My name is Tammy and I’m so happy you stopped by…

Let’s just start by saying I am not perfect! I am opinionated, passionate, determined, stubborn, and fearful. Sometimes I mess up and sometimes I get things all wrong. Sometimes I have the best of intentions and things still don’t go as planned. This life of mine is a journey…it’s not always perfect but it is beautiful.

As a small town farm girl, I grew up riding horses bareback, gathering fresh eggs from the hen house, and running barefoot through the fields. My family taught me the value of hard work and to appreciate the simple things. As a teenager I longed to see the world outside my small town so I packed up and headed for the big city. As a first generation college student I was determined to ‘make something of myself!’ During my first week at university, I would meet my Knight in Shining Armor (hence forth to be known as Fitzy). Our college mascot just so happened to be a Golden Knight so it seems fitting – right! It was love at first sight!

More than two decades later, I am still madly in love with my college sweetheart. Along the way we have been blessed with five amazing kiddos. Our oldest son is currently active duty military serving his country over seas. Each and every day, I gain a stronger appreciation for other military families that sacrifice so much. My heart misses him each and every day. Sometimes this leads to simple days when I can’t hold back my tears.   Our oldest daughter is in high school and trying to figure out what she wants to be when she grows up. There is a lot of pressure to ‘get it right’ and make big life decisions these days. I gently remind her that most 50-year-old men don’t know what they want to be when they grow up. By making good choices, she can do whatever she sets her mind to. Our second daughter was still born. I held that perfect little girl in my arms for just a little while but will hold her in my heart forever. Her short life taught us the importance of never taking a single moment for granted. Our youngest son loves to live life on the go. He embraces all sports and spending time with his friends. As a middle school kid, he keeps us busy with all his activities. International adoption helped us bring home our youngest daughter. For four years, we filled out paper work and searched the whole wide world while holding in prayer our hopes of being blessed with another child. Our youngest daughter is spunky, outgoing, and fearless. She fills our home with big giggles and sweet dreams. We find peace in knowing that God has a perfect plan and being chosen, as her forever family is a gift.

In our family we do our best, laugh at ourselves, show compassion, strive for a grateful heart, and live by the Golden Rule.

While the world around us climbs imaginary ladders, we are striving to get back to the simpler things. We have spent years furthering our education and advancing our careers, yet at the end of the day, we simply just want to spend quality time with those we love.

Hey Fitzy is my outlet…my happy place. It provides me an opportunity to share the little things with all of you. It might be a simple project that transforms a messy space, a recipe to enjoy with friends, or a moment of peace when you are having a tough day. My hope is that you take something away that brings you comfort. Thanks for stopping by!

Sometimes my kids drive me crazy but most of the time I just drive them around!