Hi Friends!

I'm ecstatic to be training for The 2019 Chicago Marathon alongside my best friend, Jenna! Running a marathon has been a lifelong dream, but I'm particularly excited to be running my first one on behalf of CASA of Cook County.

Many of you know that Justin and I are in the process of becoming certified foster parents. Through the training process, we've learned about the CASA program. CASAs (Court Appointed Special Advocates) are judge-appointed volunteers that get to know a child in foster care, then help advocate for that child’s best interest in court. CASA volunteers get to know a child’s birth parents, relatives, foster family and the child themselves in order to help judges develop a fuller picture of each child’s life. Their 1:1 advocacy enables judges to make the most well-informed decision for each child and helps kids not get lost in a messy and often under-resourced system.

I'm thankful for CASA volunteers and prayerful that any kids we get to foster will have advocates fighting on their behalf as well. Though I’m thrilled to become a foster mom – I’m not sure that I’m equipped, or that I’ll truly ever be ready. And transparently these feelings mimic how I feel about running my first marathon too! Not sure that I’ll ever be ready, or that my body will make it (looking at you, knees), but excited to take the first steps.

Thank you all in advance for your prayers and support!