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Life Is Good

It’s been a while since I’ve sat down to write, and as I look around my home, I realize just how much life has changed—and how incredibly grateful I am.

If you had told me a few years ago what my life would look like today, I probably wouldn’t have believed you.

Today, I wake up every morning in my beautiful apartment overlooking one of the most breathtaking views in Montana. It’s the kind of view people spend a lifetime working toward, hoping to one day retire somewhere this peaceful. I don’t take a single sunrise for granted. Every morning reminds me just how faithful God has been.

Work continues to be wonderful. I genuinely enjoy what I do, and I’m thankful every day that I have a career I love and the opportunity to work from home. It allows me to be present for the people and things that matter most.

One of the things I’ve always believed is that you’re never too old to learn something new.

This year, I completed my Paralegal Certificate through Montana State University Billings in just four days. I immediately enrolled in the Advanced Paralegal Certificate, and on the very first day, I completed the entire course in just under five hours.

But I wasn’t finished.

Between now and January, I’ll complete four additional specialty law courses. When I do, I’ll have advanced education in six different areas of law. Every class reminds me how much I love learning and how much there still is to discover. Education has never been about collecting certificates for me—it’s about becoming better equipped to serve others.

I’ve also continued adding to my professional credentials.

I’m a commissioned Montana Notary Public, and I recently became an ordained member of the clergy, allowing me to legally officiate weddings. I don’t expect to perform hundreds of ceremonies, but I love knowing that if two people ask me to be part of one of the happiest days of their lives, I can say yes.

I’ve also earned my fourth concealed carry permit—holding permits issued by both Montana and California. Responsible firearm ownership and continued education have always been important to me, and I believe that learning never stops.

And then there’s the greatest adventure of all.

Being a mom.

My sweet 10-year-old daughter has changed my life in ways I never imagined. She is kind beyond her years, respectful, thoughtful, funny, compassionate, and simply a joy to be around. Watching her grow, learn, laugh, and discover who she is becoming has been one of the greatest privileges God has ever entrusted to me.

She reminds me every day that family isn’t always created the way we expect.

Sometimes it’s created by love.

Our little family wouldn’t be complete without Pippin Took and Finnian Elijah. Pippin, my faithful rescue dog, still believes every walk is the greatest adventure ever invented, and Finnian continues to supervise the household from whichever sunny spot he’s claimed for the day. They fill our home with laughter, comfort, and unconditional love.

Meanwhile, 406 Back the Blue continues to grow. What began years ago as one woman wanting to support law enforcement officers, first responders, veterans, and our Armed Forces has become something far larger than I ever imagined. It remains one of the greatest honors of my life, and I will continue supporting those who sacrifice so much for the rest of us.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized something.

Life isn’t measured only by what we accomplish.

It’s measured by the people who leave fingerprints on our hearts.

Some people are only meant to walk beside us for a season.

That doesn’t diminish what they meant.

There are friendships I’ll always treasure. There are people I’ll always be thankful for. There are photographs that still appear across my television screen every single day, bringing back memories that make me smile.

I hope those people are happy.

I hope they’ve found peace.

I hope they’re surrounded by people who love them well.

If life has brought them joy, then I’m grateful.

If life has brought them sorrow, my heart quietly grieves with them.

I recently learned of the passing of someone who was once family to me. Although we certainly didn’t agree on everything, I loved him very much and will always remember his kindness, his sense of humor, and the role he played in my life. My thoughts and prayers remain with those who loved him most.

Time has taught me something beautiful.

Sometimes love simply changes form.

It becomes gratitude.

It becomes prayer.

It becomes quietly hoping someone else’s life is filled with happiness, even if your paths no longer cross.

I think that’s one of the most peaceful places a heart can arrive.

As for me…

I’m happy.

Truly happy.

Life is busy. There are classes to finish, new goals to reach, memories to make with my daughter, recipes to create, books to read, adventures waiting around every corner, and so much life still ahead of us.

I don’t know exactly what tomorrow holds, but I know Who holds tomorrow.

For that, I am deeply grateful.

Thank you to everyone who has continued to follow this little corner of my life over the years. Thank you for celebrating the victories, praying through the difficult seasons, and cheering me on as each new chapter unfolds.

Here’s to finishing more goals, serving more people, loving my family well, and embracing every single blessing God places in front of me.

