My Voice

***EDIT: I started this blog a little over a year ago because I was really struggling and needed an outlet for everything going on in my head.  A lot has changed and the struggle has lessened.  I still think this post is a good one to explain who I am.  Although the need to write is still there, it's not because I simply must get it out anymore.  It's because writing is something I love to do.  I'm sure you'll be seeing some of the emotionally draining posts, but things are a lot different for me now and they were learning experiences that might help someone else.  So, here's how I introduced myself last August.  

I'm Katie. I wear lots of hats and am a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Lately, I've been feeling a little lost, I'm sure I'll be explaining why later. I don't know exactly who I am to me or what my voice is.  I know I am important in the lives of lots of people and I matter to them, but why do I matter to myself?  So, that's why I'm starting this blog, to find my voice.  

Here's what you might need to know about me:
                1.  I was a secondary ed. English major in college (I'm a writer though and I don't get all hung up on the parts of speech and grammar and all that, so please don't judge my incorrectness, intentional or otherwise.) and taught for three years in a Lutheran high school (same place my husband still works) before staying at home with our kids.
                2.  I have a coaching minor.  I coached JV girls basketball and throwing in track for the three years I taught.  I coached 7th and 8th grade boys at my kids' school for one year.  I was the boys varsity assistant at the school where my husband works and then I was hired to be the head coach for the girls basketball team.  I'm not anymore (I'll explain later).
                3.  I wrote a book.  It's not published or even close, but I wrote it.
                4.  I have four kids, whom I love dearly, even if they do drive me crazy sometimes.  I am a stay at home mom.
                5.  My husband, Josh, and I met in college (both throwers on the track team) and we've been married for 10 years.  I also love him dearly and would feel lost without him to help me muddle through.
                6.  I'm a Christian.  You can take it or leave it, but God plays a big role in my life and He will come into this conversation.  Again, I love him dearly and would be lost without Him.
                7.  I have not suffered any real tragedy in my life.  Both of my parents are living, my kids and husband are healthy, I'm healthy.  Sure, I've lost a couple of relatives, but on the whole, I don't know tragedy.  So, if my problems seem small compared to yours, believe me, I know they are, but to me, they feel big.

I will warn you... I've been struggling with some things lately, hence the need to find my voice, so things around here might feel a little depressing for a while. I want to work through these things and writing is how I do that, so that's what I'm doing.  As a stay at home mom, I am seriously lacking in adult conversation so I'm talking to all of you.  I can promise some lightness though... my kids are frequently quite hilarious and I am happy to share those anecdotes with you.  This blog is just me; my thoughts, my family, my faith.  I can't tell you what I'll put on here because I don't know that yet.  Hopefully you'll keep reading and find out.