Hey everyone!!! I want to properly introduce myself to you!

 

Name:

Debbie Wilkins, though I usually answer to “Mooommmmmm.”

 

Hometown: 

I basically grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina and now live in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.  I love it here.  It’s a good fit, with family nearby, a wonderful church, fun neighbors, and friends that are amazing.  Would I be willing to relocate to a serene tropical island?  Yesterday!

 

About my family:

My cup runneth over.  In fact, it literally runs over and gets knocked off the table and spills everywhere and makes me become a crazy woman.

 

My husband and I heard “it’s a boy” 4 times in a 4 year time span.  The easiest way to remember their names is PBAndJ; Paul is 9, Brad is 7, and twins Joshua & Andrew are 5.  Going to Wal-Mart is a nightmare.  My rascals delight in violence, destruction, and volume.

 

I became a widow in August, which is still surreal to say.  “The Plan” was to grow old with Aaron and live happily ever after on a sailboat.  My husband died in a tragic accident and the state of shock is still my reality.  I shake my head daily that he is gone.  A wonderful, God-fearing man spent his last day on earth and his first day in heaven on August 7th, though he was not found until August 9th.    He loved (and loves) the Lord, his wife and sons, his family and friends, his school community, and his church.  It does not “make sense” that he passed away so young, but the truth is, we are all going to have our “last day / first day” at some point.

 

While my grief persists and my sons remain fatherless, the 5 of us are learning to lean on the Lord Jesus.  His Word promises to be their defender and their perfect heavenly Daddy.  And He is the lover of my soul.  So we learn to trust Him in a much deeper way as we anticipate our heavenly reunion.  My children have amazed me over the past 8 months.  God’s power is perfected in our weakness.

 

What motivates you?

Money, power and fame.  I’m joking!  Superficially, I’m motivated to get things done so I can just relax….I’m thinking nap, chick flick, sunbathing.  On a deeper level, God gets all the credit.  I ask Him to fill me daily so that I can do His will in His strength.  It has to be Him because I’m a lazy procrastinator who’s easily overwhelmed.

 

Who inspires you?

My mother-in-law, Alice Wilkins.  She loves lavishly and unconditionally.  It is second-nature for her to send fun mail regularly, give special gifts (my last Bingo win scored me a mink shawl!), and make me chocolate martinis.  She even became like a surrogate mom to Paul and Brad when I was on bed rest with the twins for 4 months!

 

What is your favorite Bible verse?

Proverbs 31:25 “she can laugh at the days to come”

God created laughter.  He invented smiles.  He holds the ingredients of joy.  When we are filled with Him, we have no need to worry about the future.  We can enjoy the “now” and giggle as we anticipate all that He has in store for us.

 

What actions do you take daily to know God better and love him more?

I try to start my day with prayer as I shower; something like: “Good morning, Holy Spirit!  Thank you, Lord, for this new day.  Thank you for giving me the ‘mind of Christ’.  Please help me to prepare my mind for action so that I may know You and love You more and make You known.”  Since He is “our daily bread,” I need Him daily and do my best to spend time in prayer and studying His Word each day.  I attend a church and small group as well.

 

Where is your favorite place to visit?

Wal-mart with my kids.   Ha!

I’m a beach girl.  The heat, the breeze, the smell of suntan lotion, the roar of the waves, the tan.  Thankfully it’s only a 4 hour drive to get there!

 

 

 

Favorite type of cardio?

Honestly, “favorite” and “cardio” is a bit of a stretch.  I have gotten out of the habit of good quality cardio after my husband’s passing simply because my time is so limited.  So I lift heavy weights to create the same results that cardio produces.

 

That said, I love walking with friends.  Walking plus catching up on each other’s lives equals multitasking in my book.

 

What is your favorite exercise?

I am going to pick burpees (or squat thrusts).  I feel like I’m distracted and exhilarated and changing my body.

 

What is your least favorite exercise?

Squats, though I know they are fabulous and effective.  I am stronger with my upper body so it takes a lot of self-talk to get motivated to drop it like it’s hot.

 

What is your favorite healthy/clean food?

I have so many that I really like!  I love veggie-packed omelets, knowing I’m starting my day right and getting enough greens in for the day.  But I also look forward to my apple-and-almonds snack each day too.  And salads that anyone-but-me makes are also very yummy (especially with extra cilantro).

 

What is your favorite cheat food?

Bojangle’s chicken supremes, Bojangle’s fries, Dr Pepper, Krispy Kreme donuts and Starbucks mochas.  If that doesn’t make you nauseated, nothing will.

 

What is your favorite song?

I am a techno fanatic.  For those of you who are confused, it’s electronic dance music that makes me so happy.  I listen to it a lot lot lot.  DJ Tiesto is my favorite; YouTube him.

 

If you had a free hour to do spend relaxing what would you do?

I’d sunbathe with techno music in the background.   Light therapy does wonders for my mood.

 

What is your one piece of advice to help Moms achieve balance?

Give up being Supermom.  Stop having unrealistic expectations.  Say no.  Let dust bunnies become part of the family.  We need that grace in unlimited amounts when our inner perfectionist screams in agony.

 

What is one piece of parenting wisdom you would like to share with others?

If you carry in your purse the prescription for birth control but don’t actually get the prescription filled, you will have children 16 months apart.

 

Put your husband first.  Seriously.

 

What do you find most challenging about being a parent?

Obedience.  Inconsistency kicks my butt every time.  Staying calm when things unravel is my kryptonite.   Nuggets of wisdom that I was given are teaching my princes to obey “all the way, right away, and with a happy heart.”  Knowing God is a perfect parent with imperfect children comforts me.

 

What is your motto or favorite saying?

“You can’t control the waves but you can learn to surf.”

 

Life is unpredictable.  Miscarriages, bed rest, single parenting, twins, the list is long.  But God is unchanging.  My goal is to go through the fires without smelling like smoke.