Life is good.

And I have a feeling the best is still yet to come.

I go back for my second round of testing for breast cancer after them finding something at the beginning of the year. Regardless of what the new results say, I’m standing on faith.

Apparently My Hobby Is Collecting Certifications 😄

 Life has become wonderfully busy lately, but honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

As many of you know, I recently completed my Paralegal Certification. The program was designed to take 14 weeks total, and I completed both semesters in just 23 days. My certificate is officially on its way in the mail, which still feels surreal to say out loud.

The minute I finished that program, I immediately enrolled in my Advanced Paralegal Certification. Right now I’m studying six separate specialties of law, including advanced legal research, criminal law, criminal procedure, family law, alternative dispute resolution, and victim advocacy.

Each specialty course is structured to take seven weeks. My current class opened Monday morning at 7:00 a.m., and I had every assignment, exam, research project, and submission completed and uploaded by 12:03 that same afternoon. 😄

The only thing slowing me down now is that I’m apparently required to wait for the rest of the class to catch up before I can move into the next specialty.

The structure is actually pretty funny when you move quickly. You cannot upload coursework until the exact moment class officially opens, so I basically sit there waiting for the clock to hit start time and then I just go. Homework, research assignments, quizzes, tests, uploads, submissions — done.

I genuinely love legal research and law. I love the structure of it, the strategy behind it, the writing, the analysis, the logic, the history, the argument development — all of it. I’ve realized that law is one of those things where you either naturally connect with it or you don’t, and thankfully it feels very natural to me.

Because of how successful these programs have gone, I’ve started seriously considering pursuing law school online once I’m officially allowed to graduate from the advanced program. Post-COVID, schools realized people truly can learn remotely, and honestly this format has worked incredibly well for me. Several attorneys I know have encouraged me to continue forward, especially considering the pace I’ve been moving through these programs and how naturally legal studies seem to fit me.

At this point, I’m starting to think bigger about the future.

Between my paralegal education, notary commission, professional background, community involvement, and now advanced legal studies, I can see a path toward eventually building something of my own — helping everyday people navigate paperwork, legal processes, organization, and situations that feel overwhelming to them. I especially love the idea of being mobile and community-centered rather than tied to a traditional office all day long.

And because apparently I don’t know how to sit still, somewhere in the middle of all of this I also decided to start studying for my Amateur Radio Technician license. 😄

I’m about halfway through that program now too, so there’s a very real chance you may eventually hear me out there on the airwaves under my own call sign before too long.

Honestly, I think it’s fascinating. Communication systems, emergency preparedness, public service, radio operation — it all feels like another practical skill set worth learning.

Outside of school, life at home has been coming together beautifully too. The commercial electrician officially installed the new ceiling fan on my balcony, and now I’m waiting for the outdoor crank shade to be installed so I can finally tame some of that intense third-floor sun exposure. My apartment is starting to feel exactly the way I imagined it would. Peaceful. Comfortable. Functional. Home.

The grill has arrived. The balcony is coming together. The artwork on the walls is finally starting to reflect Montana and the life I’m building here. I recently picked up an absolutely stunning piece featuring a storm rolling through Glacier National Park, and I still stop and look at it every time I walk by.

I also officially received my permit for the People’s Patriot Rally at the Capitol on June 6 from 10:00 a.m. to noon. In the six years since founding 406 Back the Blue, I’ve never actually hosted a rally before, so this feels incredibly meaningful to me.

With everything happening in the country lately, it just felt important to publicly stand beside and support law enforcement, ICE, the Secret Service, U.S. Marshals, first responders, veterans, and our military. I’m genuinely excited to see people gather peacefully and proudly in support of the men and women who stand in harm’s way for the rest of us.

The Great Falls farmers market should be starting soon, which always makes me happy, and life overall just feels very full right now — full of goals, projects, ideas, learning, and possibility.

I still have additional follow-up testing scheduled in August regarding the BI-RADS 4B finding now that the marker has been placed, but I’m staying positive and trusting the process one step at a time.

Mostly, though, I just feel grateful.

Grateful that my future feels bright.

Grateful that doors continue opening.

Grateful that I’ve discovered strengths in myself I didn’t fully realize were there.

Grateful that every certificate, every completed class, every accomplishment, and every challenge overcome has reminded me that growth truly never stops.

