2013...the year of abundant blessings.

I am back...sorry for the lack of posts lately. The end of 2012 was quite busy. Ellysa graduated from high school just before we left for Michigan and Indiana for the Christmas holiday. The holidays came and went without much fanfare. Ellysa and I spent a lot of time to-ing and fro-ing to doctors and hospitals. She with kidney stones and I with a suspicious mammogram. Both have since resolved themselves but not without a lot of worry and concern first. Ellysa spent Christmas to NYE in pain but was able to get through it with just some pain meds and has started the new year off pain & kidney stone free. I, after thousands of dollars of diagnostic testing, have been given the thumbs up and told to just check back in 6 months as a precaution. Having had a dear friend just go through Breast Cancer and having lost one several years ago to the disease, it was a little too close for comfort!

Times like these can make us stronger. The give us pause and help us to reflect upon our lives. I have to say, I am a very lucky person. I have a great family, comfortable life and wonderful friends. God has blessed me in more ways than I can count and one of the biggest blessings he has given me was to lead me along this path, albeit reluctantly, to enjoy the journey with Ellysa.

Since we have been back in LA this January, so many wonderful things have happened that we have to be thankful for. First of all, Ellysa performed 4 concerts in the past two weeks (three of which were this past week!) and met lots of new fans and a few promoters, record producers and even a scout from a record label in the process. She did all of this while also taking an intensive acting class, her regular acting class, workshops, as well as a headshot session and vocal clinics. Oh, and did I mention the countless hours she devotes to volunteering as a leader with the Burbank Wyldlife youth group? She has been one busy girl!

I know some people are superstitious about the number 13 but 2013 has started out with a bang and promises to be a lucky year for us. Since the first of the year, several exciting opportunities have crossed our path which we aren't at liberty to disclose at the moment. All I can say is that God is showing us that when he gives you a gift and you fully embrace it by working hard, devoting yourself fully and having faith, he will reward you in many ways. Sorry to leave you with a bit of a teaser...we will fill you in as soon as we can...I promise. Until then, please pray that, as we come closer to choosing the right direction to take, we can clearly see the way through God's guidance. Meanwhile, here's a sneak peak at one of the photos from Ellysa's recent photo shoot. :)