Life is Messy
the basics
the hard part
the hard part
This is the part where I'd tell you a little about my family, & maybe you care (or maybe you don't), but here's the basics: I have 3 kids who are constantly changing ages (as kids do) so I'll just say they are teenagers so I don't constantly have to update their ages. They are super cool humans.
I live outside of Chicago (technically in
This is the part where I'd tell you a little about my family, & maybe you care (or maybe you don't), but here's the basics: I have 3 kids who are constantly changing ages (as kids do) so I'll just say they are teenagers so I don't constantly have to update their ages. They are super cool humans.
I live outside of Chicago (technically in what we locals call The Region of Indiana) & married to Dave for a SUPER long time... & basically we should be divorced. But we still (really) love each other.
the hard part
the hard part
the hard part
Technically the hard parts *plural* because we really have had very few boring years of marriage. We met in 2006, married in 2007 & pregnant in early 2008... which is also when I found out my teaching position was being eliminated (yay! I can be a stay at home mom!).
Except... anyone who remembers that year, the world went almost as cra
Technically the hard parts *plural* because we really have had very few boring years of marriage. We met in 2006, married in 2007 & pregnant in early 2008... which is also when I found out my teaching position was being eliminated (yay! I can be a stay at home mom!).
Except... anyone who remembers that year, the world went almost as crazy that year as it did in 2020. Dave who had JUST started a business in 2008 found himself with exactly ZERO homes to build as a residential carpenter, I was barefoot and pregnant & also unemployed. We were in trouble.
bankruptcy
the hard part
Mental health
For years I couldn't even write that word because of shame. But God has brought me (us) to a point of seeing the victory in the hard.
The bankruptcy forced us to come together as a family of 4 (soon to be 5) and figure it out. We had help, of course, but we had to grind, push through, hold it together, while also fighting my biggest battle of all...
Mental health
the messy middle
Mental health
I'm pretty sure my first panic attack was in middle school. I have had my peaks and valleys, like I'm sure you've had too. But it became debilitating after our bankruptcy. I've tried everything from pharma to natural & I've always been public about my journey. My entire social media presence is dedicated to making women like YOU feel
I'm pretty sure my first panic attack was in middle school. I have had my peaks and valleys, like I'm sure you've had too. But it became debilitating after our bankruptcy. I've tried everything from pharma to natural & I've always been public about my journey. My entire social media presence is dedicated to making women like YOU feel seen, showing you what worked for ME (& could work for you) & having a little fun along the way.
Peri-what?
the messy middle
the messy middle
Just when I thought I had things figured out.... yeah, right... perimenopause hit. Listen, in the 2010s NO ONE was talking about perimenopause in my circles, so I had no FREAKING clue what was happening. It was bad, real bad. 2022-2024 were some of the hardest years of my life. I'll share more of that chapter along the way. But what I did learn is...
the messy middle
the messy middle
the messy middle
The messy middle is real life. Raise your hand if you're freaking sick of all the shoulds, coulds, & shame culture (I know it's not just me!). I came out of that season and I said ENOUGH. I'm not all or nothing. I'm done performing. I'm figuring myself out. I love Jesus (a lot). And if you don't like it, oh well.
If that's you too - welcome to the club. Glad you're here.