Author: Stephanie Ortiz

Skylar as a young child smiling inside a TV frame. Caption reads, “Look at me, Mom—I’m on TV. Skylar, our own Little Miss Sunshine.” Main image for blog post about parenting grown-up kids and letting go. Our Little Miss Sunshine All Grown Up: Passing the Torch at 21
💜 Grown-Up Dreams

Our Little Miss Sunshine All Grown Up: Passing the Torch at 21

Stephanie Ortiz4 Comments

When Real Life Outshines Little Miss Sunshine We’ve just unpacked the car from our August road trip—bags, laundry, trash, and the stuff Skylar didn’t want at school that came back home. Skylar is in Nashville, celebrating her 21st birthday, and we’re here. How did we get from playdates and birthday parties with family to birthdays… Continue reading Our Little Miss Sunshine All Grown Up: Passing the Torch at 21

Woman celebrating with cowbells at home after cancer treatment still in dress rehearsals for life Gold Lamé, Guts, and Dress Rehearsals That Don’t Quit
💗 Cancer Chronicles

Gold Lamé, Guts, and Dress Rehearsals That Don’t Quit

Stephanie Ortiz4 Comments

Part 3 of the Stranger Than Fiction Series Previously: Mamma Mia was more than a family tradition—it was the first golden brick on a road I didn’t even know I was building. That road carried me from fear to center stage. But nothing could prepare me for the hardest test of all. When life demanded… Continue reading Gold Lamé, Guts, and Dress Rehearsals That Don’t Quit

Split image showing woman in gold dress transformation from fearful to joyful finding courage center stage From Fear to Center Stage: My Mamma Mia Golden Brick Road
🩵 Finding Extraordinary

From Fear to Center Stage: My Mamma Mia Golden Brick Road

Stephanie Ortiz2 Comments

Part 2 of the Stranger Than Fiction Series Ever feel like your life is stranger than fiction? Or that a show (hint: Mamma Mia!) somehow believes in you more than you do? That moment when you step into the wings and realize it’s your time to fly—when you’re finding courage center stage—and that moment changes… Continue reading From Fear to Center Stage: My Mamma Mia Golden Brick Road