What is your idea of perfect happiness? Twenty years from now, running alongside my husband and talking about the wonderful, respectful, hard-working, and faithful people our kids have become.

What is your greatest fear? Not being around to see that perfect happiness come to fruition.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? My lack of patience. I constantly find myself working to improve my patience level – it’s a daily struggle, for sure!

What is the trait you most deplore in others? Dishonesty.

Which living person do you most admire? My husband.

What is your greatest extravagance? Taking two hours out of the day to go on a long run in the sunshine, with just me and my iPod, and a long, hot shower afterwards (not interrupted by baby cries!).

What is your current state of mind? Organized chaos – my mind goes a mile a minute these days being a new mama!

What is the quality you most like in a man? Humor.

What is the quality you most like in a woman? Non-cattiness. (totally made up that word!)

Which words or phrases do you most overuse? “Yeah”  “Whatever”  “Are you kidding me?!”  “Exactly”  “Ma-ma-ma-ma-“ (trying to get Mackie to say mama!)

When and where were you happiest? On my wedding day. It was the most perfect day I could have ever imagined – becoming a life partner with my best friend and celebrating alongside several family members and lifelong friends.

Who are your favorite writers? Ernest Hemmingway, Nicholas Sparks, Maya Angelou, John Piper, Harper Lee (her one book, “To Kill a Mockingbird” tops my list of favorite books!)

Which talent would you most like to have? I’d like to know how to sew and be one of those crafty mamas!

Who is your favorite hero of fiction?  Superman – I think it has to do with the fact that Clark Kent is a newspaper reporter.

Who are your heroes in real life?  Jesus, my husband, my parents, and a few dear friends who are more like sisters.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Crossing the finish line of the 2007 Wichita Marathon – this year I hope to beat my time when I run in the Chicago Marathon. Also, giving birth to my daughter. Words cannot describe what an incredible experience it is!

Where would you like to live? I love living in Hutchinson and seeing the wonderful progress our community is making to attract younger professionals and families. However, I’d love to have a short stint living in Chicago or Colorado Springs.

What is your most treasured possession? The Bible and my wedding ring (two possessions, sorry!)

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? Not knowing God and having a relationship with Him.

What do you most value in your friends? Accountability, honesty, integrity

What are your favorite names?  Ava, Addie, Wrigley (our baby’s womb name – after the wonderful Wrigley Field!), Jackson, Cade

What is it that you most dislike? Children not being respectful to authority figures. It saddens me to hear the stories my teacher mom and teacher husband tell me on a daily basis of the disrespect youth have toward authority figures.

What is your greatest regret? Not making it to the state championship game my senior year in basketball. We were projected to win the Class 5A state tournament, but lost in the semifinals. To this day I’m still a bit sad and disappointed whenever I think about it.

How would you like to die? In my sleep, with no pain.

What is your motto? “Life’s battles don’t always go to the stronger or faster hand. They go to the one who trusts in God and always thinks, ‘I Can.’”