Where are you from and how long have you lived in town? What brought you to the area?
Hi, I’m Kim! I was born and raised in Louisiana. I met my husband, who is from Indiana, in his last year of grad school at LSU. Soon after getting married we found ourselves on a journey through North Carolina and ending up in the Midwest. My husbands job brought us to Libertyville, IL in 2011.
Do you have child(ren)? Age(s)
We have a 6 year old daughter, Paige and a 3 year old son, Wes and expecting our third baby this June!
What are your favorite things to do in the area with and without your kids? Family friendly restaurant? Date night?
We love to spend time outdoors with our kids. You will likely see us on our bikes cruising around Libertyville, sledding on local hills, and hiking in all of the great forest preserves at different times throughout the year. We love to visit all the different parks in the area and we are regulars to our awesome Cook Park Library. We have enjoyed lots of family time at the local Six Flags over the past 2 years. I have ventured into gardening with our kids and that has been a fun learning experience for us all as we figure out how to get things from seed to table. We frequent the Centre Club for workouts as well as lots of family fun in the pool.
On the weekends you may spot us at Wildberry for a delicious breakfast. We can’t turn down an opportunity for a good slice of Lou Malnalti’s deep dish Chicago style pizza or a yummy Portillo’s Italian beef sandwich.
My husband and I love being outdoors whether playing golf, biking, hiking, or occasionally attending a sporting event.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor or in the corporate world?
I am currently a stay-at-home mom. In these crazy times and in the middle of a pandemic I figured what better time than to start helping patients again? Therefore, I recently started working PRN for a local Home Health agency where I have enjoyed helping get patients back to living a pain-free life. I am also excited about the opportunity to help build and grow Libertyville Area Moms and showcase so many amazing places in and around our town!
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
Libertyville is where we started our family and has quickly become our home. It will always hold a special place in our hearts. I have very much enjoyed getting to experience the 4 seasons especially with our kids. Moving to an area where you don’t know a soul can be quite taxing. However, that was eased with the great staff at Illinois Bone and Joint, where I worked in Physical Therapy for several years prior to starting our family. As a stay-at-home mom, life can be isolating at times. Since having our daughter in 2014 I quickly found the amazing mom and baby group at Condell Hospital which shaped the mother that I am today. The Libertyville Cooperative Nursery School (LCNS) has been a wonderful foundation for friendships and education in the early years for our children and family, it has a wonderful sense of community.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Since moving to Illinois I have a love for snow, however, like several others, wishing winter could be over with come February.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from another Mom?
Always make sure you’re children know you love them. In good times and in bad. Life is too short.
Another one that always sticks with me is “You do you.” No one is the same, no family is the same, no two kids are the same. Always trust your gut. I have to remind myself of this at times when I am questioning myself or comparing myself to another person or family or even comparing my own two children.
What are your favorite places to travel near and far and why?
As a family we have enjoyed traveling to several state and National Parks for hiking as well as camping. We enjoy spending time with my in-laws in Indiana and at their lake house throughout the warmer months as well as my parents in Houston, TX.
What is your favorite thing about the Libertyville Area Moms Network?
I frequent the Libertyville Area Moms for all the weekend round ups and a one stop shop for summer camps in the summer. Thank you for making life easier! I’m happy to be part of it’s growth as the first one added to the LAM Team!
What is next for you?
As we await the arrival of our third baby in June and make our transition to being a family of 5, we will continue to enjoy family time and the beautiful spring weather ahead.