From Highland Park to Hainesville, the Lake County suburbs are vast and everyone is looking for that parent who’s just like them. This month we’re taking a look “Behind the Trike” and meeting the parents who bring Lake County to you every day. Today we meet one of our newest writers, Jessica, our “Faith-full Mom.”
I had the opportunity to sit with Jessica over coffee this week and take a peek Behind the Trike. Our “Faith-full Mom” has a comfortable and positive demeanor, moving almost seamlessly from parenting her daughters to casual mom conversation. Her excitement to be on the Little Lake County team comes as she has always enjoyed writing for herself and is passionate about connecting moms to the community. She said that she had a blog once upon a time when she only had one child and thought that she was ‘really busy.’ Jessica is looking forward to using the other side of her brain and getting to complete projects that stay done- unlike her laundry.
Our newest writer lives in Spring Grove, which lies in both McHenry and Lake Counties. She and her family moved here from Morton, Illinois the pumpkin capital of the world, and home to Libby’s pumpkin cannery. She and her husband Jason have been married for 13 years. They have three sweet and sassy little girls Amelia, Lydia, and Violet. She and Jason met at a church where he was the worship leader and she joined the worship team, playing the violin. By trade, he is a professional pianist, but 5 years ago he was ready for a career change. He accepted a job in the finance world and moved their family to Spring Grove.
As a transplant to the area, Jessica is passionate about helping moms connect to their communities and other moms. She has been able to do this by joining local MOPS groups, joining a local church, and leading bible studies.
As the “Faith-full Mom,” she is a mom who is true to her Christian Faith, to herself, her role as a mom, wife, and community member, even when it’s messy.
Whats your vocational history?
“I have my bachelors and masters in social work, and I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I’ve worked with adults with mental illness, kids with disabilities, college-aged kids addicted to alcohol and drugs, newborns in the NICU, senior citizens in the ICU, and every age in between. I’ve also been a project manager and a Six Sigma black belt for a hospital organization working on performance improvement. Right now, I’m a stay-at-home mom and find that I still use all of my counseling and management skills daily.”
What’s your favorite thing to do in Lake County with your family?
“We love the Botanic Garden and Ravinia which are both terrific places for a picnic.”
What do you do to take care of yourself/unwind?
“I pretend to be asleep while reading novels and drinking coffee in bed… or by a pool.
If it’s after 12pm I love taking pictures of my family, attending cooking classes, and going on home tours.”
What is something someone would be surprised to learn about you?
“I have played the violin for most of my life. I’ve been a member of many quartets and in college was in a chamber orchestra that toured around the U.S., Scandinavia, and Russia. I still play on my church’s worship team, and my husband and I play weddings together.”
Do you have any future goals you are working towards?
“ A year ago, I started my photography studio, Jessica Lynn Studio, and am really loving being challenged by learning something completely new. It’s a great hobby where I get to create art and bless other people’s lives by capturing their memories. Once my children are a little more independent, I’m eager to begin counseling again. In the distant future, I have a secret dream of becoming a motivational speaker, although I’m not sure what I would try to motivate….”
Are there any crazy “mom moment” stories you dare to share?
“If you ever run out of dishwashing detergent, don’t use dish soap. While they do both have ‘dish’ in the name, they truly don’t do the same thing. However, if you would like a foam party in your kitchen, then, yes, put dish soap in your dishwasher!”
By Jenna B.
Antioch
Jenna is an active wife and mom of 2 game-changers. A professional Counselor by trade, Antioch resident, and native Cheesehead, this mindful momma is laid back and up for any mess or adventure, doing her best to live in the moment. When not tuning out or taming tantrums, she’s running, cooking, reading, creating music, or shopping local.
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