The Intro

  • Good Things to Come

    This November I am grateful for being a mother. Just shortly after Ben and I got married we decided to have children. We had such a powerful feeling that God had children waiting for us and that we should allow them into our home and our lives. I wanted to finish my degree first. Ben wanted to finish school. We lived in a tiny, one bedroom, 450 square foot apartment. We had been married for a few weeks and trying to figure out married life. Having a baby right away seemed like a ridiculous step… but our guide had shown us a better way, so we decided to start our…

  • How Much Is Your Integrity Worth?

    Recently on set I ran into someone I recognized. Now… I run into familiar people often. In fact, a common phrase on set is “you look so familiar.” Well… as background performers we all work for the same company and are all on tv frequently, so yes. Familiarity is inevitable. I don’t often remember where I’ve met people. That was not the case with this guy. No… this young man I would have a hard time forgetting. I worked a night call in November. So far my one and only night call. It was a very cold night (for California anyway, no offense to my frozen-snot folk) and we were…

  • The Intro – Here’s to the Ones Who Dream (Part 4 of 4)

    So there we were… the director of a non-profit/financial consultant, and the full-time mom. He was still building two businesses, which means the income was still unpredictable. To help supplement our income, Ben would find himself doing odd jobs here and there. This job, though, found him. A friend who works in the film industry offered him the opportunity to be in a small fan film. Due to connections he made there, he was contacted to be an extra in a tv show, and then again in a film. And he loved every minute of it. He started looking for more background work and was able to be in a…

  • The Intro – Take it Away (Part 3 of 4)

    “This is awesome! I want twelve of them!” Early on in our marriage, we felt inspired that we should start to have children. We wanted children, but hadn’t planned to have them for a couple years. Enter that “faith” idea again. We had a couple miscarriages at first, but a little over a year later, we had a daughter. I remember holding her in the hospital and saying, “This is awesome! I want twelve of them!” With each addition to our family, I’ve learned that motherhood is much more difficult than I first thought. I have four darling girls now and I hope to have more children, but probably not…

  • The Intro – Growing Up a Performer (Part 2 of 4)

    Back to my new acquaintance. I have met so many new and lovely people. I have, however, been asked many questions that seem strange to me. It’s not that I’m offended- I’m sure I also accidentally say things that could offend someone else, so I do my best to be understanding. And honestly, I love explaining my life choices, because it gives me a chance to share my beliefs with other people. It’s just that I have a different perspective than they do, so some of the questions I get confuse me. Here are a few of them: You’re letting him do this? How long will you give this (before you…

  • The Intro – A Sensible Life (Part 1 of 4)

    I like to think that I’m my worst critic. I don’t care to find out if that’s true. I would love to look at my life and see something that makes sense, something worthy of praise. I know it doesn’t look that way at this point. We haven’t achieved any real financial stability. We don’t own a home. In fact… we don’t even currently live in our own place. We have four children- two more than most people would consider healthy. Believe me, I see it too. I’ve become the recipient of more than a few skeptical interactions. Let me replay one for you: New acquaintance: So, what brought you…