Applicant #63: Juli Seboe

Juli Seboe is a mom from Marysville.

My video application:

A bit about me:

My name is Juli and I live in Marysville. I have a wonderfully funny, caring husband with a big heart for outreach and ministry. He is my best friend and my cheerleader, and I am so grateful for the support he gives me. We have five creative and unique children that keep my life anything but boring. We are on the go with activities, appointments, and grocery trips galore. But we still find the time somehow to do the things we love the most; going for bike rides together, watching movies, going on trips to see family. Life is definitely an adventure and I would love to share it with you!

My oldest Tony, age 10, is the Lego guru of the family and my bookworm, as well as expert designer. He loves creating blueprints for his ideas for machines he wants to make that will change the world, or at least get him out of chores.

Dianna, 8, is the do it all girl of the family. One moment she is the fashion queen, the next she is gloating that she can still outrace her brother while in Sunday shoes. She reminds me of me, not willing to be tied down to one thing but someone who wants to try everything and break the mold.

Branden, 6, can make anything out of nothing. You give him a paperclip, some rubber bands and whatever you can find dropped on the floor from the latest trip to the store and he will make something that would amaze even the brightest inventors.

Benjamin, 3, is the musician of the family. Our day has constant background music not because of the radio but because he can make a song or instrument out of anything (he recently discovered opera, not our favorite at the moment but great for some laughs).

Kayla, 18 months, is our littlest and busiest of the family. Like her sister she will not be limited by her size and fears nothing. She also has the biggest heart and loves to give hugs to everyone and talk up a storm.

I am a sucker for coffee, tea, chocolate and any excuse to cuddle up with a warm blanket and do nothing. That doesn’t happen very often though. I have at least four different projects going on at once. I love to knit, crochet, quilt, and make cards and candles. My closet is devoted not only to clothing but too many projects. I am an avid book reader and we take weekly trips to the library, usually only getting through half a book before the second overdue starts me on a rampage to find the book hidden under someone’s bed and take it back. I enjoy going to monthly and ladies night out dates with my friends from our neighborhood and other moms from our church. I also love watching recorded shows from the Food Network, Myth Busters, documentaries, and comedies on the DVR my husband got for me out of the frustration that I could never watch anything for more than two minutes for some strange reason….

I worked before my first son was born but decided to stay home after finding it hard to find childcare. After three children I went back to work as an administrative assistant for the director of a call. For three years I had a 40 plus hour work week, a big transition from a 100% stay at home mom but it was fun, challenging and what I dreamed of doing with my life. I ended up becoming a single mom due to divorce, trying to juggle a career and be there for my children. I had little time for myself and most days seemed to be a blur of work, activities, school volunteering, and children. My heart goes out to moms who have to do it all and be there for their kids at the end of the day in a single parent family and for those moms who stay at home and do it all.

I met my best friend and a while later we married had baby number four. After a year we decided that it was best for our children to have one of us at home even though we would have to take a big hit financially, so I quit my full time job and now work two part time jobs so I can stay at home with our children. During that time some of our children showed signs of learning issues and were struggling to keep up in school. We knew they had so much potential and decided to homeschool them to give them the support they needed.

Yes, our life is crazy and anything but a Normal Rockwell picture, but I would not trade if for the world. Being a mom has given me the opportunity to give so much of myself that I would never have imagined was there. Being a Verity Mom would give me a chance to share my experiences with other moms. Even though I know I don’t have all the answers sometimes it is just nice to know that there is someone out there going through challenges and tough times. We all need a way to encourage and support each other and I believe social networking and blogging is a great way to do that. We might not be able to pick up a phone and call our best friend or take a trip to the store to get out for a few moments peace, but connecting with other moms with blogs and tweets can be just the thing to get you back in the mind frame to be the mom you know you are. I can’t wait to share the experience of being a mom and grow with you on the journey.

My blog post:

The kids are so excited to go to PE today. What a great way to start the day, I think to myself. The older ones go off to start PE and I take the two tikes with me, throw some balls out of my bag for them, and look around. I join the moms standing around the hall and toss the balls for the little kids. No sooner do I get into a great conversation with a mom one of my kids runs out.

“What’s wrong sweetheart,” I say.

“I tagged him out and he won’t go out!” Tony wales.

“Well, that happens and it isn’t very fair. Did you talk to the parent in charge?” is the only reply I can say although I would love to remind him of the times he does the same thing. That wasn’t the response he was looking and after an awkward silence he walks back.

Next, Dianna comes in crying. “Mooommm!!!” tears streaming down her face. “I don’t get that stupid game. I never want to play again!” How I would love to say go back and keep trying but instead I muster, “What don’t you get about it?” We talk for a bit and by the time she is somewhat consoled another game has started. I turn back to find the conversation has changed.

Not to be outdone, Branden is next. He hangs around my legs looking cute and sweet. “What’s up sweetie?”

“Oh, I’m bored,” Branden replies through smiles and giggles.

“Well, go back and see what is happening. Maybe they are racing now. You love racing.”

“Na, I like it here better,” he says. You’re not the one paying $10 per class for this is the only thing I can think at that moment. He plays with the little kids in the hall while I try to catch up on what is going on with the group.

And as soon as class started it is done. I am left in disbelief that I have to keep pushing my kids to go have fun. Then why do the love coming I wonder other than to annoy me? I just wanted to talk to someone my age!

Then, it hits me. They love coming. Is it really worth getting mad? But I just want to talk! I sound like an upset two year old. I try to think of some sage wisdom I can pull up from the situation but nothing comes to console me. Then as we walk out the door it hits me, they love me and I love them. They won’t be around forever and someday, even though I don’t believe it, they will be grown up and I will miss this.

“Thanks for taking us Mom!” everyone says as Benji screams. Will he ever be happy to get in his car seat I wonder? And surprisingly for that moment it is all better. It really is the start of a good day.

Juli