Meet a Gazette Mom
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Age: Really?? Okay, 30.
Location: Olpe, KS
Occupation: Stay at home mom, “doctor,” “teacher,” “waitress,” “chef,” “housekeeper,” “General,” the list goes on....
Family members: Husband, Ben, 31; Sam, 10; Olivia, 5; Finn, 2
The last time my child(ren) made me laugh: Last night when they were out in the garage dancing and eating ice cream.
The last time I made my children laugh: We laugh everyday, we like to tease each other and joke around. I also tend to be a little clumsy, so they think it’s really funny when I trip over things, like my own feet.
The hardest thing about being a mom: Seeing my children hurting. Every time their dad leaves for Army training/deployments it kills me. It’s hard on all of us, but it is so much worse when I have to watch my children hurting because they miss their dad.
The most fun thing about being a mom: Watching my children learn, and thrive, and enjoy each other. Some of the best moments are when they are all playing together nicely. It doesn’t happen very often, so when it does, it is wonderful!
My favorite outdoor activity to do with my child: We like to go on family bike rides. We like to ride around town, and if time allows we stop at the park, as long as the little ones promise not to cry when it is time to leave.
The most important life lesson I want my child to learn: I want them to learn that even when things are hard, or seem unfair they won’t use that as an excuse to misbehave or give up.
The invention I wish I could create to make my life easier: Something to fold my laundry for me. For some reason it never seems to get done. I see the piles of clothes and wish they would just fold themselves, but they never seem to want to.
My proudest moment as a parent: I don’t have one single proudest moment. My proud moments come everyday, whether it is one of my children winning an award, or just sharing nicely with each other. No matter what, I will be proud of my children and they will continue to make me proud everyday.
The thing about my younger self that I’d like to reclaim: My figure! I didn’t think I looked that good then, but I sure do wish I could look like that now! Three children later, and I am certainly not what I used to be.
I hope my kids inherit: Their grandmothers’ faith (all of their grandmothers); their father’s sense of duty, hard work, and honesty; and a great sense of humor, because life is so much more fun if you can laugh at yourself!
I realized I turned into my mother when: I told Sam to “offer it up”, my mother’s favorite saying.
The future parenting moment I fear the most: When Olivia brings home her first date. I can’t imagine what her dad is going to do!
The last temper-tantrum occurred because: I said “no.” Isn’t that the best reason to throw a temper-tantrum?
If I could throw a temper-tantrum it would be because: I’m tired. Sometimes I do throw a temper-tantrum when I’m tired....is that unacceptable?
The biggest challenge I’ve faced as a parent is: When Ben leaves for Army related things. He has been gone more than he has been home, which has been hard on all of us. Raising three kids off and on by myself has been a challenge, but one of the biggest challenges I have had to face was when Ben left for OCS (Officer Candidate School). The silver lining is that was we have gotten to go to some really neat places to meet up with Ben. I have traveled to Bulgaria to be with him. The kids and I have also traveled to Kentucky, Georgia, and Oklahoma to spend weekends with him. We have some really great memories from those trips.
A summer event/trip/vacation I am most looking forward to: Ben’s vacation. We aren’t going anywhere, but it will be fun to have all of us home together.
To nominate a mother for Meet A Gazette Mom, please contact Ashley Walker at ashley@ emporiagazette.com.
admireed (anonymous) says...
What is her name?
June 13, 2009 at 11:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
According to the headline on the home page, it is Paula Pimpl. I would like it if they repeated that in the story text.
June 13, 2009 at 1:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Paula, you are a member of a very special company of women -- those whose husbands are off to war, those who must remain behind and become the rocks upon whom the family depends. God bless you for all that you must endure.
As I'm sure you are aware, our First Lady, Michelle Obama has chosen the military family as her focus, a perceptive choice given all that the military family must experience, most especially now that we are at war.
My own children were raised during the Vietnam era when their father was deployed three different times. It is very difficult to be both mom and dad, but there are also perks to being there for all the milestones that take place, ones that your husband can only wish to witness.
I taught your husband. What a great kid he was, thoughtful, unassuming, intelligent. I see he has grown into a great man now. God keep him safe.
Keep a journal. Keep all his letters and e-mails. One day you will look back at all of this and wonder how you ever did it. For now, just do it, girl, just do it in the knowledge that you are a special wonder woman. Not all women can do what you do.
June 14, 2009 at 9:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )