It’s really special to me to be Mom of the Month-thank you! I have loved getting to honor other mamas and learn more about them through FIT4MOM. FIT4MOM has been an answer to prayer for me.

I am a Colorado girl and love the mountains. Less than a year after my husband and I got married, we moved to North Dakota with the Air Force. During our three years there, we experienced incredible community through the military and our church. We moved to Texas in 2017 for my husband to join his family’s business. When we moved to Burleson, I was a new mom with a two month-old. I had a hard time adjusting to a new city, a new role of being a stay-at-home mom, my husband’s new job, and my post-partum body. And I didn’t have friends here with whom I could connect. An outlet for me is working out, but that was even a struggle since my recovery was long and challenging. Once I was doing better physically and adjusting more to all the new things in my life, I was still longing to connect with other moms and be able to work out. I tried a few other options for exercise, but none seemed to click for me. One day when I was eight months pregnant, I took my daughter to the park and saw a group of moms with strollers. It reminded me of a workout group of which I was a part before moving to Texas. While I was silently wishing I was part of the group, Amy introduced herself and enthusiastically invited me to join them. I attended the next class and was blown away by the instant welcome and connection. Even though I only went to a few classes before having my second daughter, Amy had offered to do a meal train for my family. I couldn’t believe the immediate support these mamas offered. Some ladies who didn’t even know me made us a meal! The FIT4MOM community has been like a breath of new life to me and much more than a workout. I finally get to know other moms in Burleson and watch my girls develop relationships with other kids too. My oldest daughter intently watches during our workouts and mimics what she sees and hears in her play at home. In the few short months I have been attending, the FIT4MOM community already feels like family.

Mama of the Month Q&A

Where are you originally from?

Colorado Springs, CO

Tell us about your little workout buddies!

My three year-old Isabella was born in North Dakota. She loves working out and regularly leads workout sessions at home for me, her dolls and stuffed animals, and her sister. She enjoys singing, reading, space, and playing with her sister. Sophia, five months old, loves mommy, her sister, “talking,” and chew toys. She just started rolling over.

How did you meet your husband?

We met when my husband was stationed in CO with the Air Force. One of my girlfriend’s had met him and invited him to a dinner at her house, which ended up being similar to an episode of The Bachelor because he was the only guy with a bunch of single girls. We hit it off talking about food and cooking.

You have the night to eat out wherever you want—where do you choose?

A favorite is Summit at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, but in Texas, it would be Ellerbe.

Did you play any sports or participate in an extracurricular activity growing up?

I played volleyball in middle school and did theater and service organizations in junior high and high school. I like learning, so I spent time studying too.

What’s your favorite family activity?

We love being outside, so time at the park, zoo, botanic gardens, and hiking are favorite activities.

Tell us a little about your career—pre or post baby.

Before having kids, I taught 5th grade for 11 years. My favorite part of my education career was being a teaching coach. I did my masters work on that topic and would love to coach teachers again.

How did you find out about FIT4MOM?

FIT4MOM found me :) I was at the park with my oldest daughter, and the FIT4MOM class had just ended. Amy introduced herself and the group and invited me to a free class.

What is your favorite thing about FIT4MOM?

Celebration, whether it’s a cheer for showing up to class (even when class began 10, 20, 30… minutes ago) or treats for birthdays or praise for the kid who isn’t crying in the stroller or making a holiday craft or enjoying a mom’s night out. FIT4MOM is like having your own cheering squad, both moms and kids encouraging you on this motherhood journey.

Do you have any big plans this month?

My daughter’s birthday party, a concert date night with my husband, and celebrating my husband’s last grad school classes finishing!

Do you have a favorite place you have traveled?

I love traveling, which makes it hard to choose one favorite. When I worked as a teacher in Panama, I visited a little mountain, rainforest, coffee town called Boquete. It was quaint and idyllic. My husband and I hope to travel there together some day.

What is your proudest moment as a mom?

After having a miscarriage for our first pregnancy, I feel blessed to have had two healthy pregnancies and now two incredible daughters. I am proud of trusting in God’s design of my body and my physical and mental strength to deliver both girls naturally, with no medication.

Have you ever thought, gosh I can’t do this, and what brings you to see the good?

I have definitely thought that! My husband is great at encouraging me and helps me see the good things. Looking at the big picture rather than getting fixated on the moment also puts things in perspective, which I’m able to do through prayer and fellowship with other mom’s. Naming things for which I’m thankful is effective as well as saying, “I get to…” rather than “I have to.”

How has becoming a mother changed you?

Becoming a mother has revealed the areas in my own life in which I need to grow, change, or improve. Just as my kids are growing and learning, I need to grow as a parent and a person. Motherhood has helped me better understand how I need grace in this growth process, so that helps me have more grace with my girls.

What advice would you give a new mom?

You probably know that you’ll need to teach your child to eat food, drink from a cup, pee in the toilet, tie her shoes, etc., but you also need to teach her how to sleep. It’s invaluable to learn about sleep and how to train your child to sleep. Good sleep for your child means you can sleep too!