How do you answer that? Something about me that explains…what? Well, I am a mother to 4, Kimball, Kaden, Kyra and Kierstin, and wife to Larry. I am the first of 8 children who you will certainly read about and hear from in these pages, Amber, Brittany, Michael, Jon, Lindsey, Kristen and Kyle. They all have significant others. Ryan, Bo, Nicole, Jessie, Mike, Jason and Michelle. There are LOTS of babies. My 4, plus Haylee, Grace, RJ, Courtlyn and one on the way; Olivia and Billy and one on the way; Luca, Ellie, Maiya, and Noah; Tyson; Lacey; and Carson. It all started with my parents, Mike and Teresa who live in a little house out on the lake that they are constantly debating whether to get out of until there is a beautiful day and grandkids running around. There are good days and bad days and drama and such but this is the life I have and love.
We were raised members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. SO much to that. Some of us still believe and some of us don’t. While that can be trying at times, we are learning to accept and love each other on new terms with new understanding of what it means to be a family and to be adults with our own families. I am in a ward that I love! I am also in a marriage to a man that does not believe. Whether he will come back to church or not remains to be seen, but he is a tremendous man who I love more every day.
He and I have a lot going on. He is a Producer of Live Events. A lot of sporting events have happened in the last 10 years. He has been a part of the Olympics since 2000. Salt Lake. Torino. Greece. and now Canada. He is still producing BASS shows for ESPN. Why does that explain anything about me? Well, because his job defines a lot about who we are as a family and where we live and what we get to do. We have moved so many times. In fact, living here in Texas has been the longest stay so far. For all of the stress that this work has brought, it has also given us some opportunities and adventures we might not have otherwise had.
For many years I called myself an actor. Went to school for it. Taught it. Even owned a small talent agency for a bit. That was a painful learning experience, by the way. I stepped back from all of it when we moved to Texas. In recent months I began wondering if I shouldn’t pick it up again. And I did. I auditioned for a little show and got the part. It may be the beginning of a new chapter in our lives, or it may prove to be the ending of a life long journey. One that, if it ends, I can say now that I would be okay with. Sometimes the “not knowing” is harder than the actual quitting. I won’t have to wonder anymore. More on that later. More now: So, that little play was cancelled. I absolutely enjoyed the 5 minutes I thought I might be on stage again but quickly realized that it simply wasn’t my life anymore. A life I have long cherished and wondered, “what if?” but no longer seek that answer. I am incredibly grateful for where I am and the challenges we face as well as the joys.
I could say a lot of things, I suppose, but for now, know that I am still working on living well, being the best person I can be and improving the quality of life for myself and my family, one day at a time.
