About Me

 

Hi! I’m Chris.  I’m a registered nurse, empty nester mom, wife, dog mom, daughter, friend, medical researcher, and writer.  Welcome to Elevated Nesting! THANK YOU for stopping by!

I’ve been married to my husband, Gareth, for 31 years, and we have two amazing young adult kids.  Emily (27) is an ICU nurse in NYC and is newly married to her college sweetheart, Joe.  Clay (22) is a college student in Boston studying graphic design.

 

Gareth and I are also dog parents to our 9-year-old, high energy yellow lab, Daisy. Having our kids far away isn’t easy, but it brings my mom-heart so much joy to watch them spread their wings and have new adventures.  Having them home in our Colorado Nest makes me happiest and visiting them in the Northeast is a close second!

In addition to a long stretch as a full-time mom, I have a background as a preschool and elementary school teacher, community volunteer, and owner/operator of a catering company. My nursing career came later in my life, and it’s been an incredible experience, both inspiring and humbling.

A few years ago, I found myself rapidly approaching empty nester status. I had a daughter who was in college in Boston and a son in high school.  I was still very much needed as a mom, but I was past the phase of parenting as a full-time job.  As I was facing this “forced retirement”, I knew I wasn’t done learning and contributing, and I had a craving to take on something new.  So . . . I started nursing school! Going back to school in midlife was one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done. I loved being a student again!

Then . . . I was diagnosed with a brain tumor . . .  (I’ll share more about that soon).

This experience and all that came with it furthered my desire to lean into life and do something that would be both challenging and impactful.  I tapped into my love of science, worked my butt off, and graduated at the top of my class.  My nursing focus has been on women’s health and emergency medicine.

A couple of years ago, my husband and I relocated from Texas to our home state of Colorado to be closer to family and lifelong friends AND embrace our outdoors-loving lifestyle. We moved way up high in the mountains into our log home during the final phases of a top-to-bottom remodel. That was a crazy experience, and I’ll be sharing more about the whole process.  Ultimately, it was worth it, and we’ve happily created a cozy nest where we are loving mountain-life and relishing our time with friends and family.

I love to spend time outdoors – biking, kayaking, hiking with Daisy, skiing, and snowshoeing in our beautiful haven in the Rockies! I’m equally happy getting cozy by the fire with a book, sipping coffee, and taking in the view.  I’m a big believer in embracing each moment and seeking joy in the little things!

Thank you again for stopping by! I can’t wait to get to know you!