Aster Paredes Morales - Momivate

Sam Allred

Former Momivate’s Leader of Music, Inspiration, and Laugh

Sam is a new mom to a one-year-old baby girl. Becoming a mother during a worldwide pandemic was one of the most difficult things she has ever done. She learned that motherhood stretches your limits in every regard – physically, mentally, and emotionally. She has gained a lot of respect and appreciation for the role of motherhood and she is beyond grateful for all the mother figures she has in her life.

Sam has a bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences with an emphasis in psychology and will soon be pursuing a masters degree in social work in order to pursue her goal to address women’s mental health issues. She has a diverse volunteer background including working with children with behavioral issues, helping teens improve their academics, working as a mediator between teens and their parents, co-authoring published psychological research, and helping build homes for families in need. Her professional history includes working as a medical assistant and as head coach for a high school girls lacrosse team. She is devoted to helping others and intends to continue helping others along her chosen career path.

Sam also has a love for music. She has played the piano since she was a kid and has been a member of two award winning choirs. She believes that laughter is the best medicine and loves spending time with her family, who makes her laugh the most. She finds daily inspiration through having honest conversations with others, reading good books, listening to informative podcasts, and searching for something positive in every situation. She believes that music, laughter, and inspiration are all important aspects of motherhood. She also has a deep appreciation for authentic Mexican food, baking, warm beaches, and spontaneous kitchen dance parties.

PERSONAL PAGES!

As a thank you to those who donate $30 or more to Momivate, we designate a personalized page to the person whose name they submitted to the Wall of Honor. It can include a photo and bio, and visitors to the page can post comments, sharing memories and celebrating this mother!

Fostering with a Mother-Heart

By Esperanza Svyeta

As the oldest daughter in a large family, with a mother that was absolutely devoted to her calling as a mother, I was blessed to feel fairly comfortable when I began to have children of my own. I’d had many opportunities to practice nurturing skills at home with my younger siblings, and my mother often talked to me about her philosophy of mothering and her great joy in it. I wanted nothing so much as to be a mother myself.

As an adult, I continued my education in the social work field, and raised my own family. Eventually, I also became a foster parent. This awesome opportunity is not for the faint-hearted. It can be very demanding and very frustrating. It is your “job” to mother the foster child in a way they likely have never actually experienced, and yet do nothing to interfere with the ability of the child to bond with the natural parents should they become able to once again take up the role of full-time parent. It is a fine line to walk and too many foster parents resign themselves to the role of caretaker and do not try to assume the role of a parent, because it is just too difficult to truly mother a child that you may lose at any time. I do understand this, but for me it was never possible to do it that way.

It is easier to do if one recognizes that “mother” need not be an exclusive role in a child’s life. In fact, studies have shown that the more positive and loving adult influences in a child’s life, the higher the likelihood of their own happiness and success in life. Therefore, a foster mother is a “second” mother, not the primary mother, but can have an effect that may be far ranging later in life. One foster mother told me, “You have to consider that if they graduate from high school, and they are not in jail, or on drugs . . you won!” The foster mother may never actually know the positive influence, but once in a great while one hears of child who remembered something of what they experienced in your home and it helped them.

Awhile back, a former foster child called and told me that she had gotten caught up in drugs and that when she hit rock bottom and wanted a lifeline to change she went to a local church (not my particular church) to find a God-fearing family that would help her straighten out. She stuck to it with them, and their pastor, and ended up off drugs, happily married, with two children. That was when she called to tell me that it was because she had lived with us (for only six months) that she knew the kind of place to go to get help to straighten out her life. It felt really good.

“The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation.” -James E. Faust

Photo by Tim Marshall on Unsplash

Heather Nelson

Heather is a wife, a mother to six beautiful children, and a friend to many! She loves singing, cooking, working out, event planning, taking classes, and reading. She homeschools her kids, and volunteers to help with her children’s Scout troops, church groups, Taekwondo studio, drama group, and she teaches and mentors at her children’s Leadership Education commonwealth school. She would drop everything to help a friend. She also works two part-time jobs in her “Spare” time!

Heather says:
“I am honored to be spotlighted by such an awesome organization! I think that motherhood is a job that you can simultaneously love with all your heart, and feel like you are failing at, all while putting other women up on pedestals! I think that it is an awesome thing to have a place to come together as women and share our struggles, and triumphs, and to connect with each other.”

PERSONAL PAGES!

As a thank you to those who donate $30 or more to Momivate, we designate a personalized page to the person whose name they submitted to the Wall of Honor. It can include a photo and bio, and visitors to the page can post comments, sharing memories and celebrating this mother!

Elisabeth Balderree

Former Director of Music, Inspiration, and Laughter

Hello there!

A little bit about me…I have been involved with music for most of my life, specifically singing in choirs while growing up, playing piano, and all things artistic or spiritual that bring cheer to my heart. Although I earned a vocal scholarship to attend college, I eventually changed degrees and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Family Life Science from Utah State University. This education has helped me in countless ways as a mother, specifically as I combine that knowledge with seeking daily inspiration from God, to raise our four sons to be the warriors of God they are intended to be.

My husband and boys are my greatest source of fulfillment and are my favorite people to spend time with. That being said, becoming a mother has also been my greatest challenge. Among many personal difficulties and obstacles, I’ve been able to overcome severe postpartum depression and a near-death experience with the birth of our last son, which has enabled me to have great compassion and a true desire to extend empathy and support for any mothers/people who experience challenges of their own.

When I’m not in the middle of housework, cooking, cleaning, or calming the crazy antics of kiddos, I play piano, guitar, and sing. My craft table is also a favorite place for other hobbies where I sew, paint, draw and create. Curling up with a cozy blanket to read a good book is a luxury I indulge in whenever possible. I also enjoy connecting with loved ones, trying foods from around the world, traveling, sunshine and exercise. Pink and purple are my favorite colors, and anything floral sparks my interest.

I look forward to becoming friends with you through Momivate!

PERSONAL PAGES!

As a thank you to those who donate $30 or more to Momivate, we designate a personalized page to the person whose name they submitted to the Wall of Honor. It can include a photo and bio, and visitors to the page can post comments, sharing memories and celebrating this mother!

One for the Money, Two for the Show, Three to get Ready, Four to go

By Leigha Westover

This past week I began listening to Every Day Millionaire by Chris Hogan, a book my daughter recommended from her Finance class. In it, Hogan corrects some myths many believe make a millionaire. Using the old nursery rhyme, here is a little something I have taken from what he said:

One for the Money
Money is a tool, not the means, to becoming financially successful. DISCIPLINE and CONSISTENCY are the key ingredients.

Two for the Show
The purpose of having money is not showing off what you have. Money is for spending wisely on your needs, not trying to keep up with the neighbors.

Stay out of debt. Don’t get loans.

Three to get Ready
Hogan says, “We are only young once, but we are also only old once.” Preparing for the future starts today. You do this by saving wisely and not spending everything you get.

These are some other things to remember:
1. Take advantage of any matching funds your employer offers.
2. Most people don’t earn their money by taking high-risk investments; most people lose money by taking risks.
3. Know what your net worth is. Take all your assets and add them up. Being a millionaire does not mean you have millions in the bank.

Four to Go
Know what you want when you are 50. Do you picture yourself working, or spending time with your family and doing things for others? Make a plan and set some financial goals. Having a plan makes it possible to reach your destination.

The next book I plan to read is The Cheapskate Next Door by Jeff Yeager.

If you have any suggestions on books or ideas that have helped you, please share through our instagram or facebook!

Photo by micheile henderson on Unsplash