Congratulations Faith! December Mom of the Month

Please tell us about yourself.  How many children do you have?  How old are they? 

I'm originally from Kenya, East Africa and became a United States citizen in June, 2014. I have lived in Memphis, TN for 5 years and moved to Ohio in 2009. I am also a single mother of 2 children named Ethan and Ivana who are 3 years old and 1 year old respectively. I am also a full-time student in the Physician Assistant program at Tri-C/Cleveland state. My children and school keep me very busy but I enjoy motherhood and education. I am the first of five children. One of my brothers is in Helsinki, Finland while the rest of my family members are in Kenya.

Who has been the biggest influence in your life?

The person with the biggest influence in my life is my mother. The values she instilled in my life are prayer and faith in God, love for family, hardwork, perseverance and determination. These values have shaped me to be who I am today. My mother is also a prayer warrior and my confidant. I can count on her love and prayer to carry me through the hardest of times.

Who do you look up to as a mom?

First and foremost my mother is my role model as a woman and as a mother. But I also learn so much from my close friends and family members. I get inspired by women who go above and beyond to provide love, security, education, and adventure to their children. Even though my mother is not in the United States, I'm lucky to be surrounded by amazing group of moms who inspire, uplift and encourage me on a daily basis. These women are my neighbors and friends.

What's your favorite mom story or memory? Possibly something funny that your children did or said.

I have 2 very young children so it's fun to see what they pick from me on a routine basis. These moments are so previous and always bring a smile to my face. When my son Ethan was 15 months old, I found him painting the toenails of both his feet exactly like he had observed me doing. I had painted my toenails on a Sunday morning prior to going to church, and he did the exact thing on Wednesday of the following week. There were no spills on the carpet, and he was pressing on the top portion of the nail polish bottle exactly the same way as I had done. I was so surprised and amazed at his silent observation skills. 

What is the hardest part about being a mom?

For me, being a single mother of two in a very rigorous health profession, with no family members in the United States to offer support has truly been a challenge. However, I know God's plans are the best and I'm grateful to all my wonderful friends who've gone above and beyond to make me and my children feel at home in the United States. My friends have been tremendously helpful and supportive and I thank God for bringing these amazing people in my life. It is true that it takes a village to raise a child.

What advice would you share with another mom that has been key to your success?

God's ways are not our ways. Trust in Him and let Him direct your steps. Have goals and work hard towards them but let God have His way. Jeremiah 29:11 Says "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Commit this verse to memory and recite it over and over when you feel discouraged.

What do you do for fun?

Travelling, watching movies, reading and doing outdoor fun activities with my children. This year we attended The Fest for the first time and we really loved it. We also went on  The Polar Express offered by the Cuyahoga Scenic Railroad for the first time this December and we enjoyed that as well.

If you were given a weekend away from your children to relax and enjoy some "me time" what would you do?

My ideal relaxation would be to go to a quiet place surrounded by trees, waterfall, and nature and just stare at the beauty of it all or to sit by a quiet beach and listen to the waves of the oceans with no electronic devices and no distractions. A peaceful quiet time to think of all the goodness of the Lord and to thank Him for all the wonderful things he has done in my life and that of my family.

 

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

I enjoy listening to 95.5 The Fish. It is the only radio station me and my family listen to so I'm so grateful for this gift they've given me. I want to thank the Mom Squad, 95.5 The Fish, Carlisle Inn and everyone who made this possible. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much and keep up the good work.


FAITH WE LOVE AND APPRECIATE YOU! THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR WORLD WITH US. BE BLESSED.

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!