This is me...

I have to admit, I am not sure about this blogging thing.  I love to be creative, usually with paint, clay, or some other substance I can hold in my hand, but I also love to travel, explore and learn .  So I decided I would give this a try and share my love for my family, my work, and my play.

I have been a certified child life specialist for about three years, which basically means I get to play for a living!  I play every day with patients, siblings, families, and even co-workers.  It is my job to make sure that every person in the hospital has a voice and that ever child has the opportunity to express him or herself in the familiar language of play.  I work in a pediatric intensive care unit and I am amazed every day at the resiliance and strength of the families I am able to interact with.  My office is in a playroom where patients and their families can play video games, paint on the graffiti wall, build lego towns, and escape the hospital world (even for a minute).  When I am not playing in the playroom, I am setting up a play space at the bedside or in the waiting room, reading to patients, or cuddling with the most precious babies.  I am truly blessed to have a job that pays me to play.

When I am not playing at work, I am playing at home.  My husband and I love to go on adventures, plan vacations, and enjoy the beautiful outdoors.  Since we both work crazy hospital hours, we do not get to see each other much during the week so the weekends become our playground!  Whether its heading to the beach, going on a bike ride, planning a trip or even just playing pass the pigs on a rainy day (I usually win) --we love to have fun.

I am currently working on my master's in marriage and family therapy from Liberty University and my certification in play therapy from Old Dominion University which has allowed me to learn, even more, the importance of play in my life.  I am excited to share my love for life and those things that bring me joy.  Thank you for taking time to stop by.