About Hally
You may be asking why I am here, in this space hoping to share my stories, experiences, and knowledge with you. And, more importantly, you may be asking why you should give me the opportunity to do so.
Here are some fast facts about me before we get to the important stuff:
Marching bands…
The pre-owned trombone my parents purchased for me was used by both me and my son through 15 years of band. Marching bands over football any day.
Born and bred Missourian; please try to forget Ozark and Gillian Flynn’s famous novels.
Previous jobs: waitress, receptionist, retail sales, business teacher (high school and college), data entry clerk, Asset Protection Manager, school counselor.
Iced tea…
New Year’s resolutions routinely include two goals: weight loss and daily Bible reading.
Iced tea far more often than coffee; dark chocolate over milk chocolate.
A healthy bucket list of vacations to take with my high-school-sweetheart husband whom I married just thirty-five years after we met.
Hydrangeas…
Mom to biological, step, and adopted kids, as well as as a Beagle named Briscoe and a Chiweenie named I-Pod. Have also fostered and am now a very happy — and young! — Gigi ;)
Love hydrangeas and sunflowers, the cities of Savannah and Charleston, historical fiction, personality tests, 80’s music and yacht rock, my precious granddaughter.
Dislike (hate is a strong word) science, winter, bugs, dusting, body shapers.
I am honored to have a chance to connect with you.
Whether you found yourself visiting here by way of a share, an internet search, or a recommendation, I’m excited to have a chance to connect with you. I hope you’ll find something that will inspire or encourage, enlighten or educate you. Most likely it will be something that has to do with your role as a parent. Perhaps you’re the parent of an adopted child, a child with mental illness, or a child/teen who has worked you over and tested you beyond what you thought you could handle. It is my sincere hope that I can help you in your journey. I have been on that journey, too.
How can I help?
While the majority of my school counseling experience was with students at the high school level, I have worked with kids at all grade levels. I’ve seen first-hand the myriad of struggles that kids today experience. I have worked with teens who were being abused, girls with unwanted pregnancies, students who self-harmed or had eating disorders, kids who were grieving or depressed or suicidal, teens addicted to drugs or social media, youth with few resources, students with poor grades and poor self-esteem, and the list goes on.
More importantly, I am a parent.
My profession has sometimes taken a backseat to my family, and I spent several of my kids’ growing up years being a full-time mom and homemaker. I know parenting is not easy in the best of circumstances. I know, too, that kids are not created equal, and your job as a parent may be nothing like that of your best-friend mom. If your child struggles—really struggles—emotionally, behaviorally, academically, or socially, you are struggling right along with them. You need resources and insights and support.
I did. I do. And, I want to provide that for you.
Among others, you’ll find posts about:
Mental health resources
Tools for knowing and connecting with your child, friends, co-workers, and family
Ways to rejuvenate and rejoice (good books, fun places, and creative endeavors)
Stories about really cool people just doing their thing
Raising your teen
Devotions
Reflections on Christian parenting
In my most difficult and desperate parenting moments, I’ve dug deep for strength to carry on in a positive way and to find the answers, options, or alternatives to help my child and me. With those answers and supports in place, it has been far easier to strive for and achieve happiness and health for myself and my teen. And, because my strength has often been insufficient, I have looked to God for His help each step of the way.
It would be my privilege to walk alongside you…