Applicant #32: Doranda Woestman

Doranda Woestman is a mom from Bremerton.

My video application:

A bit about me:

I grew up in Puyallup, WA with five brothers and two sisters. After graduation I headed off to BYU-Idaho and got a Bachelors degree in Communication with a Public Relations emphasis. Met my amazing husband, Bob, and quickly got started on building my own family. I was only 18 when I got married and 19 when Tucker was born which looking back sounds crazy, but it worked for us. We moved to Bremerton where Bob is a nuclear engineer and I get to be a Trophy Wife ;-) and mom at the same time. Penelope and Scarlett came soon after, in 2009 and 2011.

What I am really into now is photography. I love taking pictures and honing in on my skills. When my kids get older I would love to start my own business, but for now I am happy practicing and taking pics for friends.

I like ice cream, painted toenails, symphony bars, when it is 76 deegres outside, jumping on the trampoline, geocaching, cereal for breakfast, and did I mention ice cream.

I feel like my life is going so fast I need to hurry up and get with the program before it passes me by. Sometimes I feel like a mom in over her head. Maybe some of my experiences can help you out, or at least help you laugh.

My blog post:

Becoming a mother is the most life altering thing that could happen to any woman and my life is no exception. Before Tucker was born the most important thing in my life was me. I have to say that my husband ranked pretty high on the list and so did my values and beliefs but regardless of those things what I did on a daily basis depended on what I felt like and what I wanted to do. The instant Tucker was born that all changed.

Suddenly instead of choosing if I wanted to go exercise or shopping at the mall I found myself deciding if there was enough spit up on my shirt to change or just wipe it off. While going to college I no longer had the luxury of napping now and homework later but instead I studied while the baby napped and played with him later. Every small decision now revolved around a tiny little nine pound person. With his adorable blue eyes it was hopeless for me to do anything but try to satisfy him and get him to stop screaming.

After college I decided to put my career on hold to become a full time mom. After three kids I found myself busier not working than I ever was working. Getting everyone fed is a hard enough task and getting everyone out of the house should be considered an Olympic event. This doesn't mean we don't get out. On days were we don't get to the park, story time at the library, or play date. I make sure we have some kind of activity going on at home. We do crafts, clean together, work together and learn together. Because being a full time mom does not pay with money most of the things we do are free or inexpensive. I do get paid though, every little hug, smile, or 'i love you' is worth more than money can put a value on.

Becoming a mother changed my life because without my children I would be a different person. Because they are so integrated into my life they are now a part of me. Yes I still do many things for myself and my favorite time of the day is when my children are sleeping. But it really is true what they say, "You can't imagine your life with kids, until you have them, then you can't imagine your life without them."

Doranda