More Best Mom Submissions:
Author: Dan Lawrence
Mom: Michelle Lawrence
Our family’s “Mommy”, Michelle Lawrence does all of the things every Southlake “Supermom” does…and a whole lot more. That is why we are positive she is the Best Mom in Southlake.
Our two beautiful children are Michelle’s life. She is their teacher- making time to read to them every day; never failing to take the time to answer the unending “Why?” questions of a 4 or 5 year old; always challenging them to learn more about the world around them through reading, exploring a new park, attending a ballet or symphony, traveling to new places, or learning a new language. She is their role model- the hardest worker we know inside or outside of the house; a well-educated female executive “helping sick people” in the healthcare field, that any parent would love to have as their daughter’s mentor. She is their nurse- an expert at making everything better by saying just the right thing or giving just the right dose of Mommy cuddles. She is their chauffeur- always making sure everyone is on time to school, church, baseball, gymnastics, piano lessons, or swim lessons. She is their maid- always making sure that everyone has clean clothes to wear and a comfortable, clean home to come home to. She is their chef- always making sure that the family eats well and eats right. She is their gardener- one of the few Mommies around who can be found pushing a lawnmower across the yard or digging a hole for a new tree on a Sunday afternoon.
All of this might be enough to convince most that Michelle is the Best Mom in Southlake. But while family always comes first, she accomplishes it all while effectively juggling a full-time career outside of the home as the Director of Pharmacy for a local hospital- consistently earning accolades, awards, and promotions for her work; staying involved in the kids’ schools; and serving on an advisory board for the Carroll ISD. How does she do it?
She’s the ultimate selfless Supermom, Superwife, and Superemployee, and certainly the Best Mom in Southlake!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author: Kyle Parks
Mom: Gina Parks
I write you from Denver, CO - 900 miles from our home in Southlake. Nothing unusual here; I travel quite a bit for work. Never a complaint from my incredible wife Gina, who is left to manage the Parks Circus. 6:18 p.m. CST, and Gina is no doubt making a well rounded meal for our three children - all under the age of five! Dessert tonight will largely be antibiotics as some unpleasant cold, along with its cousin the double ear infection, thought they were invited to our house. Begs the thought……have I ever given one of our kids medicine? I don't think so. Gina, on the other hand, could tell you without hesitation how much Benadryl a 3.5 year-old weighing between 30 and 35 pounds can have……and how often. A little play time and then its upstairs to begin “the drill”, which by the way would take an Act of Congress to deviate from. Bath, lotion, PJs, story time, humidifiers filled up and on, baby rocked to bed, and then big kids tucked in……sometimes coordinated with a heavy dose of monster spray in each of their rooms. Smells much like Glade air freshener, but sure keeps the critters out. And then, finally, Gina retires to her bedroom for a little peace and quiet, which lasts about five minutes before little feet appear to report scary shadows on the wall.
She has a knack, more a passion really, for being a mother. It’s just what she wants to do with her life, as anyone who sees her with our kids can attest. She rarely, maybe never, needs a break. Never seems to be low on energy……even after she's stayed up until 4 a.m. working on a silent auction to support the kids' school (she does it every year). I try from time to time to free her up for a visit to the spa, but as soon as I mention that I’ll be taking the kids to the zoo during “Daddy time”, she’ll say, “but I want to go with you”. Alas, the pedicure must wait.
I could write volumes outlining the kid activities that Gina supports – watch out PTO, we hit Old Union next year. I’m inclined to reference her hard work, but that’s not right. It’s not work for her. Raising our kids is her joy, her purpose, and oh how it shows. Her efforts are rewarded by three little people that think the world of their mom……and one big person that contends her efforts should be recognized.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author: Alex Whalen (10 years old)
Mom: His Mom
Why I Love My Mom and why she is the Best Mom in Southlake
Not many kids think Moms are that special. Yeah, they are just there doing your laundry, making your dinner, telling you what to do, and what not to do. But, I am here to tell you that my Mom is nothing like that. Sure, she will give me a few rules every once in a while, but I am mean only like a few. My Mom is the best person in Southlake.
My Mom is awesome because she is always there if I am hurt or sick. It doesn’t matter if it is a fever, a cold, or even a slight headache. She is always right there with band-aids or some kind of medicine. One time I was at BiCentennial park with my friend and we were playing dodgeball with basketballs. At the same time we threw the basketball at one another. I knocked out my friends front tooth out but he through it at me and jammed my thumb. What happened I thought? The next thing I knew my Mom was right beside me. She helped me to the car and we drove to the Southlake Urgent Care. It turned out that it was a very bad sprain but I’ll never forget how my Mom was there to help me. My friend was okay too.
I also love my Mom because she is always happy and understanding. For example, one time when I was younger, I was carrying a glass of orange juice when I tripped and the juice went flying. I started to cry but my Mom came over and started to comfort me. “It’s okay if you didn’t mean to do it”, she always says. It doesn’t matter if it’s spilled milk, juice, soda or even broken glass. You name it. She is the most understanding person ever! My Mom is the best person in Southlake.
