I am a daughter, wife, friend, but most importantly a mom of three beautiful children. I was born in Virginia, raised in the thumb, and currently reside in Midland, MI with Josh, my husband of 17 years and our two sons. Having children did not come easy for us and required fertility treatments for the final two.
Bailey is my handsome 12 year old tween who excels both academically and in sports. Our family has spent many springs at the baseball diamonds watching him build his ball skills. This year we enjoy watching our youngest son, Asher on the tee ball field as well. When I say Asher is four, he will quickly add “and a half.” This child is our spitfire ready to take on the world! He was a very quiet baby who did not find his voice until 18 months old when his twin sister, Audrey, passed away. Audrey was born with many medical complications. She spent the majority of her life in the hospital having surgery and fighting illness. I spent a lot of that time blogging our journey and receiving my unofficial medical degree. Our family lived in a separated state to allow for her best possible care. We are still learning how to live and grieve as a family.
Once Audrey passed, I wrote a bravery bucket list. This was a list of things I had always wanted to experience but did not attempt for fear of failure. I didn’t think it was fair that my brave Audrey did not have the opportunity to make choices and experience life, yet I was choosing not to experience things out of fear. My first check off the list was acting in a community theater. I was given the role of Kate Keller in A Miracle Worker. It was a part that I connected with deeply. I’m still working to achieve the items on that list.
These days I spend most of my time at home caring for my children, dabbling in photography, writing, reading and running a nonprofit, Audrey’s Army. My husband and I founded the nonprofit in our daughter’s name shortly after she passed. The organization supports medically fragile children and families by providing care packages and funding medical research for rare childhood disease.
I love to travel both with family and on my own. We have spent many summers camping and in Florida. I love to travel through Michigan finding amazing places to capture with my camera. My most recent trips have included photographing dog sledding, ice caves, aurora, and the Milky Way. I love nature, animals, and even insects if they don’t bite! I would love to travel to Alaska and Iceland to view the aurora from a different perspective.
At a young age my parents separated. It was the first time I recall feeling broken. I now believe in finding beauty in all things broken.
My motto is that every trial holds a blessing, and every person can persevere. I look forward to sharing more with you!
