My month of blogging is drawing to a close and now a new chapter is beginning!

This experiment and experience of daily blogging for a month is coming to a close and I am happy to be able to say that I met the challenge. It was not always easy but in the end it was always gratifying. I really did not explore any deep or controversial issues as I have in the past but this month has really been much more lighthearted than all of that and it was fun to share all of the happy things that have been happening lately in our lives.

There have been times on this blog that I have posted quite often and easily and other times when the writers block was as bad as it gets and I have basically abandoned my blog for a couple of weeks at a time. I really love writing, so when I am blocked like that it feels quite uncomfortable. Lately, I have been exploring the creative part of my brain both with photography and with my writing. My mom is always imploring me to write a book and every time she brings it up, I do what I seem to do best and I scoff at my own abilities. I immediately respond by saying to her that it is just because she is my mom that she likes my writing as much as she does. I am sure it helps that she is my mom but deep down inside, I must believe that I have something to say or I would not have been posting pretty consistently on this blog for 4 1/2 years. As I am typing this I can hardly believe it has been that long, but yes, it was way back in 2005, just before we sent our dossier to China for Katie that I began this online journal.

I have had lots of time for thinking lately, especially with all of the twists and turns that our lives have taken and I have come to the conclusion that I am going to stop sabotaging myself by finding ways to not pursue my gifts. It will not be an easy process as old habits die hard....very hard, but I am going to make a conscious effort daily to finally pursue the vocations in life that will bring me pleasure. Writing and photography will top that list. I will do my best to push the fear of failure aside and "just do it" as the commercial says. By me writing this, I am proclaiming this fact to the world or at least my little part of it.

2010 is going to be quite a year for me and I really hope that you will come along for the ride. I could really use the support and friendship as I navigate all of the barriers, both real and imagined, that are sure to come as I begin the next exciting chapter of my life as a woman who is no longer afraid to pursue my own success.

With love and gratitude,