WoW'd - Women of Wonder Dedicated..... Have you been WOWD today??

When I was about 3 or 4 years old, my new home became the quaint little town of Huntsville, UT.  We lived on the border of the small town of Eden and Huntsville, across from Hinkley’s Arabian Horse Farm…. now the Spring Creek Ranch.  It was such a lovely place to grow up.  I was a ragamuffin little girl with tangled hair and dirt on my face constantly.  I climbed trees, dug in the dirt, played in the ditch and made friends with all the outside creatures. For many years my dog “Critter” was my best pal.  We may have been considered poor growing up, but I would have never known that.  We lived in a little two bedroom, one bathroom farmhouse with hay fields surrounding us.  When I think back on those simple days, there are only fond memories….. Of course over the years I’ve found some childhood trauma that required my attention and healing but we’ll save that for another day and overall, my thoughts about childhood are very pleasant.  My brother and I created paths and secret forts in the huge lilac grove that lined the irrigation ditch just outside our home.  When days were hot, we would find an old food cooler for camping and turn it into a boat.  We would take turns giving each other rides down the wild waters of the Lofts ditch. I believe it was in these days my soul fell in love with being in the raw outdoors, in nature surrounded by my guardians and protectors, The Mountains.....continued.... This episode is also available as a blog post: http://redefiningjoy.me/2022/07/27/returning-home/

A good mother in law is like hitting the lottery!! Trent and I had only been dating a short time when I flew into Utah and he picked me up.  He had four loud and wild boys in the back seats and announced we were going to have dinner with his parents.  I was a little nervous because I had just flown in and didn’t exactly feel on top of my game as I would have wanted to when meeting his mom and dad.  Little did I know, there was no need to be nervous at all.  I was welcomed with open arms and so much love from both of them.  Six months later, Trent’s dad became our guardian angel and his mom was heart broken. Karen Nielsen is a woman who made a huge impact on my life with her beautiful acceptance of me and all that I am.  I’m paying tribute to 50 women who have had an impact on my life and shaped the kind of woman I want to be and Mama Nielsen is on this list. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://redefiningjoy.me/2022/04/20/the-women-of-my-life-karen-hutchinson-nielsen-24/

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://redefiningjoy.me/2022/04/13/the-women-in-my-life-23-julie-fast/

I fell in love with Gwen Gibbs way back in 2002.  I say fell in love because I don’t know if you become friends with Gwen, to know her is to love her.  When you meet Gwen, when you are around Gwen, you simply are in a space of happiness and love.  She radiates this every time I am around her or even talk to her on the phone.  Gwen, or as she was sometimes affectionately known, G.G., has the warmest heart of anyone I have ever met,  Couple that with her cheerleading spirit and you feel loved and supported the minute you are in a room with her.  She is a super smart, well spoken, confident, strong and classy woman, not to mention she is so much fun to be around..... This episode is also available as a blog post: http://redefiningjoy.me/2022/03/29/the-women-in-my-life-gwen-gibbs-forsey-22/

Not many long term friendships begin in a VERY small work space with high stress, rushed deadlines and a daily high paced hustle. These are the circumstances that cemented my relationship with my dear friend turned sister, Carin Snodgrass Miller.  This year I turned 50 years young and I’m paying tribute to 50 women who have made a big impact on my life. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://redefiningjoy.me/2022/03/21/the-women-in-my-life-carin-snodgrass-miller-21/