Hard to believe it's already almost the end of July.....where does the time go when there is so much going on?

First off, my daughter Irene (age 21) is now married.  On July 13th, she married her boyfriend Ryan at a lovely back yard ceremony.  I gave her away.  Thank you to all family members who came to offer support at this milestone in her life.  She and Ryan are excited about their baby SOPHIA who is due in early September.  (Yep, I'm going to be a GRANDMA!!! but I don't think I'm ready to be called that  yet....how about NANI or BABA or even ZHA ZHA....now that suits me!)

Secondly, I did the Trenton Street fair with my little duo ....STATE OF FAITH.  We performed some inspirational songs that WE want to do.  It was very windy, so my Dad held the tent down during the gig.  (Thanks Dad)  There will be more little gigs to come....I am slowly plugging away at my dream of becoming a folk singer....it's a great feeling to pursue a challenge and succeed at something that is special.  It helps with the rough spots of life to have something positive to pursue.  (Thanks Tony D for all of your friendship and guidance)

Jeff just returned with the boys from an amazing trip out west.  They hiked down the Grand Canyon, spent the night, and hiked back up....grueling!  But they made it back and have lots of great memories from the trip.  I'm thankful that they made it home safely.

I just recieved my national certification as a group exercise instructor.  I am now certified as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor.   Currently, I am teaching 2 classes at the Downriver YMCA.....silver sneakers for active older adults...and PUMP, which is a weight lifting class, plus training my own clients.  I am loving my job at the Y....so many great people there.   The kids are also liking that they get to come out and work out or swim at the splash park any time...

Jeanette is in summer classes at MCCC.  She just got a new job at the country club.  I'm so happy for her and proud of the young woman she now is.  Our relationship is evolving as she is now an adult.  We enjoy hanging out together.  They guys flock to her, it's so funny....she is pretty focused, but also having fun too.  Rock on JJ...

Nick is still in Russia working hard as a missionary.  I'm very happy that he is doing so well and accomplishing so much.  He works very diligently daily, and it is not easy work.  This experience is so good for him.  He is becoming a MAN....the man that he wants to be.

I continue to pray for my one son who quit on himself years ago.  He is living the consequences of his own poor choices right now.   We never dreamed that his life would be like this...we worked very hard to pull him out of the negative, but he seems to still be staying in the dark right now.  It is difficult, because he is now an adult and there is nothing we can do to help until he wants change.  I hate the situation, but I still love the child I used to know.  But I also won't be manipulated...it's tough love time.  I just pray that no one gets hurt while he is digging himself deeper into the hole.  His sister and I had a conversation a few weeks ago that did not go well.  Unfortunately, she too has left our value system and chose another way than what we had taught.  It's very tough, but I am hopeful that one day she will come back and want to connect again in honesty. 

DID I MENTION THE OTHER KIDS?    Dan came back from the Grand Canyon trip with a beard!  He is 15, passed drivers ed, and clocked 1000 miles of drive time in the last two weeks.  I think he'll be the quarter back next year for JV at St. Mary's (hopefully).   Dennis (17) did some great volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity this summer.  He helped to build walls, paint, move shelves, install storm clips, etc.  It was a great experience.  He has a job at the cemetery cutting grass...he's doing great.  Mitch (13) is the master at guitar hero and has a deeper voice than Dan and Dennis....I keep bugging him to play REAL guitar (the girls LOVE musicians!) but he will not have it. Maybe next year.  As I write this, Emmalee (13) is in Traverse City with my side of the family on a vacation...cottages, the lake, board games, etc.  She is growing and seems to require 12 hours a day of sleep.....Kevin and Craig (10) are gearing up for football in August.  LOOK OUT!  The RUSSIAN TWINS will take CYO 5th grade football by STORM this year....Jeff is ready to coach all the newbies.  It will be a blast!

One of our new alpaca's, Summer, is pregnant and due in late September.  We will have a new baby kria at the farm this fall.  We now have 5 alpaca's, 1 llama, and a new kria coming soon.

Seems like there is growth.  I am realizing that I need to go with the flow, but still make my own way.  Much of it is beyond my control.  But some of it is within my reach and influence.  I refuse to get lost in the chaos of some of it.  I'm still me, and bumping along, plugging away, looking up, keeping my heart open.

 

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