I’m so excited to be a new contributor to the Austin Moms team. I relied heavily on the AM when I first moved to Austin; so having the opportunity to share what I’ve learned while getting to know our city is really exciting.
My family and I are originally from Alexandria, Virginia, right outside of D.C. Although, my husband is the first to tell you that he was born and raised in San Antonio. Honestly, “You can take the boy out of Texas, but not the Texas out of the boy!
Prior to motherhood, I was a Communications Director on Capitol Hill. I loved every minute of it. Well, I could have done without a few of those late night votes, but for the most part it was an exciting time in my life. I had the opportunity to work alongside some amazing people and have so many wonderful memories.
My husband and I welcomed our first son, Oliver, in 2010. He probably would have been an easier baby had I taken the time to attend a class or even read a book. I simply never envisioned myself at home raising kids, so transitioning into a full-time SAHM was incredibly difficult for me. My new life was hard, physically demanding, and incredibly isolating. For a while there I envied my husband for his ability to leave for work while I stayed at home with our baby. Motherhood was not at all what I had imagined, but sometimes we have to embrace the hard aspects of our lives to make the changes we desire.
Change began with small steps: showering, getting out of the house before 10:00 am, and learning to trust that raising human life is just as important as a place in the workforce.
As I became more confident in my new role I also began participating in new activities and events. These opportunities introduced me to some wonderful, supportive mothers who encouraged me to join the MOMS club. The club was an amazing resource and offered me the opportunity to meet and socialize with other neighborhood mothers. I enjoyed the club so much I served as the president of our local chapter for two years.
After stepping down from my role in the MOMS club our family continued to grow. Two years after our first son was born, Oliver had the opportunity to become a big brother. Suffice it to say, one might think that ‘two’ is a recurring theme in our house. In all, we have two boys, two girls and two dogs and each one is two years apart: Oliver (2010), Alex (2012), Penelope (2014) and Margot (2016).
Needless to say, our baby years were intense and chaotic, being severely outnumbered, but they made us into stronger and more confident parents. It was this confidence that led us to Austin.
As much as we loved so many aspects of where we lived, the city could no longer offer us the life we desired for our family. We needed room to breathe. So, after selling our house, we packed up our lives in Virginia and headed to Austin where we settled in the Hills just outside of Lakeway.
Now when I’m not volunteering at school or running our family Lakeway Aquatic Center golf-cart shuttle, I’m rediscovering myself and finding my passions outside of motherhood.
I love being outside and hiking our many greenbelts, opening a book more advanced than Goodnight Moon, drinking good wine, and above all else, riding my Peloton.
Yes, I’m one of ‘those’ people. Not the crazy lady in the commercial, but someone who has discovered their inner athlete. Last year, I competed in my first half-marathon as well as my first triathlon. Now, I’m training for the full-marathon next month. If I make it to the finish line, I hope to see you there.
