mom·sen·se (mɒm sens) noun 1. practical motherly intelligence that is sensible or reasonable 2. a mother’s mental discernment, realization, or recognition – She has momsense. OR She used her momsense to determine that something was amiss.
I always wondered why somebody didn’t do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody.
–Lily Tomlin
How often do I think the same thing? Man, someone needs to: clean that, help him, feed her, spend time with them, talk to her, pick that up etc. But, I usually do nothing. I love knowing people who see a need and say “Hey, I can do that”. It seems that many of us come to the crossroads and decide to make a strong impact in our homes and in our community or not. Those who say yes, are an inspiration for those who forget they are “somebody” who can make a difference.
Kaarin P. is mom of two little handfuls of cuteness. That alone is a full-time job. But Kaarin (Car-in) saw a need in our community that required the skills she used pre-kiddos and now acts as bookkeeper, financial administrator and employee law compliance for the nonprofit coffee hot spot: Sola Coffee Bar located in Old Town Scottsdale. She is also bookkeeper and financial administrator for Old Town Bible Church. The time she spends volunteering for both the coffee bar and the church varies, but the reward is consistant. She said “yes” and is now making an impact in our community, one cup of coffee at a time 🙂
Sola Coffee Bar is a place where Old Town residents, visitors and tourists can go to connect and help make our busy city feel smaller. Kind of like “Cheers” where “everybody knows your name”. Proceeds go to finance different projects both local and global. For instance, January’s proceeds went to Haiti disaster relief and proceeds from March went to support Kate McRae and her fight against cancer. Making friends AND making our world a better place? That’s my kind of coffee bar!
The strengths Kaarin refined in Corporate America now strengthen our community through her work as a mom and a volunteer. In her role as Mom, Kaarin uses her administrative skills in a different way. She sees “less as more” when it comes to scheduling playdates, social opportunities and commitments. Her family thrives on spontaneity. When Saturday morning arrives they simply ask, “What do we want to do today?” – the options abound: go for a walk? Farmers Market? hang out in our back yard? the options are endless. She prefers not to rush from one obligation to another. With all the great things to do in Scottsdale, she struggles with the discipline of keeping her family calendars mainly filled with “white space.”
Whether it’s doing more for your community through volunteering or planning less activities with your kids, assess your commitments, discard the fluff then make time to be somebody.
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About Kaarin P.:
How many children do you have? two
What are their ages? 4 1/2 year old boy and 20 month old girl
What is your favorite thing about being a mom? When my kids do or say something that cracks me up.
What is your least favorite thing about being a mom? the feeling like there is not enough time to do it all.
What do you know now that you wish you knew before becoming a mom? Don’t seek advice from too many different people or books. Pray for wisdom and trust that God has given me these kids for a reason.
What drains you? drama
How do you recharge? time to myself to do whatever I feel like
Where is your favorite place in Scottsdale to go with your children? Train Park
Where is your favorite place in Scottsdale to go with your spouse? we love visiting indie restaurants, and are always trying something new, so hard to name one favorite.
Complete this sentence: I can’t believe I’m a mom because I still eat candy like a kid on Halloween night.
There are a lot of ways to volunteer with kids too… I like Kids Care Clubs… think it might be https://kidscare.org – anyway – you can be a Kids Care Club leader and teach a whole passel of kids to volunteer and be somebodies too.
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