When I say I’ve lived a lot of life, I mean that…
I was born and raised in the rural midwest as a Jehovah’s Witness. At 16 I got pregnant with my son and by 17 I had a beautiful baby boy that would forever drive my life.
By 19 I had left the religious organization, that I was once removed from due to getting pregnant with my son, and with that had to completely start my life over. My huge tight-knit family could no longer speak to me and neither could any of the friends that I had known my entire life. I met someone that would soon be the father of my second son but also provide years of toxicity until a brutal ending.
In 2013, I met my husband and the love of my life. 14 months after marrying this man, we completed our family with a baby girl. We didn’t plan to be done adding to our family after our daughter but my body gave us some scares that ultimately lead to my hysterectomy the age of 28.
Now?
I am focused on my happiness and the happiness of those that surround me, including my sweet lab Abbi and her ornery little cat sister Molly. Life has so many ups and downs but I am grateful for every day I am given. I like to share my journey because while it might not be totally relatable for everyone, I want encourage and inspire every person I can that you can find your peace.
Scroll down to read more of my story…
FAMILY
Mama of 2 teenage boys and a sassy little girl. Wife of a husband that I am crazy about. I am incredibly lucky to have these humans in my life.
The picture of the beach is the location that my husband and I were engaged and married. It’s always been our favorite vacation spot and home away from home, Destin, Florida.
My husband is a fantastic step-dad to our 2 oldest boys. Their dad was killed after a long run with domestic violence in 2020, and while they have been through so much tragedy, I’m so proud of their outlook on life. They keep his spirit alive every day with their memories and live to make him proud. They both have such bright futures ahead of them.
And while my family contact is limited, I married into a family that makes all of us feel loved every single day.
FUR BABES
Meet my chocolate lab Abbi and the little sister that bully’s her on the regular, Molly.
Abbi is 7 and a rescue. Up until we got a cat, we called her a cat. The girl just sleeps! But she is the sweetest thing that ever walked this planet.
Molly is a bit of different story. She’s 2, crazy, sometimes mean, sometimes sweet, hyper, and loves her sister Abbi.
Rest In Peace to the puppy that made me a dog mama, Penelope (Penny). Love and miss you every day.
LIFE AS I KNEW IT
Growing up the Jehovah’s Witness organization is very different than most people’s upbringing. My intention will never be to bash the organization but I’ll always be honest about my experience. For those that have found themselves in similar shoes, my hope is to encourage and support you in anyway I can through my story and outlook.
It isn’t easy growing up this way. I had a very loving and large family that were all very dedicated but there is no room for questions or doubt. I truly believe that for some, this is what they need and their calling in life but it’s not for everyone.You live for the world to end and are told it’s coming any moment. That’s a scary thing for a child to hear every day. The judgment from the congregation when life and mistakes happen to you or any member of your family is difficult to withstand.
At 16, I got pregnant with my son and was shunned from the organization. They do not believe in sex before marriage and take a strong stand against it. For 1 year, while going through the ups and downs of my pregnancy, I could not have any contact with my family, friends, or any other member of the organization. That was extremely difficult but I worked very hard to be accepted back in to the only life I ever knew.
At 19, I chose to leave for good. It was a huge decision and I knew it would change my life forever, and it did. At that very moment, every member of my family and every friend I had, cut all ties. I knew I was alone and I knew I had to rebuilt my life from the ground up. So I did! I met some of the most incredible people in the world and and a few of the worst. I learned lessons but most importantly I made friends that turned into family. I had no idea how amazing the world could be.
Today, I am so beyond thankful for every decision I made. My mom left a few years after I did and I have an incredible relationship with her. It’s not always easy but I have a support system that never lets me fall. People assume I’m angry or at the very least bitter. I’d be lying if I said I was never any of those things but today I am not. Today, I understand that while I don’t agree with their beliefs or how they treated me, (most) everyone in this world is just trying to do what they believe is the right thing. We have to accept that and find our own right thing. I choose to love them and be happy for me at the same time. There is no room for bitterness.
Now, I choose happiness every singe day. It’s not always easy because life…am I right? But it’s incredibly freeing to be in charge of how you feel. Everyone always tells me that I’m happy all time. It’s funny because that impossible but I love that it’s my identifer. I love that I can inspire those that need it.
As I said, I have lived a lot of life and I want to share what I have learned with anyone that it can help. Unlike most bloggers, I don’t stick to a topic.For me, my topic is life and that it’s meant to be lived. I have built a wonderful life from scratch and unfortunately that’s not a skill set that everyone is able to do on their own. So let me help. Let me be a part of your journey.
