Good News Mama!

I am 30. At midnight, while watching Parks and Rec (currently my favorite show-who else loves Ben & Andy?) Kevin decided to surprise me with Wicked tickets. I've been wanting to watch this musical for years! If that isn't a great way to start my 30th year, then I don't know what is! As the phone calls, bday texts, and social media comments come my way, I find myself reflecting on this past decade. God is so good! In my 20's, this is what happened in my life: I graduated UCSB with a political science degree. I cherished my time being in that university...most people think of UCSB as a party school (because it is) but for me, this is where God saved me, and I find it to be such a beautiful place where my life TRULY began. I moved back home in La Mirada and joined my church South Bay Christian Alliance Church (now named Pillar Bible Church). They say that you are like the people you surround yourself with, and there is truth in that statement. It was nice to be a...

For those of you who didn't know, I've actually become a consultant for Beautycounter, a skincare and cosmetics brand that stands out for its mission to get safer products into the hands of everyone. I have truly fallen in love with the products and the ways that they lobby congress, trying to push for legislation to pass so there is more transparency in the beauty industry (each time I see pics of consultants at Capitol Hill, 19 year-old Leigh Ann the political science major comes back out!) And let's be real-I'm all about that transparent life. What you see is what you get when it comes to me... Before I go into my reasons for getting involved with Beautycounter, I wanted to make a disclaimer. I am NOT a beauty guru. I have never been super into make up or doing my hair, or even skincare other than when I am forced to control my finicky skin. I think all of my close girlfriends can attest to watching me get up, brush my teeth and wash my face, and get out the door i...

I woke up this morning feeling all kinds of nostalgia, mostly for this past week in Portland. We spent a few days at Auntie Susie and Uncle John's house and words cannot describe how much we are blessed and influenced by them. To be in their presence was refreshing to my soul. These past few years have been tough spiritually based on sins committed against us-we were just dealing with horrible circumstances beyond our control. In many ways, I've found myself disappointed by people we are supposed to trust most, people who call themselves Christian but continue to lie, deceive, and keep secrets to cover up for their horrible deeds. But I also believe that where certain familial influences are lacking, we still have an Auntie Susie and Uncle John in our lives, and that may be more than enough. Kevin and I feel so blessed to have them love and speak life over us. They are kind, caring, transparent and open. We know we can trust them. We have no reason to think otherwise. Portlan...