Applicant #3: Ari-Amber Messer

Ari-Amber Messer is a mom from Edgewood.

My video application:

Find me online:

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A bit about me:

Hi! I'm Ari-Amber, from Edgewood, WA. I have two beautiful children: a daughter, who is ten, and a son, who just turned two!

In addition to my responsibilities as a mom and homemaker, I am a student of Theology, musician, blogger, thespian, artist, and am learning to love to sew. I also frequently create video announcements for the upcoming events or projects at my church.

My mission in reaching out to other mom's in not just to discuss our finances and parenting, but also to share the message of self-care. It's okay to take time for ourselves and regroup so that we can be the best CEO's of our Households possible!

My blog post:

I wanted to be a mom for as long as I can remember. As I approached adulthood, even with other options that were appealing and desirable, I chose marriage and motherhood.

I remember holding my newborn daughter in my arms straight from the womb and knowing a pure love I’d never felt before. She looked into my eyes, I looked into hers, and there was an indescribable connection!

Soon after her birth, her dad I and went our separate ways. For six years of my daughter’s life, I was a single mom. I worked full time, was obtaining a degree online, and did all I could to show my daughter I loved her. It was a difficult phase of life, but I have no regrets. My daughter‘s sensitive and beautiful spirit was the motivation that kept me going when times were tough.

Enter a handsome man who not only wanted to be with me, but accepted my daughter as his own! Our courtship, engagement, and marriage marked the era of a new family with more love to share.

To seal the deal, a year and a half later, we added another munchkin to the mix – a little boy! I had a very similar bonding experience with him after he was born and was able to hold him for the first time. I felt pure love and joy toward this little monkey!

Our family determined that even though it would be financially tight each month, it would be more cost effective for me to stay at home with our newborn. After 8 years of being a mom, I could finally devote the majority of my energy into this job! My children bring laughter, purpose and light into my life – and now I get to enjoy it 24/7!

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not always raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. There are days where: there have been one too many toddler melt-downs or pre-teen sass episodes; I’m still in my pajamas at noon – no shower, no presentable hair, no make-up; I’m freaking out about which bill not to pay in order for us to still be able to go buy groceries! Motherhood has also taught me a lot about balance and wellness in a way I wouldn’t have learned otherwise. It is OKAY and healthy to take a break – wouldn’t any other job allow for one by law?

My kids have taught me about pure love – the kind of love I didn’t fully understand until I was able to hold them in my arms and know that nothing could diminish the love I felt for them. Most people just need and want to feel loved, affirmed and worthwhile in order to healthily function in this life. I hope my children will feel all of these things from me and go on to be healthy adults.

Ari-Amber