Thursday, September 18, 2014

Meet Karen - September's Winner of The Mom Squad Mom of the Month Contest


Congratulations to Karen Boyle, September's winner of The Mom Squad Mom of the Month Contest presented by 955 the Fish and the Carlisle Inn.  Karen is a very busy mom of a teenage daughter and a son just entering Kindergarten!   As this month's winner, she will receive an overnight stay at the beautiful Carlisle Inn with dinner included!  

I was blessed to be the one chosen to interview Karen.  Read her responses to the interview questions below to learn, as I did, what makes her such a special mom.  

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1.     Karen, please tell us a little about youHow many children do you have?  How old are they? 

I am a 49-year old mother of two children.  I have a daughter who is 13 years old and a freshman in high school, and a son who is only 5 years old and just started Kindergarten this year.   I am married.  My husband’s name is Thomas.  I am a bus driver for a local school system. 

I grew up in a military family.  My dad was in the Navy for 30 years, so we traveled all over the world.  My mom was the stronghold in the family.  When the bus was not able to pick us up and take us to the military base for church, my mom held church services in our home.   There were always Bible teachings in our home growing up.

2.     Who has been the biggest influence in your life so far? 

Definitely my mom has been the biggest influence in my life.  As I said, she would have services at our house when the bus couldn’t pick us up and take us to base to church.  There were always praise groups and Bible studies in our home.

3.     Who was your role model for being mom?

My mom absolutely was my role model and still is to this day.   With my dad being in the military and with us traveling around, we were away from other family members so much. 

4.     What do you find is/was your biggest parenting challenge?  How did you handle it?

(With a chuckle) Having a son at 45-years old!  Keeping my son from running up and down the aisles at church is my biggest challenge, but it is all working out great.  I’m just taking one day at a time.  My husband and I wanted another child, a son.  God heard our prayers.

5.     Is there a favorite “mom” story you would like to share with us?  Perhaps something your children did or said that was funny at the time or embarrassing at the time, but funny now?

The most recent funny story happened during my son’s first week in Kindergarten.  He and five other boys decided to jump in these huge water puddles on the playground.  They were soaked.  Five moms had to take clothes for each of their boys to change into.  All of the boys were waiting in the clinic! 

The most precious moments are when my teenage daughter and my kindergartner share a special bond like watching a movie together or doing a secret handshake.  Those are my favorite memories.

6.     What is one thing you have learned as a mom that you would like to share with other new moms out there? 

The best piece of advice I could give other moms is to spend time outdoors with your children.  Have a picnic.  Listen to them.  Value their conversation.  Have lots of quality time together.  Stay away from the electronic devices. 

7.      What is your favorite way to “de-stress”?  Do you have a favorite hobby that helps?

My favorite way to de-stress is to go out on our pontoon boat and take a cruise.  We take a picnic lunch and picnic on the water.  I love to sit on the boat.  It is my de-stresser.

8.     Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Yes, I would like to tell them about Camp Carl in Ravenna.  Camp Carl is owned by The Chapel in Akron, Ohio, and is our favorite all time summer camp.  They instill Christian beliefs in the children.  My daughter goes every year for a week.  She plans on being a camp counselor.  They start with a day camp and then eventually (in 2nd or 3rd grade) they can stay for a week at a time.   

For more information on Camp Carl, please click this link to visit their website: Camp Carl

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Congratulations again, Karen!  Have a well-deserved, mini-getaway at the Carlisle Inn!

If you would like to nominate a special mom for The Mom Squad Mom of the Month contest, visit 955thefish.com to enter your nomination today!   Also, be sure to read Ruth Clifford's interview with August's winner, Carol.

Sincerely,








Kathleen Horvath 

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