her name is christina and she has become one of my close friends over this past year. she's funny, sweet and honest. she's a dutiful mom to a cute little miss named madison (madi) and a supportive wifey to her hubby, dylan. dyaln's job keeps him traveling a lot and w/ madi's schedule of dance and gymnastics, i'm amazed how this lady does it all! on top of that, she's crafty (beastie boys, anyone?)! this girl can whip out a painting, pillowcase dress and even sew a nap mat in no time. christina called herself lazy the other day for enjoying the occasional nap...i laughed at this! ummm, no girl, you are NOT lazy!
i admire my friend for taking a big leap of faith last year. she completely changed careers to take a job she enjoys. she is now a dedicated teacher and obviously truly cares for her students. and after her first year of teaching, her school district has switched her from first grade to fifth grade...this girl has taken it all in stride and still makes her little girl feel loved and special, just ask madi ;)
i love my mommy. we like to go swimming and get sno cones. she makes me happy when she gives me a sticker. and we pretend to be doctors with baby dolls and play kitchen. i really like the chicken she makes and breakfast! i want to be a teacher just like my mommy!
madison playing school w/ my little isabella
soooo, i asked my very talented friend, angela wilson, to photograph my fab mama jamas...who wouldn't LOVE to have a professional photographer shoot pics of you w/o your little one grabbing at your face or having to make sure the whole fam is saying, "cheeeeese" ;)
meet christina...
*growing up, what did you want to be when you "grew up"?*
You know, I don't seem to recall my childhood as well as I wish I did (it's strange...but that's a whole 'nother topic of conversation), but as far back as I can remember, I talked about being a lawyer or a doctor. I'm a first born, which usually translates to overacheiver, people-pleaser, type-A personality - I thought being a doctor or a lawyer would make my mom and (mostly) dad really proud of me. As I got a little older, I recall telling people I wanted to do "big things"...whatever that meant at the time, I'm not sure. I went into college dead set on being an FBI agent or a Forensic Psychologist, and majored in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. Obviously, things turned out a little bit differently than planned... :)
*what is your best memory of your mom?*
My mom is a pretty incredible, hard working, completely selfless, loving, caring woman. Remember how I said I don't remember a ton about my childhood? Well, even though I don't remember what seems like segments of time, I do have some very vivid memories of little moments from my childhood. Most of these memories involve my mom. I remember coming home from school and rushing in the door to see my mom and smelling fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. I remember a lot of baking, actually. I remember how hard she worked as a single mom so that my sister and I could "keep up with the jones's" at school, I suppose. ;) I remember how much all of my friends loved her. She just had a personality that won everyone over. And I remember that I wasn't afraid to tell her anything.
*what do you do to relax?*
....I don't relax. Ok, I rarely do! I have discovered that there are really only a couple of things that REALLY get me to relax. The first is sleep. Sad, but true. It doesn't take much to get me to the point of being relaxed enough to sleep either. You give me a pillow, I'm gonna sleep. Other than that, it is when I am creating (anything and everything) that I feel completely relaxed. If it is painting, decorating, crafting, sewing, etc., it is in those moments that I realize my mind is completely at rest.
*what is your favorite thing to do w/ your little girl?*
Sitting and being. She's at the age that she wants to be constantly entertained, going and doing something, and when she's not, she's whining about wanting to do something. Soooo, I cherish the times that her and I curl up on the couch together to watch a movie or when we just lay in her bed and talk before bedtime. When we both slow down and enjoy hugs, cuddles, eskimo and butterfly kisses...those are my favorite moments. I also love the silly dances we (don't tell my husband I said this, but this includes him too) come up with, the goofy outfits and other crazy antics you might find us doing on any given evening at home. I love the times she really makes me laugh.
*you switched from working in the corporate world to being a teacher, what made you make the big leap?*
Faith. 100% leap of faith that I was following God's direction and his plan for myself and for my family. Going back to your first question - what did I want to be when I "grew up"...I wasn't doing any of those things that I thought I would be doing, but I was "successful", climbing the corporate ladder fast, making more money than I imagined I'd be making at 25 and 26 years old, and in the best position I could be in for reaching one of the top positions in my field fairly quickly. I could say I accomplished the goal of making my parents proud, but I was getting further and further away from what made me, me. I did not like what I did, it became a chore, it created a lot of stress in my life, it took up a tremendous amount of my time and energy, and I couldn't even say I believed in what I was doing half of the time. I had been praying and doing a LOT of soul searching for quite some time before I made the decision to take the leap. Each time I would consider doing something different, I would get scared and fall back into my comfort zone...a safe place financially too. Starting over seemed out of the question. What if I made the change and hated it? Or couldn't find a job even? What if the money isn't as good? After much praying, lots of discussions with my husband, family, friends, and the birth of my daughter opening my eyes up even more to what makes me tick...I went for it. Looking back, I know it was God's plan for me. There is a long chain of events that happened over a span of about 2-3 years that were all intrical in getting me to the point of taking that leap of faith - without any single one of those events, I don't believe I would be doing something that I find so much joy in today.
