What does your child do that brings you to the brink? How do you recover from it? 

Agh! It drives me nuts when they do something that they know is disobedient or behaving in a way that they know is wrong! They are at the age now when I try to talk to them about why we want them to behave or that their obedience is for their safety.  This usually helps me get through those moments but it is definitely a challenge to deal with disobedience. 
 

What have you worked hard to accomplish with your kids?

It is important to us that our kids have a sense of responsibility and work ethic. 

 

What emotions did you have losing your home last fall in a tornado?

We weren't home when the tornado came through. A neighbor called with the news when we were in our church basement. I distinctly remember my husband looking at me and saying "babe, our place is gone." I just looked at the ladies standing around me saying over and over "our place is gone" and them whispering that I was in shock! I suppose I was then but I am still not sure how you process information like that given over the phone. Seeing our home in a pile of debris was quite shocking. Our clothes in our closet lay in a wet heap as we stood there in dressy church clothes feeling very helpless. That moment when you realize your life has changed forever and that you will likely always been known as a "tornado victim" is quite surreal. Through it all, we have never felt alone or isolated though. We have an amazing support system so we have a lot to be thankful for!

What memories captured at your last home do you hold tight to?

I will say that it is hard to look at some of the last pictures we took at our home. The very last picture on my phone was of our then four year old practicing his writing at the kitchen table. We treasure those images we still have.

How have your kids adapted to your new home?

They love it! We were so fortunate to have this property in our family. We actually approached my husband's aunt and uncle about buying it! They were incredibly receptive, talked to their children and said yes! Our boys were used to be around this place as we farm around it and would pasture sheep here. They love it here and again, we are so thankful!

 

What is the hardest part of raising children?

Letting their personality develop as an individual that they are meant to be and not what we are expecting them to be or wanting them to be is a challenge. 
 

What has been the best parenting advice you've been given?

There are some things that you do to get through those early years that are ok. If you are feeling guilty that your toddler ends up watching a lot of Curious George while you nurse the baby and clean the house to stay afloat, remember it is not going to last forever! But being ok with those days for a while is key to keeping sanity!
 

What's your advice for balancing motherhood and a relationship?

I am an extrovert so not feeling isolated as a stay at home mom is really important to my mental health. This translates to my relationship with my husband as well. When I am feeling isolated at home, he is really great about sensing this and taking me out for a date night or even just alone time out of the house.