"What do you do, Hailey?"

It's funny how a simple question like, "What do you do?" can evoke anxiety. Over the years, I've had myriad jobs. I've been a ski instructor, a waitress (several times), an ice cream maker, an hr manager, an outreach coordinator. I've sold ads, I've taught wellness classes, I've written grants, I've made coffee and cocktails.

All of those careers, if you will, were well and good. They helped me get to where I am today with a host of random skills and a pretty wild (albeit decent) resume.

Upon moving to Boise, my response to that question for a while was, "I'm a stay at home mom." It's funny how much judgment passes with that statement. For those of us who have stayed at home, you know that it's a tireless and exhausting job that requires patience and the ability to spin 37 plates in the air at the same time without burning down your house. It's also totally awesome and an incredible  gift to one's family.

I never in a million . . . TRILLION years imagined I would have the chance to stay home with my baby. It has been an enormous blessing, and I owe so much to my gracious husband for the opportunity.

I think some people imagine this life of staying home as one of yoga pants, Kardashian marathons and endless bowls of popcorn. Sadly, for me, not the case.

Regardless of how productive my days are/were, I felt I needed to be doing something else while I was home. I missed being a productive, wage-earning member of my partnership. I also craved using big words with grownups.

That said, I dabbled in some freelance writing. I started with some local magazines writing advertisements and fun, uplifting editorial pieces. Gradually my portfolio grew, as did my connections for new work.

After completing my MA, I never in a million, perhaps trillion, years imagined I would actually use my degree in this capacity -- as a writer. I knew I had a lot of great, transferable skills making me a better communicator and thus a better employee. However, I am really tired of being just someone's employee.

So do you know how CRAZY it is for me now when people ask me that question, "What do you do, Hailey?" and I reply, "I'm a writer." It makes me want to pee in my pants. I still feel a little funny saying that, like, perhaps tomorrow I'll wake up and it was all a dream.

In July an article I wrote will be featured in a national magazine. It's a piece about how having a baby hasn't ruined my life -- it's only made it that much richer. The photograph below of Malia and me inspired it, and this beautiful magazine chose to run it.

It's called The Village Magazine. Click here for more information. I hope you check it out. Buy a copy. Squeal when you read it. Smile when you read my bio.

I can't tell you how proud and happy it makes me to be able write . . . for paycheck! Thank you for reading along here with me. Thank you for encouraging me to keep writing. I am hopeful that I get to wake up tomorrow and the offer still stands.

Big love to you all on this beautiful Friday. Have a wonderful weekend! xoH