February's Mom of the Month is: Kate Thompson! Congrats Kate!
Kate joined Stroller Strides this past fall, after moving from Chicago where she also participated in Stroller Strides workouts. She and her two adorable girls, Kylie and Abby, jumped right in to the Raleigh group and have brought smiles and energy to the daily workouts. Kate gets the award for best attendance this past month, Jan 2012, when she worked out with us an impressive 20 times! And not only that.... she worked out 20 times with us in Jan during her FIRST TRIMESTER! We want to congratulate her to her dedication to fitness, Stroller Strides, and her girls, AND we would also like to congratulate her on her current pregnancy!
Join us in congratulating Kate, and read on to get to know her a little better.
Hometown: River Forest, IL (western suburb of Chicago)
Current part of the Triangle that you live in: Cary
Education: Undergrad at Univ of Minnesota, Master of Arts in Teaching at National Louis Univ in Chicago, just started this semester on 2nd Masters in Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics and Assessment at Univ Of Illinois at Chicago
Stroller Strides Member since: Oct 2011
Members of your Family: Husband Steve, Kylie 3 1/2, Abby 2 and Colorado (border collie/lab mix 12), baby due 8/29/12
Tell us about your child/children: My girls are 16 mo apart. It amazes me how different they are. Kylie is very observant, detail oriented, and inquisitive. Abby is more daring, enjoys the moment, and wants to do whatever Kylie does. Kylie tries to be the mom and Abby gets very upset when Kylie tells her "no" or does
not share.
Current/previous Career: 1st- worked at Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, 2nd- head swim coach at YMCA, 3rd- 3rd and 4th grade teacher
What was your childhood ambition? Have a family to spend time with and take vacations with (never really had job in mind or wanted to travel the world)
What does motherhood mean to you? Ultimate sacrifice, I know you are supposed to put yourself first but that doesn't happen and that is the choice I make, huge struggles but huge joys too, every night at dinner we go around and say our favorite part of the day- some days this is hard but it makes you come up with something good even on the worst days.
What is the furthest you have been from home? Traveled Europe with my grandma when I was 10- she took each grandchild when we turned 10, i still have a postcard that I sent home- it said "don't forget I come home on Friday and you are picking us up"- as if they would forget and as if the postcard would get there in time.
What has Stroller Strides done for you? Given something for me, allowed me and my girls to meet friends who I immediately have something in common with-
exercise and kids, stress relief, feel good about me.
Current part of the Triangle that you live in: Cary
Education: Undergrad at Univ of Minnesota, Master of Arts in Teaching at National Louis Univ in Chicago, just started this semester on 2nd Masters in Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics and Assessment at Univ Of Illinois at Chicago
Stroller Strides Member since: Oct 2011
Members of your Family: Husband Steve, Kylie 3 1/2, Abby 2 and Colorado (border collie/lab mix 12), baby due 8/29/12
Tell us about your child/children: My girls are 16 mo apart. It amazes me how different they are. Kylie is very observant, detail oriented, and inquisitive. Abby is more daring, enjoys the moment, and wants to do whatever Kylie does. Kylie tries to be the mom and Abby gets very upset when Kylie tells her "no" or does
not share.
Current/previous Career: 1st- worked at Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, 2nd- head swim coach at YMCA, 3rd- 3rd and 4th grade teacher
What was your childhood ambition? Have a family to spend time with and take vacations with (never really had job in mind or wanted to travel the world)
What does motherhood mean to you? Ultimate sacrifice, I know you are supposed to put yourself first but that doesn't happen and that is the choice I make, huge struggles but huge joys too, every night at dinner we go around and say our favorite part of the day- some days this is hard but it makes you come up with something good even on the worst days.
What is the furthest you have been from home? Traveled Europe with my grandma when I was 10- she took each grandchild when we turned 10, i still have a postcard that I sent home- it said "don't forget I come home on Friday and you are picking us up"- as if they would forget and as if the postcard would get there in time.
What has Stroller Strides done for you? Given something for me, allowed me and my girls to meet friends who I immediately have something in common with-
exercise and kids, stress relief, feel good about me.
What is your favorite exercise? jacks, skiiers, jump rope 10 to 1 (not sure name) and lat pulls w/ band
What is your proudest moment? Finally getting Kylie out after 4 hrs of pushing and them threatening c-section.
What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Sitting by the pool in the sun, gardening (but hate watering), playing games (scrabble, boggle, sudoku, cards, etc).
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique.- back in school for 2nd masters, My dad's cousin (my 2nd cousin) is Norm from Cheers- hopefully people know this show.
If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? organized, tough, love for family,
What advice would you give to moms looking to get back into shape? Don't try to get back to "how you used to be", this is the new you- a mom, really listen to those who say you look good- don't just brush it off- take it to heart (easier said than done).
