Birmingham
I am not originally from Alabama, but that just means that I chose to live here! I was born in Massachusetts and then grew up in Florida. However, the seasons were calling me, so I moved up to Alabama in 2005. I remember getting tears in my eyes almost every day the first fall I spent in Alabama because it was just so beautiful!
I have lived in Moody and Trussville, but I currently live in Leeds. I love the charm of a small town. I am more than slightly obsessed with trees and nature, so the Birmingham area hiking trails, parks, and waterfalls call my name often. I have always appreciated the fact that I can live in a small town like Leeds but still be close to the fun events and locations that Birmingham has to offer.
Mom
I am the proud mom of three adult children, Anthony (33), Chelsea (28), and Chase (23). I absolutely love being a momma and I am so fortunate to also have the privilege of being a Gigi.
Anthony is a professional cleaner and has blessed me with my two oldest grandkids. Ryan is 10 and has a beautiful voice. She loves to sing at her school and church. Vera is 8 and has a heart of gold! She is taking guitar lessons and enjoys cheering. My daughter, Chelsea, is a cosmetologist and lash tech. She has blessed me with my third granddaughter and my first grandson. Waverly is 5 and is our spunky, little ballerina. She is always either dancing or flipping. Roman is 2 and is our dramatic, little red head. He is hilarious and is the best toddler athlete I have ever seen. Chase works at a local restaurant and he has blessed me with my youngest grandson. River is also 2 and he is so smart and loves to dance. If he isn’t dancing, he is eating (because this boy is always hungry)!
Being a Gigi is so different than being a mommy was. I realize now that I rushed through it and did not spend as much time as I should have just enjoying it. I regret that, and I am trying to soak up every giggle this time around.
Collective
I am so excited to be a part of Birmingham Mom Collective. It took me years of living here to find some of the gems that Birmingham has to offer. Everyone has heard the saying about it taking a village to raise a child. Well, BMC can be that village! I have used it myself plenty of times, and now I am thrilled to be able to assist other moms in this way. I feel like I have a lot to offer based on the fact that I have raised my kids, I have grandkids, and I have taught kindergarten through third grade for 26 years. I currently teach 3rd grade and tutor on the side. When I am not doing that, I am writing and trying to finish my fourth children’s book.
Being a mom is a rewarding job, but it is also exhausting! I hope that I can offer advice and support for parents when they are overwhelmed, cheer them on when they are struggling, and celebrate their accomplishments when they score a win.
