About Me

Hello, Friend! Welcome to my little "corner of the sky" (for all my fellow musical theater lovers out there).

In between diapers and loads of laundry, I come here to share my heart with you. I started writing here in May of 2012. I write about the things I struggle with, things I’m working out with God. The silly ideas I have, the crazy observations. The encouragement that’s been poured into me so I can’t help but pour it out to you.

And because I can't do much with a straight face, I throw in some witty observations and self-deprecating humor. Just to spice things up.

I’m about the heart. In Greek… Kardia.

“inner life, intention” "the affective center of our being" "desire-producer that makes us tick", i.e our "desire-decisions" that establish who we really are.

Which means I write about...

God's Word. Studying it, listening to it, singing it. However I can get it into my life. I focus on the big issues. The Love God with all your heart, soul and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. Kind of issues. The black and white stuff, the heart stuff, because there are way smarter people dealing with the grey areas.

Jesus. Following Him, striving to be like Him, obeying His Word out of my gratitude for His sacrifice. Working on my heart and constant conforming it to the character of Christ.

Marriage from the inside out. My marriage, the marriages around me, your marriage. It is the center of the family, and I want to fight to help all married couples stay together in life-long, happy unions. I want my heart to overflow with the character of Christ so I can be the best wife I can be.

Parenthood from the inside out. My character is of central importance to my children (and family).  I don't know everything about every parenting style or tip out there or if God prefers one over another, but I do know: God is concerned with the state of my heart. If my heart is centered in my relationship with Christ, then the behavior and decisions that flow out of me will be pleasing to God.

Authentic, loving, challenging community. I became a Christian in 1998, and it was my Christian community that changed me. The authentic, loving, challenging relationships of a handful of friends through the years have shaped me and pushed me toward Jesus. Friends who challenge each other to stick to the "black and white" of scripture, but also encourage each other to have freedom to be different in areas where God gives us freedom. That is a community worth striving and fighting for.

With a sense of humor. I laugh a lot. Really loud. Mostly at myself. And all things ironic, sarcastic, witty and ridiculous. And my husband (he's fantastically hilarious). And my kid (who is taking copious notes on how to be fantastically hilarious). Our family laughs a lot.

I’m about encouraging, challenging, and laughing every step of the way.

Wanna get a flavor for this blog so far?

• Friends Help Friends Stay Happily Married
• I'm More Than The Sum of My Pinboards
• I Heart My "Home"
• Hearing His Applause Over The World's Silence
• Why Can't I Just "Be Still?"

So what's my story?

After graduation, I began attending North Coast Church. I had been raised in an "Occasional Sundays" Roman Catholic household, but when I heard about Jesus, it was a game changer. I started following Him in the summer of 1998.

Soon after, I became involved in their amazing college ministry. The years spent in that ministry changed my life. The friendships and leadership training. The teaching and worship. Every aspect of it grew me in unbelievable ways. Not to mention the fact that I met my husband there.

Nathan and I were married in 2004, and we have had all kinds of adventures. Moving to Los Angeles for two years, Peoria, Illinois for 2 years, and now back to Southern California. He is seriously, the funniest man I have ever met. Ever. And my most favorite person in the world by a long shot. He has supported me in everything. Highs and incredible lows. Weekends working in all manner of ministries. Sitting through musicals and listening to my long, long, long stories. What would I do without him?

After 7 years of marriage, we had an amazing baby boy. He’s beautiful and silly and loud, all the best parts of each of us… so far. He’s only 1-year-old, so we’ll see who God is growing in our little guy.

Random facts about me…

My dad was 56 when I was born. So I grew up with a crazy mish-mash of generational influences. Everything from the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s as well as my experiences in the 80’s & 90’s. Weird.

I wish I could get paid for my crazy ability to remember song lyrics.

I can cluck like a chicken with uncanny accuracy.

I once held a job as an entertainer for children’s birthday parties where I would dress in mascot costumes as a Teletubby or Blue’s Clues. I also learned to make balloon animals and dodge 8-year-olds who were trying to knock the head off my costume with a piñata stick. Weird.

I love me some coffee. Mmmm.

I love me some musical theater and movie musicals. I want to see Newsies on Broadway SO BAD!

I was a child actor for a few years and had a small part in a not-really-worth watching movie, "Big Top Pee Wee." Weird.

My husband and I love to travel and try new restaurants, and if we can’t (since we have a kid and therefore, very little time, money or energy) we watch Rick Steves’ travel shows and Top Chef to satiate our desire for these pursuits.

I love art and wish I had more time and talent for it. Music, dance, singing, writing, painting, collage, fashion, knitting, design. I’m not very good at most of it, but I do have a great appreciation for all of it.

Most of all, I can’t wait to get to know you. I love meeting new people and hearing their stories, and I hope this can be a community where I hear from you.

Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. Join the community. I want to know you and your heart.                                                                                                                    

Any questions about me or what I’m all about? Feel free to ask.