Location: Boise, ID

Kids:

Ryan (9), Brennon (7), Meili (6), Gage (4), Treg Jr., (3) Lili (2) and Trinli (6 months)

Why do you choose to stay at home?

Being home with my children allows me the freedom to raise them in a positive light.  I am homeschooling my kids, which I have found to be such a blessing in our lives.  Instead of being in a room full of 30+ kids, they are home where they get all of their questions answered and their education is tailored to them.  It’s also nice to be home to show them by example how people should be treated and respected.  That is a difficult concept to teach if I were working and having to have my children be with other adults all day.  I can teach them principles and values that I trust, and not have to rely on someone else to do my teaching for me.

What are your favorite things about being at home?

I love that I never miss an a-ha moment in their lives!  I was here for every first step, every first word, every mess and every silly thing they’ve said.  When my son had his breakthrough in multiplication, I was here to see his eyes light up. 

What do you find the most difficult?

It is hard that my husband can’t be here for those moments as well.  We’re working on that, though.    Also, it is sometimes overwhelming to keep a clean and organized house.  It seems that I get one room done while they trash another.  I have a FANTASTIC husband who is really good about helping me out when I need to go grocery shopping or run errands and can’t take the kids with me.

Your (just yours, not what with your kids) favorite things to do?

I have an absolute LOVE of reading and researching.  I also love to crochet, sew and cook.

One mom MUST have you can’t live with out?

Car seats and strollers!  How in the world would I ever get out of my house?!

If you were on a deserted island, name three things you’d have with you:

My husband, food and books

If you weren’t staying at home, what job would you have?

I would love to be a holistic nutritionist.

One thing you wish you could do but don’t have time during the day?

Read

Advice for moms:

Patience is a virtue…  they aren’t little adults.

If you could do anything different with your life what would that be?

I don’t think I would change the past, but I am certainly working on the future.

What is the best and worst day of your stay at home mom “hood”?

The best days are when I can keep a good attitude.  It really changes everything in the house if I can model a good attitude to my kids.  The worst days are… well…  the days I don’t have such a good attitude!

What is the most fun date you have ever been on with your hubby?

One year for our anniversary my husband took me on a fun trip in downtown Salt Lake City.  We went to see a famous choir sing, went to a jazz music festival, ate ice cream and walked around looking at all the cool shops.  Then he took me to a romantic room at the Anniversary Inn and I even got breakfast in bed the next morning.  Yes, he’s awesome. 

Who is your favorite Woman Hero?

There are so many!! I admire any woman who I think is doing her best in the world.  Women who serve others, have a positive attitude, take care of their families and love whatever it is that they do…  those are my heroes!

What do you most want your children to remember about you when they are grown?

I just hope that they remember that I loved them very much and was always there for them whenever they have need of me.

What was the funnest thing you’ve ever done with your kids??

That’s a hard one…  we like to have “sleepovers” in the family room some nights and watch movies.  Sometimes we just take the day off on a Saturday to play at the park.  Sometimes my husband builds a fire in the backyard and we roast marshmallows.  My kids are a lot of fun, so there are lots of experiences to choose from.

When you have a question about raising your children who do you turn to?

It’s mostly my mom.  We are living far from home now though, so sometimes I just ask some of my local “hero” moms for advice.

Add one question for the next stay at home mom being spotlighted!

What advice do you hope your children take from you?

Location:

Within the next week my new place of living will be Orem! We are buying a new house and should be closing very soon!!

Kids:

Cedric: 3 wild and crazy! Katelyn: 1 sweet and smiley

Why do you choose to stay at home?

I think it is important that my kids have me there to watch them and teach them. Hopefully in these early years we can build an open relationship so they know I will always be there for them.

What are your favorite things about being at home?

My favorite thing is being able to see my kids mile stones. I have worked in daycare and think it is so sad when kids do things for the first time at daycare and parents miss it.

What do you find the most difficult?

A better question is who! I need to learn to take control of my three year old.

Your (just yours, not what with your kids) favorite things to do?

Watch TV series and do whatever on the internet.

One mom MUST have you can’t live with out?

