“Every day I see or hear something that more or less kills me with delight, that leaves me like a needle in the haystack of light.” 

Mary Oliver

I never really know how to begin bio pages because I find it nearly impossible to narrow down my life into a series of words that will convince you to stick around. I could tell you that I am a 30-something, but age is just a number, baby. (And quite honestly, the growing number of grays + permanent laugh lines give me away.)

I could tell you that I’m unbelievably in love with my husband of 9 years, and if he didn’t already ask me to marry him on our second date, I would have asked him myself.

I’m sure I would also tell you our love story in detail, not failing to mention how we were married on our 4th date and had a whirlwind of a first year together. Baby included. 😉

I would definitely mention that the best moment of my life happened the day my oldest daughter Nadia entered the world and how my worst was two days later when she went limp & blue and was rushed to the NICU by a team of angelic nurses who I will never be able to thank enough. I would also mention that through the darkness of the night, God held me closer than even my husband could (despite Dana clutching me tightly in my small hospital bed), and I’d share how my faith was renewed and resuscitated back to life every time my miracle baby took a breath.

Maybe I’d even share how she was diagnosed with autism 4 years later and how I didn’t realize what a gift this would be until I set aside my own expectations of what life would be like & began dancing to the music right alongside her.

I would tell you how 7.5 years after giving birth to Nadia, I did it all over again and experienced a second “best moment of my life” when her sister Natasha arrived. I would tell you stories about the glorious first days at home as well as the gut honest truth about postpartum depression and how I don’t really enjoy breastfeeding. And then I’d reassure you that we’re all doing just fine.

Simply put, I love my life. And I’m delighted to share it with you.

My short bio states that I am a “Photographer, Memory Keeper, & Hoarder of Pretty Paper. Professional Diaper Changer, Cat Cuddler, Kitchen Dancer, & House Rearranger. Chronic Dirty Black Sweatshirt Wearer, Jesus-Following Adventurer, & Autism Lover. Living the rural life, #Girlmommin’ two Silly Geese, and loving {most} minutes of it.” All of this is true.

I believe in the beautiful love of our Triune God who looks at each one of us with adoration and cares deeply for our dearest hearts.

I believe in long-winded stories, whitty anecdotes, and honesty. Always honesty.

And I believe in the gift and power of words. Writing them, using them, reading them.

Thus, my journal.

Left to right: Dana, Natasha (age 1), Marybeth, and Nadia (age 8)

More Useful Facts About Me

  • I’m an INFJ + a Type 4 on the enneagram. Feel free to draw whatever conclusion you’d like about me using that information.
  • I’ve watched The Office like 52,927 times, and it was never gotten old. Ever.
  • Other favorite shows include: Parenthood, New Girl, Gilmore Girls, Parks & Recreation… and plenty more. 
  • My favorite music artist is John Mayer, and his song “Gravity” can bring me to tears at any given moment… Seriously. So stinkin’ good.
  • I overuse emoticons online, and I’m not at all sorry about it. You’ll get used to it. 😉
  • My Starbucks drink of choice is a French Vanilla Frappuccino with whipped cream. If I’m paying for coffee outside of the usual black cup I drink every morning at home then I’m doing it right, baby.
  • My girls have the exact same initials, so monograms totally won’t work in our family. (Maybe we could use NNH1 & NNH2??)
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