Writing was my first passion and priority as a young teen and then along came teaching, followed by marriage and motherhood. I am blessed to have a husband who shares my passion to write, who works along side me as an educator, and who is an equal partner in parenting our two children. I have a three-year-old cautiously beautiful and thoughtful daughter and a ten-month-old son that explores everything first and smiles when he realizes he's being mischievous. The clarity that poetry can offer has always spoken to me, but as my writing progresses I find myself wanting to bring a clear and authentic voice to my short stories and my in-process novel. In addition, I spend most days teaching the importance of words in analytical essays. Finding the balance in my language between personal writing, essay modeling, and story telling with my little ones is quite something. It is a privilege to have my foot in every one of these worlds simultaneously.