I turned 43 on Saturday!!! wahoo! I'm jazzed about the gift of each year because I know I have a unique and special purpose. I'm grateful for the opportunity God's given me each day to fulfill it. It takes time to get to know a person and it's even more challenging to get to know someone virtually. I'm especially as I keep so much of my personal life private. Here are 43 of my favorite things to shine a light on who I am. You'll have to let me know if we share any :) His Word

Nearly 3 years ago at my 40th birthday my gal pals and i discussed the dreams we have for our lives. One of mine was to visit Europe, specifically Paris! I shared that I hoped to make this a reality with Ryan once Vivian is grown. A dear friend challenged me not to wait, to consider my options as no one knows the future. I pondered for a year and decided that with intentional choices, discipline and teamwork this dream didn't have to stay a dream. Sweatshirt - Hat - Double

We've been working with Vivian on learning to ride her bike without training wheels for several months. She really wanted to learn and we really wanted to help her, but often it became frustrating. We would go several weeks without trying to relieve some of the pressure. A couple of weeks ago, Vivian's cousin's received a new bike. The girls went out and Vivian hopped on her cousin's older bike. Just like that she balanced and rode the bike all by her self!!! I watched her ba

My dear friend gifted me a tea towel with this phrase ' No Grit No Pearl' embroidered on it. My response was ‘This is Me to a T!!!’. She said, it sure is. Here’s why: I have grit! A lot of grit! I am a part of a long line of women who are strong, determined and faithful. As for pearls, to me they are so very beautiful and I have worn them my entire adult life. An oyster turns an unwanted irritant into a beautiful pearl of high value. For us, our trials and hardships in life c

This week marks 4 years in my current job managing a private medical practice. Working is important to me and it's something we all do. What's interesting is how the meaning of work has changed for me since I had my first job 30 years ago. In my teens I babysat, gave music lessons and worked at a local dry cleaners my junior and senior year of high school. In college I was pursuing a career as an Optometrist and worked at an eye clinic for 4 years realizing it was not a fit f

Every year I’m in awe of the gift of another year of motherhood. As sentimental as that sounds it’s true. I surely haven’t earned the privilege and I treasure it with my whole heart! There’s so much new with each year but oh so much that’s stayed the same. An extra early wake up for me, strict bed time for her, along with lots of dance parties, pictures and ice cream are shared together. Every year holds endless amounts of doting on my darling. I’m also still alone A LOT! Rya