The youngest of three girls, I grew up as a Preacher’s Kid in a small town in Wisconsin. Married shortly after high school to my long time best friend, Jeffrey Bruenning, we made Wisconsin home for the first year and a half of our married life. Raun Alexander was born the following year. A new beginning and warm weather drew us to Charlotte, NC where we spent eight years in the beauty and comfort of the south. There Austyn Elizabeth was born, completing our family of four.
A new job brought us back to the mid-west, settling in the western suburbs of Chicago where we spent the following fourteen years. Both children entered college in 2004. At that same time Jeff and I fulfilled our longtime dream of living in the big city. Moving to a 100 year old, three story walk-up, our 2 bedroom, 900 square foot condo on the north side of Chicago was home for four years. Big city life agreed with both of us.
In 2008 life changed greatly. Children beginning their own adult lives, Jeff and I left them behind as we were relocated to the Central Coast of California for Jeff’s job. Small town, sandy beaches, palm trees and vineyards defined our new home. New dreams, challenges and adventures lay ahead of us.
Both children were married in 2008. Austyn and Brian Ford exchanged vows on Holden Beach in June. Raun was married in October in Chicago. That marriage brought 3 wonderful children, making Jeff and I instant grandparents. In April of 2009 Liam Barrington Ford was born. In October of 2009 Elin Ainsley Bruenning arrived. On November 6, 2010, Emery Rain Ford was born. Emery came into the world 15 weeks earlier than planned, we witness her little life unfolding everyday.
For me the dream of someday being a published author is unfolding. With the development of Silver Thread Publishing, a publishing company I started in 2009, writing and publishing long awaiting works is well under way.
This blog began as a way to record our new family’s adventures. I’m thrilled that you have joined me and invite you to follow along. Sometimes we rest, sometimes we walk but many times we are asked to sprint. I find myself sprinting a lot lately and hope you will be able to keep up.
It was wonderful reading about you and your family. It sounds like you have had wonderful adventures. You express yourself so beautifully and I look forward to meeting you in “Write on”.