Hello World!

Hello!

I’m excited to start on this new adventure and to try my hand (and mind) at a little blogging! Never really got into LiveJournal – never too late to start, right!?

So who am I?

First, I am Heather. Too many people forget that, first and foremost, we are unique individuals! I was born in the 80’s, raised in the 90’s, and traveled all over the continental US as a military brat. The military life made me really appreciate my gift for making friends – and fast!

In middle school, I remember having $5.50 in my pocket one Friday a month so that my friends and I could walk to Pizza Hut and catch a cheap movie after school. The 50 cents was for the payphone when the movie was out – or for extra candy, then we just called 1-800-Collect and hung up before Dad accepted charges. Sorry AT&T…

**Operator: Would you like to accept call from ‘MovieIsOutComeGetMe’?**

The beach is my happy place and learning makes my heart smile. When I make the time for exercise, running is my jam. My running playlist is your typical ’90s-’00s kid pop punk rock mash up. Complete with N’Sync, Maroon 5, and a sprinkling of Usher.

I love to create! I love sewing and crayons, crafts and play dough, I love to PLAY – hence the name!! My garage and house are scattered with ideas and unfinished projects. But crafting fills my soul and play – however you want to define it – makes me the person I am.

play, n - activity engaged in for enjoyment and recreation

Second, I am a Wife. I am quite the dreamer and Hubs is my grounding force. He is, in fact, the one who thought this would be a good outlet for the current season of my life. I love him because he is honest and bold. He’s known for his goofy attitude and adventurous take on life, but has a work ethic to be admired. Before our family multiplied, we spent our now-daycare-budget on concerts, sporting events, and travel. We grew together from our Roaring-20s to our Dirty-30s with grace and love. What is the key to our success as a couple? PLAY! Playing music too loud in the car; playing on a co-ed soccer team when neither of us had played in at least 10 years; building and creating flower planters and a treehouse for our home; and just feeding off of each other like the adult children that we are!

Third, I am a Mommy. And, let me tell you, I am learning along the way. I am blessed with two beautiful babies who just amaze me daily. Bug is a bright and bold toddler full of fire. She is a force to be reckoned with and does not frequently encounter a challenge too steep. Bean is still a baby and growing into an adventurous little boy right before our eyes. Watching them grow genuinely amazes me. I find it unbelievable that that they learn to do these things all on their own. They make me grateful and inspire me daily – even on the days that need a good glass of vino (or five).

Lastly, and really the piece that pulls this all together, I am a Pediatric Occupational Therapist. I am starting this blogging adventure during OT month – so a big shout out to my fellow OTs! **WOOT WOOT**

On a daily basis, I work to teach kids how to explore their homes and space so that they can PLAY. I aim to provide balance and support for these kids and their families to build such a seemingly simple childhood task.

I’ve had a real soap-box lately in how we, both as adults and as a society, value play. Play just doesn’t get enough credit! In your fondest memories, are you sitting, staring at your phone or computer or are you out creating, learning, growing, and enjoying the moment in time?

Not everyone has to love crafts or running, but my guess is that you all can say you enjoy time with friends and family, celebrating what life has to offer. Whether that’s running marathons or adult beverages by the fire, to each their own – and maybe its a little of both!

I love to dive into research that supports the WHYs and HOWs of play and what really creates happiness. And isn’t that what it is all about? Generating true internal happiness. I am excited to process new information on this platform and I hope that you will enjoy these moments with me!

Cheers! Heather