So my birthday is in 12 days.  I will be 45.  There was a time when I would have NEVER admitted to my age publicly. But I'm pretty amazed at my life and all I've managed to accomplish. I admittedly got a late start mainly due to my own lack of focus. However these days I am super focused and plan on making the next 45 years even more amazing.

I am living proof that you're never "too old" to do anything if you have a healthy mind, body and spirit.

I got married at 32, purchased a home at 33, had my 2nd child at 38, got my degree at 42, wrote and self-published my first book at 44....and I'm just getting started. 

Sometimes it seems like my actual age and the way my mind works is at least twenty years younger but that doesn't mean I wish I were 20 again or that I even think 40 is the new 20. Growing old brings with it so much freedom and fearlessness and I hope that I am blessed to see many more birthdays after this one! 

It's official! My book is available for pre-order!!

PRE-ORDERS HAVE ENDED BUT YOU CAN PURCHASE A COPY OF THE BOOK HERE.

I have ONE goal this summer: BE PRESENT.  

I feel like I am so busy planning and scheduling my life that it is passing me by. . .I look at my kids sometimes and I realize they will NEVER be these ages again. They will never need or depend on me as much as they do now. And I want to be available to them on a physical, mental, emotional and even spiritual level.  

I want to start clearing out the clutter in my brain and focus on enjoying the moments with my loved ones that I grossly take for granted...I'm hoping this summer sabbatical from distractions will become a permanent lifestyle change! 

A quick video to talk about my writing journey and a little about my new book, What Was Missing.

My journey to writing and self publishing my book has me feeling like Spike Lee. . .you know how all his movies usually have the credits: written by Spike Lee, starring Spike Lee, directed by Spike Lee and produced by (you guessed it) Spike Lee.

I always thought how tough it must be to wear so many hats and now being in a situation (on a much smaller scale) where I am writing, publishing and promoting my own work, I see that it is not only tough but also mentally & physically exhausting! 

My reason for wanting to "do it all" myself with this first book was so that I understood how EVERY aspect of the writing/publishing game works. And let me tell you, I've learned A LOT!! But one of the biggest lessons I've learned is that I don't need to go it alone. I plan on hiring an intern (or two) for the next book and even letting a PR team manage the marketing. I'm running on fumes right now but the feeling of seeing my work in an actual tangible book is indescribable and I cannot wait to share it and start hearing from people who've read it (famous last words! ha!). I just hope my hard work and commitment to not only making it a really good book but all of the marketing and promotion and everything--- I hope people can see how serious I took this and that nothing was taken for granted.

Let's be real: ANYONE can publish a book nowadays. All you have to do is have a computer, access to the Internet and a basic grasp of the English language (if you're writing a book in English). But I wanted to give my readers more than that and I pray that those who come along on this journey feel it's worth the ride! 

I plan on sharing my journey in an e-book at the end of the year and providing aspiring authors with tips and resources, so stay tuned!