Welcome to The Seasoned Mama!
My name is Amanda. I am married and have 3 sons. My husband, Brandon, is my rock. He is truly a good man. Cody (he’s the oldest), has graduated high school and is on his way to entrepreneurship as a mobile welder. I’m so proud of him. Paul (he’s the middle kid), is a sophomore in high school. He’d like to join the Army and be a veterinarian. And Caiden (obviously the youngest) is in 4th grade and wants to be a chef and YouTuber!
I grew up in Washington State, all around the Puget Sound. I’ve lived in the country and the city. My mom finally settled in a small town near the ocean with my stepdad and four brothers. I lived with my dad further north until high school when I moved in with my mom. I spent 4 years learning how to become a young woman. I excelled in school (ok, math and science are not my thing), and performed on the dance team for 2 years.
On the morning of 9/11, my mom was watching the news. I wondered why she would watch an action movie at 6 am until she told me the sad news of that morning. On that day, I made the decision I would serve my country. I was a senior in high school. Summer rolled around and I’d forgotten all about joining the Air Force – you know, teen girl problems – until an AF recruiter stopped me on my way to work to give me a ride, because it was raining, and talked to me about joining. I decided I’d join, but I didn’t know what job I wanted. I scored high in general and mechanical on the ASVAB, so I went in ‘open general’. I chose carpentry as my primary job and learned so many valuable skills. I spent 11.5 years as a carpenter, toured to Iraq twice, and wanted to retire. But, the Air Force (and I) had other plans. So I chose to separate and move home.
I earned my certification to be a CNA and worked for in-home care for a few years before going back to school for accounting. I earned my Associates of Applied Science in Accounting and Direct Transfer of Arts degrees, then earned my Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration with a Concentration in Accounting. I had dabbled with the idea of working toward my Masters in Accounting once I moved, but realized, I didn’t want the hours that came with that degree and career field.
After my move, I chose to work with a major supplementary insurance carrier, which I didn’t feel I was very good at. I stuck with it for a few years, but it reminded me of direct sales or MLM businesses, where instead of ‘cold messaging’, you ‘cold call’ businesses and persuade them that they need what you’re selling. So, I decided to work from home. I currently work for a third-party customer service platform and I’m lucky enough to work on my own schedule.
Finally, I have decided that I want to create value. My mission in life is to help others. I have many years of experience to build upon and provide to others. I don’t quite have a niche, but if I had to decide, it would be moms like me who also raise all boys.
Why did I wait so long to decide to start a blog? I mean, I thought about doing it a few years ago. My block was me. I didn’t think I had anything of value to share. Most blogs center around a specific niche or industry. I don’t have that. I’m a mom of boys. A wife. I hold 3 degrees (that I don’t use). I have 2 cats and a bearded dragon. I am a Veteran. I am a homeowner. I like to garden, swim, hike, fish, and camp. I love to cook (but not clean the mess). I do hope that I can provide value to you and your family, and together, we can learn so much more!