Category: Be Brave

Super big news! I had my first high school girls’ bible study last night!

I got all kinds of goodies and a few grapes so we could pretend to be healthy. I set out 150 tags and two black Sharpies so I could memorize everyone’s name. I carried every bible of every translation in our house to our living room. This ... Read More


Jordan, my 15 year old daughter, is learning to drive, so I had her give me a tour of all the hidden neighborhoods in Aberdeen this weekend. She’s a runner, so she has seen way more of this town than I have.

The grass is always greener in other people’s yards, so while we have only been living in our ... Read More


I got to speak for the first time in Aberdeen last Friday. The place was packed with new friends, and as I stood there, I felt grateful.

At the end of my talk, I asked if anyone wanted to share their own story of kindness. A woman named Liz raised her hand. (For the record, I think her name was ... Read More


Have you ever had one of those nights where you’re almost asleep and your mind floats off and you’re sort of dreaming your way into blissful unconsciousness? Then all of a sudden those random thoughts form a real thought and BOOM! you’re wide awake?

I asked my daughter if that ever happens to her and she said she’s been known to ... Read More


I want to say something brilliant right now, something that will make your day ah-mazing, but my mind is stuck in a rut and only you can get me out.

Two of my three kids are in such vigorous extracurricular activities after school (football and cross country) that they need to eat real food (protein, veggies, healthy carbs) the moment they ... Read More


A word to the wise: never lie to a pole dancer. After years of dealing with drunks in nightclubs, they have a B.S. in B.S. And yet, I did it. I broke my own cardinal rule and flat out lied to my Pole Fit instructor.

To set the stage, if you will, I signed up for the pole class in a ... Read More


Hey. I’ve missed you.

It’s been a whirlwind few months on my blogging sabbatical. Let’s see… I moved from Ohio to South Dakota, made 3 friends, filmed an episode of House Hunters (it airs in 6 months), signed up for a pole dancing class (I kid you not) and wrote a book (it’ll be out in the Fall of 2020).

Now ... Read More


I told you I was shutting down my blog this summer as my family moves from Ohio to South Dakota, but I just gotta share something. Then I’ll go dark again, I promise.

We are temporarily living in a college rental house. Think keg parties and red Solo cups. Come August, this grand house will get all the excitement she can ... Read More


Last Wednesday, I assumed we would spend the summer couch surfing while my husband looked for a job. Silly me. Never assume.

Thursday, the moving van showed up.

Friday, we loaded three kids and a GoldenDoodle into the car with everything we would need for the next three months.

Saturday, we crushed roller coasters at the Mall of America in Minneapolis.

Sunday, we arrived ... Read More


I’m about to go dark on you. Not dark as in a trench coat, heavy boots and lots of black eye liner. I’m about to say goodbye.

Okay, that was a touch overly dramatic of me. Let me try again. I’m going to dedicate this summer to writing a book that will be released by Baker Publishing in 2020. I’m going ... Read More