My Mom is like Superman flying everywhere and helping everyone (except she doesn’t really fly). Plus, my Mom is always driving me to places like swim meets, baseball games, friend’s houses, birthday parties, and other fun things to do in town. One time I had baseball from 3:45pm to 5:35pm and swimming from 5:45pm to 7:45pm. When I was done with my baseball practice my Mom was right there with the car ready for me to hop in and drive me to swimming. That night when swimming was over guess who was there? My Mom! I don’t know about you but I am here to tell you that my Mom is the best of the best and greatest of the greatest.
Mom is the best person in Southlake in so many ways. My Mom is the greatest because she helps me, she’s always there when I am hurt or sick, and she is very understanding. But the most important thing about her is that I love her so much and she loves me. She is the most important person in my life!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author: Angie, Emily and Camille Cogburn
Mom: Karla Cogburn
Southlake’s Best Mom Contest: Karla Cogburn
By definition, a mother is someone who provides care and nourishment for a child. Whether through the soothing voice of a young mother to her baby or the wisdom provided by an aging mother, mothers create the very beauty of life, and remind us of our instinct to love; to nurture; to encourage; to protect. Our mother, Karla Cogburn, personifies this model while juggling motherhood, community leadership, and entrepreneurship.
Growing up, Mom was always involved in our lives, which absolutely helped us to get where we are now. She attended PTA meetings, always put school first, and made sure we received the best education possible. She teaches us to take responsibility for our actions, maintain a driven spirit, and never back down. She constantly reminds us to be our own person, dance to our own beat, and live to our own expectations, just like her.
Now that we are all out of the house, she still encourages us by sending care packages before a test, a Starbucks card before finals, or emails of support through the week. She always makes coming home a special occasion, and has a home-cooked meal waiting for us.
Though this impact may have begun with us, it has influenced the lives of neighbors, friends, and those she’s never laid eyes on. Sacrifice is something that she does continually, from management of her company to giving of herself for her family to continually volunteering in the community. She has taken on tasks with PTA, AP Boosters President, Band Boosters President, HOA board member, church leader and more. Things she does not for herself but for others.
In addition to a homemaker, she also owns her own business, Eclectic-Maison Designs. She loves her work, whether it’s selecting drapes or knocking down walls while renovating a kitchen into something greater. Somehow she manages to have a successful business and family. She works hard because she loves it. She understands the importance of work ethic and the empowerment of financial independence as a woman. But at the same time she shows us that respecting her husband is just as important. They are a true example of a real team. She has shown us that time has no power over priorities. She continually stresses to us the importance of faith and family over all else.
We know that even if all these things disappeared, she would still be a giving woman who would only ask of us one thing: to love and honor God with our lives. We would like her to know that her work of leading us into a relationship with Christ has been appreciated. She, along with our dad, has instilled in us a deep appreciation for what we have as a blessing from God. Mom, we acknowledge that we would not be who we are today without you. These few words cannot encompass half of what you mean to us, but we know that we you are the greatest definition of a mother to us.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author: Craig Miller, Carlee Miller and Blake Miller
Mom: Cindy Miller
Southlake Style should give a treat to my mom.
At my games, she cheers with her pom-poms.
And at night, she teaches me the Psalms.
When I am hurt, she keeps me calm.
She uses all her extra money to buy me treats.
She helps me read and is so sweet.
Taking us to baseball, football, softball, dance and basketball, she can’t be beat.
Giving toys, books and clothes to the poor, my mom is so neat.
Helping me with my homework, she deserves a treat.
Raising money for the school spirit shop last year, she still had time to fix us a meal to eat.
My mom teaches us how to get through life with God. When she was 26, the police came in the middle of the night.
Her cop husband had died so things seemed like it would never be right.
Her life seemed over at age 26. What plight.
After losing and a baby and even though she was sad, she went back to teaching high school.
Teaching kids was her golden rule.
She donated a Jaws of Life to the city.
Hoping to help other accident victims and get over her pity.
Since her husband was a fitness nut, she donated a weight room to a police station so new.
Giving back was what she felt she had to do.
To pay for gravestones and medical bills, she created a police widow fund despite her strife.
Finding another good guy, she married my dad and took a second chance at life.
My mom has that loving magic touch.
Always putting others first no matter what. She is too much.
Reaching out to others with a helping hand, a listening ear and a smile.
Her friends love her because compassion never goes out of style.
My mom reaches out to her community with spirit and finesse.
Volunteering at school and church, always saying yes.
Sending shoeboxes to other countries, her heart and soul are so good. She never rests.
Collecting stuffed animals for the police to give to children in need.
In a church card ministry, she writes to others that need some prayer. She inspires indeed.
Her positive outlook aided her through her strife.
Finding another mate, she took a second chance at love and life.