I’m really trying to think of something charming, witty and memorable about myself and my family because our clan is about all those things…so much so that I just can’t put into words.  I live in Anytown, USA with my husband of almost six years and our adorable children.  Our first child wasn’t necessarily planned, but in hindsight that’s a good thing because I swear I’d never had made that leap on my own (note to self to change this “About” page before our son can read…).

In lieu of charm and wit, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Melissa and I am a stay-at-home mother of two wonderful boys - one is four and the other is four (years and months respectively, not twins). I decided to start writing a parenting blog because 1) I enjoy writing, and would like to make a living at it 2) in thinking of what I was an “expert” in, decided this is about as close as it gets 3) I feel as though I need a little more content to my own personal life, and since I love writing, maybe I can put it to good use.

In a former life I was an environmental chemist, and enjoyed the more than occasional beer or gin and gingerale consumed in a dark, loud club.  These days I’m a Jane of All Trades and enjoy Kool Aid, sitting in a dark and quiet room.  Those little buggers just change everything don’t they?!?

Oh, and I should really qualify the whole “expert in parenting” comment I made earlier. I read somewhere (and please, if you know who said this, leave a comment so I can credit them) that parenting is a skill you never master. One of the biggest challenges is that once you figure out a phase your child is going through, they’ve moved on and you have to start again from square one. Even when you have a second child, the rules are completely different. To that end, I surmise I’m as much of a parenting expert as most (ie rather novice, but at least possessing a mental warehouse full of experience). I definitely give credit to mothers of multiple children…they truly are the experts. In my case, I’ve lived a lot of different lives since my son was born. I’ve been both a stay at home mom with limited income and a working mother with income but of course no time in which to spend it. I’m college educated with long term goals of my own, but for now, my main focus is raising a happy and healthy family, all while maintaining my own identity and sanity. Lofty.