The Clem
I grew up in Mount Clemens, a diverse city about 40 minutes east of Detroit. It was here where I learned to love people for who they are, and the culture they come from. I learned to appreciate humble beginnings and how to aim high, dream big, and make something of myself. It was also here that I met my husband back in 2006 in high school, and we married in 2012. I am an energetic, center of attention, bubbly kind of girl, and he is the quiet, laid-back, and outdoors-y kind of man. We have been a dynamic duo ever since.
We left Mount Clemens after I finished my undergrad years and moved out to the country, first living in Richmond Township and now enjoying life on about four acres in a small town near St. Clair. I am a definite city girl at heart and often miss the connections that are made within a neighborhood or the conveniences of a quick trip to the store or restaurant. However, there is something cleansing about living out where you can smell the fresh air, drive along any old back road, look out at the fields, and just breathe.
We had our first child, Major Amadeus, in 2016 and our daughter, Khaleesi Sabreen, in 2018; we plan on raising them out here in the country. It’s out here where life is a bit quieter, things are a little slower, and raising a family and animals is what life is all about. However, don’t let the scenic view fool you: we are still living a very busy life as a young family.
Teaching & Learning = Life
It was in 2008, one year into my undergrad at Oakland University (GO GRIZZLIES!), where I finally knew what my life’s calling was: teaching. I believe that education is freedom and that learning is key to one’s health and peace of mind. I finished my Master’s degree in 2017 and am hoping to one day return to the college classroom only as the professor instead of the student. Currently, I am a middle school teacher with a passion for kids in this challenging season of life. Middle school is loud, awkward, energetic, sometimes smelly, and always engaging!
I work full time during the school year. 180 days of juggling school, family, pick up, drop off, etc. In the summer, I can be found stay-at-home momming. I have discovered that being a working mom makes me a better mom. However, in this profession, I am fortunate to be able to also be at a stay-at-home mom for portions of the year.
A Little Bit More About Me and Mommin’
I struggled with infertility, and it took a lot of prayer and medical intervention for me to have both of my children. I also had a miscarriage in between my first and my second child, which rocked our world. I am open and honest when I share that having my babies was hard, but that the time after I had them was much more challenging, given that I struggled with postpartum depression. With my first, I just chalked it up to baby blues, but my doctor told me otherwise. With my second, I knew what to look for specifically and thought that I could avoid it, but it still crept in. I am a big fan of mental health support and being vocal about infertility and maternal health.
Outside of being a wife, mother, and teacher, I am unsure who I am. These three roles take up so much of my life that they are just intertwined with my sense of being. There is one thing that brings me peace outside of those things, though: music. In fact, I am in love with all things music. I play the piano and have been a member of our church’s worship team before I had children where I lifted my voice in worship. I hope to get back to those days once my kids will willingly go to children’s church without losing their minds! One can only dream about that day for now…
I’d love to say that I work out often, eat healthy, kick it with friends, and keep up with copious hobbies, but right now life is consumed by my young children. I focus on turning the ordinary days into extraordinary ones without allowing the mundane to sink in.
Detroit Moms Blog Contributing Writer
I am excited to be a part of the DMB team and am feeling fortunate to be able to share my thoughts about life and parenting with such an incredible audience of readers.
