Happy on Purpose

I'm an optimist, a sunny-side up, a glass half full thinker. I'm happy by nature, but I also intentionally cultivate and institute happiness in my life. Happiness matters!

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When our kids started high school and we were approaching an empty nest, my husband and I spent time thinking about how we would want to fill our hours together. Did we have interests, friends, and activities outside of the kids? Did we have dreams and goals that could use a bit of attention? How could we have fun together in the next phase of life? The 50x50 List (now on version 55x55) was born and we use that tool every year as a framework for setting adventures, activities, and actions. 

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Our lives with the kids at home were wonderful. I focused my time as a stay-at-home mom and community volunteer for 17 years. I served on (virtually) every committee and every opportunity that came around. The most impactful opportunities were ones where I could support/mentor/lead/train/serve people. Oh, how that makes my heart happy! Whether it is serving on the community council, planning events, or modeling reading to children in doctors' offices for Reach Out and Read Kansas City or through multiple leadership positions and roles on the board of directors of the Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri, (a women's service organization revolving around the mission of building community and developing the potential of women), I love to serve. My work with the parent advocacy group for gifted education (Blue Valley Parent Advocates for Gifted Education BVPAGE), gave me an opportunity to support families of gifted students and eventually led to becoming a trained facilitator for Supporting the Emotional Needs of Gifted (SENG) parent support groups and the Parent Chair of the state board for The Kansas Association for the Gifted Talented and Creative.

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Even my professional experiences in customer service and sales management, marketing, and business development filled my need to understand, support, and help people.

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I live, very happily, in Kansas City with my husband, Mike. Our three boys are grown and independent, but they still bring me such joy. I'm a reader, gardener, and mega fan of the University of Kansas. Go Jayhawks!

Working as a life coach brings all my passions, skills, and experiences together!