Life's Journey

Hey there, lovely readers! It's about time we sit down and have a cozy chat about the whirlwind of a life I've been living. Strap in because we're about to take a trip from the cornfields of small-town Iowa to the bustling streets of Des Moines, with a few unexpected twists and turns along the way.

I grew up on a small farm in central Iowa surrounded friends and family and cornfields and coonhounds. That's right, coonhounds. I was given chores to feed and water the dogs morning and night. I embraced that daily role without a second thought. You see, dogs weren't just pets to me; they were my confidants, my companions, and my best friends. Even now, as I reminisce about those days, the bond I share with some of my favorites, Penny, Bell, Luke, Daisey, Bawley, just to name a few. Freckles was our family dog and she was my best friend! Loved her so much!!

Ah, another part of my life that I hold near and dear was the sweet serenity of church bells chiming and hymns filling the air. I was a regular attendee of Sunday School and when I reached high school age I even sang in the church choir. Heck, I even tinkled the ivories for a piano solo or two in my day. Sundays were my day to embrace faith and family. As the rest of my week I was knee-deep in extracurricular activities during my high school years. From cheerleading to basketball, band to choir, and even yearbook, I was a jack of all trades and master of... well, maybe not all, but enough to keep me busy!

My senior year in high school I was a small-town girl with big dreams, off to Morningside College with stars in my eyes and a major in journalism and a minor in music. Spoiler alert: that plan went up in flames quicker than you can say "breaking news." But hey, life's about trial and error, right? I found my way back home and landed at DMACC with an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice. Did I end up pursuing a career in criminal justice? Nope, not even close. But hey, at least I can say I tried!

Fast forward through a maze of different jobs such as retail and restaurant gigs, and I found myself at Deere Financial Services. Somewhere along the way, I said "I do" and became a mom to two incredible boys. Life threw its curveballs, such as a nasty divorce in early 2000 and for a while, I navigated the winding road of single motherhood until I met Steve, and I moved us to Des Moines.

Now, my boys are all grown up, and I've traded football games for daycare drop-offs and bedtime stories. I am helping my youngest son raise a little boy of his own. Let me tell you, being a grandmother to an energetic 4-year-old is the adventure of a lifetime. From picking up toys to surviving the inevitable meltdowns, every moment is a treasure I wouldn't trade for the world.

Oh, did I mention I also run a photo business on the side? Because apparently, I didn't have enough on my plate already. But hey, who needs sleep when you've got passion and a knack for time management, am I right?

So, there you have it, folks. My life in a nutshell: a rollercoaster ride of unexpected detours, heartwarming moments, and enough chaos to keep things interesting. But hey, wouldn't have it any other way.

Until next time, keep smiling, keep laughing, and always embrace the beautiful mess that is life!