After the week I've had, it really does feel like home.
After vacation came to a close, I headed back to FCC headquarters only to leave the next day for a small town south of Atlanta where I would be working a camp at a church for 11 girls. I was a little nervous to be teaching a camp all by myself and staying at an unfamiliar house, but my apprehensions dissipated instantly when I pulled up to a cute two story house with an smiling elderly lady standing on the wide front porch.
From the very moment I met her, I knew I was going to love Nan. She is the kind of lady that always has a spring in her step despite her age. Nan talked a lot about her children and grandchildren, all of whom she seems very passionate about, and I would imagine they are all passionate about her as well.
After I had settled in, Nan took me on a grand tour of the small town. I was literally awestruck at some of the homes she took me past; many looked like old Southern palaces. The downtown area of the town was very cute and old, and I was happy that I was experiencing the place through the eyes of someone who had called it home for almost all their life.
After seeing EVERYTHING, Nan took me out for dinner at a delicious local restaurant before we arrived back at her house and watched some TV. This ended up turning into our nightly routine; watching whatever was on and enjoying each others company until it was time to turn in for the night.
The next day marked the first day of cheer camp. I was picked up in the morning by the sweetest lady named Jennifer who worked at the church I would be teaching at. Jennifer was one of the nicest people I had ever met, and I loved getting to talk with her. She was incredibly helpful and her enthusiasm for the cheerleaders made me excited to get the camp started.
The first day of camp was fun! The girls were all a little shy at first which I had anticipated, but I looked forward to getting to know each and every one of their personalities.
After camp ended at noon, I hit the pool in Nan's backyard. It was blazin hot everyday this week, so getting to go for a dip as well as lay in the sunshine after work most days was a huge blessing.
Nan had Bible study that evening, so I was left to my own devices for a few hours. I decided to edit some photos from vacation (which can be seen in my last post) and skyped with a few of my friends I hadn't talked to in ages. I also decided to sit on the front porch in true Southern style and watch the cars go by. In getting lost in my own thoughts, I found myself pouring my thanks out to God for bringing me to this amazing place and putting new friends in my life to bless me.
French braids, no make-up, and tan skin on a front porch in Georgia. If this isn't bliss I don't know what is.
On camp day number two, an elderly gentlemen named Tom picked me up in his vintage Lincoln and drove me to the church. He was just as sweet as everyone else I had encountered, and I was thankful that I had gotten the chance to meet him. The girls began to blossom and show their true colors on day 2, and I was thrilled that they all seemed to be having fun. I played a little Justin Bieber for them during craft time which they LOVED, except for one little girl who claimed that Aerosmith was her favorite band and hated all things Bieber (she was an interesting one).
After camp, I came home and hit the pool. Nan had a friend from water aerobics named Sarah over to swim and I loved listening to the ladies talk. Sarah had a deep DEEP southern accent that I found absolutely endearing, and she was as sweet as she could be.
That evening, Nan and I watched America's Got Talent, which just happened to be taped at the Fox Theater in Atlanta. Nan had told me all about the theater and how beautiful it was inside, and we spent the hour discussing which acts we liked and which we thought were horrendous. I really enjoyed her company, and I was happy that she seemed to be enjoying mine as well.
Jennifer picked me up again on day three, and I was excited to see all my cheerleaders again. By now they knew and felt comfortable around me, so I was constantly being showered by "Miss Katelyn guess what!" and "Miss Katelyn watch this!"I had such a fun time just being with them, but at the same time found it a little difficult to balance fun time with actual cheerleading. I was very happy that they seemed to love all the fun chants I had taught them, and was thrilled that they loved the game "Ships and Sailors" as much as I do. So much, in fact, that time seemed to get away from us a little too quickly when we were playing.
After the last girl was picked up, Jennifer took me to Southern Pit, a widely renowned authentic southern barbeque restaurant. I gobbled up my pulled pork sandwich (one of my favorites) as Jennifer and I talked about books and movies, her quickly approaching due date, and how God truly wrote the love story between her and her husband, Blake. I loved getting to know her better, and hearing her story made me excited for her current stage of life that I too will get to have someday.
When I got home, Nan and I went to the store, with plans of coming back and going for a swim right after. But, we hadn't been back 15 minutes when Nan asked if I would like to go to Atlanta to see a show at the Fox Theater that evening! I was so surprised and eagerly accepted the invitation. Nan told me that she wasn't going to be going, but that I would be picked up by her friends who would take me with them. Two months ago, I would have felt a little awkward going out to dinner and to a play with four old ladies whom I had never met before, but I was excited to be meeting MORE new friends on my visit.
