Q: First, tell us a little about yourself–where you live, your family, how long you’ve been at DE, and what you did before coming here.
A: I am Wisconsin born and bred! I grew up in Waukesha, I and my husband Marcus and I are just built our dream home in a tiny unincorporated town of Beaver, WI (about 60 miles north of Green Bay) and are still in the process of unpacking. Marcus and I will be married 10 years this November (on All Saints Day!). We are blessed with two little saints in heaven (Benjamin and Lou) and four kids here on earth with us – Timothy (8), Margaret (7), Eleanor (4) and Thomas (2 weeks shy of 2 years). I’ve been with DE for 6.5 years. Before coming here I worked in the state office of US Senator Ron Johnson, first as his State Scheduler, then State Correspondence Coordinator, then Special Projects Manager. I am SO glad to have not been working in politics the last couple years, but I am still a bit of a news junkie and political wonk!
Q: What do you love most about working at DE?
A: Prayer. I love that we have a team that will share their highs and lows in all aspects of their lives and that we have the opportunity to lift each other up, and be lifted up, in prayer.
Q: Would you say you’re more of an extrovert or an introvert?
A: Ha! I would say introvert…but any time I take a personality test, I’m always right on the line between the two!
Q: What’s your favorite family tradition?
A: My current favorite is “night before books.” I love getting seasonal kids books and have amassed a large library of books for just about any holiday on the calendar. So the night before any holiday (even St. Patrick’s Day), we all gather around the fireplace in our jammies with all kinds of pillows and blankets and we read a bunch of the books together as a family. It’s most fun on Thanksgiving and Christmas (when it’s cold enough to light a fire), but I love it any time we do it!
Q: Do you have a favorite prayer, and if so, why is it a favorite?
A: The Litany of Trust. Because giving up control and trusting God is the thing with which I struggle the most!
Q: What is one thing that instantly makes your day better?
A: When any of my kids say “I love you momma.” Or coffee. Coffee always makes the day better.
Q: What is the best gift you have ever given?
A: I didn’t do it alone, but both of my daughters asked for a doll of their favorite saints for Christmas. Maggie requested St. Margaret of Scotland and Ella requested St. Agnes. We were able to find dolls that had the right hair and eye color and my seamstress mother hand made the clothing to look like traditional photos of St. Margaret and St. Agnes. The girls were SO excited and I just loved that we could make their dreams come true.
Q: Who’s the funniest person in your family?
A: My big brother Nathan, for sure! But I think little Thomas is already giving him a run for his money.
Q: What’s the furthest place you’ve ever traveled to?
A: Ireland! Marcus and I took our honeymoon there and I hope to get back again soon!
Q: What advice would you give to someone new in the business?
A: Take time to plan out your days, weeks and months. And never be afraid to ask questions! We at Home Office love to help those out in the field in any way we can and if we can help make your days, weeks and months easier by answering your questions – it makes our day!