Currently I LOVE my Ring sling. It even holds my three year old! It is WONDERFUL!

If you were on a deserted island, name three things you’d have with you:

Food, Water, Computer. Lol!

If you weren’t staying at home, what job would you have?

Teacher then I could make a difference in someone’s life.

One thing you wish you could do but don’t have time during the day?

Read. I love reading but my kids won’t allow me to sit down with a book.

Advice for moms:

Eat, Drink, and play for tomorrow we will play more!!

If you could do anything different with your life what would that be?

I would have finished my degree before having kids. It is a lot harder after.

What is the best and worst day of your stay at home mom “hood”?

Best day is when Daddy has work off! Lol! Worst day is when my three year old is in destruction mode!

What is the most fun date you have ever been on with your hubby?

Well he wasn’t my hubby at the time but when we were dating he made me a lobster dinner and took me up in the mountains for a romantic dinner. He put so much effort into planning that. It was special.

Who is your favorite Woman Hero?

My Mom because she raised 6 kids for 7 years on her own and was amazing. She still is but I am glad my step dad is there with her to help now because together they are the best parents ever!

What do you most want your children to remember about you when they are grown?

I just want them to feel good when they think back and not feel bad about me as a person.

What was the funnest thing you’ve ever done with your kids??

We do lots of fun things but painting with pudding was one of the most fun things Cedric and I have done. We haven’t done it with Katelyn yet so we will have to do that.

Add one question for the next stay at home mom being spotlighted!

When you have a question about raising your children who do you turn to?

Why do you choose to stay at home?
I love being home so that I don’t have to divide and balance my time with work and family. I am blessed to be able to focus my time and energy on my family and nothing else at this time. I also want to be there for my kids at any moment they need.

What are your favorite things about being at home?
I love the simple daily moments. The moments where your heart is so full, It can be as simple as catching grasshoppers to cooking dinner together.

What do you find the most difficult?
I think the hardest times are when the kids or myself are sick. I also think it is hard to balance time with the kids and everything else it takes to run a home.

Your (just yours, not what with your kids) favorite things to do?
My favorite thing to do is to go out with my husband, friends, or family.

One mom MUST have you can’t live with out?
The stair safety gate..I love that I don’t have to watch Lexi closely by the stairs because it is locked.

If you were on a deserted island, name three things you’d have with you:
My husband and my kids.

If you weren’t staying at home, what job would you have?
Elementary School Teacher

One thing you wish you could do but don’t have time during the day?
Scrapbook more.

Advice for moms:
Wake up each day ready for a wonderful day. This can set the tone for your home family. So that no matter happens during the day they have that good start to help them.

If you could do anything different with your life what would that be?
Hmmm…not really anything.

What is the best and worst day of your stay at home mom “hood”?
I for sure think the day that my children were born was the best day of my life. The worst was when I had the stomach flu so bad I could hardly take care of my kids.

What is the most fun date you have ever been on with your hubby?
For sure it was our first date when we went to the Alabama concert.

What was the funnest thing you’ve ever done with your kids??

You know what the most recent funnest thing was just having a bunch of Nick’s freinds and their moms and siblings over for a swimming party.

One question for the newt mom spotlight?

What do you most want your children to remember about you when they are grown

Location: Originally Utah, now Arizona

Kids: 4 Year Old daughter & a 9 month old son

Why do you choose to stay at home?
I love being available for not only the everyday moments, but the truly momentous ones, such as walking, crawling, talking. I love being home for all their firsts. I also think in todays wicked world I feel very strongly that I need to be home as they grow so they can always come home to a safe environment! I have a strong desire to be home to watch my kids grow. The time goes by so fast that I don’t want to miss anything, because you can never get this time back!!

What are your favorite things about being at home?
I love spending my one on one time with my kids. Getting down & playing with them. I love being able to do all the kid stuff all over again, and watching the pure joy from their eyes!

What do you find the most difficult?
It’s hard to prioritize mommy time, when you are so focused on the kids. I find it the most difficult when either the kids are sick or I’m sick. Mommy’s aren’t allowed to have a sick day in case you didn’t know!! There just is no such thing!

