Ohio is home. I’m settled in the suburbs outside of Dayton, Ohio. My heart is in the rolling hills and mountains of Appalachia. My grandparents coming from Kentucky, that culture and way of life is still strong in my blood. That accent too. My Nana (Dad’s mom) was from London, England. Aside from that, my family line is deeply rooted in Appalachia. I enjoy genealogy research. Prior to many generations in Kentucky, most of my ancestors settled in Virginia or North Carolina and had come over from England and Ireland (a few from Germany). I’d love to live out in the mountains, but I’ll stay close to family. Ohio is such a beautiful state. We have rolling hills in the south, a large Amish population to the north, and miles of miles of peaceful farmland and country roads. Get away from the city and it’s a wonderful place to be. Ohio will always be home.
Faith
I'm Christian. I’m Apostolic Pentecostal. I was formerly atheist. Deciding to follow Jesus was a life-changing decision that I am forever grateful I made. I became a Christian in November 2005 at 17 years old. Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I was baptized in Jesus’ name and filled with the Holy Spirit in spring of 2011. I attend an amazing church that happens to be WPF. I’m not affiliated with a denomination. I do my best to follow the bible as I grow in my understanding of his word. My faith is a big part of my lifestyle and daily walk. Check out my blog series on my faith journey to learn more.
Personality
Myers-Briggs type: I’m an INTJ. I’m very close to INFJ though.
I am an introvert to the core.
Quiet but sassy, I like to laugh
I covet peace and quietness. I’m definitely a “Let’s look at the stars” or go to a park kind of person. I’m not a “Let’s go somewhere crowded” kind of person.
I’m quiet in crowds, but I can talk your ears off one-on-one or in small groups. I love connecting with people as individuals. Crowds not so much.
I’m a very passionate person. I love talking about meaningful things and exploring deep topics.
Organization makes me happy. I am that person who organizes everything, makes diagrams, categorized, sub-categorizes, and color-coordinates. I like planners, post-its, notes, and dry erase boards. I am a planner! I’ve been known to tackle organization projects for other people too. If you joke that you want me to come over and organize your pantry, it might actually happen. It’s satisfying to organize things!
Education
Degrees My associate's degree is in health sciences (May 2018). I went to Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio. Sinclair is actually a really good school for that program. Being one of the biggest community college campuses in the nation, they have a large academic division for health care training. There are over 50 health related programs. My favorite thing about my degree program is about half of it was all electives. I was able to choose from a wide variety of health related classes to customize my education to my interests. I love health sciences. It's the perfect degree for me. The topic has fascinated me my whole life. Future plans: - I have my heart set on Ohio University. They are my dream school! The rolling hills of Appalachia combined with the old buildings draw me in. They have a transfer degree for people with a degree in something health related. It's a bachelor's degree in integrated healthcare studies. Bonus points for being available completely online. I very much like the program. I've had my heart set on that program from the day I discovered it about halfway through my associate's degree. I think about it every week. Someday I will have the money and time to start my next degree. - If I get that far and decide to plunge into grad school, I want a master's degree in public health or health promotion. I’m interested in Liberty University’s master’s of public health in health promotion.
Certifications - I stay current on first aid and basic lifesaver support (American Heart Association). - I've taken multiple birth doula trainings. I do hold certification in that. My initial birth doula training was in November 2008. - I'm trained and certified as a bereavement doula through Stillbirthday University (2019). - In 2014 I gained certification as a breastfeeding specialist through Lactation Education Resources. That certificate lasts for 5 years. I started the program again in 2020 and renewed certification in 2021.
Trainings I was formerly certified as a chemical dependency counselor assistant. I took a lot of mental health classes in college. I'm particularly interested in mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, substance abuse, and recovery. At one time, I considered switching majors to go into substance abuse counseling.
Personal interest I'd like to always pursue education on things that interest me. I firmly believe that an adult's self-led education produces the deepest roots. Read books. Take classes. Attend workshops. Sit in on seminars and take notes. Watch documentaries. Seek and you will find. Receive knowledge. Apply it to your life. Experience growth.
Career
People talk about having a purpose in life. They speak of that purpose as if there is only one thing they are meant to be or do. I believe people can have multiple callings. You have more than one purpose. You are more dynamic than that. I firmly believe I was created and am on this earth to be a writer, a teacher, and a birth-worker. Here is what I do.
I am an author. Above all other things, writing is my passion. I write nonfiction books. I write blogs. I make patient handouts. Writing is the reason I breathe.
