I found this quote at work today, & I wanted to write (or type) it down so I will never forget it:
Just as I was reaching a point in my life where I was beginning to feel part of something, I've become restless for a new me.
When you know who you are, new ideas are icing.
I don't think I could ever do one thing my whole life. As much as I sometimes fear change, it also drives me. I'm always looking for new inspiration, new challenges, & new adventures....icing on the cake of life.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
90 in 90
Today marks something of a milestone for Rich...in one of my past blogs, I mentioned that students are challenged to complete 90 meetings in 90 days after graduating the program at CLM. Today is the 90th day post rehab & I'm happy (o.k...happy isn't a good enough word...maybe ecstatic could come closer to the actual emotion) to report that not only has Rich successfully made the 90 in 90, but he has stayed strong in his recovery and is continuing to "work his program." There have been times during the past 3 months when Rich was not able to attend a meeting because our schedule as a family conflicted with meeting times, so my little over-achiever has been doubling up on meetings over the past couple of weeks to make up for meetings missed.
I asked Rich what one of the most effective tools (for him) has been in his daily quest to stay sober, & he said, "Play it out." He described it as a way to control urges by thinking beyond the drink. For example: Rich has a drink. For many alcoholics, that is the one and only thing they think about. But to think beyond the drink...he begins hiding his relapse, I am disappointed, our family is broken, our finances get out of control again....and on it goes. The aftermath of what it would mean for him to begin drinking again helps motivate his sobriety.
Congratulations Rich, for taking your life back from alcohol. I admire your strength & determination. xoxo
I asked Rich what one of the most effective tools (for him) has been in his daily quest to stay sober, & he said, "Play it out." He described it as a way to control urges by thinking beyond the drink. For example: Rich has a drink. For many alcoholics, that is the one and only thing they think about. But to think beyond the drink...he begins hiding his relapse, I am disappointed, our family is broken, our finances get out of control again....and on it goes. The aftermath of what it would mean for him to begin drinking again helps motivate his sobriety.
Congratulations Rich, for taking your life back from alcohol. I admire your strength & determination. xoxo
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Unexpected Paths
Hi all! So, some unexpected things have been happening to Rich since rehab that I thought I'd share. He was (& still is to an extent) a bit nervous to reconnect with some of his friends "on the outside" for several reasons: fears of how they will react, how he can maintain relationships without alcohol (because, let's face it, many social gatherings involve alcohol), & just the general anxiety of wondering what others are thinking about him/us/drinking/the lack there of...
A couple of weeks ago, Rich was talking to a friend that he had not spoken with for several months (this friend knew nothing of Rich's addiction or his entering rehab)& to Rich's surprise, not only was his buddy very supportive, but he also admitted to Rich that he himself is currently struggling with a drug addiction. Rich is, as I type, with his friend at an NA meeting to be supportive & encourage him to get clean. I have concerns that helping his friend may be too much emotionally for Rich considering he is in the newbie stage of recovery himself. But no matter what, I'm so proud of my husband for not only continuing to be diligent about his own recovery plan, but he has also found a new role in educating others as well as helping friends who are also battling addictions.
I'm amazed how something so seemingly personal as addiction is actually a community issue, & there are many folks out there struggling...and looking for someone to be their "mentor" through the process. And a new chapter begins...
A couple of weeks ago, Rich was talking to a friend that he had not spoken with for several months (this friend knew nothing of Rich's addiction or his entering rehab)& to Rich's surprise, not only was his buddy very supportive, but he also admitted to Rich that he himself is currently struggling with a drug addiction. Rich is, as I type, with his friend at an NA meeting to be supportive & encourage him to get clean. I have concerns that helping his friend may be too much emotionally for Rich considering he is in the newbie stage of recovery himself. But no matter what, I'm so proud of my husband for not only continuing to be diligent about his own recovery plan, but he has also found a new role in educating others as well as helping friends who are also battling addictions.
I'm amazed how something so seemingly personal as addiction is actually a community issue, & there are many folks out there struggling...and looking for someone to be their "mentor" through the process. And a new chapter begins...
