Hello! We have been part of the Big Lake community since 2011. My husband, Clay, and I have 3 girls who are in 6th, 4th, and 2nd grades. I have been subbing in our ECFE programs for a few years and attended those programs from the minute we moved here with my girls! We are very involved in our church – youth group, Youth Advisory Council, as well as many roles within the Mass. I have been the Secretary on the Great River Soccer Board since 2021. We love that when we stop in at Coborns, Lupulin, or the schools, we’re likely to run into someone we know. It’s a small thing, but it makes it feel like this community is home.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My husband, Clay, and I have been married for over 13 years and have 3 girls, Sylvia, Maria, and Carmen.
Q: How long have you lived and/or worked in Big Lake?
12 years almost to the date!
Q: Tell us about your current, past, or future career.
I got a Theology degree from St. Ben’s and worked as a youth minister for a couple of years right out of college. I became a stay at home mom when our oldest was just a few months old and also ran my Network Marketing business on the side. I have been subbing at our school for our ECFE teachers for a few years and most recently, started working PT at our church as the Communications & Ministry Coordinator.
Q: Have you ever had a nickname? What is it and why were you given it?
Red… an easy nickname that I’m sure many redheads have been called in their lives at one point!
Q: What is your favorite TV Show, Movie, Book? (Please list as many as you’d like!)
Parks & Rec and The Office are my favorite TV shows. My favorite books are the Harry Potter series and any sort of rom com.
Q: If you could only eat one food/meal and have one beverage for the rest of your life, what would it be?
That’s easy – Breakfast foods and coffee!
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies or pastimes?
Reading, going for walks, date nights with the hubby, basking in the sunshine, meeting friends for coffee
Q: What is one thing on your bucket list?
Bring my family to Kauai and renew our wedding vows on the beach where we honeymooned.
Q: What would you buy/do if you won the lottery?
Pay the government a lot of money in taxes hahaha… and also probably go on vacation and donate a bunch!
Q: What has been a challenge you have had to overcome? (Life, School, Work, etc.)
Losing my business at the end of 2020. I had run a Network Marketing business for almost 12 years, and the last few years of the business being open, I was in the top 1% of the company. However, the company didn’t survive the pandemic so I had to start over and figure out where God was leading me next!
Q: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
That I wouldn’t hate winter so much!
Q: What are a few of your favorite businesses / restaurants in Big Lake?
Lupulin, Ember, El Loro
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Big Lake?
As a small town girl, I am grateful to live in a community that has a small town feel but is also close enough to many activities and events. I also love having the STEM school for my girls!
Q: What advice would you give to people living in Big Lake?
I have met some of the coolest people in my life by getting involved in my church, school, and community. So if you want this place to feel like “home,” get involved!
