Meet a Gazette Mom
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Age: 44
Location: Emporia
Occupation: Stay-at-home mom, owner of Becky’s Cakes and Creations and co-owner of Midwest Limousine
Family members: Husband, Floyd Conrade, 41; children, Ginny Samples, 23, Nevik Stock, 22, Brice Stock, 19, Amanda Conrade, 13, Sasha Conrade, 11, and Haven, 7; granddaughter, Isabella Samples, 2.
The television mom I’m most like: My kids voted on this one and it is a cross between June Cleaver and Kitty Foreman. I know it sounds odd, but they’re right.
The hardest thing about being a mom: Dealing with the ever-growing number of adult issues that kids are having to deal with at such young ages due to television, Internet and movies, just to name a few.
The most fun thing about being a mom: I would have to say, each child being so different and getting to know them and their friends at each new stage of their lives. All my children are close and respect each other. It’s so cool to see them become individuals with thoughts and feelings of their own.
My favorite outdoor activity to do with my children: We have always enjoyed going to the brown bag concerts with all the kids, but to be honest since some of my children have upper-respiratory issues we do lots of family activities together inside, such as play games and have Sunday dinners together, not to mention the many parties we host.
The most important life lesson I want my children to learn: I want my kids to know that everyone who comes into our lives has been sent to us by God to teach us something, and we need to learn from each experience.
I get my kids to each their fruits and vegetables by: Everyone knows I am a “foodie.” My kids have been in the kitchen since they were babies. I let them try everything. All my kids love even the weird things like broccoli, spinach, Brussels sprouts, mangos and kiwi. You name it, they want to try it and fix it in different dishes. And they can all cook and bake now. Yeah me!
Favorite way to slow down as a family: During the summer we love going to go to the city band concerts, Live in the Lot and the summer theater. During the winter we love to watch “Dancing with the Stars.”
I hope my kids inherit: My sense of humor. If we can’t laugh at ourselves, who can we laugh at?
When I have 30 minutes to myself: I have to shower! Hello!
My best money-saving tip: We eat at home most every night. With people coming and going all the time we have to eat at home. We save so much by doing this. We also use shredded paper for kitty litter, and I use vinegar to clean with. It beats expensive cleaners.
I realized I turned into my mother when: I was sleep-deprived after having my youngest daughter, Haven, and Sasha was badgering me with question after question. I finally answered, “Because I’m your mother, that’s why.” I stopped dead in my tracks and called my mom to apologize for driving her to saying that. I also had a moment when my kids were jumping on the trampoline and I yelled out “if you break your legs, don’t come running to me!”
If I could throw a temper-tantrum it would be because: There is never enough time and money to get everything I need to get done.
The one thing as a kid I promised I’d never do as a parent: I have always given my kids hugs and kisses in public if I am leaving them. Even now that my three oldest ones are grown I think it embarrassed them in their teenage years. However, now they are the ones saying, “Mom, I’m going. I need my hug!”
The last time I said “I’m sorry” to my children was for: I am always saying I’m sorry.
“Mom, there’s no milk!” “I’m sorry!”
“Mom, meatloaf?” “I’m sorry!”
“Mom, she hit me!” “I’m sorry.”
“Mom, you called me the wrong kid!” “I’m sorry!”
This goes on all day.
If I had an “I’d rather be...” bumper sticker on my car, it would say: Baking cakes or volunteering.
The one area of my home (or my life) that needs some serious spring cleaning is: Everyone knows I clean all the time. My family calls me Martha. My husband’s office could use some help. It scares me.