This is my tribe, my people and my heart.
Yes, we are Oklahoma State fans. Three out of four of the kids attended this school so it’s our school. I didn’t choose this photo because it’s at an OSU football game, but just because I like it. We’re all together, it was my choice to make, and this is one of the ones I really like.
I am the one that forces the dreaded group photo every time we are all together (collective groaning) and I know in my heart that one day they will smile because we will have so many of us all together. Most of our family pictures look like the outtakes that would never be printed, but they are my favorites because they are real.
Details about us:
Who We Are
(Left to right): Abby, Chris, Ryan, Sarah Beth, Mike and Janet. Almost 35 years ago Mike and I made vows to God and to each other and formed this family. Later Chris came along and then Sarah Beth. We had quite a few years to perfect our particular brand of family stories and then the two “Chosen Ones” came along. Abby joined us first, then Ryan. No one ever had more joy in rounding out a family than I did when our two were born or when the Chosen Ones each joined us. We’ve also been blessed with Chris and Abby’s two dogs, Hobbes and Tucker along with Sarah Beth and Ryan’s dog, Mollie the Collie. These many blessings are sometimes just too much for me to fully appreciate, but I promise to never stop trying.
What We Do
We are not a picture postcard type of family. We are messy, we almost always have someone running late, and we have not ever, ever, ever had a family meal in which everything turned out perfectly, but from those family meals there are SO many perfect moments. Those moments are where this blog will keep it’s focus. The recipes, the food, the preparation – these are just the lead up to those moments when everyone is laughing at the same time, when a knowing look is shared between two people, or when things get uncomfortable and someone cracks a joke with perfect timing. When we are together we are just who we are and we love each other for being those people. Then, when we all head back to our day jobs at the end of being together, the memories, laughter, and sometimes tears, are the things that become memories and our collective memories are what make us a family.
Experiences
Full Time Mom
1990 – 2010
What a ride! I was that one girl in the 1970’s that had just one answer to the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” The answer was always, “I want to be a mom.” I went to college, earned my degree and lived my dream job for twenty years. I would gladly do it all again.
Administrative Assistant
A.K.A. “How to Pay for College”
2010 – 2020
College is expensive. We all know that. Thankfully, we had planned well and our children were born four years apart. I got what people call “a real job” that paid for most of college. Luckily I landed in a place called Boys Ranch Town, a branch of ministry that cares for young men from the time they are around 7 years old until they are out of college or technical school. You will definitely hear more about this ministry as we get to know one another better. These were amazingly wonderful years for me.
Part Time Writer
1990 – 2010
As soon as Chris was old enough to sit up in my lap, we began a habit of reading together. We read to him several times during the day and always at night before bed. In all that reading I realized that there are a lot of great books available for children, but there are also a ton of books that I can’t imagine how they were published. I began telling stories for him and writing them down so I could remember them. This grew into what I hoped would be my next “job.”
The Next Big Thing
2020 – Present
Now. The next big thing for me is now. This blog, the recipes, the relationships are all the next step. I have share amazing relationships with people in every phase of my journey and I know that this will be no different. I am so glad you have read this far and that you plan to join me in this journey of sharing food, laughter, tears, and blessings with those that you love. Please take a moment and tell me something about you and why a blog like this speaks to you. I am incredibly happy to meet you!
Let’s make something together.
Best of Friends 