*during the first year of teaching, what was the biggest thing you learned?*
That teaching is HARD work and that there is a LOT of work that goes on "behind the scenes" that I don't think parents (I know I didn't) realize. I like to say now that what people consider our work hours (7-3) is really just the time we are sort of "presenting" our "work". School starts much earlier than 7 and ends MUCH later than 3 for a teacher. It carries over into my kitchen at dinner time, it continues when I'm sitting on the couch watching tv in the evening (not that I do that much during the school year!), and shows up pretty often on the weekends too. It doesn't really ever stop - thinking about better ways to teach a topic, thinking about how to reach that child who comes from a broken home, planning your next move, rethinking the lesson you taught the day before, etc. It's a lot of work, but what I have come to realize is that when you truly love what you do, are passionate about why you do what you do, and know that the harder you work, the more impact you may have, it doesn't really feel like work at all. Sounds really cliche, but it is what it is!
*you are miss crafty, what's your latest craft?*
Headbands!!! Some friends and I saw these super cute headbands in a little boutique and loved them. So fashionable...yet so pricey. As cute as I thought they were, I just couldn't bring myself to spend that much money on it, especially when I realized I could possibly make them myself! So, I got some ribbon and went to work. Loved making it and am so excited about how they turned out!
christina, i've been blessed to get to know you and call you a friend. i have so much fun during our "girl times" and when we're running around w/ our little misses. you're honesty and sincerity are characteristics that make you a beautiful person, and are some of the reasons why i love you! you're sweet 'n sassy AND very smart madi is a true reflection of a loving and nurturing mom. aaand, you are an inspiration to other people who are thinking of making a switch in their career...keep rockin' on!
i admire my friend for taking a big leap of faith last year. she completely changed careers to take a job she enjoys. she is now a dedicated teacher and obviously truly cares for her students. and after her first year of teaching, her school district has switched her from first grade to fifth grade...this girl has taken it all in stride and still makes her little girl feel loved and special, just ask madi ;)
i love my mommy. we like to go swimming and get sno cones. she makes me happy when she gives me a sticker. and we pretend to be doctors with baby dolls and play kitchen. i really like the chicken she makes and breakfast! i want to be a teacher just like my mommy!
madison playing school w/ my little isabella
soooo, i asked my very talented friend, angela wilson, to photograph my fab mama jamas...who wouldn't LOVE to have a professional photographer shoot pics of you w/o your little one grabbing at your face or having to make sure the whole fam is saying, "cheeeeese" ;)
meet christina...
*growing up, what did you want to be when you "grew up"?*
You know, I don't seem to recall my childhood as well as I wish I did (it's strange...but that's a whole 'nother topic of conversation), but as far back as I can remember, I talked about being a lawyer or a doctor. I'm a first born, which usually translates to overacheiver, people-pleaser, type-A personality - I thought being a doctor or a lawyer would make my mom and (mostly) dad really proud of me. As I got a little older, I recall telling people I wanted to do "big things"...whatever that meant at the time, I'm not sure. I went into college dead set on being an FBI agent or a Forensic Psychologist, and majored in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. Obviously, things turned out a little bit differently than planned... :)
*what is your best memory of your mom?*
My mom is a pretty incredible, hard working, completely selfless, loving, caring woman. Remember how I said I don't remember a ton about my childhood? Well, even though I don't remember what seems like segments of time, I do have some very vivid memories of little moments from my childhood. Most of these memories involve my mom. I remember coming home from school and rushing in the door to see my mom and smelling fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. I remember a lot of baking, actually. I remember how hard she worked as a single mom so that my sister and I could "keep up with the jones's" at school, I suppose. ;) I remember how much all of my friends loved her. She just had a personality that won everyone over. And I remember that I wasn't afraid to tell her anything.
*what do you do to relax?*
....I don't relax. Ok, I rarely do! I have discovered that there are really only a couple of things that REALLY get me to relax. The first is sleep. Sad, but true. It doesn't take much to get me to the point of being relaxed enough to sleep either. You give me a pillow, I'm gonna sleep. Other than that, it is when I am creating (anything and everything) that I feel completely relaxed. If it is painting, decorating, crafting, sewing, etc., it is in those moments that I realize my mind is completely at rest.
