Hot Button Issues

I think it’s time to share a little somethin’ that’s going on …on my blog…for the world to see.

Every since I got back from Russia, I feel like I have been attacked. Attacked in my job, with our finances, in some of my friendships. Attack after attack…and I am tired of it.

I have hot buttons like everyone else. Personally, as I have gotten older, I have learned what those hot buttons are and have done everything I can to avoid them going off.

On one hand, things are going so well with the adoption. Prayers are being answered, mountains moved – families are being made…hope is being given to children. It’s all big. It’s all good, and it’s all of Him. I am feeling the presence of God in my life and in my family in a way I haven’t - maybe ever. Marty’s trip to India and my trip to Russia restored energy to seek Him…something we both really needed and wanted.

On the other hand, I have spent countless hours and pounds of emotional energy on (what feels like) Kindergarten crap. I have worked hard (professionally) to do what I do for a living. I know some people don’t like it…I also know that some don’t like me. Honestly – if they met me, I really think they WOULD like me…they don’t even know me.

I have had to prove to creditors that I have paid bills. I had to remind the city of South Bend that I paid a parking ticket by hunting down a cancelled check from 7 months ago. I have had communications to our former accountant taken COMPLETELY out of context, words put in my mouth (that I didn’t say or write), and I’ve had to prove myself over and over and over again.

The things that are my hot buttons keep going off. These altercations (or what feels like an altercation) are the kinds of things (in my world) that would take me down, make me want to just go to my room and cry it out. These things keep coming at me like torpedo fire. I don't even have time to recoup, or cry it out before I'm dodging another one.

I am not an emotional person, but I have cried more in the past few weeks than I have in recent memory.

The thing about all this junk that makes me SO MAD is that I have spent all this time proving myself, proving I am doing what I am supposed to be doing…when I SHOULD HAVE been spending time working on finalizing adoption paperwork!

So, yes – I feel like I am being beat up and attacked. I don’t tell you this for sympathy, for you to tell me how things are going to get better, I don't want advice on which scripture to run to (did that)…I only post this for anyone else who is in the midst of an adoption. This kind of thing will happen to you too…especially if you believe in Christ, and put all your hope, trust and faith in Him. Just when you think "ahhh, this is all coming together, FINALLY" - you will take a deep breath, you will feel the tension in your shoulders start to relax...the BAM.

All I can do (all any of us can do) is pray our way through it. So I will pray for my current frustration and tears. I will pray for those who are fighting me…and I will keep on keepin’ on!

Ya know that song "I will praise you in this storm"...that's me, now.

Article Published

I recently was asked to be a contributing writer for Blissfully Domestic. It is a great online magazine, with a readership of about 250,000! Yikes! Guess I am going to have to start paying closer attention to my grammar!



This week is a relaunch of the mag - new look, stronger push etc. I have 2 articles that will be featured this week. The first one was published today - it is about back to school shopping. Check it out HERE - the other piece is supposed to be published tomorrow, and it is about bra fit (I think). It will appear HERE

I have several friends who are also a part of this great magazine. It is so awesome to have such creative talent - within MY circle of friends! Check out Michelle's story HERE - this is a story about children and manners (super funny) - she will be a contributor to the Family section, and on the Faith section. And, another one of my pals, Amy is the editor of the Family section.

Make Blissfully Domestic one of your daily 'must reads' - also, become a member (which is no big deal) so you can comment on the great stories that appear in this online magazine!

[side note] - years ago I worked for a University as a regional marketing person. Well, one of the campuses I was responsible for didn't like me. They decided I couldn't write, and complained to my boss about my writing skills. So, my boss (to shut them up) made me take the English section of a college entrance exam (keep in mind that I have a BS and an MBA). So, I took the test, and passed with flying colors - I actually tested out of every English class you could test out of. Duh! I was also told to 'not be so Kathy' when I visited that location. WHAT??? Well - fast forward to today. I am doing JUST FINE being 'Kathy', and amazing thing - I am being ASKED to write - and I wrote A LOT - as in a 'job'! Success is the best revenge!

so I have to write a bio...

I have been asked to speak for the IU Entrepreneurial Series this year. I think it is a big deal, and I am honored and humbled to be asked.

The other day, I was asked to send my bio to the University, so they could get the brochure done for the series.

I am usually one who is not short on words - but this time I am.

I asked for a sample of what they were looking for, and it read something like this:

Mrs. Smarty Pants 4 time author and chief executive officer of
Really Big Company

For the past 25 years, she has been creating strategic sales, marketing and training programs for numerous clients, including NASA. In 2001, Mrs. Pants was named Indiana
Business Leader of the Year by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. She also was named the State Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration and Woman Entrepreneur of the Year by Inc. Magazine. In 2003, she was inducted into the Indiana Academy which honors citizens’ contributions to cultural, scientific, literary, civic,religious, and educational development in the state.

She is a native of Oklahoma and a graduate of Purdue University. She
also holds a Masters from the University of Notre Dame, and an honorary doctorate from Harvard.

So - I need to win some things and be named as some things...and fast! I am feeling like a complete loser, and am not sure why they asked me to speak - unless they are looking to contrast Mrs. Smarty Pants with me...which would be an interesting conversation. I know I would be better dressed, and she would have shoe envy...and her big words would make me wish for my online thesaurus!

I love my job

I love my job...every day I thank God for my 'job'. I truly can not believe that THIS is what I do for a living. One of the reasons I love it so much is that I am able to bless women in a very unique way. One of those ways is through the magazine I am the Fashion Editor for. Every year, the magazine has a Mommy Makeover contest. This year, we couldn't pick just 1 winner - so we decided to choose 2. One as our Makeover Winner, and one to Honor.

I am in the process of the final phase before we have the 'big reveal' of our big winner. She is am amazing woman - and everyone who has met her so far in the makeover process has fallen in love with her.

Today - I was able to surprise the Mom we decided to honor.

Ms. Donna is an amazing Mom - one who has a story of strength, persistence and faith. The Board of Directors at St. Margaret's House (an amazing day program for women in South Bend http://www.stmargaretshouse.org/) nominated Donna. Donna is the mother to a beautiful teenage daughter - and today, I got to honor her at a very special gathering at St.

Margaret's House.

I don't want to spoil Donna's story, or anything that will be in the next edition of the magazine - but I do want to share some photos...I think you can tell by the look on her face, she was surprised!