Tell us about
yourself and your family.
Wife of Rick Poling for 37 years. Mother to Ryan/Charissa Poling and
Nathan/Aimee Poling. Grandmother to
Caleb 9, Logan 7, Maile 5, Dylan 3 1/2, Landan 3 and Jacob 21 mos.
Tell us about your
experience and involvement in MOPS.
I think this is my 7th year in MOPs as a Mentor Mom.
What is your favorite
thing about MOPS?
Connecting with young women
What is the wisest
mom advice you have ever received?
Will this really matter in 5 or 10 years?
What is your favorite
Scripture verse/passage and why?
Philippians 4:20 - "I can do everything through him who
gives me strength". When life gets
hard (and it does) this verse helps me to have more of a 'can do' attitude in
the midst of the tough stuff reminding me that it's not about me and my
abilities, but Christ and Christ alone.
What were your
thoughts when you found out you were pregnant with your first child?
Oh my - this isn't easy to admit - but I cried like a baby
at the doctor's office. I had only been
married 5 months, we just put a down payment on our first home & thought I was going in to see the doctor to
have a DNC procedure. Of course after
the shock wore off we were excited.
As a new mom, what
kinds of things did you do to treat yourself, for fun and to stay relaxed?
I surrounded myself with other moms going through the same
age and stage of motherhood. We didn't
have MOPs, but my church family was a great support system. LOL- not sure I was ever a 'relaxed' mom, but
on occassion I did try to take a 'one night a week' evening class to help keep
my sanity.
What was your
favorite thing about being a mom of preschoolers?
The hugs and kisses & seeing the world through their
innocent eyes.
What is your favorite
"mommy memory" when your children were preschoolers?
When one of my sons was 5, without my knowledge he emptied
his piggy bank of all of his money and gave it to a little boy of a single mom
at school so that his new friend could buy a new pair of shoes.
Share about your most
memorable family vacation.
We have several - but one memorable camping vacation we had
a mouse in our tent in the middle of the night AND our path crossed with a
disturbed bee hive on a hike - we all got stung :(. Plus, the friends we were camping with
accidentally set the wooden picnic table at their site on fire. And Yes, we still enjoy camping as a family!
How has motherhood
changed you?
It's taught me how to give complete unconditional love. The kind of love that our Heavenly Father has
for us. Not based on performance or
expectations.
What has been your
proudest parenting moment?
Watching our two sons interact with their children. They are both very loving daddies to their
little ones.
What was your biggest
challenge as a mother of preschoolers? Did you overcome it? How did you
overcome it?
Having a 'strong willed child' had some very difficult
moments.
Hmmmm overcome it - Well, thankfully we didn't kill each
other - LOL.
It wasn't easy, and I don't think I always did the 'right
thing', but I tried very hard to be consistent.
I prayed alot, read some books like James Dobson's "The Strong
Willed Child" and tried to apply biblical principles.
What was the one most
important principle you wanted to teach your child(ren)?
To be a 'Christ follower', not just a 'church goer'.
What is your mom
motto or favorite mom quote?
"What would Jesus do?" It's a life motto for me.
Any last words of
wisdom to share?
Enjoy the moment - the years pass by quickly.
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