By Katie Moosbrugger
Welcome back to a new Moms on the Move feature! We say all the time that one of the best perks of running Triad Moms on Main is the opportunity it gives us to meet fantastic moms all over the Triad. And today I am excited to introduce you Meka, Angel and Laura – three lovely ladies who I’ve had the honor to meet because of some type of TMoM connection. I hope you enjoy their stories as much as I did.
If you have a mom you would like to nominate for a future Mom on the Move profile, email me at Katie@TriadMomsOnMain.com. We are always looking to meet more amazing women.
Meka Harrell
For the past nine months, Meka has been raising her four children (ElleMari, 8; Maveric, 4; Jagger, 2; and Axel, 4 months) by herself while her husband, JoColby has been actively deployed in Jordan. She and her kids eagerly await his arrival back home this coming November – a homecoming that will not only be exciting and emotional – but will also mark the first time Axel will meet his father.
“I never really realized how much of a team we were before JoColby left,” she said. “It’s so hard going from a married wife of three kids, to a single mom of four in a matter of months.” Similarly, the kids went from having both parents at home all the time to learning how to adjust without a dad. Thankfully, Meka says she and her family stay in touch with JoColby through Facetime (although he is seven hours ahead of them) and through “Daddy mail” and care packages. Additionally, JoColby’s parents have been incredibly supportive. “I am so grateful they are both retired and are able to be involved in the kids’ lives. They absolutely love their role as Nana and Papa.”
Bravely and selflessly, JoColby can “turn the switch off” when it comes to deployments, but Meka says it’s been equally hard on him having to watch the kids grow up over the phone. “I know he wishes he could have been here for the birth of Axel as well as smaller events like swimming lessons, soccer practices, etc.”
In addition to being a full time mom, Meka is a Customer Care Manager for American Airlines. She also maintains a blog Hanging with the Harrells where she shares product reviews, DIY ideas, travel tips and her everyday life with readers. “People tell me all the time that I make life look easy (whatever that means), so I took a leap of faith and decided to share my crazy adventures!” (Click HERE to read Meka’s guest post on TMoM).
Angel Putman
Despite a tough upbringing, Angel treasurers childhood and all the joys, wonder and magic it can bring. As the proud owner of Pigtails & Crewcuts in Greensboro, Angel was inspired to create a place “where every kid could walk into my doors and always feel welcomed, no different than anyone else and always a VIP where everyone knows them by name.” This inspiration was born out of a childhood where Angel grew up in multiple foster homes, group homes, and even lived on the street at one time. “The people who treated me like every other child, who smiled at me though I was covered in dirt, who made me feel no different than anyone else despite my background – are those who I remember the most.”
Pigtails & Crewcuts salons offer enjoyable, stress-free haircutting experiences for the whole family. In addition to hair services, they also offer a custom line of kid-centric hair products and private parties. Walk-ins are always welcome, but appointments are recommended. (Click HERE to read the TMoM feature about Pigtails & Crewcuts).
“Seeing the smiles on kids’ faces, the joy in their eyes, hearing their giggles, and best of all – sharing their hugs and their fun – is the greatest reward with running Pigtails & Crewcuts,” she says. “They are why I will always strive to be the best children’s salon/boutique in the Triad!”
Angel and her husband Robert have three children: Tielyn (12), Jailyn (6), and Dyllin (5). When not with her family, Angel can be found in her store having fun with her customers while managing the day-to-day operations. She is also an active donator with Backpack Beginnings, multiple elementary schools and churches, and Family Services of the Piedmont. “Children are truly the future, and any way to better that future for them is something I always try to be involved with.”
Laura Simon
Laura is a recent transplant to the Triad (originally from Cincinnati), and is also one of the newer team members to Triad Moms on Main! Laura originally stumbled upon TMoM while looking for local resources, particularly information on homeschooling. One thing led to another, and now Laura is a regular blogger for TMoM and shares lots of helpful information on homeschooling for our readers. Prior to moving here, Laura wrote for Cincinnati Mom Blogs and was also once a middle and high school English and speech teacher for 14 years. We are thrilled to have her on our team, and excited for you to learn more about her! (Click HERE to see her TMoM blogs).
Laura and her husband James have three children (Eli, 7; Caleb, 5; and Violet, 2) all of whom – not surprisingly – she homeschools every day! Laura was homeschooled, herself, for four years (“back when it was almost a scandalous thing to do”), so the transition seemed natural for her own family. Although Laura is a big fan of public schools (where she taught) she enjoys the opportunity to have extra time with her kids, give them more unstructured time, and allow herself more attention to their education.
As a busy mom who juggles a lot of things, Laura says she constantly has to remind herself to stop, breathe and stay in the moment. “I also have to tell myself to let go of perfection because it just isn’t attainable. I’m really blessed to be at home with my babies and still have a career. I constantly remind myself of that when the pressure is rising.”
When not busy mothering, teaching or writing, Laura carves out time to volunteer with the children’s ministry at her church and is excited to do more in her new community. “Community really matters here in the Triad, and we are lucky to find this in our church, our neighborhood, our homeschool co-op, and even with our local swim team!”
