Often, we use the first of the year to start new. I'm using February 1. No real reason, other than I need to. There are some things you should know about me before we begin this journey together.
I have been married to Ken for 21 years. We have had a lot of ups and downs, but have stuck together because we deeply love each other. He is my rock, my salvation, my heart, my soul, my best friend. We have 3 amazing children. Sage is our oldest, 16, and is a junior in high school. He plays football, and wants to play college ball. We have been working to get him recruited (and you'll hear more about that later, as well as tips if you have a child wanting to play college sports.) Peyton is our middle son. He is 13, and in the 8th grade. He enjoys most all sports, and will be playing football in the fall. Elisabeth is our daughter. She is 10, and is my mud puddle princess. We also have a dog, Caro, a yellow lab, who is just what I needed, when I needed it most.
Huh?
I deal with clinical depression and severe anxiety disorder. I take medication, but some days, it isn't enough. I will feel panic attacks start, and get scared. That is where Caro comes in. She calms me. I can get down in the floor with her, and just pet her, or play with her, and the panic eases. The anxiety eases. I am not shy about what I deal with, either. It is as much a part of who I am as my brown hair and blue eyes.
I am a Christian. I have a deep faith, and am not ashamed of it. I pray. I talk to God as though I'm talking to my best friend, because he is. God also helps to ease the anxiety. I am a bit of a control freak, and when I feel things slipping out of my control, I take it to God and I leave it with him. At least, I try to. I know God has a purpose and a plan for all of us, and it is not ours to question...it is ours to follow where he leads us.
Ken and I have followed that call many times. We have moved 8 times in the 21 years we have been married. We know that there is a purpose in each move, and that we are learning with each move. Learning to live with new surroundings. Learning to live with new challenges. Learning to adjust to new ideas, new people, new towns....
So, in this blog, you will find recipes I love, or want to try. You will find my random thoughts. You will find tips to helping your child get recruited to play college sports. But more than that, you will, hopefully, help me find me.
Ahhhhh... a monkey wrench in the system. Yes, folks, I'm trying, at 43 years old, to figure out who I am and what my purpose is here. I own a photography business, that I love. I love the creating, the interaction with people, the process of making a great picture even more wonderful. But I often wonder is it enough? Am I enough? I don't do it to be wealthy. I do it because I love it. But is it enough?
So, there you have it. My starting new. Welcome to my journey!