And above all else, grateful that God continues guiding every step of this journey.

I want my life to be proof that it is never too late to rebuild, to learn something new, to pursue big goals, to create a future you’re proud of, and to stand firmly on your own two feet with faith, determination, and purpose.

One class.

One certificate.

One goal.

One answered prayer at a time.

20 Days, 14 Weeks, and Forward No Matter What

 I just did something I’m really proud of.

This was a 14-week paralegal program, structured in two separate 7-week courses.

I completed the first portion in 4 days.  

I completed the second portion in 16 days.

That’s 20 days total for a program designed to take about 98 days.

Now I’m waiting for my Paralegal Certification to arrive from Montana State University Billings. The only thing left is completing my Advanced Paralegal Certification courses.

All of this while working full-time, raising an 11-year-old as a single parent, and walking through a potential major health issue—including a stereotactic biopsy scheduled for Tuesday.

I’m not doing half bad.

I hope my parents would be proud. I know God sees the effort.

I’m setting a new goal: to complete the Advanced Paralegal Certification just as efficiently as I completed this program. I want my daughter to see what it looks like to set stretch goals and follow through.

Not stopping at “good enough,” but continuing forward with purpose.

Next up: Advanced Paralegal Certification, with focused coursework in:

• Advanced Legal Research  

• Alternative Dispute Resolution  

• Criminal Law  

• Criminal Procedure  

• Family Law  

• Victim Advocacy  

Everything else is already in place:

• Paralegal Certification (completed, awaiting certificate)  

• Montana Notary Public  

• Ordained Minister (authorized to officiate marriages)  

• Licensed Security Guard (BSIS)  

• Real-world experience as a District Court Clerk  

Over the years, I’ve also completed more than 300 post-graduate level courses through community college and online programs—covering everything from Excel to legal topics like the Whistleblower Act and more.

There are a lot of directions this can go.

Law office, court system, or county agency work.  

Law enforcement support roles such as dispatch, administrative positions, or detention center work.  

Or building something of my own.

A small paralegal services business helping people who need real help but can’t afford full representation:

• Legal document preparation  

• Court filing assistance  

• Case organization  

• Understanding the legal process  

• Family law and basic civil support  

• Notary services  

• Officiating weddings  

With my background as a District Court Clerk, I understand how the system works in practice—how cases move, what courts expect, and where people get stuck.

I’m proud of the work it took to get here.

And regardless of what next week brings, I’m going to keep moving forward—steady, focused, and determined.

An Update, A Pause, and a Whole Lot of Gratitude

An Update, A Pause, and a Whole Lot of Gratitude

For those who have been keeping track, I wanted to share where things stand. It has been a fast-moving couple of weeks, and at times it feels like I’ve been on a conveyor belt of appointments.

It started with a screening mammogram, which led to a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. From there, things moved quickly — another ultrasound to guide a procedure, followed immediately by an ultrasound-guided needle biopsy, and then a post-biopsy diagnostic mammogram to confirm clip placement.

That first area came back benign, which was a relief.

Shortly after, I received a call that another area had been identified — one that can only be seen on the mammogram — and that a different type of biopsy would be needed. I met with the surgeon (and I need to correct myself — he is a general surgeon, not an oncologist). If anything needs to be removed, he would be the one to handle that. I have not met with an oncologist, and at this point, there is no appointment scheduled with one.

So, we move forward.

Next week, I have a stereotactic biopsy scheduled for this second spot. I will see the results in MyChart as soon as they are available, and then I will have a follow-up call on Friday to go over everything in detail and discuss next steps.

At this point, by Tuesday evening, I will have had:

1 screening mammogram
1 diagnostic mammogram
2 ultrasounds
1 ultrasound-guided biopsy
1 post-biopsy diagnostic mammogram
1 stereotactic biopsy
and most likely 1 post-stereotactic diagnostic mammogram to confirm placement

So… seven to eight radiology tests in about fifteen days. Not exactly how I planned to spend this season, but here we are.

The important part is this: there are two separate areas. One has already been biopsied and confirmed benign. The second is still being evaluated. Step by step, we are working through it.

And in the middle of all of this — life is also continuing to move forward in meaningful ways.

