Main Street Moms on the Move ~ April 2013

We have an abundance of women right here in the Triad who are doing wonderful things for our community. A large percentage of those women are moms. We love to feature and honor them on our website.

To read about the women we have featured previously, click on “Just for Moms” at the top of the website and you will see our “Moms on the Move” category, which features incredible women from all over the Triad. in addition, if you have some one you would like to nominate as a Mom on the Move, email Rachel@triadmomsonmain.com.

Today, we introduce you to Debbie, London, Debra and Chasidy  …

Debbie Wilkins

Debbie is definitely a mom on the move! As a recently widowed mother of 4 boys (ages 9, 7, and twins that are 5), life can be quite the juggling act. Her husband, Aaron, tragically passed away this past August. As she adjusts to her new normal, she relies heavily on the Lord for strength, wisdom and comfort.

Debbie is a certified Metabolic Effect personal trainer and group instructor who delivers convenience and results in quick, effective workouts. 20 minutes of her resistance training sessions bring 24 hours of burning fat. Debbie teaches that regular exercise and proper nutrition as a lifestyle can bring about a positive attitude, stamina for the day, improved well-being and a toned physique. She writes in a down-to-earth style about fitness and nutrition on her blog www.fittinginfitnessandnutrition.blogspot.com.

Debbie is also a co-founder of Momsanity (www.projectmomsanity.com) (www.facebook.com/Momsanity), a community of moms striving to achieve balance through physical, emotional and spiritual wellness. Their goal is to help moms everywhere achieve more “sanity” in their busy lives with applicable tips, resources and tools on motherhood, faith, fitness and nutrition. In her “spare” time, Debbie is a volunteer group instructor at River Oaks Community Church’s new exercise program, ROCC Fit, which incorporates prayer and Bible devotions with exercise each week.

London Pickett

London and her husband Skip have two boys, Banks (14) and Allen (16). London was born and raised in the Triad, and has enjoyed raising her children here as well.  When she was in her early twenties, she was diagnosed with an eye disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa, and at that time she was already legally blind.

Now at age 52 she is blind in her left eye and has about ten percent vision in her right eye. She claims that the hardest thing about being a blind mom is not being able to drive. They do lot of carpooling and her husband is self employed so he is able to do a lot of the driving. Luckily, now her son Allen can drive too!

London and her dog, Buster, have been a team for over two years, and London has written a book which shares experiences they have had together. “Adventures with Buster” is a children’s book that entertains and educates readers about guide dogs and blindness. Right now “Adventures with Buster” is available at guidedogsstore.org andpetpraiseproducts.com. London is working with Barnes & Noble to stock her title in their distribution network.  Southeastern Guide Dogs benefit from all purchases.

Fortunately being blind has not presented any obstacles to being an author. London has learned a lot in the process of writing and publishing this book. Her second book, “Vacations with Buster” is coming soon!

Debra Hoeing

Debra grew up in the small town of Mocksville, and now lives in Winston-Salem with her husband, Steve, and three daughters Nollie, Josie, and Haddie. Debra is a wonderful stay at home mother, always providing love, comfort, and fun. She adores being a mother to her daughters, all three years old and under, and gained inspiration from them to find a profession that would allow her to stay at home with them while pursuing another passion.

After getting her crafty hands on a brand new sewing machine, Debra realized she could take the creativity she has always had and design adorable clothing for her girls. After sharing her handmade Easter dresses with friends and family, she realized she could start up her own little business and spread the cuteness around! With less than a month of promoting her work, Debra has already received many special orders. To her delight, she realized this could be the calling that she had been searching for.

Debra is expanding on her love for sewing, learning something new with every request. She specializes in baby wraps and outfits for little girls, but is quickly seeing the demand for more. Through the ease of social media, her quality and uniqueness of work has garnered requests for little boy outfits, purses, diaper bags and more.

It’s safe to say that Debra Hoeing is officially a “work at home mom” now, and that she is rapidly making a name for herself in a huge way. If you have small children in your life that you love and want to dress in uniquely handmade outfits, be sure to check out Marshmallow Made on Facebook. You won’t be able to resist her precious designs!

Chasidy Chavis

Chasidy is a busy mom of three who resides in Greensboro. She and her husband, Cedrick, have 7 year old twins, Jayden and Makayla, and a one year old daughter, Adalynn. Chasidy often volunteers at the elementary school the twins attend, and in her “free time” she babysits children for a couple of families in the Triad.

Chasidy always dreamed of becoming a mom, and her dreams certainly did come true. However, motherhood has come with its share of challenges. Her twins were born at 25 weeks gestation and spent a considerable amount of time in the NICU at Brenner Children’s Hospital. Makayla, twin “B,” was born with a class IV (worst possible) brain hemorrhage, and spent close to 6 months in NICU. In addition, she has Cerebral Palsy and is currently recovering from brain surgery due to ventriculoperitoneal shunt malfunction.

Both twins have spent countless hours in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy over the years, and Chasidy is their biggest advocate. She is absolutely devoted to making sure they have all the tools they need to succeed. Because of this, some of the Chavis’ friends are trying to help raise money for the family, so they can focus on being with their daughter and spending time with her as she recovers from surgery. A GoFundMe site has been established here, and an online Facebook auction is being put together through Bows N More Bowtique here. We appreciate any help you can give toward this family to help them during Makayla’s recovery.

Thanks to everyone who nominated these amazing women to profile on our website today. We thank these moms for sharing a little bit about yourselves with us! Email Rachel@triadmomsonmain.com to nominate someone!

* Chasidy’s photo taken by Vada Dicey Photography