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Receive Weekly Wisdom from co-founder, author, and wellness expert Rebecca Linder Hintze
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Spotlight: Who's Got Her Pretty On?
Originally from Long Island, NY (USA),
this creative and multi-talented Pretty Sister made her way to the Washington,
D.C. area just after high school. This is where she graduated
from college and entered the world of professional consulting. Bethesda,
Maryland was her home for many years and the place where she met her
wonderful husband and had her first child. After a busy career and
many pursued interests, this Pretty Sister opted to stay home and be a
fantastic and busy mother to her three sons, now ages 8, 6, and 3.
This month, our spotlight focuses on Maribeth Vance, now a
resident of Virginia Beach, VA--an amazing woman sharing her many talents,
enhancing the lives of others in her community.
For this spotlight, Maribeth frankly shared her thoughts and
feelings about her former career and her life at home as a
mother. Here are her words as she shared them honestly with us,
in hopes that her story might resonate with other women who are also
pursuing interests while being stay-at-home mothers.
Maribeth said, "I always knew I didn't fit in
the consulting world, although I tried my hardest (and was told I was
successful there) . I'd meet the fast deadlines, pull my late nights,
and so forth. But, somehow I always ended up on the "non-billable" more creative
projects; internal web design, developing powerpoint presentations for
execs to pitch their ideas, designing a new piece of software to "build the
business". I was happy and my bosses were happy (at least until every quarter
when they'd have to re-justify my existence as a non-money making
employee).
Then one day I had Logan, my first born son. Now the balancing
act we all try to do as mothers began. For me--total disaster! I still got
my work done but I longed to be home with him. I felt like a failure. So
many other moms could balance the working mom thing, why couldn't I. I
ultimately quit, and had times where I didn't feel very good about
myself. I had no career, I wasn't pulling my weight financially, and we
weren't making ends meet as well as we used to do.
Flash forward to present day: We moved from the DC area to
Virginia Beach to lighten the financial load and I now have three
boys; Logan (8), Reilly (6), and Flynn (3). I have been home with them
since Logan was 4 months old and I wouldn't have changed a thing (except a
few yelling matches with the boys, another lesson learned!). I spend
time with them, attend most of their school functions, do some PTA volunteering,
and I've found a great church family. I am very blessed and know that I am
fortunate to have this opportunity (one that many others do not
have).
Still, my creative side has been calling throughout all of
these years of being home. So, I've ripped apart two houses and with
the help of my carpentry-saavy husband, I've put them back together. I have
dabbled in decorating for friends and family. I started running and have
completed several half-marathons and one full marathon. I got involved as the
coordinator for Team Wounded Marine - a non-profit organization that hosts a 5K
race to raise money for wounded Marines and their families
(www.woundedmarine.com). And I took up my favorite hobby of all,
scrapbooking. But, I couldn't do that the conventional way either. With my
computer-based background, it just didn't seem right to spend so many hours
cutting, pasting and gluing my way through ONE page. I was 4 years behind and I
had just started! So, digital scrapbooking became my new best friend, and who
new it would lead me to freelance "jobs"? (well, sort of--do you have to
make money to call it a job?)
Now, I am doing freelance photography and graphic design
for an Upward organization (church-based sports
- www.upward.com) photographing soccer, cheerleading,
football and basketball. I take the team and individual photos and
provide packages and sportscards, etc. Lots of work in short spurts, but I love
the kids--they are adorable!
I have also started creating digital scrapbooks for
friends who would love to document their family's lives, but can't find the
time. And my latest project is designing a catalog for friend
who left the corporate world to design her own jewelry (jewelrybyjeannie.com,
check it out, it's gorgeous!). All of it is really just enough
money to upgrade my cameras, and buy supplies for my own
scrapbooks!
In the end, this is all just to say that we don't have to
fit into any specific mold. We just have to find a place where we feel like
we can be ourselves, grow, and be the women that we know we can be; loving,
giving, creative, smart, strong, and successful--how YOU define successful,
not someone else. As all women and mothers, I am still pulled in many
directions, and at times I feel overwhelmed and out of sorts. But now, for
me, most of the directions to which I am pulled are the ones I choose.
I am thrilled at the paths that God has lead me down and
continues to lead me, and finally feel "successful". No money to show for it,
but lots of creative outlets, and lots of hugs and kisses from my most important
"jobs" of all, my 4 boys (my husband included)!"
Thanks Maribeth for these words of wisdom and encouragement!
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