I've been too too busy to write lately.  I guess that is good news.  I just wish there were more hours in the day some days.

Personal training is going great!  The Downriver YMCA is quickly becoming "my happy place".  I've made lots of new friends at the gym since this summer.  It's a great place to work.  Motivating my clients keeps me motivated.  I actually look forward to coming to work, mostly because of THE PEOPLE and the RELATIONSHIPS I am experiencing.

Our book, "Fresh Paint, a Memoir of Adoption" is also keeping me busy.  I am doing some book talks and signings here and there and am getting a great response from my readers.  Most people tell me "it made me cry"....wow, that is what I was hoping for...to reach them at that emotional level.

Music with the band is also busy right now.  We are preparing for a gig next week at a prison.  I have never gigged in a prison before, especially a state-run institution...I'm a little nervous about it, but am looking forward to this new experience...    February 2nd and 3rd, we'll be a t"SELDOM BLUES", a jazz club inside the renaissance center in downtown Detroit.  That should be fun.

I'm still practicing my guitar, but not enough as I would like.  I've got some appearances coming up this Spring and Summer, so that is helping me to stay with it so I can do those gigs WELL.

Kids at home are doing well so far:

Jeanette (20) is at MCCC and still working...she's going away to school next fall.  She is doing great and it's nice to hang out with her at the gym.   She has lots of plans for her future.   I'm thankful that she has stayed around and still embraces us as her family.

Dennis (16) is a sophomore and will probably be running track in the Spring.  I'm looking into getting him to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity this summer.  He loves construction and is very good at building things.  I think this would be a good experience for him.

Dan (14) loves wrestling and has already earned his varsity letter as a freshman.   I am looking forward to it ending so he can gain some weight again.   He will also be in track in the Spring.  So far, he is getting A's in his classes.   High school agrees with him.

Emmalee just turned 13.  She is now getting into all the girly things....hair stuff, makeup, and boys.  (here we go...)

Mitch is on EXPERT in guitar hero 3 and is UNBELIEVABLE!   I can't get him to take real guitar lessons though....maybe over the summer.

Kevin and Craig will be 10 next month.  We're having a rock climbing wall/swim party at the YMCA.  It's hard to believe that "the babies" will be double digits. Football rules with them these days..

All of my kids at home are growing up fast and moving forward in thier lives. I just  wish I had a better relationship with the ones who have left.  They seem to be doing their own thing, which is where they need to be I guess.  It has just been very hard for me to understand their choices.  I continue to pray for them.  In the meantime, life goes on, and I am thankful that I have so many positive things in life to keep me smiling.

So many of my friends have been bugging me to write another book, this one about some of the not so good times.  I am considering it, because I think people need to know the realities of adopting older kids and what could be involved in that.  I am slowly getting over the pain as time is ticking on, maybe I will make time for it this summer?  It might be a cleansing experience to finally get it all down.  We shall see. 

One of my colleagues in my Monavie business told me recently..."Don't let negative thoughts or negative people rent space in your head".  I think I'll have a tee-shirt made on that one!  By the way, my Monavie business is booming!  I now have almost 400 people in my organization.  Every time someone buys juice from the company, I make money....LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!  And we are still drinking it daily.   I am continually amazed at how awesome it is to be a part of such a great company that gives back to the people of Brazil and is helping to save the rainforest.  I have met so many great and caring people since I got into it in June.  More new friends who are into health like me...

It's a new year...

 

What did you think of this article?

Liked
Disliked
No Opinion