Charitable Cause: No Footprint Too Small
What is your favorite memory as a mother?
No memory was sweeter than when my oldest son, Gram, held his baby brother, Spencer, for the 96 minutes Spencer was alive. As soon as we left the operating room with Spencer in our arms, Gram met us in our delivery room, and we spent time as a family of 4. Gram picked out a tiny lion hat for Spencer to wear (his Halloween costume) and placed it on his head. Then Gram ran and got the rest of the family from the waiting room and introduced them to his brother.
Are there any celebrity moms you would rate as a “Perfect 10?” Why?
Being a mom is incredibly hard, and I find beauty in moms who show their vulnerabilities. One mom who I admire because she doesn’t hide her imperfections is Kristen Bell, and that makes her a “Perfect 10” in my book. I admire how open she is about being a working mom and balancing time with her kids, husband, and her profession.
What is the best or worst “mom purchase” you’ve ever made and why?
Finding a GOOD professional photographer is by far the best “mom purchase” I’ve made. When Gram was younger, I had family friends take pictures because professional family sessions seemed outrageously priced. Those pictures never turned out like I’d hoped. Recently, I learned that family photos I love are priceless– and totally worth the money!!
If you could know the absolute and total truth to one question, what would you ask?
I would really love to know if I’ll get to see my loved ones after I die. I believe in Heaven, but to know the absolute truth would just make me feel comfort- to know that my baby is really in a better place. I picture him being held by his grandpa and learning how to walk in the presence of all the other babies gone too soon. It sure would be nice to know the truth.
What is the craziest thing one of your kids has done?
The craziest thing that happened to my son, Gram, actually wasn’t because of anything he did. Last summer, we went ziplining over a ravine in the Rocky Mountains. Gram was scared to go over the second course, but with some coaxing, he did it. While my husband and I stood on the side waiting for our turn, we watched as a gust of wind came up, slowing him down. He became stuck!!! After an excruciating 10 minutes, he was pulled to the other side. Afterwards, he was so embarrassed when other zipliners told him how brave he was.
What was your biggest misconception about being a mom?
My biggest misconception about being a mom is how hard it would be to balance work and home. I love my job, and before kids, I happily graded on weekends, coached evenings, and attended all school activities. Once I became a mom, I struggled to keep up with just the day to day activities of teaching.
What is the most useless or unique talent you have?
I can do a double spin on ice skates!