Monday, June 15, 2009
Morning Lovin'
Lately Rich has been so good to get up & give Gage his 5-6am bottle. I'm not exactly what you would call a morning person, so Rich often brings Gage in to our room & puts him in bed with me before he heads off to work. This morning Gage & I fell back asleep after some cuddling & Rich snuck in for the sweetest photo op ever.
(Ah, the joy of being a lazy hairstylist who doesn't go in to work until 10am!)
(Ah, the joy of being a lazy hairstylist who doesn't go in to work until 10am!)
Saturday, May 30, 2009
6 Weeks Out
Rich has been home now for 6 weeks & we have been going full speed into summer. We've visited our friends Tobi & Corey in Chattanooga (2 times!), my sweet nephew Samuel had his 1st birthday party in Evansville, & Rich's sister Michele celebrated her 40th birthday with us last weekend....2009 has been so full & it's only the end of May!
Rich is trying to do 90 meetings in 90 days. He's done well so far...I think he's only missed maybe 3 days! These past 6 weeks have stretched & strengthened our marriage in more ways than I could have imagined. Although difficult at times, Rich & I have done a lot of communicating about our feelings. We understand each other so much better when we communicate! :-) Funny how that works, huh?
I'm still going to keep this blog going. Since Rich has finished rehab, I will probably talk about that stuff less...although recovery is a life long process so I will discuss how it's continuing to impact our family. But now, I think "the road less traveled" will be about "our family's journey through LIFE." Check back often & enjoy following the adventures of the Becker family!
Rich is trying to do 90 meetings in 90 days. He's done well so far...I think he's only missed maybe 3 days! These past 6 weeks have stretched & strengthened our marriage in more ways than I could have imagined. Although difficult at times, Rich & I have done a lot of communicating about our feelings. We understand each other so much better when we communicate! :-) Funny how that works, huh?
I'm still going to keep this blog going. Since Rich has finished rehab, I will probably talk about that stuff less...although recovery is a life long process so I will discuss how it's continuing to impact our family. But now, I think "the road less traveled" will be about "our family's journey through LIFE." Check back often & enjoy following the adventures of the Becker family!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Appendicitis, Easter, & Graduation!
O.K...I know. It's been a LONG time since my last entry. April was the craziest month ever! I had my appendix out on 4/10 after a long night in the E.R. Here is a picture from my boredom inspired pre-surgery E.R. photo shoot. :-)
My sweet mom drove all the way from Indiana to be with me & help take care of Gage. I really wanted to go visit Rich because not only was it Easter weekend, but he was also getting baptized in the Hiawassee River on Sunday afternoon. So, a little over 24 hours after surgery, we were off to Murphy!
On Easter afternoon, 4 students at CLM were baptized by Denny in the (quite cold!) Hiawassee River.
On Friday, April 17th, Rich graduated from his 11 week program at CLM. Everyone gathered around the Ebenezer Heap & this is Rich's rock he added to the pile...
My sweet mom drove all the way from Indiana to be with me & help take care of Gage. I really wanted to go visit Rich because not only was it Easter weekend, but he was also getting baptized in the Hiawassee River on Sunday afternoon. So, a little over 24 hours after surgery, we were off to Murphy!
On Easter afternoon, 4 students at CLM were baptized by Denny in the (quite cold!) Hiawassee River.
On Friday, April 17th, Rich graduated from his 11 week program at CLM. Everyone gathered around the Ebenezer Heap & this is Rich's rock he added to the pile...
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Time
I need more hours in the day. This is my living room floor...I sit in the middle & surround myself with all my bills, tax stuff, coupons, cards, etc. Land mines of paper...and on the outskirt of that ring o' paper are 2 play mats, a swing, & an exersaucer to keep my son occupied while I figure out life. There probably won't ever be enough hours in the day to figure out life though, huh? I wanted to spend more time on this blog, more time chronicling my son's development, more time tidying our little home. Yet with all that I've wanted to do with these hours I don't have, I really find I'm doing a decent job "holding down the fort." My house may look like a tornado hit, but I'm finally getting a hold of our finances & paying the bills on time. I know I've been bad about logging in the email & phone time I planned, but I've spent some awesome time playing, singing, & bonding with Gage. Through intense personal struggles I'm learning what is really important...(But who am I kidding? I've always hated cleaning! Now I just have a good excuse not to!)
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