A look back at 2012, and an anticipated 2013
Our Christmas card listed our top 5 favorite things from the
year 2012:
·
We went white water rafting
·
We got a Mymo (My Gym mascot) costume
·
Juli’s brother became a Marine - and we were
able to attend his boot camp graduation in April
·
We took over our 2nd My Gym in
Colorado Springs – about 1.5 hours away – on January 2, 2012
·
Thomas was elected to the FAB (Franchisee Advisory
Board)
o
The FAB consists of a representative group of
franchisees that meet periodically with the management of My Gym Enterprises
(corporate) to review plans and discuss other matters and common interests. The
FAB members are elected for a two-year term of office, and they may serve a maximum
of 3 terms. Each of the 11 FAB members represents various geographical areas of
the country (Thomas is over the West region) with a President and Vice
President.
In 2012, I also made it a point to try new things. I tried
golf – even had 6 golf lessons – and found that I actually liked golfing with
Thomas. I tried fantasy football and shortly knew that was something Thomas
could enjoy without me. I also tried to read more books this year. I didn’t accomplish
the goal I set, but because I set a goal, I doubled the amount of books I read
in 2012 from the year 2011.
January 1st – Easter 2012, we realized that we
never had a day off work besides those two holidays. Easter (April 8th) was the
day we started a daily Bible reading plan together. The plan takes us through
the Bible in chronological order, and we have less than 100 days left before we
have read every word. A few weeks after starting the Bible reading plan and realizing
how much we were working instead of going to church and having a day off
together, we decided to close both My Gyms on Sundays. Thomas said, “If Chick
fil A can do it and still be profitable, so can we.”
The biggest change last year (besides taking over a second
My Gym), was moving just last week. In December, we found out that the
townhouse we had rented for over 4 years was being put up for sale. After one
showing with two realtors and two prospective buyers (who didn’t end up buying)
walking through the house after a days notice, we didn’t want to go through the
emotional stress of not knowing when we were going to be out of a place to
live. We quickly began looking for other rentals and were blessed to find a
home available on the same street as our friends Dustin and Kendra. In less
than a week, we packed up our old house, moved, had it cleaned, patched and
painted holes in the walls, and turned in the keys. Ten days after that, we
were completely unpacked, organized and settled in our new house thanks to
being off work for the holidays.
Our new house is less than 2 miles away from My Gym Arvada,
but we now live in the city of Westminster, Colorado. Instead of the townhome
feel, there is just one house connected to ours (kind of like a duplex) so we
have a driveway, two car garage, and a little side and back yard. It’s a
two-story, two bedrooms, with two and a half baths. Our favorite part is the
wood-burning fireplace (our gas fireplace was a joke).
Thomas wasn’t able to visit Florida any in 2012 because of
work, and I only came for a quick weekend in October to surprise my best friend
for her baby shower. We are excited to be coming in just a few weeks to spend
some quality family time with everyone and meet our first niece, Emma Joy. Emma
was born on November 19, 2012 even though her due date wasn’t until February.
Today, she is 6 weeks old in the NICU, weighs 3lbs 15oz, is nursing and taking
a bottle, wears clothes, and was just transferred to a crib. She’s a miracle,
and we pray she is home when we arrive in Orlando.
Before our Florida trip, I will be driving to California for
a two and a half week work trip. I’m taking two of our key staff members from
Arvada for them to attend formal training at My Gym Pasadena. I’m excited for
the fun 15+ hour road trip (not including food, gas or restroom stops) with the
girls. I also am anxious for them to come back with a passion and drive for the
company that will help us take the gym to the next level in 2013.
Here is our upcoming travel schedule for this year:
·
Juli is in California January 5th-20th
·
Juli is in Florida January 27th-February
12th
·
Thomas is in Florida February 5th-12th
Somewhere in there, we will be having a garage sale and an
Open House at both gyms the weekend of Valentine’s Day. I also have the opportunity
to go on a Missions Trip this year. The worship team from Victory Church will
be heading to Mexico City March 12th-19th. We will be putting
on a 3-day Worship Conference with sessions that will deal with the philosophy
of worship, as well as a day of ministering to the local church “Familia
Cristiana Taller de Dios”. Our band will also lead worship for their church
that final Sunday that we are there (yes, in Spanish!). Tomorrow, I will be
turning in my paperwork and deposit for the trip, but there will still be a balance
of $1,100 (due overtime). If you have on your heart to give or to send me to bless
the people of Mexico City, I will gladly give you more information.
Tomorrow (January 2nd) is also our one-year
anniversary of owning My Gym Colorado Springs. Although we still do not know
the fate of that gym, we are starting 2013 with great anticipation. We are
truly blessed even through our struggles, and we know even more great changes
are on their way. We are most grateful for the family and special friendships
God has given us near and far, and we wish you all a very happy new year!
