About our summer...
I haven't written anything in a while, we've been busy this summer. Here are some highlights:

About a month ago, Jim and I went to Applesauce Inn Bed and Breakfast in Bellaire, MI (which I can't say enough good things about). It is close to Traverse City and Charlevoix and near good hiking, beaches, and wineries, plus charming small towns. The rooms are well-appointed and the gourmet breakfasts will keep you full until well into the afternoon. We had a very enjoyable and relaxing time and the kids had a great time with their grandparents!

I am also in the process of trying to get a private counseling/psychotherapy practice going. I'll be doing appointments in the evenings after work to start out, so for now no one at my workplace needs to worry that I'll be leaving immediately. I don't want to incur huge amounts of debt to get this going, so I'm starting by doing home-based appointments, and if it looks sustainable, then maybe I'll rent an office. I think a counselor/therapist can gain so much more understanding about interpersonal and family dynamics from doing in-home work. If you're interested in working with me and you live within the Grand Rapids, MI area or no more than a 15 min. drive away from there, please call me at 616-304-4160 or e-mail me at kristen@balancepath.com to set up an appointment. I am a fully Certified Social Worker in the State of Michigan and possess the Academy of Certified Social Workers credential through the National Association of Social Workers.

I'm interested in working with persons who are dealing with anxiety, stress, grief/loss issues, depression, and learning how to live with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. I've had several years of work experience with individuals who have dealt with those issues and come through very severe circumstances. I don't participate with any insurance companies at this time, but will work on a sliding-fee scale for payments. Seeing as I'll have limited time to work on this for now, I'd rather spend the time I have being creative about how I can help people deal with their issues than negotiating with insurance companies. I am very excited to see what transpires and hope to make a difference for those who'd like to work on those issues. I also want to thank Carissa Woodwyk, Deb Jandle, and Jeff Vanden Bosch for sharing their insights and encouragement.

Also happening this summer, Abby will begin preschool in a couple of weeks at Evergreen Christian School. Abby will be going three days a week, and will soon bid goodbye to the daycare where she has stayed since she was eight weeks old, the Salvation Army Booth Family Services Community Child Care Center. Jim works from home and will continue to watch the kids the other two days they are not in daycare/preschool. It'll be a good thing overall to have Abby in a place where there are all kids her age, though I'm sure she will miss her daycare as she's grown accustomed and attached to the teachers there. Abby will already know a couple of the kids in her class as they go to our church and she's been in Little Lambs groups with them. She's very good at making friends quickly though, so I don't see that she'll have problems with it.

Hope you enjoy the rest of the summer. It's been too short!
- posted by Kristen @ 8/01/2005 09:48:00 PM