Meet A Mom: Jena | Libertyville Area Moms

Where are you from and how long have you lived in town? What brought you to the area?

 

I grew up in Arlington Heights, IL, and have lived in Wildwood (unincorporated Grayslake) for 15 years.  My family spends a lot of time in Libertyville—our church, Grace Lutheran, is here.  And I work at The David Adler Center here in town.

 

Do you have child(ren)? Age(s)

 

My husband Jim and I have three daughters—Elizabeth (11), Katherine (9) and Abigail (7).


Photo Credit: LifeTouch Studios

What are your favorite things to do in the area with and without your kids? Family friendly restaurant? Date night?

We love the community events in Libertyville.  We usually walk in the Libertyville Days parade with either our church or The Adler Center and then enjoy the fair.  And I love that I can be part of The Festival of the Arts (Aug 3 & 4 in Cook Park) through The Adler Center.  It is such a great community event—art,music, food–and this year a beer garden!—that is also a fundraiser for The Adler Center. The community can get in on the art action this year with the community mural project, too!  I’m so excited for it this year!

 

Photo Credit: LifeTouch Studios

Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor or in the corporate world? Please share!

I work at The David Adler Center, a not for profit art and music cultural center here in Libertyville.  I’m on the admin team and I am the Facility Rental Coordinator.  I also volunteer with the Youth Ministries at our church, Grace Lutheran, have been on the board for the Church’s preschool, Growing with Grace, for the past 6 years. I lead two Girl Scout Troops and volunteer at our girls’ school, Prairie Crossing Charter School–an environmental public charter school in Grayslake.

 

How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?

 

Being a part of The David Adler Center has helped me keep creativity in my life while also giving me the time to be a mom.  Working for a company that is so welcoming to moms and women has been such an affirming experience.  The team here is made up of some of the strongest, most creative women I’ve met who truly build each other up.


What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

All of our pets are rescues—we have one dog, 7 chickens and 2 frogs. And while I’m a suburban girl, I am most at home on a hiking trail with my family.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from another Mom?

“We are all faking it.  None of us know what we are doing.”  It gave me permission to not be perfect and be ok with that.

 

What is next for you?

Summer!  Any mom can tell you that is a busy time of year for families!  On top of family activities, I’ll stay busy with The Festival of the Arts and Camp Adler at The David Adler Center.  My family will go hiking for our vacation and we intend to spend as much time as possible outside.

*This post was sponsored by the David Alder Music and Arts Center

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