I am a military wife (retired), stepmom to two adult kids, Glammy to five grandkids, a career professional, and a Jesus follower since childhood. I am also a recovering perfectionist, control freak, and workaholic. My husband calls me Cupcake and says I am “something else,” which is a subtle way of saying I overdo everything. My mom claims that I can be “a bit much,” and according to my dad, I came out of the womb talking. I guess some things never change. I still talk a lot. Storytelling, mentoring women, and sharing lessons learned are my jam. 

Baby books say my name means “lively,” but I haven’t always felt lively. I wasted many years drowning in self-inflicted stress, stress-related illness, work, anxiety, frustration, and worry. Living a balanced life, with God at the helm, was not on my priority list until I had no choice but to slow down and trust Him. I guess I should have added “cancer survivor” to the list of qualities that define me.

In 2020, I rededicated my life to the Lord after a lifetime of selfish ambition. It has been a journey, but the most important thing I have learned so far is that God never intended us to live overwhelmed, hurried, and burned out. He desires to give us an abundant, balanced life, which I believe requires vigilance, intention, and surrender. 

At the age of 50-somethin’, I am having a blast! If I am not exploring the back roads of wine country with my husband in “Marilyn,” our 1968 C-10 pickup, I am playing at a dude ranch, cheering at a motocross race, hiking trails, reading, writing, and blogging on my back patio, or watching documentaries and sports movies in my jammies. Putting God first, giving up control, embracing imperfection, and adding fun, self-care, and rest to my life have been a game changer. Now, I can honestly say I am living up to my name!

“God created us to thrive, not just survive.”

For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you, says the Lord, plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  – Jeremiah 29:11