*what is your favorite thing to do w/ your little girl?*
Sitting and being. She's at the age that she wants to be constantly entertained, going and doing something, and when she's not, she's whining about wanting to do something. Soooo, I cherish the times that her and I curl up on the couch together to watch a movie or when we just lay in her bed and talk before bedtime. When we both slow down and enjoy hugs, cuddles, eskimo and butterfly kisses...those are my favorite moments. I also love the silly dances we (don't tell my husband I said this, but this includes him too) come up with, the goofy outfits and other crazy antics you might find us doing on any given evening at home. I love the times she really makes me laugh.
*you switched from working in the corporate world to being a teacher, what made you make the big leap?*
Faith. 100% leap of faith that I was following God's direction and his plan for myself and for my family. Going back to your first question - what did I want to be when I "grew up"...I wasn't doing any of those things that I thought I would be doing, but I was "successful", climbing the corporate ladder fast, making more money than I imagined I'd be making at 25 and 26 years old, and in the best position I could be in for reaching one of the top positions in my field fairly quickly. I could say I accomplished the goal of making my parents proud, but I was getting further and further away from what made me, me. I did not like what I did, it became a chore, it created a lot of stress in my life, it took up a tremendous amount of my time and energy, and I couldn't even say I believed in what I was doing half of the time. I had been praying and doing a LOT of soul searching for quite some time before I made the decision to take the leap. Each time I would consider doing something different, I would get scared and fall back into my comfort zone...a safe place financially too. Starting over seemed out of the question. What if I made the change and hated it? Or couldn't find a job even? What if the money isn't as good? After much praying, lots of discussions with my husband, family, friends, and the birth of my daughter opening my eyes up even more to what makes me tick...I went for it. Looking back, I know it was God's plan for me. There is a long chain of events that happened over a span of about 2-3 years that were all intrical in getting me to the point of taking that leap of faith - without any single one of those events, I don't believe I would be doing something that I find so much joy in today.
*during the first year of teaching, what was the biggest thing you learned?*
That teaching is HARD work and that there is a LOT of work that goes on "behind the scenes" that I don't think parents (I know I didn't) realize. I like to say now that what people consider our work hours (7-3) is really just the time we are sort of "presenting" our "work". School starts much earlier than 7 and ends MUCH later than 3 for a teacher. It carries over into my kitchen at dinner time, it continues when I'm sitting on the couch watching tv in the evening (not that I do that much during the school year!), and shows up pretty often on the weekends too. It doesn't really ever stop - thinking about better ways to teach a topic, thinking about how to reach that child who comes from a broken home, planning your next move, rethinking the lesson you taught the day before, etc. It's a lot of work, but what I have come to realize is that when you truly love what you do, are passionate about why you do what you do, and know that the harder you work, the more impact you may have, it doesn't really feel like work at all. Sounds really cliche, but it is what it is!
*you are miss crafty, what's your latest craft?*
Headbands!!! Some friends and I saw these super cute headbands in a little boutique and loved them. So fashionable...yet so pricey. As cute as I thought they were, I just couldn't bring myself to spend that much money on it, especially when I realized I could possibly make them myself! So, I got some ribbon and went to work. Loved making it and am so excited about how they turned out!
i've actually hired crafty christina to make some goodies for me...
cuuuuute monogrammed pillow for sophia and matching one for isabella :)
these beautiful his and her pillows the master bedroom...LOVE!
you can order some goodies from her, too...blog coming soon! in the meantime you can contact her at fireflyfancy@gmail.com for headbands, bows, wall art and pillows! AND she is graciously contributing a headband tutorial that will be posted SOON!
christina, i've been blessed to get to know you and call you a friend. i have so much fun during our "girl times" and when we're running around w/ our little misses. you're honesty and sincerity are characteristics that make you a beautiful person, and are some of the reasons why i love you! you're sweet 'n sassy AND very smart madi is a true reflection of a loving and nurturing mom. aaand, you are an inspiration to other people who are thinking of making a switch in their career...keep rockin' on!
oxox,
sandra
Sandra, I can say the same exact things about you plus sooo much more...must be why we're friends. ;) The very fact that you had the idea to spotlight a different friend/woman/mama each month (for absolutely no benefit of your own) shows how incredibly loving, supportive and selfless you are. I'm blessed to have you in my life! You know there are many days I couldn't make it through without you...thank you heytell! Thanks for making me one of your fab mama jamas...I'm honored! :) And thanks sooo much for the little Madi interview....super sweet.
ReplyDeleteYou are a wonderful and beautiful person Christina! So blessed to be able to call you a friend!
ReplyDeleteWell Said Sandra!
ReplyDeleteChristina - Love you, love your personality, love your craftiness!