Another year around the sun . . .

Yesterday was my birthday. It was a good day.

Two years ago, my family was in crisis in the sense that we felt we were losing both Artist Girl and Guitar Teen. Two years ago on my birthday, I discovered that both kids were heavily immersed in the drug culture and I worried that either one of them would be arrested or end up dead.

It was terrifying. Much of the time, I felt absolutely hopeless.

As everyone knows who reads this blog on a regular basis, Guitar Teen was sent to live with his grandparents (my parents). This act may have saved his life. He graduated this past May and had been actively looking for a job. He was hired this past week with much thanks given to my nephew who helped him get the job. (This now means that I may very well have a room for an office, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this means long term employment!)

Artist Girl is still seeking to find herself and yes, it is on our dime. That being said, she has also come along way. She is no longer on a very dangerous, self-destructive path that she was on two years ago. She has stopped smoking, doing illicit drugs (which included ecstasy), and cutting herself. She told me recently that she now realizes that much of her destructive behaviors were directly related to the drugs she was using. "Mom, I just never realized how much of it all was effecting - thanks to anonymous for pointing this out affecting how I was thinking, " she said.

So, yes, there is growth there and I am proud of her as well.

We went out to dinner last night with Artist Girl & Wrestling Fan. My husband and I enjoyed their company immensely. Guitar Teen is coming home to spend the night tomorrow as he works today, but doesn't have to return to work until Tuesday. My family is starting to feel well again.

We are no longer in crisis.