Sandy is one of the driving forces behind the launch of Campbell MOPS in Spring of 2009!
Sandy has been married to Alec for 23 years and is mom to 12-year old twins, Becky and Ryan. Yes, she is smack in the middle of the middle-school experience! "We have learned about lockers, changing classes, carrying really heavy textbooks, dealing with bullies, and making great friends. Becky enjoys school and is in Honor Chorus, Color Guard, Girl Scouts, and National Charity League. She also teaches the toddler children's church "Wee Worship" at church. Ryan is in Cross Country and Boy Scouts. He races to do his homework as quickly as possible so he can play his favorite video games."
Sandy spent 6 years as a working mom before becoming a stay-at-home mom! She began her career at HP for 15 years and then at a Linux start-up for 4 years. She spent most of that time as a software project/program manager. The twins were just starting 1st grade when she called her husband (who was visiting his dad in San Diego) and said, “This isn’t working!” So they decided she could try the “stay-at-home” experience for a few years. It’s worked out great. Sandy keeps busy by helping in the schools (Junior Achievement, Noon League program, School Site Council, etc.), running Becky’s Girl Scout troop as well as being the GS Troop Development Manager for the district, teaching courses at the Cityteam shelter, and helping with church programs (Women’s Ministry Team, MOPS, Stephen Ministry).
What was your most embarrassing moment? "When some mysterious little brown balls appeared in the McDonald’s play tubes and we realized our son had a leaky diaper. The Hazmat team was called in, the place shut down with yellow 'caution' tape, and an overworked employee appeared with a bucket and thick yellow gloves to solve the issue."
Best thing about being a working mom? "When I was a working mom, I enjoyed bringing my kids into work. I also really enjoyed my job (most of the time!) and got a lot of satisfaction from it."
Best thing about being stay-at-home mom? "I like the variety of what I do and being able to spend extra time with the kids on projects and homework. For example, Becky is going to lead a new 2nd grade Brownie troop this year with a girlfriend. I’ve been able to spend a lot of time with them, basically helping them become good leaders. And Ryan and I spent two weeks just re-working his room into a 'middle-schooler' room. It was important quality time and he learned a lot about painting and organization."
Best piece of advice for moms of toddlers? This too shall pass! But honestly, the teen years terrify me as we approach them because I remember what I was like. But a lady told me awhile back that the teens were her favorite stage. 'They’re sooooo creative!”' Ok. I think I’ll look at it that way."
Favorite way to be spoiled? "A Bed & Breakfast getaway with my hubby."
Sandy grew up here in the bay area. She went to school in Cupertino and then college at De Anza and UC Davis. Home life was fine. "We were a “normal” family with three kids and the normal type of interesting events that were happening back in the 70s and 80s."
Who are the three most important women in your life right now? "You know, I don’t see it that way. I see it more in groups. I’d have to say that the women in my family are very important to me: my mom and my two sisters. And I’d also have to say that my church women friends are critical to me. We journey together."
After a great session with our Wednesday moms in December, Teresa is coming back to share her insights on Anger Management with our Saturday moms.
