I'm Back!

No posts in awhile! Shocker, since my business of therapy/counseling is growing at such a rapid rate and days I feel like I am drowning to keep balance (so the blogging had to go for a season).

You see, tragedy surrounds me in my profession. People ask me EVERYDAY, how do you do this job? How do you hear such pain and tragedy?

This is why:

This week I strategically watched a mother, father, brother, and grandmother; paying close attention to every detail of their movements so that I could gather any ways in which I could help them. The bargaining, pleading, disbelief looks, immense pain, and when the tragedy became a reality, I watched them say goodbye. The images of that day haunt me at one moment, at the other, give me such peace.

"The other side of the tracks" in my profession is sitting along a mother whose "rap sheet" looks so incredibly sick. How could she allow this to happen to her children? How could she do this to her children? Why would she hurt them in this way? These are the people that most say do NOT deserve a chance to become better, they should go to jail, be locked up, are disgusting. I have always said that God has given me the ability to see the "good" in people. Today, I realized that these are the parts of Jesus that have been covered by the scars of their life. What a blessing to help people see the Jesus within themselves.

You see, I am MADE for this job. God has MADE me to bless each one of these people with hope, and I tell you, I KNOW MY GIFT! Every time, I get a thank you, I am reminded that it is them who I owe the thanking to. These courageous people who allow me into the depths of their pain.

I am BEGGING that you see the Jesus in People and Lend them a Hand to Help HEAL their scars......

Bitter Sweet.....

It finally is here......the day I have been longing for......for the past 12 years!

I have changed my name in private practice to Three Rivers Counseling

AND

opened my new office!!

God has continued to bless my family with opportunities, love, safety, and so much more. I am passionate about empowering others to help themselves by using the best therapeutic techniques.

Thank you for all of those that have supported me down this journey.....I cannot wait to see how God will use me in the future!!

JUST SOME FUN PICTURES.....

What a wonderful man he has been......

Chris has been sooooo amazing!! I have started a business and am growing, which keeps me REEEEEAAAALLLLLY busy. Chris has totally taken on the "mom" house role for me with the kids and it has helped so much. The other day, he said, "make sure you stop and eat something tonight in between clients" with a very concerned voice. He is amazing and I love him.

What a Difference a Year Makes

What a great year! We welcomed our little Luke to the world in 08' and Zach continues to grow into maturity in 09'! Looking back at these pictures, I just feel so blessed. As most of you know, Luke was the most rewarding and trying times in our 2008. It is bitter sweet to look back and know that through it all, we remain such a strong, grounded family grounded in God's faith. I love having that overwhelming wisdom God shows me when I ask Him and follow His plan!

(Anyway I woke up early to do paperwork before going to work and this is what I am doing......guess I just needed a dose of the good things God has given me.....FAMILY!! Yes, that encompasses all of our family as Chris and I value this soooo much)

Our little 4th grade sweetheart.....

Our 5th grade "too cool" sweetheart.....

Family "boys" picture......

Zach's best bud Riley.....just playing around.....
(Riley....seriously one of the sweetest kids around)

Zach "too cool", Riley "still sweetheart".....

Oh no, Zach's a Big 5th Grader.....

Can you see "the look"????

I think this is just the beginning for me with this look! He is under the impression that he is really coooooool these days. Zach informed me that he does not smile anymore in pictures. Oh, but don't worry he still will do it!

Anyway, it was the first day of school and Zach took the famous pictures in front of the door! We limited his pictures at school. Well, at least I thought so, but as I look on the camera, there are quite a few!! HA! We are pretty sure this is the last year for dropping him off (well at least walking him to his classrom) as he will be in Middle School next year!

Luke had fun playing before school too!

The final hug goodbye.....

And it's final.....school is on!!

Mexico!!

Beware loooooots of pictures! We had a wonderful time in Mexico (other than the sunburns that are now flaking off of our backs, darn 50 proof sunblock for babies still could not help this white girl)~

Anyway, Chris and I had the best time. For once in the past month and a half, I could sit down and relax without any worries, business contacts, etc (except for the beginning of the trip of course.....5 hours of paperwork on the plane, emails, phone calls, etc).

So, enough writing.....check out the amazing pictures from the Valentin Imperial Maya.....

Our Suite.....

The amazing pool....these are only of one side of the large pool and they had probably four more pools!

One lounge bar we hit at the resort after dinner....Don Miguel

We took a break from the sun and went shopping, ate at Senior Frogs! We asked the waitress to kindly take our picture, she answered "Sure" AND THEN a huge "SCREAM", NEXT all the wait staff came over for the picture as well!! HA!

(Oh how I wish I could be in that ocean right now)

Lazy river pool outside of our room was calm and relaxing.....

Dinner at Lobster Pot....

Room decorated for my birthday.....THE BIG 30!!

Mexican Band.....

This guy reminded us of Chris's best friend, Miguel....

We were wondering how him and Donna got there??

Man, I love the big guy!

And sadly......going home......Valentin, we shall see you again real soon!

At least they transported us in a Benz bus!!!