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Devoted Mom~Meet Kim

Thursday, May 16th, 2013

***I met Kim when I was the Speech Therapist in her Early Intervention classroom, before she was even married and a Mommy. I knew then how amazing of a Mom she would be and she really is. Her family is full of joy, like her, and she and Matt are raising two beautiful creatures who will make a deep impact on our world. She’s one of those women who leave a mark on your heart that never leaves. I’m so glad she gets to imprint yours too..Love you lots Kim!***

Name: Kim Hafer

Husband :Matt Hafer

Occupation: Special education teacher for Berks County Intermediate Unit in Early Intervention and a Mommy.

Children-Jake is 5 1/2 and Kayla is 3.

Describe a typical week day in your house.

A typical week in our house has increasingly gotten more hectic and as the years pass by and I can imagine it will just continue to be that way! It is a good hectic though. A weekday goes like this: My husband and I get the kids ready in the morning, the kids go to an at home babysitter (Joy) whom they love! Matt goes to work as a codes inspector in Kutztown and I go to work at BCIU as a special educator. My son goes to preschool 3 days per week. When we come home from work and the babysitter, the kids get a snack and watch some cartoons or play outside, and we eat dinner together. We have swimming lessons and t-ball at night. Kids get baths/showers, we watch some TV, read books, and go to bed.

Describe a typical weekend day.

A typical weekend in our house usually starts Friday nights with hanging out with the neighbors and playing outside, then movie night if it is not too late. This is one of our favorite days of the week. Saturdays usually start out with Jake and Matt getting up as soon as the sun comes up and Kayla and I trying to stay in bed as long as our bodies can stand it. Which usually is only until 7:30/8:00 am. We try to stay in our PJs as long as we can, eat breakfast together and try to clean up the house, do laundry. The kids run around the house and play and/or fight together. If it is nice out we take walks and play outside and we usually have something to do on a Saturday night. Sundays are about the same Highlight of weeks: Spending time together, snuggle time in the mornings, NOT having to RUSH around, children laughing, the relief when my son asks me if we can stay home and I can say yes, when the house is clean (for at least one hour . Lows of the workweek and weekends-I don’t like rushing around, I don’t like when weekends are packed and when they fly by. I don’t like laundry piling up, and clutter filled rooms.

How do you keep your family organized?

I try to keep my family organized by having a calendar on my fridge and putting everything on there. I try to have laundry done on the weekend and have my kid’s clothes ready for the week on Sunday nights. I go food shopping for the week to be prepared for dinners for the whole week so I don’t have to keep going to the grocery store. The key for us is to make the mornings as easy as possible. I have everyone’s lunches ready the night before and I have bookbags ready to go and anything we may need for the next day. We stick to a schedule as best as we can so the children have clear expectations of what their days will look like.

What do you consider to be your biggest achievement in Mommyhood?

Being flexible and learning as I go. I am so glad that I am able to learn every year and change things as my children change. I think the biggest frustration I experience in mommyhood is when I expect things to go one way and it does not. I learned this early when I tried to put my first child Jake on a sleeping schedule at 2 months old…Yeah, right! I learned fast to go with what the baby needs and not what you want it to be. My kids have taught me MORE about life than any school or job could ever teach me. Biggest bummer of mommyhood-NO MORE NAPS and a fuzzy brain

What is your biggest achievement OUTSIDE of Mommyhood?

I have a strong desire to find myself again after having 2 children. I actually missed who I used to be and missed the motivation I used to have to make myself a better person. In discovering myself again I found that I really enjoy helping other women to find themselves and to have support in this life so we can be the best wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends that we can be. I made a Facebook Page called Ladies who live, laugh, and learn as an inspirational page to support women and let us know that we are not alone. We enjoy reading inspirational books like The Joy of Imperfection (Thanks Jane!) and The Happiness Project. We try to keep life in perspective by looking at what we are grateful for instead of what is going wrong in our lives. I really enjoy learning about different ways to ensure complete happiness in all avenues of my life. Not only mentally but physically as well. I truly believe that if we are not truly happy with ourselves then our families will not be happy. Recently, I began taking herbal supplements and that has helped me to be a happier and healthier person. I thought that many other people could benefit from these supplements so I am now a distributor for the company. I enjoy sharing these supplements with other women and men to help them feel better mentally and physically. Not to just get through the day but to actually enjoy the days so that the time does not just fly by. I am very afraid of waking up one day and regretting that I did not enjoy the time I had with my kids when they were small.

