Why did you want to join the USC Newcomers’ Club?

I wanted to join Newcomers so that me and my family could meet some people in the local community. Shortly after joining, I joined a playgroup and was lucky enough to meet some wonderful mothers.

Where did you recently move from?

My family and I moved from Boston in September of 2007. We rented for a year in Dormont while we found the perfect community and home to start our family in. We bought and moved into our home in USC in August of 2008 when our oldest daughter, Jocelyn (now 5) was 3 months old.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Weirton WV and my husband, Jim, in Braintree MA.

Where did you go to college and what did you study?

I graduated from Bethany College in 1995 with a BA in Accounting, Northeastern University with an MBA in 2005 and Allegheny County Community College with a Associates Degree in Nursing in 2011. My studies and career path are a long story. When Jim was transferred to Pittsburgh in 2007, I had to walk away from a long banking career and I may not have done this if the opportunity did not present itself. I wanted to be a nurse for as long as I can remember and opted not to study it when I was younger because of the lack of available jobs in the Ohio Valley in the 1990’s. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to pursue another career that I find to be extraordinarily rewarding.

What do you do for your day job?

Stay at home mother / Part time RN at St. Clair Hospital

Do you have any kids? If so what are their names and ages?

Jessica – 21 months

Do you have any pets?

Frog – just called “the frog”

What do you like to do for fun?

Hang out with my kids and husband, play board games, scrapbooking, travel and read.

What books on your shelf are begging to be read?

and an endless stack of “how to” parenting books – my favorite though is Raising Your Spirited Child

What’s the biggest goal you are working on now?

Organizing my house. Jocelyn was 3 months old when we moved in and we’ve never really taken the time to properly organize everything. We have since added another child and SO MUCH stuff – we are swimming in it!

What other things do you want your fellow newcomers to know about yourself?

I have really enjoyed my time as a member of this wonderful organization. It has made building a life in USC so much easier and fulfilling. This is a great group and provides an instant support system for new families in our community.