Your (just yours, not what with your kids) favorite things to do?
My most favorite thing to do is travel! I love seeing new places, new kinds of people, customs. I love going to places with alot of history. Seeing old places that have been around for centuries is amazing!

One mom MUST have you can’t live with out?
My mod mum sling! My son loves it still & when the stroller is too inconvenient I tote him around in it! I can’t live without it!! As for my daughter we can’t live without lip gloss! It keeps her entertained for hours!!

If you were on a deserted island, name three things you’d have with you:
a teleporter so I could bring anyone to see me whenever I wanted! Some good books, Something good to drink! I would probably be thirsty!!

If you weren’t staying at home, what job would you have?
Elementary School Teacher

One thing you wish you could do but don’t have time during the day?
Only One thing??? Ok then, Lay out and get skin cancer!

Advice for moms:
You never know this kind of exhaustion exists until you have kids. However, the exhaustion goes away but your kids won’t stay little so just enjoy every moment with your kids. They just grow up too fast!! And all the sacrifices will be worth it when you look back and have many awesome memories with your kids!!

If you could do anything different with your life what would that be?
I honestly can’t think of anything I would rather be doing right now! I really truly love being a mom! Maybe I would travel more!!

What is the best and worst day of your stay at home mom “hood”?
Nothing compares to the day your children are born. A little bit of Heaven comes into the room. There are no words to express the kind of joy & love that you feel! Although there are many best days as a mom, the days my children where born are my favorite. The worst was probably when my husband was away with the army for 10 months & I was taking care of my daughter all by myself. She was 11 months old and she got RSV & was sick for the first time. For the next 10 months she got sick 6 more times. It was really scary for me & was very draining & hard!!

What is the most fun date you have ever been on with your hubby?

My husband and I have alot of fun, so there are alot of fun dates to choose from, but one of our funnest dates just happens to be our first date, it was on Halloween. We got all dressed up with five other couples and went to dinner, then the boys surprised us with a big truck stretch limo picking us up to go to the jazz game. It was fun seeing so many people dressed up for Halloween there! Then after the game we went to get dessert at Marie Callenders. After that date my husband and I were inseperable!! We had such a great time! Now every Halloween we have to dress up and get all decked out for the Holiday, it is a pretty sentimental Holiday for the two of us!!

Add one question for the next stay at home mom being spotlighted!
What was the funnest thing you’ve ever done with your kids??

Location: Mapleton, UT

Kids:3! Warren 6, Kaila 3, Mary 1.

Why do you choose to stay at home?
I want to be here for my children whenever they need me. If my 1st grader is sick at school, and needs me… I’m here! I even get to go into the classroom to help without having to “miss work.” If my girls, who are at home, want to go to the park or out to lunch, I’m the one who gets to go with them! I was a Kindergarten Teacher for 3 years while I had 2 of my 3 kids. It was really hard to miss out on some of their “firsts” . I didn’t like to just hear about it later, and a picture didn’t do it justice. Nor did seeing it for the second time. I enjoy taking my kids to school, picking them up, and having a snack ready for them when they come home!

What are your favorite things about being at home?
Watching my kids play and laugh together. We like to do fun things. They don’t always get along, but when they do, it makes me SO HAPPY! I also love going on runs with the kids. I push my girls in the double stroller, and my son rides his bike along side of us. It’s been really fun! We like to stop and look at all the farm animals we pass, and talk about nature as we go. It even gets them used to the idea of exercise! I love having them invite friends over to play. We have “sprinkler/popcycle parties” when it’s hot outside, leaf parties in the fall, and “sledding/snowman building” parties when it’s winter! I also like having my children’s life being slow paced. If I was working outside of the home, it would be hard not to be stressed all the time. I enjoy letting them have their “inventive play” time.

What do you find the most difficult?
Lack of adult conversation and getting up and going in the morning! I have to have an agenda or I go crazy!!!

Your (just yours, not what with your kids) favorite things to do?
I like to go running when it’s warm and skiing when it’s cold. I also enjoy make digital scrapbooks of my kids and of my husband and I together. I also LOVE going out to dinner and watching a movie! Love those movies! Also a guilty pleasure: Sappy LDS Romance Novels.

