Our
mom of the month program honors moms for their efforts to lead
healthy lifestyles, and gives us a chance to get to know them better
at the same time!
May's featured Mom of the Month is Ashley Jones! Congrats, Ashley!
Ashley has been a Stroller Strides member since last summer, and has made friendships everywhere she goes with her friendly smile, as has her adorable daughter Maggie Claire. She has worked hard in fitness over the past months, as a frequent Stroller Strides attendee and just completed her FIRST 5k run after training with our Spring Raleigh Running Mamas program, and says she might be "hooked on running" now.... after some fabulous race times she is signing up for more running over the coming months! Join us in congratulating Ashley and read on to get to know her a little better.
Current part of the Triangle that you live in: Apex out near Holly Springs
Education: BA Education of the Deaf
Stroller Strides Member since: August 2012
Members of your Family: My husband of almost 8 years Matthew, our almost 11 month old daughter Magnolia (Maggie) Claire, and 2 dogs Milo and Kida
Tell us about your child: Maggie Claire was born June 9, 2012. She is named Magnolia for our home state of Mississippi, the Magnolia state. She is a very happy baby and laid back and easy going. She is pretty reserved in general and likes to take her time doing things. I love watching her have her little thoughts and explore the world around her. She loves music and playing with empty soda bottles. Right now she is learning to wave and of course waves backwards, but she is so pleased with herself! Her bright cackly laugh is the best sound I have ever heard.
Current/previous Career: We moved to NC within a few months of my college graduation, so I never put my education degree to use as I originally intended. For most of the time since living here until Maggie Claire was born and I became a SAHM, I worked for the AICPA in their membership service center as a corporate trainer. It was great meeting all of the new employees, but at times it felt like teaching high school!
What was your childhood ambition? To be a mother and a vet. Mother, check. Vet, reconsidered after realizing how attached to all the animals I would be. Also, blood/shots/etc = icky.
What does motherhood mean to you? Motherhood means being completely in love with and in awe of this tiny person who is both a part of me and separate from me. It means doing my best to nurture her and letting go of selfishness. It is joy and fear and hard work and the best thing I've ever done.
What is the furthest you have been from home? Cozumel, Mexico for my honeymoon. Side note: I finally made it above the Mason-Dixon line for the first time last year when I went with a friend to Philadephia.
What has Stroller Strides meant to you? Stroller Strides is all about relationships for me. The relationships I've made with other moms, the relationships my daughter is making with new friends, and the relationship with myself and my health. Being in the best shape since early college isn't bad either!
What has your experience with Running Mamas been like so far? I love Running Mamas! I have tried a couch to 5k program on my own before but was not successful. Meeting all the other moms for the group runs has been great motivation and has given me accountability for myself to get those homework runs done during the week on my own. The coaches have great advice and are so supportive. I really feel like I'm a runner now and plan to continue running in the future. I have completed two 5ks so far, and I already have a couple more races lined up!
What is your favorite exercise? Planks! The March plank challenge really helped me to push my plank time further than I ever would have thought I could go on my own. I try to do a plank every night before bed... ok so not quite every night but a good goal to shoot for. ;)
What is your proudest moment? Holding my daughter for the first time and seeing my joy reflected back in my husbands eyes at this life that we created
What
are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Irish
dancing, crafting, and dessert
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. I have been Irish dancing for a little over 2 years now. It's so much fun! Also, I have an identical twin sister named Heather who lives in MS.
If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? He said, “you are a dedicated mom, and you take care of us all as a family.”
What advice would you give to moms looking to get back into shape? Just get out there! Getting started is the hardest part but so worth it. Finding something you love to do and having a good support system really help keep you going.
