I am fortunate enough to have an amazing group of family and friends. Now, I get to add husband to the list.

About me?

I was raised in Blue Springs, MO but was born in St. Petersburg, FL. I had the unique privledge of having a father until the age of nine years old, a brother and sister who are a decade older than I am, and a mum from England. That gives one quite a sense of diversity even if I was raised in the middle of the US. I started off swimming at Northern Illinois University and then finished my academic undergraduate career at UMKC. I later travelled to the University of Nottingham for a Master's degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Today, I use my skill set (or pretend to have some skills) and attempt to keep people in line as a Director of Human Resources for Global Connections, Inc and it's subsidaries such as TITLE Boxing Club. And on the side I am an adjunct professor for University of St. Mary.

My mother married my father over fifty years ago and had us three children. My father retired from the Air Force after serving for 22 years. My mum hails from Norwich, England and her parents from Liverpool. She was "forced" to move to the US because of my father. She has been here most of her adult life, though she still calls England home. And don't even get her started on the BEST futball team ever...LFC (Liverpool). Go reds! (You Will Never Walk Alone)

My sister, Cathy Wunder, is married to Aaron Wunder and have three amazing 4-legged children. The two Rhodesian Ridgebacks are named Titan and Cowboy and not long ago they added a girl to the mix, a boxer by the name of Bella.

My brother, Rick Washburn is married to Renee Washburn and have the human variety of children. I have the pleasure of calling Ashley Rudolph (recently married to Nick), Vince, and Annie Washburn my amazing nieces and nephew.

I have one child of the four-legged variety that has been my heart and soul. Kai Washburn is 13 years old and he still makes me laugh. He is just a character and only a dog lover would understand. We will have a blended family of two more four-legged of Brewster and Sasha. The last mention, and by far the most important, is Riley. I get to help raise this 10 year old boy into the man he will become. I am excited and nervous for this challenge!

You can find the rest of my family overseas in England. I only wish I had the money to fly back and forth several times in a year. Every time I arrive I cry and every time I leave them I cry. They are my true family just separated by an ocean.

My free time has been taken up by a special man these days, but when I can get out I love a happy hour with a great glass of red wine...Let's be honest, more than one drink! Family motto: Just one more! Since I have a strong swimming background, I attempt to do some triathlons. I'm excited that my soon-to-be husband also enjoys the tri adventures as he completed his first half ironman last year! I also run half marathons and a fun 5k -  I know exercise will always be a part of my life. From Chadd, I'm learning P90X which is tough. Too tough.

Spending time with my family and friends is what I fill my time with. Chadd already knows how much he has to share me with others up front.

I grew up here in Kansas City, born in Nebraska, and I am one of five children. I finished my academic career at Truman State where I was a member Sigma Tau Gamma (the rest of the fraternities are just Boys Clubs). I'm a CPA and worked in public accounting for many years before I settled into a corporate accounting position.  Sorry, if you have tax return questions, ask Rick, my future brother in law as I have not prepared one tax return in about 15 years. Today, you can find me crunching numbers for the architecture and engineering firm, HNTB.  I enjoy staying active, traveling and spending time with my family!

I have an amazing 11 year old son, Riley, who enjoys playing soccer, playing X-box and in general testing my parenting skills daily.....I forget that he is my kiddo and learned this ability to push buttons from somewhere. I have raised him in Raymore and now have moved over to a great neighborhood in Lee's Summit.  He is my knucklehead and I can't imagine life without him.  Michelle just doesn't quite  realize yet what she is signing on for.

My father, Gary Sr. and my mom Kathy Zimmerman have been married for 50 years as of 2016. They have been tremendous role models for me and somehow managed to keep 5 kids in line!

Gary Jr, the oldest, lives with his wife Docie in Oklahoma City, and has two children, Brett and Kayle (his daughter recently married). He is a huge Oklahoma Thunder fan...almost went to the finals and recently survived the Kevin Durant betrayal.

Michelle Leiffert, second in line, lives in Olathe with her husband Jeff and two boys.  Both Trace and Ryan are baseball players (following in their father's footsteps). Michelle stays at home to raise her children and works part-time at the YMCA to teach a class or take a bunch of the feisty "seniors" on day trips around the Kansas City area.

Susie Thompson, the youngest sister, is married to David and they have two children, Bailey and Ethan. Susie works for Commerce Bank and spends most of her time keeping up with her kiddos.

And our youngest member, Jeffery. He has been married to Abigail for over five years. He works for FedEx.