I am completing my Paralegal Certification, and I have also been approved to continue into a separate, more advanced track. I will be earning an Advanced Paralegal Certification, which is a standalone, more in-depth program focused on specialized areas of law. That program will carry me through to graduation in August.

In addition to that, I continue to serve as a notary public and remain active in ministry. I am working full-time, going to school full-time, and recently signed up again to serve as a volunteer election judge.

And through it all, 406 Back the Blue continues to grow every single day, just as it has for the past six years — continuing to show consistent support for law enforcement, armed services, and first responders.

So while there is a temporary “glitch” on the medical side, the truth is that life, as a whole, is full, steady, and incredibly rich and beautiful. For that, I am deeply thankful.

I also want to say this — the messages, the prayers, the support, the kindness… it has meant more than I can properly put into words. Every single person who has reached out, checked in, or simply held space for me — I see you, and I am grateful.

And for those who may no longer be part of my day-to-day life but may still come across this — I wish you well. Truly. There are chapters that close quietly, without conflict, just time and distance doing what they do. I’ve made peace with that. I’m thankful for the moments we shared, for the roles you once played, and for the memories that remain.

Some stories are not meant to continue forever, but that does not take away from what they once were.

I will always hope that you are happy, healthy, and finding your way toward everything you’ve wanted.

As for me, I have learned how to recognize when something has come to its natural end — and to let it rest there, with respect and without reaching back. There is peace in that.

So for now, we keep moving forward. One appointment at a time. One answered question at a time. One day at a time.

I will share more when I know more.

All Glory to God — From BI-RADS 4B to Benign and Breathing

I don’t even know where to begin except here:

All glory to God.

Because today, I got the call—the kind of call that makes your whole body go still—and my biopsy results came back benign. No cancer.

And the relief?

It’s overwhelming in a way I don’t think you can understand unless you’ve sat in that waiting space… where time slows down, your mind goes places you don’t want it to go, and every “what if” feels just a little too real.

Let me tell you how serious this felt

This wasn’t a “just in case” situation.

This was a BI-RADS 4B.

If you don’t know what that means, I didn’t either at first. But I learned real quick—it means moderate suspicion of cancer. Not low. Not “we’re just being cautious.” It’s serious enough that they say, “We need to biopsy this.”

So I did.

They took three samples. Ultrasound-guided. Clinical. Quiet. Professional. And still… terrifying.

And then came the waiting.

The kind of waiting that changes you

You keep functioning. You still show up. You still take care of your responsibilities. You still get your child to school, answer emails, make dinner, take care of the house…

But underneath all of that?

You’re holding your breath.

Because there’s a version of your life that could be about to change forever.

And for me, that weight was heavier than most.

Because my mom… my mom died at 51 from cancer.

And I am her age.

So this wasn’t abstract. This wasn’t hypothetical. This was personal. Deeply personal.

And then… the moment

I pulled over to read the results.

Just pulled over. Couldn’t even wait.

And Adelyn—my sweet girl, my future daughter—was right there.

And she looked at me and said,

“God answered my prayer from last night.”

I don’t even know how to explain what that felt like.

It wasn’t just relief.

It wasn’t just joy.

It was something deeper.

It was peace.

What this means moving forward

It means I get to keep going.

I get to move forward with my life—fully.

With work. With school. With everything I’ve been building.

And most importantly…

I get to move forward with this foster-to-adopt journey, if that’s where it leads.

No planning for surgeries.

No pausing life.

No stepping away from the future I’ve been working so hard to create.

Just forward.

If you’re reading this—please hear me

Go get your mammogram.

Go to the appointment.

If they tell you to get the biopsy—GO.

I know it’s scary. I know it sounds terrifying. I know the words alone can make your stomach drop.

But a BI-RADS 4B is not a sentence.

Today proved that.

And catching something early—or ruling it out—can change everything.

Tonight

Tonight, we celebrate.

Not with anything fancy. Not with anything over the top.

Just… gratitude.

Me and my future daughter are going to church.

Because there is no place I’d rather be after a day like this than sitting in that quiet, sacred space, saying thank you.

Final thoughts

To everyone who prayed for me, checked on me, stood with me—thank you. Truly. You carried me through something you may not have even realized the depth of.

And to anyone walking through a scare like this right now:

Hold on.

You are not alone.

You are seen.

And there is still hope.

All glory to God. Always. 💛