New Beginnings

Morning before my first day

Today is the first day of my new job.  As I wrote in .  I am not kidding.  Ask her.  She uses Skype to talk with her Kansas friends on a daily basis.

Benjamin is getting A's and B's in school.  He says he is getting plenty of homework.  In fact he says that any more homework would interfere with Debate.  Ask him about his debate experience this last weekend.  He is very proud of his efforts and he should be.

Trudy has a number of upcoming preaching 'gigs' where pastors have asked her to provide supply pastor services for them when they go on vacation after Christmas.

I continue to go to the Sat. morning jam.  I really enjoy the camaraderie and it does force me to learn new songs and how to play with other people.

As a family we have been playing the fantasy role playing game on Sunday afternoons.  Everyone has been having a great time.  Both Benjamin and Catalina have been learning how to play their characters.  Trudy has been really enjoying playing her 'bratty' noble woman.  I think it drives Catalina and Benjamin a bit nuts that their mom is being 'bratty'.  I am 90% sure that is why she does it.  Fair is fair since they can be 'bratty' at times .    I continue to update the campaign world, Valdorian Age - Rising Power on the Frontier.

Sunday play

When I get a chance I will be uploading photographs on the site from the Youth Group's Christmas play.  I don't know where they got the play from but it was very funny and right on topic.  Trudy and I had seen Benjamin 'chew up' scenery in a play.  He was excellent.  I didn't realize that Catalina could act.  She had some of the best lines in the play. 

Therapy

My individual and group therapy has been going very well.  I know that I am changing because of what I am learning.  My therapist told me that the real therapy work happens outside of sessions.  At first I didn't know what he meant until the last two months when I have actually caught myself in my 'stinky thinking' before I slid into some seriously unhealthy behavior.  I have not only caught myself, I have also been able to 'analyze' why I am feeling the way I am and then find a better way to deal with my feelings instead of the way I use to deal with those feelings.

Trudy, Benjamin and Catalina have also noticed the changes.  I still have times where I don't see my 'stinky thinking' and behavior.  But when I am challenged about my behavior and 'stinky thinking' I am learning how to not to be defensive to the feedback.

Closing

I hope to keep my blog more up to date during the next few months.