding presents...

... and sang as they had their first dance as Mr. and Mrs. Perkins.

The trip home called for more singing... Closing Time, Slide, All-American Girl are classics.

p.s. I talked to Colleen Drasga tonight and was thrilled to hear about the success of her easter egg decorating party and excitement to run the mini.