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mommag.com
What have you learned professionally
that has helped you as a mom?
I am not in control. No matter how well I
plan, things can change at any moment. I
breathe and know that it is not the end of
the world and that I have to be flexible.
Tell us about a recent achievement you’re
proud of.
Last year, I hurt my knee and was not able to
work out and teach my Zumba Fitness
classes any longer. I then found out that I
have osteoarthritis in both knees. It was
painful to walk for many months and it was
so hard not to teach classes. Over that year
it was a vicious cycle of stress-eating and
being in pain, and I was not working out. I
was not sure, at one point, if I would walk
normally again. Well, in the last couple of
months, I am back in the gymworking out
and getting stronger. It has been amazing to
we have so much in common yet are so
different. I appreciate those differences.
Traveling stretches you and gets you out of
your comfort zone. It has helped me realize
that the world does not revolve around me,
and we are all in this together. Traveling has
also made me appreciate where I live and
that, no matter howmany times I leave,
there is no place like home. I take my family
home to Mississippi every couple of years.
One day I hope to take a family trip abroad
with a purpose.
Listen to MOM
Is motherhood what you expected? What
surprised you the most?
Motherhood is not what I expected. It is
much more than I expected. It is like an
onion because there are so many layers. I
have grown so much over the past thirteen
years because of these humans. They have
taught me so much about God, myself and
life in general. I am forced to do things I
never thought I would have the guts to do. I
used to hold onto things but have learned
to let things go. They have made me realize
the important things in life. Relationships
are so important. I get to love my kids and
give hugs. I get to embarrass them at
school. I get to nurse them back to health. I
realize over and over how imperfect I am yet
they adore me, flaws and all. They challenge
me to be better. My kids have been such a
gift. It is the most challenging, yet reward-
ing, job ever. I still can’t believe these kids
are mine.
What advice would you give your
younger mom self—what do you wish
you knew then that you know now
?
It is going to be alright. Not everything is an
emergency. Breathe, then proceed.
What message would you like to share
with other moms?
We are all in this together. We need each
other as moms. There’s no need to go at it
alone. Nobody has it all figured out, even
when it appears that they do. Also, we need
to stop being so hard on ourselves. There is
no manual, we are doing the best we can.
be back squatting again, which is my
favorite. I can’t squat as deep yet, but I’m
just so grateful that I can attend the
strength-training class. I have not been able
to get back into Zumba classes yet because
of time constraints, but I am looking forward
to it. I am also proud of myself because I
wake up with my hubby at 5 a.m. to work
out. I ammaking time because I want to
grow old with my husband and see my kids
grow up. My motto is“ Get up and live!”
If mom’s not happy,
nobody’s happy
What do you think is the most important
life skill or value your parents taught
you?
My parents have been married for over 40
years and have taught me to forgive and not
to give up on people. They have taught me
that, even though you might debate or have
an argument, that it is okay and that you
can talk through things without the
relationship falling apart. I have become
someone who would rather talk things
through honestly than hold things in and
eventually walk away.
What’s your superpower?
The ability to talk to and engage with
people no matter the amount of time I’ve
known them. Even if we have just met, I am
ready to have a deep conversation and
always ready for a hug.
Name one thing that is part of your daily
routine that you just can’t live without.
Prayer. There is a saying“Seven days without
prayer makes one weak.”
What is something you think everyone
should do at least once in their lives?
Travel abroad for at least a week, preferably
two. I have had the opportunity to travel to
Mexico, Thailand, Vietnam, China, the
Philippine islands, Borneo, Malaysia, Canada
and South Africa. I was born in Mississippi
and lived there until age 13. I have also
traveled to other parts of this country. It
gives a whole new perspective on how
small the world really is and how, in reality,
“
Not everything is an
emergency. Breathe,
then proceed.
”