I have always shown my love for others through cooking and taking care of family and friends. When I was growing up, my mom hated to make breakfast so we usually had cereal. However, my three siblings and I loved to have a cooked breakfast! So, when I was about 12, I found my way in the kitchen and started making breakfast on the weekends–bacon, eggs and toast were our favorites!

Fast forward to becoming a mom to my son Aaron, and twin daughters, Brooke and Melinda. I delighted in making favorite meals and creative cakes for birthdays and special occasions. However, marriages don’t always work out; my ex and I divorced in 2009 but commited to always put the children first.

In 2011, I married my current husband, Tom, and gained three bonus sons–TJ, and twins, Zack and Tyler. We always say that there are no steps in our house except the ones that go up the stairs! The kids just meshed all those years ago. Our family still loves to be together–Tom and I cannot believe how blessed we are!

In November of 2020, our family had a major tragedy when we lost our daughter Melinda, at 24, to complications from a congential heart defect. It was and is still devastating, but we make our way together as a family, Tom and I and her siblings along with Melinda’s dad, my ex-husband Bill, and his wife Lisa (who I love!). It was a huge tragedy but we came together to support each other as a family should. There is no greater loss than losing a child; some days are worse than others but we take things one day at a time.

Now that all of our children are grown, I still love making favorite foods for family and am often joined in the kitchen by my kids and grandkids! It is the best feeling! There is nothing that I enjoy more than celebrating family, friends, food and fun!

I invite you to like and follow my blog for more great recipes and ideas!