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.
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