Who inspires you?

Positive people, people who have a goal to reach and go for it, people who are kind to others and look to help others. People who are able to surpass odds in their lives. People who continue to work on bettering themselves.

How do you recharge, what fuels you?

I really enjoy a good nap, I enjoy eating chips in front of the TV. I enjoy some heavy carbs every once in a while like mac and cheese or pizza. I enjoy taking a walk by myself outside, I enjoy running at times. I enjoy reading inspirational books like The Secret. I enjoy some reality TV like The Voice and a guilty pleasure of mine is watching crazy reality TV like Intervention.

Tell us 3 things that are on your bucket list.

1. Another honeymoon with my husband somewhere tropical,

2. Have a successful job or business where I wake up in the morning inspired and motivated to start the day

3. Watching my children have children of their own

How do you use photographs in your home to show your devotion to your family?

I love the photos that Jane did for me. They are one of my favorite things displayed in my house. I have them in our play room and our family room. The images of the kids are images that I would never have been able to get myself and I am very grateful.

Tell us about your children.

Jacob-5 1/2-A bull in a China shop but soft and sensitive at the same time. He is my guy that I worry about in the morning and I worry about when I go to sleep. He is a free spirit, outdoorsy, dirt loving, worm digging, creek jumping, tree climbing, bike riding little boy. When he accomplishes something I am so proud of him that I can actually feel my heart swell just for a second. Jake needs constant reassurance and guidance from the morning until night time. He has taught me more patience then I have ever known that I had and has made me love my husband even more then I did before we had him.

3 years old. Kayla is my little treasure hoarder, pink and purple loving snuggle bug. She loves sucking her thumb and feeling the silky part of her blankie at the same time. She hates getting her hair combed. She loves being a little helper. When she snuggles with me or puts her arms around my neck I feel a sense of warmth and comfort and it reminds me to enjoy THE MOMENT. She likes getting dressed up but also does not need any persuasion to get muddy in the creek with her rain boots on with her brother. She has chocolate brown eyes that melt my heart and make me feel that there is a piece of me as a little child inside of her and that life is good.

Thanks for letting us into your life and your heart Kim, it’s spectacular!

Devotedly yours,

Tags: Berks County PA Photographer, Child Photographer, New Jersey Child Photographer, Philadelphia Children's Photographer
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Devoted Mom~Meet Dana

Thursday, April 11th, 2013

Welcome to my blog series: DEVOTED MOMS!

These posts will appear twice a month on Thursdays and will feature Moms who are devoted to their families and themselves. It gives us all a chance to connect with other Moms and validate the power of mommyhood. It gives me a chance to share some amazing women with you, ones that inspire me, challenge me to be a more devoted Mom and allow me to be a part of their beautiful lives.

Dana came into my world via another fabulous client and friend. We met on a beautiful sunny day at the Jersey Shore…she was a calm force during a busy family session. Her gentle approach to life and deep love for her family is contagious. Sharing her with all of you is a joy….

Name: Dana, stay at home mom

Husband: Eric

Children: Emma, age 7 and Kate, 19 months

Describe a typical week day in your house

My husband and I wake up at 6:45 am. He showers while I start to make breakfast and lunches. I wake up Emma around 7 am and it takes her about 20 minutes to actually wake up and get dressed! Right around this time we usually hear Kate calling for us from her crib. Everyone ends up downstairs and eating breakfast around 7:30. My husband puts Emma on the bus by 7:50am. He gets ready for work and is out the door by 8:30am. Kate plays while I do the morning dishes. She is usually ready for her morning nap by 9am. I grab a quick shower during nap time and we head out for errands, park, or play date in the late morning. After lunch Kate is ready for her afternoon nap. I make dinner, do laundry, or clean during this time. Kate is always awake by 3:30 because she knows her big sister is getting off the school bus! She is so excited to see Emma. Kate has an afternoon snack in her high chair while I help Emma with homework. I then ask Emma to ”take a shift” with Kate….which means to play with her for about 15-20 minutes while I finish up dinner. My husband walks in the door around 6:30pm. He quickly eats dinner and then helps with the bed time routine. On Monday nights I usually run out the door to go to Zumba and Wednesday nights he runs out the door to racquet ball. Tuesday night Emma has gymnastics and Thursday night is Girl Scouts.

