about me

now

My name is Heather Isbill, I live in Lodi, CA, and am from Chicago, IL. I have 3 biological children- two sons, (now 19 & 17, and a daughter, 12).  I am ridiculously happily married, my second marriage, and am now a blended family mom of three additional children- two sons, (now 20 & 18, and a daughter, 13).  Although I did not give birth to my latter three children, they are very much my children as well. There is never a dull moment in our home, and I am actively practicing raising conscientious, compassionate children.

I work for a resort Lodi as the Director of Sales & Marketing, and have been for sixteen years. I am also a freelance writer, and have written for the publications San Joaquin Magazine, San Joaquin Parents & Kids, Lavish Living Magazine, and Herlife Magazine. I have a passion for words. I journal, write, doodle…about kids, family, blending a family, parenthood, and life with special needs kids. (I have two ADD sons, and one of those sons has ODD, Severe Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and a sleep disorder in addition to AD(H)D.) I write about advocating for brain based discorded children, hoping to raise awareness and make a difference, albeit a small difference, for anyone walking the same path. I often use humor as I believe it to be an aid in walking through all the different stages of life.

then

I was born in Lexington, KY., and moved to Chicago when I was very young. My Mom was a social worker in a minimum-security federal state prison in KY. We moved to Chicago, my mom became a GED Coordinator in a learning lab for a school district, and then an ESL Faculty member at a community college. My Step Dad owned his own office supply company, and had a colorful, sorted past. My mom’s father was a judge, and my mom’s mother was a teacher. My mom used to tell my older sister and me stories about the ideologies her dad instilled in my mom and her three siblings- about making a difference in lives of people that needed help.  He often worked pro-bono cases. I had a fun, safe, loving, supportive childhood. We were a close-knit family of four. I was raised on the principle of helping others, with whatever means we have to do so- money, time, involvement, etc. When I was a kid, we lived near the Great Lakes Naval Base, and at Thanksgiving, we opened our home to sailors (who could not go home) for Thanksgiving Dinner. We were also involved in literacy programs- reading to seniors and low income housing kids. My parents worked full time, but we were brought up on the premise that we made time to help others. I am trying to raise my kids on the same principles.

I went to a public high school in the suburbs of Chicago. I was a good student, with a decent GPA. Reading and writing were always my strong subjects. I was involved in track, but was more interested in music, reading, and creative writing. I wrote short stories and poems for publications. I struggled in Math. I had a good group of friends. I then went to Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. I attended for two years. Formal schooling was not my thing. I have a decent intellect when numbers are not involved. I am an avid reader. I have always been was more interested in being part of life- contributing in the work force, being a humanitarian.  

career

I got my first real job at front desk at a hotel in the suburbs of Chicago. I loved it! I loved everything about it- the service, the structure, the responsibility, the empowerment the company gave us to make our guests’ stay right. I excelled, and moved into a sales position. The company I worked for was amazing, and to this day, I am grateful for that particular experience with that company. I stayed in the hotel/hospitality industry. Through the years, we moved around quite a bit until settling down in CA nineteen years ago, and I stayed in the same industry broadening my experience and sharpening my expertise. I spent time in both sales and operations. I have taken many courses in sales, leadership, negotiation, customer service, dealing with difficult people. I am a certified train the trainer. My passion in my career is leadership. I have volunteered on two Board of Directors, and have been involved with my children’s sports teams and organizations, helped in classrooms, and participated in ADD awareness campaigns. I have been afforded the time and opportunity to have been actively involved in my kids’ lives as they were growing up- PTA, field trips, extracurricular activities, etc., and also volunteer, and model to my kids what it is to live an authentic life, and the importance of giving to others.

passion

My passion in life is my marriage, my kids, my dogs, music, being a humanitarian, teaching my kids well, and my writing. I am comfortable in my own skin, which is inked up. I feel a huge responsibility for who my kids become. I suppose every parent feels that way. For me, that voice, that tugging responsibility is always there- in every moment, no matter how large or how small. I believe every moment is a teaching moment. I also believe in the power of words, and communicating through stringing a series of words together to tell compelling, humorous stories, invoke emotion, document life, honor people and time, and protect and share memories. And while I intensely love words, I do not however, share the same zeal for grammar.

spirited

I wasn’t an easy kid. I became easier as I grew up, however, in my early years, I was headstrong, defiant- in attitude not in deed- independent, easily frustrated, and brazen. (The irony of having a couple of kids that have taken on my childhood persona with a vengeance, and with their own personal twists is not lost on me. Nor my mom, I am sure.) My step dad, whom I adored, got a kick out of my feisty disposition, often calling me a “spirited” child, insisting that I never lose, sacrifice, or let the light of my “spiritedness” go out. And it certainly hasn’t. There have been  a handful of times in my youth when my spirited nature has gotten me into trouble. Although, as I have been able to polish my “high-spiritedness” through the years, it has served me far more well than it has been to my detriment. It has enabled me in maintaining confidence and composure in raising kids with brain based disorders, and resolutely advocating for their needs. It regularly facilitates me in having a voice on things that I believe matter and expressing that voice. It has allowed me to actively stand up for things that I believe in, for things that make my home, my life, my kids, and my circle a safe place. A place to express kindness, gratitude…a place to spread our wings, make mistakes, grow, reflect, evolve, and live life spirited.