Main Street Moms on the Move ~ December 2016
By Rachel Hoeing
We love running this feature each month on our website. Today we introduce you to two local moms in our community. We hope you enjoy getting to know them and finding out more about them. If you have a mom to nominate for the future, email Rachel@triadmomsonmain.com. To see previous “Main Street Moms on the Move” blogs, click here!
Meet Rae and Jennifer …
Rae Bush
Out team at TMoM has had a long relationship with Rae, as she works in corporate marketing for Wake Forest Baptist Health. Brenner Children’s is part of that system, and they have been a loyal sponsor of our website since our launch. Rae is responsible for advertising, and communicating to the public and referring physicians about all the amazing work experts do at WFBH each day.
Rae is a NC native who has now lived in the Triad for 19 years. She and her husband Kenneth have two children, Reid (7) and Kate (5). Rae loves photography, running, and classes at the gym. She also enjoys baking, but limits that because she says she can only spend so many hours at the gym. J Her family enjoys hiking at the state parks, seeing productions at the children’s theater, and attending Wake Forest football/basketball games.
With the stress moms seem to put on themselves, Rae has ultimately learned to take a more “relaxed” approach to motherhood by trying to focus on giving her best effort, being kind to herself and others, and being respectful. She encourages her kids to do the same. She tries to enjoy all of motherhood because she knows time flies by too quickly!
Rae admits that her job can be tough, as many times people come to her at a low point – they have just been diagnosed with a serious illness and are often times scared. But she says she is humbled by the way the staff at WFBH works to make people well and comfort them in a stressful time. Working for a health system reminds her daily that she has an enormous amount to be grateful for and every day counts. “Expect Nothing, Appreciate Everything” is a sign she has in her office that reminds her that life is short and you should be grateful for every day you are given.
Jennifer Grinwis
Many jobs fill the days of Summerfield resident, Jennifer Grinwis. She is wife to Jon, mother of 2 boys and 2 girls (Reece-13, Georgia-11, Lyla-7, Grady-4), business owner and instructor at Nan’s School of Dance, and a homeschooler. On any given day plumber, electrician, janitor, counselor, nurse, or construction worker could be added to that list. Such is the life of a mom and business owner. Every day looks different, and that’s how she likes it.
Not one to sit still, Jennifer spends mornings teaching her 4 kids one-room-schoolhouse-style. On Tuesdays, they all participate in Oak Ridge Classical Conversations, a Christian homeschool group. While there, Jennifer teaches a class of 7 subjects in the morning, and then she teaches English grammar to more kids in the afternoon. Every evening, you’ll find her in the studio at Nan’s School of Dance teaching ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, tumbling, or hip hop to ages 3 – 18 years. She grew up in the studio her mom, Nan, began in 1975. Dancing is in her blood, but her favorite part about it is that you can always learn something new and improve at your art.
Jennifer’s school days were spent here locally at Summerfield Elementary and Northwest Guilford High School. You might remember her as Jennifer Eaton. Being active in the community remains important as a model for her kids to follow. Watch for her newest brainchild: dance tights that give a portion of the profits to charity in order to “shift the spotlight” to the needs of others. Coming soon!
It’s a hectic season of life, but she knows these are the days to savor.