The ladies ended up being pretty fun to hang out with, even though I felt like I had little in common with them. One of the women, a retired elementary school teacher named Dee I adored. She was really funny and down to earth and seemed like she knew how to have fun where ever she was. The five of us ate at a restaurant called Gordon Biersch in downtown Atlanta, where we all devoured a tropical banana split monstrosity for dessert. From there, we headed to the Fox.
As soon as we walked in, I was instantly in awe. The theater has an Egyptian theme, and all the architectural detail inside was incredible. Being there made me want to travel to Egypt, so if anyone is interested in taking me someday, let me know.
We saw the play "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" written by Andrew Lloyd Weber, starring Anthony Federov from season 4 of American Idol. The production itself was entertaining, even though some parts I found a little weird (Pharaoh was dressed like Elvis, in a very revealing outfit I might add. I felt a little sick.) but in the end I was very grateful I had the opportunity to go.
Day four of camp was bittersweet, I had to say goodbye to Nan when Mr. Tom picked me up, as she was planning to leave to go out of town to see her daughter before I would return in the afternoon. I had grown to love her as a second grandmother over the course of four days, and before I left we exchanged contact information and promised to stay in touch.
Camp was a lot of fun, as usual. I was happy to be continuing to get to know the girls better everyday, and watch their personalities shine through. The older girls are just as fun as the little ones, and each one has something about them that makes them unique.
Hailey is one of the older girls, and she reminds me of myself when I was her age in a lot of ways. She made me a bracelet out of colorful beads one day which I thought was so sweet, and even though she has never cheered before she is incredibly positive and eager to learn.
Tala is another older one, and she has the cutest accent and freckles sprinkled across her face. I haven't heard her complain once, and she is always happy and excited from the time she gets dropped off to the time she's picked up.
Gracie is my most experienced, she's been cheering for four years, and she's only ten! She is always ready to help whenever I may need it, and is enthusiastic about everything. She also has the loudest voice, which I am thankful for when my vocal chords start to get tired at the end of the day. :)
Georgia Ann is a funny one, that's for sure. Remember the girl who loves Aerosmith? That would be Miss Georgia Ann. She loves to tell stories and is very smart, always picking up on things quickly. She also really impressed me when she brought her Bible to camp one day and read a verse outloud to the entire group.
Mary Catherine was one of the quieter girls at first, but has become more outgoing as the week has worn on, and I can count on her hand to be one of the first to shoot up when I ask if anyone wants to call a cheer.
Elizabeth has a pair of the most beautiful blue eyes I've ever seen, and loves to try new things. She is so tiny, but consistently volunteers to be a backspot during stunt class. She is very determined and is so eager to learn.
Maicee is as tiny and cute as she can be. She was shy at the start of the week, but now comes up to me often to tell me a story or to suggest that we try new things. I appreciate her enthusiasm, and couldn't help but melt when, while I was teaching a fun chant, she looks up at me and says "I want to stand by you!"
Meg and Emma are the twins, and boy does their mom do a good job dressing those two! The very first day they both walked in in matching Georgia Bulldogs outfits, complete with little white skirts and matching Keds. They're literally identical, thank goodness for Jennifer making name tags for all the girls. They both are new to cheerleading, but still seem to love camp and are always ready for a challenge.
Bethany is also new to cheerleading, and is the cutest little thing. She doesn't say much, but always does a good job listening and paying attention. I can always tell that there is a lot going on behind her big brown eyes!
Laura Lee is my youngest at four and a half. She sure is a trooper! Even though she is young, she still participates, especially in fun chants. I hope that camp will stimulate an interest in cheerleading that will be cultivated, because if she starts now, she will be a force to be reckoned with in a few short years!
I love each and every one of these girls to pieces.
After doing a little tumbling for someone after camp on day four, Mr. Tom and his wife took me to lunch at Mill Town Gourmet, where I had the best grilled cheese sandwich ever. (Even better than Payne's. Never thought I would see the day.) So, if you ever happen to stumble upon this restaurant, don't leave without ordering the loaded grilled cheese sandwich (sourdough bread + cheese + tomato + avocado + bacon. I could have died right after eating it and would have been perfectly happy with the way my life ended.)
Today was the last day of camp, and though I didn't show it, it was kind of emotional for me. Jennifer ended up being admitted to the hospital the evening before to have her baby by c-section (exciting!) so I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to her. But, she is a new mommy and I am beyond excited for their family!
Saying goodbye to the girls made me so sad. Over the past five days I have grown to love them like they were my own little sisters, and the fact that I won't see them again (along with all the OTHER amazing friends I've made) for who knows how long makes my heart hurt.
But, I guess a new adventure is always just around the corner.
The buildings were painted cool!
Ahhhhh.
I had a lot of fun working with these girls but was bummed that I only had two days to really get to know them! 
