I’m stuck right in the middle of being an over achiever and needing a nap.

I realized last night that many of you don’t actually know me personally. With social media these days we can build a virtual friendship on nothing more than similarities and admiration for people we’ve never actually met. What a wonderful tool when used correctly. However just like any tool, when used incorrectly it can be dangerous. I’ve read the manual and taken the crash course. Let’s proceed.

About me…

I’ve always hated about me sections. There is a fine line between being narcissistic and being 100% confident in yourself and what you bring to the table. The older I get the less I care about lines and fitting into boxes. I am an open book. What you see is what you get. I don’t sugar coat things, but my delivery is never sharp or vicious. I laugh a lot, my smile is crooked, and my eyes are big and brown. I’m far from perfect, but I’m aware.

I do things a bit more unconventional than most. Some may even say completely ass backwards. It’s alright, somehow it’s worked for me. I graduated by the hair of my chinny chin chin. I was far to busy being social and parting in random corn fields to actually apply myself. I got a crash course in reality soon after. I’ll tell you about that in a minute but first how I got to where I am today.

I never went to a conventional college, but I did go to a vocational school for dental assisting. I have been in the dental field for over 17 years. I am incredibly proud of the work I do. There is something rewarding about being able to calm someone with just a hand on the shoulder and confidence and kindness in your eyes. Being able to mind read, multitask and problem solve are required. Humor helps too.

I never thought this next one would be used to define or explain myself but it is. 4 years ago I started a community Facebook group. It was on a silly whim. This group has grown to just shy of 6000 people. As a group we have held fundraisers, community appreciation dinners, holiday drives and everything in between. I truly believe that when there is a need and people are given an opportunity to help great things happen. I have 3 of the best administrators that work their asses off for nothing more than the satisfaction of being a part of something larger than any of us thought possible. For that I am humbled.

At 19 I got pregnant with my daughter. I was young, scared and overly ambitious. I was so sick. So incredibly sick. I moved back home with my mom and step dad. Looking back now as a parent, I can’t imagine how hard that was to witness. They supported me to no end. I even giggle when I think of the birthing classes I took with my parents. So unconventional yet so normal. On February 7. 1999 my daughter was born. I learned to love unlike anything I had ever imagined. She is me and I am her. We took on the world solo for while. We did alright. And then we found him.

I have been married for almost 15 years. We’ve actually been together for 20. We bought a house after dating for 4 months. Again, unconventional. I won’t lie and say it was always rainbows and butterflies but somehow we made it, and were married in November of 2005. My grandma passed away a few weeks ago, and right up until 2 days before she passed, she reminded me how lucky I was, how perfect he is and blah blah blah. In all seriousness there are days where I myself wonder and then there are days where I think he’s damn lucky.

One year later our son was born. Being pregnant and having a child with a man that cherishes you is a whole different experience than being young single and terrified. I mean my mom loves me but photographing a hemorrhoid just so I could see if it looked as bad as it felt, is probably where she would have drawn the line. Our son is almost 14 and as of this moment still loves me.

Just when we thought our family was complete with a girl and a boy I got a wild hair to add just one more. One that would be the mold breaker. I would have my tubes tied and retire the baby maker. My husband was hesitant but it didn’t take a lot of convincing. Our youngest daughter came out rearing and ready to go in December of 2010. Holy shit, if you’ve never had a baby with colic you’re really missing out. She has been our wild since day 1. She is the glue that hold us together. My Addie stories could fill a library. This is the one that will do us in. There’s no doubt in our minds.

So there you have it. A bit of a background on who and what I’m all about. I’m looking forward to sharing so much more.