All about the Mom...

The most unique and special thing about myself is that I have an identical twin sister. She is an education policy analyst and writer. She works for the Reason Foundation.  She lives in another state and I miss her a lot. I talk to her almost every day.

In school, we tried to trick our teachers sometimes and once in a while, I can still trick her husband on the phone. We are very similar and I have been known to walk into a room after her and say the very same thing she just said. Sometimes when I hear a message she's left over the phone it takes me a minute to figure out if it is her or me. We were so alike that sometimes on a test of 100 questions at school we would get the same two or three questions wrong. She has always been an ally, friend, playmate and sister.

The Twins!

I have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in English. I went to graduate school in San Francisco and I have a master's degree in marriage, child, and family counseling. I specialize in child treatment. I worked for an agency for several years doing child treatment, we saw about 1000 kids a year. I also worked in a private practice seeing adults, couples and children.  My specialties are sand tray therapy, theraplay an attachment based therapy, 0-3 infant mental health, and play therapy for children of all ages. 

I love reading. I have always been a book worm. My dream day is to stay in bed all day and read a book from front to cover. I have many favorite books some of them are listed in my profile. Right now, I am reading the Kite Runner.  So far, it is a beautiful lyrical story. I am interested in fiction writing. I am taking classes through the Writer's Studio working on short stories and poems.    

I also love running.  Before the four crazy rug rats and before marriage to Big Expert, I ran a few marathons.  I find running meditative and relaxing.  We recently bought a treadmill so I can run in the house and stay out of the desert heat.  I also love to run early in the morning.  The desert is beautiful and quiet, perfect for running.  I don't run as much as I would like and it's one of my goals to do it more often.  I always feel better when I do!  

Another favorite thing I like to do is to go out to restaurants.  I try to have a dinner out with friends about every six weeks and with Big Expert now and then too!  I do not love fine dining with all four of my children.  I know as they get older the eating out will get a little easier, but for now it's mostly cooking at home or the golden arches. 

I am blessed with four amazing children and a fantastic husband. We have a supportive and loving extended family. I have great close friends that keep me laughing with their lives and stories. Sometimes parenting can be chaotic and the days a little crazy, but I wouldn't change a thing. I know I've posted this photo before, but it really sums up the essence of my life right now!

"The family.  We are a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that binds us all together"

-Erma Bombeck