5 Things About Me

When you start reading a blog, it’s nice to know the person behind the words. So I figured I’d share five things about me that pretty much sum up who I am.

1. I'm a wife and mother.

I have a pretty badass husband who geeks out over all the same things I do. Whether it's hobbies, movies, dinner, the weather, or some random rabbit hole we stumbled into, we're usually on the same wavelength. We're very much a Gen X/Xennial couple.

Most evenings you'll find us exactly where we like to be: at home. I'll be working on one of my many hobbies while he's gaming or tinkering away in his office, always within earshot so we can carry on a conversation from different rooms.

Together we've raised two beautiful daughters. I still call them my baby girls, even though they're teenagers now.

Our oldest, Ruth, is 17 and has always been an old soul. Her counterpart, Inky, is 14 going on 40. Ruth is the tornado—controlled chaos. Inky is the hurricane—everything is fast, all at once and you never know what might fly out of her mouth next.

They're complete opposites in the best possible ways. Ruth is calm, patient, and thoughtful. Inky is vivacious, impulsive, and full of energy.

Together, they balance our family in a way that only God could have designed. They are inseparable, endlessly funny, and, more importantly, incredibly kind. At the end of the day, both of them show grace to everyone they meet.

It's the four of us against the world, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

2. I live with multiple autoimmune diseases.

Living with autoimmune disease has completely changed the way I experience everyday life.

I have lupus, Sjögren's syndrome, inflammatory arthritis, and Raynaud's syndrome. Every day is a little different because my body's tolerance for activity changes constantly. Some days I can accomplish a bit. Most days, making dinner feels like climbing a mountain.

I wasn't always this way, and I'm sure you'll see more than one blog post about this journey in the future.

My life now consists of prayer, rest, naps, medications, doctor appointments, and the daily challenge of reminding myself not to overdo it on the days I feel good. It's a balancing act that I'm still learning.

3. I am a crafter.

Actually... I craft everything.

I sew. I crochet. I hand embroider. I laser engrave. I work with wood. I paint. I use vinyl. I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but you get the idea.

Sometimes I joke that crafts are the real reason my husband works so hard. You'd think it would be to put food on the table, but deep down, I know it's to support our ever-growing craft supply collection.

He tinkers. I craft.

Together, we can build just about anything.

4. I am a lifelong bookworm.

I love fiction and nonfiction equally.

Romance? Absolutely.

Historical fiction? Love it.

Biographies? Yes.

Fantasy? Count me in.

Classics? Of course.

If a book sounds interesting, I'll probably give it a chance.

About seven years ago, I set a goal to build my own personal library. I adore public libraries, but because I don't drive and I sometimes take my sweet time finishing a book, I always wished I could browse without worrying about due dates.

So I built one instead.

Thanks to thrift stores and discount book websites, my collection has grown to well over 1,000 books. Our bedroom has officially become my own little Beauty and the Beast library.

For a while, I proudly claimed the title of Belle.

Then my daughters became readers.

Now there are three bookworms living under one roof, and honestly, I couldn't be happier.

5. I am a history buff.

More specifically...

I am completely fascinated by World War II.

I've spent years reading about it, watching documentaries, studying battles, and learning about the people who lived through it. I've even taught my daughters everything I know because I believe history deserves to be remembered.

To me, learning about World War II is one way we honor the sacrifices of those who came before us. Their courage shaped the world we live in today.

And the amazing thing about history is that no matter how much you've learned, there's always another story waiting to be discovered.

My favorite story, though, is one that's deeply personal.

My grandfather served in a mortar crew on the front lines during World War II. His regiment helped liberate parts of France just six days after D-Day. He fought during the Battle of the Bulge, served through Antwerp, and was in Germany when the war ended.

Against incredible odds, he survived.

He came home, married the love of his life, built a family, and lived a long life.

His story is one of the reasons I love history so much.

Because sometimes history isn't just found in textbooks.

Sometimes it's sitting around your own family table.

And maybe that's why I'm writing this blog.

Stories matter.