Jumping in head first

2010- Which I'm deciding to call "Twenty - Ten", the alternative seems to clumsy for me... I am prone (being a Gemini) to changing my mind so, don't hold me to that, yet; is starting off with a bang! Lots of exciting personal growth happening!
Jeff and I continue to transition smoothly into marriage. We are still more and more in love and committed to each other every day, every moment. We make each other laugh, challenge each other to take risks on personal and professional levels. We are each other's biggest fan and most honest constructive critic.
There are of course, bumps in the road, we are still living in the house that Jeff owns with his ex wife. Of course this is not ideal in many ways. The location keeps us too far removed from the urban and creative buzz of Portland, proper as well as,  from our beloved and bolstering family and community (both bio and non) who are mostly located in SE Portland. But, Jeff and I have found that we are quite good at finding the good in the difficult.
Living in the Beaverton house has taught me that I am quite good at keeping the house in "show worthy" condition. I had a large hand in the staging of the house as it is now and both the professional stager and I  were very pleased that we were able to stage the house to prime show quality using only things that were already here as well as, things that I brought in when I moved in in the Spring along with art, books, furnishings and, artifacts that Jeff and I collected together. By putting art on the walls and books on the shelves and bringing an honest reflection of Jeff and I and our love that is visible to prospective buyers, the professional stager we worked with felt that we brought a real "soul" to the house that hadn't been there before. It feels wonderful to have contributed in that way to our home in addition to the financial contributions  and responsibilities that Jeff and I share.
Of course, this is an incredibly difficult market in which to sell a property but, we never get any negative feedback. Jeff and I both have faith that eventually the house will sell to the right buyer.
Given what could be seen as a difficulty, I think Jeff and I continue to do a great job of flourishing and growing as a unit and individually, even in less then ideal conditions.
Blogging has really re-awakened my writer self and that, along with Jeff's encouragement has brought me back to my love of and, talent for, performing. I'm auditioning for an exciting ensemble piece called, "Inviting Desire", later this evening! Ironically, this piece was created by a former Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, London colleague of mine!
I continue to slowly grow my Educational Consulting business and look forward to the time, most likely after the move, when that professional venture can have more of a physical presence and a "home of its own".
Patience is certainly one of my many daily meditations.
Jeff and I are both very excited that later this month we get to go see my new stepson, Ethan at his mother's family home in Ohio! This is the first time that I will be able to visit Ethan and in fact the first time I will have seen him since March. The day Ethan and his mother moved to Ohio was one of the hardest and saddest of my life, not only because I felt Jeff's anguish over the situation but, because, distance certainly didn't and doesn't make continuing to develop a positive relationship with Ethan, easy. I can't wait to see Ethan! Though we have gotten to speak on the phone and Skype a few times, always with hilarious and wonderful results, it just isn't the same as being able to spend time with him in person.
Especially now that Jeff and I are married, I look forward  to seeing Ethan much more and, to many more years of creating a second family full of joy and exciting experiences and, of course, lots and lots of love, for Ethan.
So, even though nothing has been easy or handed to us, Jeff and I continue to blossom and grow together in this new form that our relationship and our family has taken.
We are approaching this new year with excitement and positivity, always taking comfort in the fact that we are the creators of our own destiny and that we are each others greatest support!
So far, it has been a wonderful year! I hope the same can be said for all of you!