#1 

For a while now I have been feeling a little lost.  Like something was missing from my life. Or like I was missing something about life.  I would wake up on Saturday mornings, look at Ryan and ask “Is this IT?....... Is this what life is?......  We just grow up, raise kids and go to work?.......  From now until we die?”  I’m not dramatic at all. Thank Jesus for Ryan.  He is the sane one in our relationship, and always the one that puts things in perspective.  

Raising kids and being a teacher are mentally demanding jobs.  You are always needed, which can be exhausting.  However, my kids have gotten older (more on this later) and they do not require as much from me as they used to, aside from money, of course! I’ve watched others move onto the next phase of life seamlessly….ahem….Ryan….enjoying their new found freedom, and hobbies. Hobbies? I wasn’t even sure where to begin.  I moved to Colorado at 20.  Met Ryan, got married, had a baby, then another.  Went back to college, had another baby, and another.  Got a master’s degree, sent four kids off to school, began teaching, and renovated houses.  Hobbies?

  I was going through a midlife crisis, in my late 30’s.  I’ve always been ahead of the curve.  

After a lot of consideration, we sold our cookie-cutter home in a desirable neighborhood for a little house on the prairie. Some people probably thought we were crazy, including our children.  Olivia was actually the one to point out that “it doesn’t have a single piece of trim.” And she was right. But I wanted a project and it needed a TON of work, but the views were amazing!

So I decided I would start a blog. In actuality, I shot out of bed at 5:15am on Friday, January 10, 2025 and added “Create a Blog” to my 40 by 40 List (more on that later, too). Thinking of the different things I could write about gives me a sense of excitement I have been missing, and also a place to share our progress on the house, recipes I love and life in our family.  If you have read this far, thank you.  I hope to create content that will encourage you and make you smile.