Life Update

Did I ever mention that I work in education?

My background is in social work and school counseling, and for almost ten years now I’ve worked in schools. This past school year, because apparently I enjoy making life harder for myself, I earned my preliminary administrative credential.

Balancing that with a full-time job, my family, and, well...life? Whew. It was a lot.

And can we have a quick moment for perimenopause?

RIP to every brilliant idea she’s stolen from me.

The amount of content I’ve created in my head while showering or driving really should have me in a phenomenal financial space. Unfortunately, by the time I reach my Notes app, it’s vanished into the same mysterious place where my teenagers lose their phone and laptop chargers.

But let me tell you about one of the brightest parts of my life, I’m an auntie!

I have nephews on my husband’s side, but on my side, it’s just me and my sister. For years, she proudly declared she would never have children, that mine were hers and that was the end. Then life did what life does, and this past May she and her husband welcomed my beautiful, sweet niece into the world.

Eight weeks early.

If you’re even a little aware of the realities Black women face during pregnancy and childbirth, you know that joy and fear can exist in this space. Being in the hospital room with my sister and brother-in-law, assuring them all they’d be fine while fighting my internal dialogue of uncertainty, was a lot emotionally. The experience was traumatic enough that my sister has already decided our sweet Poopa will be her first and her last.

And honestly? We are just grateful she’s here.

So now my days look something like this:

Forgetting half the things I walked into a room to do.

Wondering whether every new ache is just another exciting “gift” from getting older.

Patiently (okay...impatiently) waiting for new pictures and videos of Poopa.

Trying to figure out who these teenagers are that I’m raising because I refuse to believe they’re the same sweet little humans I brought home from the hospital.

Keeping up with a workload that somehow multiplies overnight.

Having the same thermostat debate with my husband like it’s our own personal Olympic sport.

Up until today glued to the screen watching futbol (yes, I cried actual tears when Cape Verde was eliminated).

And through it all, trying to be the steady rock everyone seems to think I naturally am—even on the days when I’m sweating...literally thanks to hormones, and figuratively thanks to everything else.

Life is loud right now.

Beautiful. Exhausting. Funny. Heartbreaking. Full.

Some days I feel like I’m holding it all together with color-coded calendars, caffeine, and prayer. Other days, I laugh because if I don’t, I’ll cry.

But if there’s one thing working in education has taught me, it’s that showing up matters.

So that’s what I’m doing.

I’m showing up for the students I serve every day, for my family, and for the creative ideas that somehow survive my busy brain long enough to make it onto paper. One way I’m leaning into that is by adding more children’s workbooks and classroom resources to my Gumroad and Teachers Pay Teachers stores. These are resources inspired by the students I’ve worked with over the years and designed to help little learners build confidence, practice kindness, and enjoy learning along the way.

So if you’re a parent, teacher, homeschooler, or just someone who loves supporting little minds, keep an eye out!