JAK CHAT

Meet Lisa As a seasoned mom and a business owner that caters and interacts with other moms, it never ceases to amaze me the amazing women I run across.  With the new Sarah Jessica Parker movie "I Don't Know How She Does It" , it got me thinking, JAK should introduce you to some local super moms, and give them a platform to "chat" about themselves and what's on their mind.  Read More.... Hi! My name is Lisa Wadin and I am an at home wife and mother of two daughters, in 7th and 4th grade, here in the wonderful village of Bristol. One of the many hats I wear is that of our grade school's PTA President. This Saturday afternoon we are having our annual walk-a-thon to raise the funds we need for our children for the year, and it got me to thinking about all the wonderful people we have had donate things and volunteer their time and those who don't think they have time to donate. We have two main "quotes" with our PTA. One is "every child. ...

Please DON'T Put Your Kids First There are so many national awareness days, weeks, and months it could make your head spin.  I suppose it's a good thing that you designate a time frame to focus on, promote, encourage practicing, whatever it may be.  But there is one thing you would think "instinctively" parents would consider, prioritize and put into practice every living, breathing, conscious moment of their lives... and that is the safety and well-being of their children (babies on up)! September is National Baby Safety Month. Did you know that?  Apparently, these two presumed parents didn't... Read More... It really could have happened anywhere in our area, I just happened to be driving in downtown Racine, and the events happened back to back, within a couple of blocks of each other.  Both just made my blood boil.  I couldn't believe what I had just witnessed. Yeah, I know, the design of strollers puts the baby out in front of the pushing party.  You can...

I'll Have An Order of Whine, Please Just Add Kids welcomes Toby Mueller, a Raymond dad, as JAK's guest blogger I was out a local store this past week with my youngest daughter. My oldest has just started school so I was enjoying the 50% reduction in my tolerance and alertness for certain attitudes when both of the girls are together. It is much eaisier to contain one rather than two. My daughter was being quite loud and talkative for such an early hour (it was about 8:30) and clerk at the checkout noticed. Now, I do not know this person or what type of parent she is, but she made a comment that made me think. A lot! Read More.. .I said to my daughter, with clerk overhearing, something like, "Wow, for getting up just a short time ago, you are really loud." The clerk then said, "My kids were like that too and I don't miss that at all." Now, at first, that may not seem like a big deal. But, if you are honest with yourself and think about it, it is a big dea...

Gray Days Remembering it, like it was yesterday. Yes, I am talking about September 11, 2001. It was a beautiful clear crisp Tuesday morning.  I was getting ready for work.  In the bathroom.  Listening to the radio. The news at the top of the hour (8am) reports that a plane (probably a small passenger plane) crashed into the World Trade Center tower in New York. Curious, I walked into the living room, to see if they had anything about it on the Today Show, which was on the TV.  I watched then as the second plane hit the other tower. The events of the day endlessly seemed to unfold, and the knees beneath me, continued to weaken.  I will never forget the feelings of uncertainty and insecurity.  Me...pregnant with my third child. Read More... My husband was making his daily trek,  dropping off our 1st grader and pre-schooler at their school.  The anticipation of him walking in the door seemed to last forever. I needed him to join me, standing there in awe in front of the TV.  Frozen...w...

Looking BACK to School  Another first day of school under my belt.  In fact it is my 10th anniversary of  the "First Day of School".  I have four kids.  They are all school aged ranging from 2nd grade through 11th grade. Last year was pretty eventful for half of my kids. We had moved my younger two kids from their previous private Christian school, to what I know now to be, an excellent public elementary magnet school. More than anything, they were thrilled to ride the school bus.  I, admittedly too, was (thrilled).  This year, back to the bus stop, back to the routine.  Easy transition. The big transition this school year, has fallen into the laps of my teen girls, my high schooler's. Read More... This year, now it's their turn to "go public".   Public school,  that is.  Now this isn't intended to be a private vs. public school commentary.  It is what it is.  As I said, this is my eleventh school year as a mom.  I have a freshman daughter who chose to g...