Awhile back, in our closed group Tribe, (we are more like a sisterhood), we did a challenge where we got pretty deep to get to know each other deeper.
It was named and hashtagged “MyTaleForMyTribe”.
Here is MY tale that I’m now sharing with you, as a get-to-know-me crash course!
Although my formal education and experience is in childhood education, my life education and experience is what has brought me to my present, and created my vision for the future.
To understand how I got to this moment I’m in with you now, we have to start at the beginning.
I was born on the west coast, left for dead as a baby, placed in foster care as an infant, adopted as a child, grew up to go to college, get married, have a baby, have a miscarriage, loose my mind, struggle with addiction and mental health…..
I then somehow landed in North Dakota, where I hit my life's rock bottom in 2009, (which is really a Tale for another time).I then went to treatment (twice), got clean, got divorced from an unhealthy marriage, worked in special education in the public school system, met my now & forever husband, married him & eventually adopted his (now our) two kids, and stayed in ND for almost a decade, during which time my middle son was diagnosed with a rare cancer, of which we are still battling today over six years later.
And that brings me to age of thirty-three-ish.
Woooosaaaah…….
You still with me?? Let’s go deeper….
With the birth of our youngest child in 2017, (of now four total, to complete our beautifully unique "yours, mine, and ours" family), was also born serious complications......……We were told by the professionals that if our baby was to live, we needed to relocate to a NICU/hospital more specialized in what he needed.
Long story shorter than an even looooonger story, (another Tale for another time), we relocated our family to a different state over Winter break 2017 and fought with him for his life for 601 days inpatient.
We finally brought our son home after TWENTY MONTHS at the Children’s Hospital- trached, vented, tube fed, and on over a dozen pharmaceutical medications.
During my son’s NICU journey and after our move, battling postpartum depression, loneliness, and trauma from watching my baby poked and prodded and fighting to breathe and survive every day, I armed myself with a toolbox full of coping skills, building my support system being at the top of that pile of tools, and getting educated on all things medicine right underneath.
It was during this time that the Mom on the Climb Tribe was born and grown, in order to bring support and empowerment to myself and other moms with our experiences, resources, and hopes. 💓
In preparation for my son to come home medically complex, I continued education to get a CNA so that I could be his caregiver at home, which I am still doing today, although technically under a different title.
Today I'm walking around a different version of myself than I was three months ago, or three years ago, due to my support system and toolbox of resources. Because of these experiences, I crave the ability to lead a group of women into the revolution of mental and physical wellness, and lead hospital administration and staff into a different way of thinking and operating.
Although incredibly grateful for all that I have, my experiences call on me to dream of speaking to the masses of moms about revolution and the ripple effect, and how caring for your own self and mental wellness secures your oxegen mask in the event that life happens, so that you can care for those around you.
Because of our extensive hospital stay, I’m forever changed, and I feel strongly led to speak to hospital staff and administration about bettering patient & family care, specifically those in an ICU setting, to impact patient/family experience and ultimately save babies lives with practical protocols and technologies. I could talk on this for hours.
😁 A few random things to know about me if you’re thinking you want to be closer friends…..
I’m a bit of a hippie and love most things crunchy and holistic, and I can appreciate a good thing when I find it.
I believe in a universal intelligence that guides us and empowers us, but I don’t require my friends to have the same belief systems that I do.
I don’t like to talk about politics unless I have a direct opportunity to create change and impact, (the exception being hospital politics because I do believe I have the ability to have impact there someday)…..
…..I have zero desire to argue with you on Facebook about our political views, as I believe there are better ways we can use our energy.
I'm unapologetic about my belief that creating change in the world around you starts with creating change and love within yourself, and I believe the best way to do that is to build your support system and resource toolbox. Chocolate, coffee, writing, Amare, Audible, and music are some of my daily loves and addictions and I wouldn’t want to live without any of them!!
I won’t eat anything that comes from the ocean.
I love Jesus…..but this mouth 🤷♀️.
I drop the f-bomb more than anyone I know, but most people don’t know that about me because I believe in censoring myself onscreen and in public to respect those engaging with me.
I love gifting things away, I may actually have an addiction to it. 🤔🤷♀️
That was a lot about me……
Usually I just tell people that I’m a wife to a hottie, a mom, a sister, a daughter, a friend, a leader, a visionary, a writer, a born speaker, a passionate advocate for mental wellness, and an advocate for patient & family care in hospitals….. and with guidance, a future humanitarian entrepreneur.
If you made it this far, you’re awesome.👏😘
🤟 Last nuggets~
I’m wondering what you dream of, and if you have found the support to take you where YOUR vision leads?
Whatever you desire, be it happiness, health and wellness, connections, relationships, impact, extra income…. I want to remind you, (or inform you), today that you can have it!
If you are looking for more freedom, more meaning, more energy, more clarity, more purpose, more money, less stress, less chaos, less fear, and less insecurity, a stronger support system, or bigger toolbox of resources, reach out to me and let’s chat!
I’m not a life coach, but a mom that’s been on some climbs, and believes that it takes a village to raise a family. 💕🤟
Comment or connect with us if you need a village, sisterhood, strength, empowerment, or a bigger resource toolbox.
