About Maria

Hi there! I’m Maria. So grateful you’re here.

After spending most of my adult life in marketing and sales at some great start-ups – through a little company called Microsoft, some nice little things called stock options, and one very supportive husband – I was granted the blessing to put that world aside for this new adventure of motherhood.

After my daughter was born, I needed an outlet from all the living going on with my babies.
I needed to remember I still had a big girl voice.

Renaissance Moms was born.

I love seeking a more enlightened view of life – even as kids are puking on me. I’m curious by nature. I love the beauty in art and design and personal expression. I love the outdoors. I’m kinda nerdy. All that is the fodder for this blog.

These three sweet gifts from God call me mom.

James, my oldest, is likely already smarter than me. See that face, I think he knows it. He loves all things Lego, and Star Wars. He has a scary knack for impressions and British accents, and he melts my heart with his tenderness. He might someday be a CIA agent, or the next Dana Carvey, or…a wizard.

My daughter Avery has an artist’s soul and her mama’s stubbornness. She probably should have been born in the 70′s and would have surely led some sort of peaceful revolution. Avery would rather have a conversation with a cat than a human. She’s a true independent and loyal something fierce. She’s my barefoot earthy girl and I love her for it.

Dylan is my extrovert. Finally, in a house full of introverts, I have someone to talk to. Though we have no idea what he is saying, Dylan will totally hold court at the dinner table. He plays a pretty mean game of ping-pong. He loves his Yo Gabba Gabba Vans shoes like a mad man. He’s got perfect beach baby hair, and he’s a charmer when he flashes that dimple of his. I don’t know what I will do when he is too big for me to snuggle him to sleep.

Here’s my hubby. We’ve shared over 20 years of life and nearly 16 years of a Jerry Maguire “you complete me” marriage together. He’s a writer too, his books just happen to be published on actual bookshelves. I like to keep him humble by reminding him he still has to take out the trash every Wednesday.

As for me, I have some seriously awesome girl power in my life. I have three sisters, three aunts, a sassy and spiritual grandmother, and an incredible mother and mother-in-law. The men in my life are pretty awesome too. They hang out with the cool Renaissance Mom chicks – they are smart that way.

My kids, my family, and my truly amazing friends inspire me and inspired this site.

Above all, God is my source and he is my strength. He helps me see the gift in the trials, and the miracle in the blessings. I am blown away by the path he lays before me each day, and I try to walk the path as best I can with Him in my life to reach the place he has intended for me.

I believe God has made us each as originals to share our unique light with the world. With this blog, I decided it was time to share a little bit of mine.

As for my passions..

I love to run – it’s like prayer and meditation and connection all at the same time.

I have incurable wanderlust. Travel refuels me and helps me keep perspective.

I love Austin. I was born here. The hill country of Austin, Texas is home…and it’s pretty much the coolest place ever.

I love to dance. I’m not like Dancing with the Stars good or anything, but I know it’s inherited from my Latina mama and I’ll probably still be dancing at quinceaneras til I’m 90.

I love guacamole…and a good salt-rimmed margarita. Yup, guac, a margie, and a sunny day…that’s just about heaven in my book.

I have 3 kids, 8 goats, 5 cats, a llama, and a puppy on the way…and counting. Isn’t that grounds for a reality show?

Mostly, I passionately believe everyone’s story matters. And I believe the stories that don’t serve us we just need to let go.

Back in my marketing and sales exec days, a mentor of mine once referred to me as “Ms. Sunshine Pump.” I remember being a little embarrassed then, but now I think I want a t-shirt with that across the chest.

Yeah – pump it up. Make your own happiness. We each have this great untapped superpower of being able to positively shift the way we see the world and our circumstances in it, and in so doing create the life of our dreams.

I hope this site is a way for me and those I love and those of you who stick around to read to do just that.

Find a little fuel for your passion, ignite some purpose, and create a heaping pile of possibilities for the awesome path ahead.

May you enjoy this ride of mi vida loca,
Maria

With gratitude to Michele Anderson of Pinkletoes Photography for her friendship and for the treasured images of my family on this page. You can check out more of her amazing work and her own Renaissance Mom life on her blog here.