It's with great pleasure to introduce you to Ann Heithoff, a third grade teacher in Harlan. I got to know Ann after our sons struck up a friendship in middle school. Ann and I have commiserated on many lost, Nike teenage boy sweatshirts. Isn't it wondrous what can bring people together? Anyway, with no further adieu, meet Ann:
I'm really just a small town girl from Westphalia. I met my Carroll county Catholic boy, married him, and became an Air Force wife. We've been together 18 years. In that time, we have moved 5 times, had 3 kids (Michael 14, Kate 13, Alex 9) and lived on 2 continents. Then after Chad got orders back to Offutt, HE suggested we move and settle to my hometown, AND he offered to commute to work.
Now, we live in our forever house. We go with our family to church in the same church where me, my parents, all 4 grandparents & some of my great grandparents were a part of. Our kids will graduate from my high school. And all of our kids are happy, healthy, and have great friends. How lucky can a girl get?
Funniest kid story of late:
Alex (age 9) wore Chad's desert goggles to the baseball game last night.
Michael (age 14) told me he loves driving a tractor but isn't good at backing it up when it has a trailer. He was very concerned. OMG - who is good at that??
Kate (age 13) wants another dog cause our current dog, Molly, needs a friend.
Most surprising lesson you’ve learned about being a mother:
Most nights, our teenagers come find us for a before bed hug. That is the best part of the day. Hugs from teenagers - the hugs that they initiate - are the best!!
Also, my 9 year old still loves being sung to and tucked in at night. What a treat!
Opinion on work/life balance:
It's hard balancing the two, but find ways to make it work for you. I am not afraid to admit that I have a cleaning lady for my bathrooms & hard floors. I pay Kate to vacuum. (Is that bad? It's her way to earn money, right? It's like her summer job.)
Make time to hang with each kid - just the two of you.
Always stop to get ice cream. Life is too short to count the calories in ice cream.
Shop on-line!!! It saves time.
Guilty pleasure:
Peanut buster parfait with hot fudge AND caramel
Chips & guacamole
(Maybe not all in one setting.)
Last book you read that you couldn’t quit thinking about:
Goodbye Def Leppard (I'll Miss those Jeans) - I love that it takes place in Shelby county.
Disclaimer: The author of this blog did not pay Ann to say that. But I'm feeling lunch is due.
Best family tradition:
Christmas Eve mass with just us 5, then lasagna afterwards. On Christmas Day going to the Goetz and Heithoff Christmas celebrations.
Favorite or most-used app:
Teamsnap - it has all my kids' practice and game schedules.
Who’s your celebrity obsession?
Bon Jovi, of course.
What’s your go-to movie?
What advice would you give to new parents:
Never wake a sleeping baby to feed it!
Get a dog!
How do you recharge?
Hanging with Chad whether it's a date, a 4 wheeler ride or a landscaping project.
Morning workouts on my eliptical.
NOTE: The last response was edited to maintain the PG-13 nature of the blog. Next time you see Ann, ask her how she really recharges.
Anything else you’d like to add about being a working mother?
It's a tough balance. But it's worth it.
If you screw up a drop-off or pick-up time, your kids will survive.
It's ok to sometimes to put yourself first and tell your kids no because you want to go do something. They will survive.
Grab your kids and hug them everyday - even the teenagers that try to escape your grasp. They will survive.
Find a working mom friend or group of friends to hang out with and laugh. We are all in the same boat. I'm shocked at how many times they screw up too! It makes for a night (or afternoon) full of laughs!
Great insights Ann. Thanks for your poignant thoughts and, of course, the laughter.
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| The Heithoff Tribe |
Peace out.
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