Meet Nina

As I sit at the computer, I find myself wondering why I started a blog. I like to write, yes, and I’ve got plenty that I could write about, but will it be interesting enough for others to want to keep reading? I hope so, but if not, oh well. Writing has always been a helpful outlet for me, and as a mostly single mom, God knows I need an outlet.

My name is Nina, well, that’s not my legal name but it’s what everyone calls me. This is the part where I usually delve into information about my husband and kids, but then that wouldn’t really give much insight into who I am as a person. So here I am, wondering, “who am I, really?” My identity has become so entrenched in my role as wife and mother that seeing myself as an individual apart from everyone else is just strange. And, frankly, it’s taking me a while to come up with something to write about just me. Okay, here goes.

I’ve undergone quite the transformation in the last few years. Spiritually, I find myself enjoying a greater relationship with God than ever before and after battling with chronic depression for years, I now have joy in my life. I have also come out of my shell, so to speak, something I had wished would happen for years but was always too scared to attempt. I’m no social butterfly but I no longer find myself sitting silently in the corner at my husband’s fire department functions, speaking some barely audible response to those who would ask how I was doing.

Birth. Birth is my passion. It’s been the only constant thing I’ve wanted to be involved in since I was six. Not only my own births, though I have had three children in the last 3 ½ years, but other women’s births as well. I’ve begun a business as a birth doula recently so that I could support women during one of the greatest events of their lives. Someday I’ll be a midwife.

I use cloth diapers on my kids, not just to save the environment, (my husband claims I’m becoming a hippy. Heck yes!) but to save money so that I can stay home with my children and live on one meager salary. I’m interested in greener living; I’ve started recycling and want to begin composting. I am also on a mission to get out of debt, quickly at that, and to not accrue anymore. I want a simple life.

I am a mother to three wonderful children. Separating my identity from them isn’t really possible, since being their mother is the greatest and most fulfilling part of my life. Isaac is 3 ½ and incredibly active and independent. He has a wonderful spirit. Eva is my sweetheart. She’s 13 months old and has a smile that will light up your heart. Ella is the new baby. At just 8 weeks old, we are still getting to know each other. She smiles at me now as she nurses and it makes me so grateful that we had an “oops” baby.

And my life wouldn’t be what it is without Ian. We’ve been married almost six years.
We’ve been through a lot together: miscarrying our first baby, welcoming new life, betrayal, making up, and our relationship has never been stronger. He’s my best friend, the love of my life and the sexiest man I’ve ever met.

There’s a peek into my life. If you’re interested, please come back for more. I have plenty of time on my hands and lots to write about!