The best part of the day is when my husband gets home and everyone is hanging out. The worst part for me is the late afternoon and evening because I am usually exhausted by then and have nothing left to give….sometimes at the front door waiting for my husband’s car to pull in the driveway. Okay, the reality is sometimes I am on the front porch waiting for him! haha! Thank goodness, for my kids sake, I rarely do the bedtime routine because I have no patience by then! I am grateful to have a husband who is a hands on father. When he is not working, he is home spending time with his daughters. They have him wrapped around their finger!

Describe a typical weekend day

Saturday mornings are usually full of everyone running to appointments (hair, dentist, doctor, etc) In the Fall/Spring Emma plays soccer and my husband is an assistant coach. Also, we have season tickets to Rutgers football games in the fall. Saturday afternoons we try to get chores done around the house. We always go out to dinner on Saturday nights (but I regret that decision every Saturday when the toddler decides sitting in a restaurant is not her thing!haha) Sundays we spend getting ready for the week or visiting friends and family.

How do you keep your family organized?

We usually go food shopping on Sunday and buy food for the entire week. I plan out all of my dinners for the week in advance. Leftovers are a lifesaver! I will make enough for two nights so I don’t have to worry about cooking each night. I love a new spiral bound notebook! Each week I make a To DO List and then list the days of the week on the opposite side of the paper. It is very simple…but it gives me a direction for the week. Unfortunately, Emma seems to love a spiral bound notebook, also and is always getting her hands on mine. And now I will find Kate scribbling on it with crayons! Nothing is sacred!

What do you consider to be your biggest achievement in Mommyhood?

First, it was a huge decision for me to leave my teaching career and become a stay at home mom. I am not a risk taker and I usually make the practical decision. I really appreciate having the choice and have enjoyed this time at home. Second, I was nervous about having a second child and waited a while. (there are 5 1/2 years between my girls) However, I can honestly say it was the best decision that I have ever made and I feel like I am doing a pretty good job (most days!)

What is your biggest achievement OUTSIDE of Mommyhood?

Like I stated earlier, I am not a risk taker or very adventurous. When I was in college, I studied abroad in Spain one summer. My parents put me on a plane and I didn’t know anybody in the program. It was a huge culture shock and I was really homesick. But I did it! I am also proud of my years as a third grade teacher. I earned tenure and really gave 100 percent during those years of teaching.

Who inspires you?

My sister inspires me because she is great at achieving her goals and multi-tasking. I watch her raise a wonderful family, have a career in counseling, earn two masters degrees, and even find time to exercise! I always admire her ability to handle stress!

How do you recharge, what fuels you?

Well, I hate to say this but I rely on Diet Dr. Pepper to get me through each day! It is my pick me up! If I have time to relax, I would read a magazine or watch some bad reality tv (Real Housewives or Teen Mom)

Tell us 3 things that are on your bucket list

1. I want to run a a 5K. I am working on making this happen soon!

I have always enjoyed jogging/walking but I have never gotten to the point where I can run for a long time. I would love to accomplish that!

2. Travel with my husband and daughters as much as I can.

3. Own a beach house.

How do you use photographs in your home to show your devotion to your family?

I try to have professional photos of the girls taken every year. Whenever there is a family get together I always seem to be the only one with my camera! I try to capture moments of my kids with their grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. and I use the photos to create a photo montage at the end of each year. I love photos set to music! I usually use www.onetruemedia.comto create my montage.

Tell us about your children

Emma is a beautiful young lady inside and out. She is smart, caring, thoughtful and full of life! Ever since she was a little girl she would ask.” What are we doing today? Where are we going after lunch? What are we doing after school?” She always wants to be going some where! Emma has a huge heart and to nobody’s surprise, has turned out to be a wonderful big sister! Kate is very lucky! Emma can occasionally be on the lazy side….but we are working on that!

Kate has been such a blessing to our family. She gives us so much joy! She is a very smart, sweet, loving, adorable little girl. She is curious, mischievous, and constantly on the go! She loves her big sister more than anything. I look forward to seeing her personality develop as she grows from being a baby to a little girl.