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 you.  How 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 

Carlisle Inn's Mom of the Month, Carol

It is our pleasure to introduce to you our Carlisle Inn Mom of the Month winner, Carol.  Every month we will be giving away a free night at the Carlisle Inn.  All you need to do is nominate a deserving mom at www.955thefish.com. 

I had the privilege of interviewing Carol via email and found her to be a wonderful mother filled with wisdom and encouragement.  I hope you find her answers to the questions I asked her encouraging as well. 

 

Congratulations again, Carol, and may God richly bless you and your family!

1. Tell us about yourself. How many children do you have, how old are they, etc. 

I am a blessed mother of 8.  My husband and I have been married 26 years and have 7 living children and a child waiting for us in Heaven.  We have 4 sons ages 25, 23, 21 and 20 and 3 daughters ages 18, 15 & 13.  We also gained our first daughter-law in July, 2014.   We have home educated all of our children through the 8th grade and then they have moved into our public high school.  Five of our children have now graduated high school and entered into college and my oldest son just graduated with his Master’s Degree.   The greatest blessing is that all of our children have trusted in Christ as their Savior and are walking with the Lord.

2. Who has been the biggest influence on your mothering?

My own mother.  My loving mother, although she didn’t come to know the Lord personally until her later years,  loved my siblings and I with her whole heart.  She made many mistakes and ALWAYS apologized for them.  My mom was a wonderful example of a truly humble person.  She was sooo funny too.  In her later years, she seemed to lose her “filter” and would say whatever was on her mind, good or bad.  It was always the truth and taught us a good lesson even if it embarrassed us a bit.  She was my greatest “cheerleader” when I became a Christian and also when I became a mother. 

 

3. On hard mothering days, how do you find encouragement and/or from whom?

To be honest, as a mother, every day has a few hard moments.  I remember in the early days of motherhood, when my newborn would just sleep and eat, an outsider might think my days were a piece of cake but in all reality I worried about so many thing: Would I be a good mother? Would my child love Jesus? Could my husband and I provide all our child needed? Would my child grow up healthy?...and so much more.  As each child grew older, new challenges occurred: Is my child growing in Christ?  Will he/she keep up with peers?  Am I helping them reach their potential?  I guess my point is, is that as a mother, every day will be hard if you focus on the “what ifs”.   I find encouragement in the Word of God and spending time with the Lord and focusing on His truth.  When I don’t spend time in God’s Word and in prayer, my fears can overcome me.

 

4. What is a funny mothering story that you can share with us?

Oh my!  There are so many stories and usually I am embarrassed by them.  For instance, when I took my children to the golf clinics in the Metroparks.  I had my 4 boys, ages 7, 5, 3&2,  as well as my newborn daughter.  I made the mistake of wearing a summer dress to this clinic.  In one arm I was holding my newborn, in the other I was holding my diaper bag (which was quite large) as well as the golf clubs for my older boys.  A kind gentleman walked over to say “hello” to my boys and my youngest son promptly lifted my dress all the way up to hide under it! I could have died!  There was NO appropriate way to cover up my embarrassment or, I’m sure, the reflection from my bright white, tummy tucking undies!

 

5. What advice can you give other moms?

As a struggling mom, I would advise moms to study the Word of God & hide His Word in their hearts so that when they are doubting or discouraged they can turn to the ONE that has the BEST advice, no matter what the topic. (2nd Timothy 3:16 All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.)

 

6. Anything else you want to share with our readers?

Yes!  Moms- I would encourage you to connect with a Godly group of women that will help you along the way. A woman or group of women that will always advise you with the word of God.  Stay accountable!  Also, please know that you are NEVER alone!  All of us have struggled with our marriages and motherhood.  Remember and keep your commitment and covenant with God at all times.  The Lord will never leave you or forsake you! (Deuteronomy 31:6)

 

Again, Congratulations Carol! Enjoy your much-deserved night at the Carlisle Inn!  God bless you! 

 

Remember to nominate a deserving mom in your life at www.955thefish.com and be sure to "like" our Facebook page at The Mom Squad where we will announce the winner every month!