Introduction To Me

Welcome to the Art of Survival: A Director of Operations, a Mom of Four, and a Survivor

I assume the first thing I should do on a blog is introduce myself and try to explain why I think my life is important enough for you to read about.

Maybe it isn’t. Maybe this whole thing is just a clever way for me to avoid paying for therapy when I don't actually have the free time for a therapist—or for writing a blog, for that matter. But here we are.

The Stats (Because I know you’re wondering)

I am a mom to four crazy, amazing kids ranging from 22 years old down to 2.

• Yes, that is a massive gap.

• Yes, the oldest two are from a previous marriage.

• And yes, my current husband was "crazy" enough to adopt the oldest two (but that’s a story for another day).

By day, I work full-time as a Director of Operations for a large tech company. By night (and early morning, and lunch break), I balance the beautiful, messy chaos of a large family.

So, why am I here?

I’ve seen so many people with similar stories to mine, and plenty who have had it worse. But I also know how incredibly hard it is to talk about the "dark" chapters. I know that sometimes, reading someone else’s words is the exact push a person needs to start something new or finally leave something old.

If this blog makes a difference to even one person, it will amount to everything.

The Overview: From Locked in Place to Starting Over

For ten years, I was married to my "high school sweetheart." Behind closed doors, he was a man who mentally, verbally, financially, and physically abused me. He was a master at hiding his true self until I felt completely locked in place.

It took a major crisis and some incredible friends to help me find the courage to find a path out. Because of how dangerous he was, leaving wasn't as simple as packing a bag; it had to be planned, timed, and executed with precision.

But I did it. I started over with absolutely nothing. I built a new life where I finally had full control, and I loved every terrifying second of it. Eventually, I remarried an amazing man. He comes with his own unique set of circumstances—he lives with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)—but the connection we share makes every challenge worth it.

What to Expect Here

This blog won't be all "gloom and doom." My life today is living proof that there is beauty after the storm. My goal is to:

• Tell the hard stories of my past to provide a roadmap for others.

• Make you laugh with the daily insanity of raising four kids.

• Provide hope for anyone who feels "locked in" right now.

My kids are unique, creative, messy, and loud. My life is no longer abusive, but it is definitely stressful and hilarious.

So, it is nice to meet "none of you" (since this is post number one) and "all of you" who decide to join me along the way. Grab a coffee (or a paintbrush). Let's do this.