The bell rings, and I quickly gather my backpack, lunchbox, planner, cell phone, and laptop. I swipe all the paperwork on my desk into a neat pile, anxiously waiting for the students to empty the classroom so I can dash to my car. Before leaving, I turn around to scan the room and see the remnants of a busy day teaching middle school special education—crumpled-up balls of paper, pencils scattered across tables, and Play-Doh crumbs from keeping busy hands occupied.
About Me
I’m a mom of three young kids—Delia (5), Calum (4), and Camilo (2)—and a middle school special education teacher. My husband, Mark, works downtown at Google. I grew up on the ice as a figure skater, but I’ve always been a dancer at heart. I still channel my creativity through styling families for their professional photo sessions. I love fashion, dancing, shopping, and curating looks that bring a photographer’s vision to life.
After having my third baby and feeling like I had lost the last piece of “me” that I had held onto for so long (teaching), I created my small business, Styled in the Wild. Since then, I’ve worked with hundreds of photographers to style their clients for their sessions as a professional family photo stylist. While I’ve made my way back into the classroom, keeping this creative outlet has been a priority. Balancing teaching, styling, and motherhood may be chaotic, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
My Prized Possessions
Delia, the firstborn, is every bit of a firstborn personality. When she arrived in 2019, she quickly reshaped my dream of having seven kids (yes, that was my plan) down to three or four. She had a dairy and egg intolerance, and I was a stubborn first-time mom who insisted on breastfeeding. She walked at nine months and one day, spoke in full sentences by her first birthday, and has her daddy wrapped around her little finger. She is smart, a rule-follower, and a natural leader.
Calum, the middle child, is feisty. When he’s happy, he’s spinning and singing at the top of his lungs, but when he’s mad . . . he can unleash a storm. He’s my creative one—he loves music, dancing, and crafting. He is currently receiving speech and language services to work on articulation, and I love watching his confidence grow.
Camilo, the baby, is doted on by the whole family. He is goofy, cuddly, and already knows exactly how to get his siblings to take care of him. He’s the heart of our home, bringing joy and laughter to all of us.
Our Little Blue House
I grew up in Trenton, MI, and now we live in Grosse Ile. I’m a Downriver girl through and through, and I plan to raise my little family here forever. I love the sense of community, the slow-paced, quaint feel of our island, and the way life feels just a little simpler here. We live here, I teach here, and my children will attend school here.
We spend our weekends indulging in Mexican food (my husband is Hispanic), and we love our go-to spots—Malek Al Kabob, Roman Village, and our favorite local ice arenas. And, of course, no weekend is complete without a dreamy trip to Kroger running into my students in every aisle–making me feel like the local Beyoncé.
The Never-Ending Sickness
During my maternity leave with Camilo, Delia started part-time preschool for the first time. Each day, she brought home a new illness. My newborn had already been sick three times by the time he was six weeks old. At just ten weeks, the thought of returning to work at a school, surrounded by even more germs, sent me into a spiral of anxiety.
Who would take care of my three babies when they were sick? How would my district react when I had zero sick days left from maternity leave but would inevitably need more?
I made the difficult decision to step away from teaching and stay home with my family. That school year, we were sick 32 times. It was the hardest year of my life, filled with anxiety, exhaustion, and isolation. But it also taught me something valuable—motherhood and finding myself would ebb and flow. I couldn’t always be where I wanted to be. I had to be flexible and present in whatever role my children needed me in most.
Community
It was day three of sickness. I was covered in vomit, running on no sleep, and measuring out yet another dose of liquid Tylenol. I mindlessly scrolled Facebook and saw a post from a friend whose sister had come to her house to help while her husband was out of town. I hated the pang of jealousy I felt. Why wasn’t I given a sister?
I had an incredible support system—my mom, my husband, my aunt—but they all worked full-time. Having three babies three-and-a-half years apart was exhausting, but when they were all sick at the same time? It was lonely. Then I found Detroit Mom.
It reminded me of that deep longing for community. The idea of being the “sister” for another mom who was in the trenches like I had been brought me peace. Being part of a group that steps up in tough times and, in return, allows me to do the same, feels like exactly what every mother needs.
My Why
I’m not a professional mom. I am not a professional teacher. I’m not a perfect mom. I’m definitely not a Pinterest mom. I just hope that by sharing my messy, beautiful, chaotic motherhood journey on this platform, I can reach one mom who needs to hear it.
If just one mom reads my words and nods in agreement, if just one mom comments, “I need a sister,” if just one mom feels seen, understood, and encouraged—then this is all worth it. Motherhood wasn’t meant to be done alone. I’m here to build a community. I’m here for you.
