Amanda Jean Clothier, Neighbor

I am a writer-mom who learned long ago that true joy does not come from finding balance, but rather, loving the chaos that is everyday life with two small children. I grew up in Maryland and New Jersey, grew up a little more during my college years in New Orleans and finally settled down in Atlanta, a town where I knew absolutely no one. There, I started my career at CNN and eventually met my husband, Mark.  We moved to Michigan this past year with our now 5-year-old daughter, 3-year-old son and 13-year-old cat. And, while I will forever miss watching the sky from my sprawling front porch back in Georgia, it's good to be back North.