One mom MUST have you can’t live with out?
My “Flip Mino”

If you were on a deserted island, name three things you’d have with you:
My three addictions: Chapstick, bread, and my family!

If you weren’t staying at home, what job would you have?
Kindergarten or Preschool Teacher!

One thing you wish you could do but don’t have time during the day?
Do my hair and makeup and shave my legs!

Advice for moms:
Stay positive and remember WHY you chose to stay at home when things get tough. Make it fun for you and your kids and remember they are only young once.

If you could do anything different with your life what would that be?
Travelled with my husband before having kids!

What is the best and worst day of your stay at home mom “hood”?
WORST: going to the grocery store with 3 kids for the first time (and every time following). Best: When I saw my two oldest children kissing their baby sister and welcoming her to our family for the first time!

Add one question for the next stay at home mom being spotlighted!
What is the most fun date you have ever been on with your hubby?

Location: Anchorage, AK

Kids: Ryan almost 5, Kara 2, Brooklyn 1

Why do you choose to stay at home?
Sometimes I wonder this question while the kids are driving me up the wall. But I love being at home with my children knowing what is influencing them. Teaching them preschool and getting to play with them too.

What are your favorite things about being at home?
Love to cook especially get Ryan involved in it also. Lots of fun playing with the kids and taking them to different parks and playground all around the city.

What do you find the most difficult?
Not focusing on the bad times but realizing that the good times outweigh them so much.

Your (just yours, not what with your kids) favorite things to do?
Finding the time once a year for watching movies, reading a good book, getting pampered at a spa.

One mom MUST have you can’t live with out?
my double stroller is a lifesaver with girls only 14 months apart.

If you were on a deserted island, name three things you’d have with you:
drinking water, working iphone, sunscreen

If you weren’t staying at home, what job would you have?
Probably still an insurance agent, but I would rather be a student trying to get an accounting degree.

One thing you wish you could do but don’t have time during the day?
Doing my hair and makeup.

Advice for moms:
We all break down once in a while, it’s okay. Just remember all the hugs and kisses make it all better and you won’t remember what was so frustrating in the first place.

If you could do anything different with your life what would that be?
I wish I would finish college and become an accountant.

Add one question for the next stay at home mom being spotlighted!
What is the best and worst day of your stay at home mom “hood”?

I am SO excited to be doing the first spot light here on the Project stay at home mom blog! Heather was my very first surprise after the fun changes I have made here [her story along with a video will be posted some time this weekend or early next week]. I would like you all to meet Heather!

Location:
Woods Cross, Utah

Kids:
One little girl 2 1/2 years old.

Why do you choose to stay at home?
I enjoy the freedom of being able to stay home with my little girl. I like having the time to teach her things, show her places, and to  watch her grow. They grow up so fast, it would be very hard to to work a full-time job and not get that time with your child. For that I’ve very lucky that I’m able to do so.

What are your favorite things about being at home?
Freedom of waking up and deciding what we want to do that day. Going to the park, Zoo, talking a bike ride, reading a book, ect. It’s nice to have time.

What do you find the most difficult?
No mommy time. Having one child she relies on me for here entertainment around the clock. I rarely get to check my emails before she coming running in wanting me to come play with her.

Your (just yours, not what with your kids) favorite things to do?
Horseback riding is my all time favorite!! I enjoy hiking, singing, shopping,hanging out with family.

One mom MUST have you can’t live with out:
This may sound cheezy, but its my Wonderful Husband!

If you were on a deserted island, name three things you’d have with you:
Chocolate, soda, laptop. I think that would get me through a day or two. :>

If you weren’t staying at home, what job would you have?
I hoping it’s Medical Coding/billing. I’m working on a certificate program as we speak!

One thing you wish you could do but don’t have time during the day?
To have more time just for me. Whether that’s to read a book, watch tv, getting online.

Advice for moms:
There are days when  you think ,” why did I have kids”!! In realization it’s the greatest reward. It is difficult at times but when your two year old tell you that she/he loves you, that makes it all worth while!

Add one question for the next stay at home mom being spotlighted!
If you could do anything different with your life what would that be?