I am an educator. I love to teach. It is one of my greatest joys. I prefer to teach one-on-one or in small groups. I enjoy connecting with people, meeting them where they are at, and journeying with them in their growth. I like the convenience of being able to teach online. I teach through my writing & through graphics & through workshops and classes.
I am a doula. I offer birth doula services. I also feel led to offer bereavement support for perinatal and infant loss.
I am a lactation specialist. I remember taking my first doula training back in 2008. I was only 20 years old. When I found out that doulas are supposed to help with breastfeeding, I had a freak out moment because I knew nothing. I read books. I learned the basics. I decided in my early 20s that I wanted to become a lactation consultant. In 2014 I started the path to become an IBCLC. I did my lactation specific education through Lactation Education Resources, and much to my surprise I completely fell in love with it. I love the science behind it all. It’s such a dynamic field because it’s a sub-specialty of women’s health. It’s science. It’s healthcare. It’s bedside care. It’s mental health. It’s culture. It’s social work sometimes. There’s so much that goes into it. My favorite part is the way it’s like a puzzle to figure out what’s wrong, how to fix it, and then carry out the solution. I ended up falling in love with lactation care. After a few years of helping people informally, I began offering lactation consultant services. I thought I was just getting some education and a certificate, but I ended up falling in love with it and now it’s a part time career for me. I really enjoy tackling lactation issues and helping families give their infants the best nutrition possible.
Someday I will formally add photography to my services. I was about 12 years old when I started saying I wanted to be a photographer. At that age, I specifically remember wanting to be a lightning photographer. I’ve always loved taking pictures. Candid is my style. I feel at peace with a camera in my hand. It feels like an extension of me. I look forward to getting a real camera someday and being able to capture memories for people.
Goals
One of my top goals is always finishing whatever book I’m currently working on. Write. Publish. Hold my creation in my hands.
Teach classes online and have students all over the world.
Improve outcomes in maternity care and infant health.
I want to see the Milky Way.
I want to see the northern lights.
I’d like to touch the ocean for the first time.
I need to get out more and experience the world. I’m always telling myself to go to the park or take a trip with tons of photos. Then I introvert instead. It’s definitely an honest goal of mine to get out more.
Interests and things I'm passionate about
Jesus
Writing
Books
Women’s health, especially in maternity and lactation
Supporting mental health, particularly mood disorders and substance abuse and the recovery
I have an unquenchable thirst for learning about things I’m interested in.
I like to be aware of environmental toxins and how we can reduce toxins and make healthier choices.
Bit by bit, I am learning more domestic skills. I’ve always been interested in the old-fashioned ways: gardening, home canning and food preservation, sewing, crochet, making soap, making candles, etc… I generally spend all my spare time writing, but I try to make time to learn new domestic skills every now and again.
I’m always interested in having deep, meaningful conversations with people that can stimulate my mind.
I grow by growing others. I enjoy watching people on their own unique journeys of discovery and growth. I enjoy helping people improve their lives. I like to meet people where they are at in life and watch the beauty of their path in this world unfold. Seeing people create what they want out of their days is deeply satisfying.
Hobbies
Introverting
Writing
Making graphics: I love making promotional images for my books and business as well as taking quotes and turning them into images
Reading
Researching whatever interests me
Planning out my big dreams
Making lists
Organizing
Designing houses
Pinterest
Star gazing
Things that I love (besides writing and books)
Bunnies and dogs! I am an animal lover. I am that person who treats their fur-babies like a child. I love them with all my heart.
I love autumn. I am a huge autumn lover, pumpkin décor, smiles at leaves, owns countless cardigans, the whole 9 yards
Wood burning stoves and classic brick fireplaces
The crackling of a campfire
Being a night owl
Pajamas – comfort clothes for the win
Country rustic home décor – Country rustic has always been my style. I also like antiques. You can never have too many mason jars. I cherish family heirlooms, especially silver (utensils and serverware).
I have a Hullware collection with the brown drip glaze dishes and pottery. It was my Nana’s collection passed down to my Mom and given to me. I use it daily.
Coffee mugs
Burritos. I should definitely put that on the list. I eat a lot of burritos! It is my favorite food. I’m vegetarian – well, halfway at least. I do not eat meat (mammals), but I still eat chicken, turkey, and fish. Honorary mention of something I love: vegetarian potato tacos.
I’m a sweet tea addict. I sweeten it with Stevia. I make my tea 2 gallons at a time in the biggest stockpot I have.
Iced coffee makes me happy.
The stars
I’m generally an open book. If there’s anything else you want to know about me, feel welcome to ask.