How did this Blog start again...oh yea, I wanted to be a Billionaire!

    If you all remember way back in June of 2020 we should have been starting summer break. We should have been misty-eyed, watching the grads of 2020 toss their caps in the air with whoops and hollers of another milestone tucked under their belts. Whether it was their first teeny tiny pre-k graduation or the daunting rigorous doctorate diploma. We should have been a witness to wedding bliss, lifting a glass to the beautiful couples who decided to take a leap of faith and commit their lives together in matrimony. When we should have been getting ready for summer trips and making memories to last a lifetime. Along with happiness, comes sadness too, we should have been able to mourn the loss of loved ones...together. Finding comfort in the genuine embrace of years of friendship and family who would gather to share their memories or simply just to be at your side in the moment of sorrow. We should have been following dreams, making connections, and enjoying life's journeys...together. However, we were apart. COVID. 

    We were zooming. We were creating our own memories with our families, embracing endless days spent together. posting on FaceBook or scrolling thru FaceBook to see how other friends and families were spending their time. We were sending endless memes some more appropriate than others. We were binge-watching shows. We were binge eating. We were binge drinking. We were just plain binging. Binge walking, binge talking, binge squawking! We were wide-eyed watching the Tiger King and WE WERE OBSESSED WITH THE NEWS, enough said. 

    I think as March 2021 hit will all began to look back and focus on the fact that it had been a whole year since the lockdowns were implemented and the affects COVID  had on our own lives, as well as the entire globe. Along with everyone else, I began to do the same. Thinking about all the things our family personally had to forgo due to COVID. A Springbreak trip to the Gulf Shores, two graduation ceremonies, baseball seasons, mom's weekend at KU, volleyball season, NCAA tournament (Todd's absolute favorite time of the year, he does bleed crimson and blue, for reals.) summer weekends to visit extended family and friends. The most heartbreaking a proper funeral for my dad...all "due to COVID."

    However, even thru the darkest times, there is always a silver lining. I was thrilled to start this adventure, challenging my kiddos to follow their dreams, take risks, and believe in themselves. Trying to lead by example, I started my Etsy shop and our board is moving forward with the beginning stages of the kbFAWN Foundation. I have made some amazing connections and reconnected with some old friends in the process. Stay tuned for more exciting info regarding the foundation. 

    I am ever grateful to those that reached out to ask me why I haven't blogged. It was not my intention to go so long between blogs. However, speaking of following dreams our oldest son Trevor decided during COVID and his winter break from university, he would renovate my grandma's house. It was an extremely advantageous business venture. With a tremendous amount of risk. He along with a small crew of his friends and our family took on the project. He did an absolutely amazing job on the renovation. Trevor put his blood, sweat, and tears (literally) into the project. His hard work and frustrations were well worth the pay-off. I am so amazed by his grit and determination. All of that being said, I spent many hours working by his side after recovering from COVID. Leaving me little time to blog. All of the hard work was well worth the time spent together. 

    I could not be more proud of the children Todd and I are raising. Each of them so different and passionate about what is important to them. When our kids were little we were able to keep them in a safety bubble as much as possible. However, as they grow older and become more independent we have to let them go and spread their wings. As a parent, this can be the most terrifying feeling, but it all comes down to trust. Trusting in ourselves, that we raised them right, trusting in each other, that as a couple we support our children and each other thru the good times and the rough times. As everyone knows raising kids is not easy. Trust in our children that they will know the way and be good humans. Trusting in the powers that be. Trusting no matter what path our children choose they will be guided and protected with agape love. 

    Oh, yea, and the billions! I am well on my way to "my billions" and pretty sure I have got to be there already...

    Over this past year thru all of the tears, heartaches, and stress, I have had so many laughs and smiles that can not be measured in paper or coins. Today my heart is full! This past week a dear friend and I were talking about how crazy life can be. How sometimes we are waiting for the next big catastrophe, it's out there and we know it is. We won't be ready for it, we never are. But for today, I am feeling like a Billionaire. 

                       "The best way to be a billionaire is to help a billion people."

                                        -Peter Diamandis