Thanks for the emails (here's to those of you that asked about our reading list)

Hey there. Traci and I have been getting a lot of personal feedback from our family blog and we must say that we are more than happy to share "our" world with you.

Often times people comment on our family, our relationship and how much they enjoy reading our thoughts and how much of an inspiration we are to them. Many people ask us, "What's in your home library?" or "What are you reading right now?"

So we came up with a list of books which you can find here:

Our PERSONAL Recommendations For You and Your Family

You can also click over to the right where it says: "our personal recommendations....."
and access our book list there too.

Right now I'm reading a book called the "Strategy Paradox" by Michael Raynor. It is absolutely phenomenal. I'm not sure exactly how I "squeeze" in the time to read it but I do.

We certainly hope that enjoy some of the books. We will post more as we get the time. Take care.

Rhadi

P.S. The Summer is a great time to start up a "reading list" and to knock out some of the books that you've been dying to read.

Our trip to Maryland to visit the Grandparents

Rufus and I had a very eventful weekend with a brief but exciting trip to Maryland to visit the Grandparents. The first and last time we traveled to Maryland was in October for Rufus' Baby Dedication. So after one very long, but eye-opening trip I learned what millions of parents struggle with every day when they're traveling with little ones---you live for the kind generosity of family, friends and even strangers to make your trip less stressful and more enjoyable.


With one stroller, one car seat, two carry-on bags and two rolling suitcases, Rufus and I headed for the Check-in counter at 5:45 am on Thursday morning for our 7am flight. Rhadi couldn't travel with us because he had to present at the Martial Arts Millionaires weekend, so Rufus and I set out on our trek to Maryland.


Amazingly, the flight departed and arrived on time and as we disembarked from the plane Rufus' grandparents were waiting patiently with open arms to greet us as we walked through the security gate. I carried the digital camera with me but was so excited to be back in the D.C. area that I forgot to take pictures of our reunion.


Once we trekked all our luggage to the rental car depot, we headed off to the outer skirts of Maryland to see my mom. My mom and I had already planned to take pictures with Rufus at a local potrait study on Friday and here's our photo gallery from the session....oh, the many facial expressions of such a handsome 14 month old boy!





The most serious of poses.....one woman at work said Rufus looks like a future Chief Justice of the Supreme Court!

Here's Rufus in his most comfortable pose with his hand behind his neck, sucking his thumb!

My mom and I had a blast taking pictures with Rufus but after about an hour, I was tired and ready to head home.

The day we left for home, Rufus had the opportunity to visit with the oldest member of the family, his great-great-great Aunt Evelyn, who's at the tender age of 92! I'm still trying to unpack so I haven't quite found the camera yet but I'll post their picture in one of my upcoming posts.

And to those of you who think that I just threw my workout schedule out the window during my trip...you're wrong. Even though I was fighting a cold, I was still able to manage working out with a modified program of the Backyard Workout. My mother thought I was crazy workout out in her living room but I've got to keep in great shape for the summer and to keep my energy up to run after Rufus!

So until next time....take care,

From Traci, better known as Rufus' mom.

In The Atlanta Airport

Well, I'm in my favorite ariport in Atlanta, eating at my favorite restaurant when I travel Paschal's.

Paschal's is a traditional souther restaurant with traditional southern cuisine. I had my flight re-routed this morning so I could come through Atlanta instead of Cleveland. For 3 main reasons:

1. The other plane was a small plane and I DO NOT DO WELL on small planes. I generally fly first class (when I got it like that :-) ) but on this particular occasion I booked my flight a little late (as usual) and I was stuck like chuck on the outbound flight with a window seat, which I abhor and detest. So on the way back I asked for an aisle, but the plane was one of those puddle-jumper joints and I wasn't goin' for it!

2. The other reason why I changed flights is because the visual landscape (wink wink) at the Atlanta airport is better than Clevelands. :-) The airport is not so homogenous and its just a great "feel good" environment.

3. Paschal's!!!!

Well, below are some photos from this weekend's Martial Arts Millionaire Seminar

My exercise regimen has gone to pot for the past 4 days. My stairmaster in my garage has broken, but I did buy a nice Airdyne machine this week, but my travel and preparation schedule just wrecked me. As soon as I get home (after I get some rest) I'm going to jump on 2 sets of Working Out With Rhadi and make it happen.

Traveling sux!! But I do love my job.

Take care.


P.S. I really miss my wife and Lil' Rufus

I Absolutely Love My Job!

Work, work and more work. :-)

I tell you what. I ABSOLUTELY love my job, I really do. I love helping people and providing people with solutions to their problems in order for them to achieve higher and better levels of success personally and professionally.

Last night I had a life coaching call with one of my Olympian clients and it was one of those breakthrough conversations where you finally realize that the other person FINALLY gets it.

For this particular client I helped her get out of debt, put money in her savings account, get in graduate school, re-structure her Olympic career, and position herself for life after sport.

She is REALLY gettin' it done and I'm very proud of her. Last night we actually talked about her "next" move and what it is that she wants to do professionally.

She understands what a lot of people understand, what I understand, what my wife understands and what my parents have taught me over the years. And that is, "Align yourself with the individuals who can mentor you, teach you, coach you and provide you with the things which are going to propel you towards the goals that you would like to reach."

As a coaching professional I've had the opportunity to really touch and change lives and I REALLY dig it. I've coached and I do coach Olympians, World Champions, Athletes, general population, men and women and even families. I've coached them many areas of life from nutrition, to weight loss, to health, to martial arts, to relationships and marriage, to school, finances and personal development.

This weekend I'm at a Millionaire Martial Arts Seminar and I had to provide a motivational and business information speech and it was a hit. Not because I'm savvy at speaking, but because people love the truth and that's what I deliver.

I'm still at the seminar and I will leave tomorrow morning and return back to my home to my wife and son and to my home office. I really miss my wife and son, but they know that I have to help others so that I can fulfill one of my purposes in life. First and foremost, I'm a husband and a father, and after that, I'm a Coach. :-)

Take care,

Rhadi Ferguson