Carmen; "Victorious Mom"

Meet Carmen Casto

 

     I met Carmen in October of 2013, when our husbands, who work together, took us to an Ohio State football game. As we spent several hours cheering on our team, in the end, they were VICTORIOUS! On that day, I realized I had met a mom who truly inspired me. She explained how her life had completely changed in the last year when she returned to work after being a stay-at-home mom for so long.

     She is married and the mother of three children, ages 14, 13, and 11. She told me the most enjoyable thing about being a mom is watching her children grow into compassionate, caring and loving young people. She also stated the most challenging thing is balancing a career and being a mom.
     When I decided to start this blog, she was one of the first Moms that came to mind to share her story with other Moms.
 

Here is Carmen’s story about returning to work after being a stay-at-home mom and learning that her children, her husband and herself will win, in the end!

 I married my high school sweetheart, Aaron in 1997. We had our first child, Aly in 1999; our son Garrett in 2001; and our third child, daughter Annalese in 2002.  Yes, three babies in four years.  Aaron was building his career and worked seven days a week and very long hours.  I had no choice but to stay at home with our small children. It was an extreme blessing to have this time with my children but it also meant putting my own career on hold.  For eleven years, I was a stay-at-home mom. I truly loved being home with my kids but I worried that if anything happened to my husband, I wouldn’t have the means to take care of my children on my own.  So one year ago, I decided to take on a full-time clinical manager position. Although I knew going into it, that it would require a lot of time away from home but my thoughts were that the kids are a little older, so this can't be that hard or could it?

     The question I continued to ask myself was, "How do I give 100% to a career and continue to give 100% to my family?" That has been my biggest challenge since returning to the work. If I am being completely honest to all of you other moms who might be thinking the same thing, I have yet to master that.  When work is going well, I feel like a failure at home.

      Returning to work has not only has been a transition for myself, but for my husband and our children.  The kids were able to call me anytime with something as simple as, “Hey mom, I forgot my lunch, can you bring it to school?"  When I was a stay-at-home mom, that was a simple task, but now that I am working full time, my reply is, “Sorry, I guess you will buy the school lunch.” For my husband, he had to learn his supper was not going to be on the table when he walked in the door.  The house was definitely not picked up like it had been in the past. I asked myself, "Who has time for all of this?"
     Over this last year, everyone in our family has learned to do their part.  My children have become very independent and my husband has learned to cook quite well.
     However, I still have days of extreme guilt.  When the kids are sick and I am unable to stay at home and nurse them back to health, it is extremely hard adjusting to that. Some days, I am so exhausted that I just want some ‘me’ time. It really is a balancing act!
     Somehow it has all worked out over this past last year and will only continue to get better.  My family works well as a team.  I am also lucky to have an amazing family support system that helps when needed.  I definitely would not be successful without each person that I have on my team and for that ... Team Casto will be VICTORIOUS!

"Being a Mom and so much more!"

It All Starts Here ... THIS MOM CAN (TMC)

Welcome Moms to...THIS MOM CAN (CELEBRATE. INSPIRE. ENCOURAGE.)

The first blog and I have to be honest, I have no idea what I am doing so this should be fun! 
   
    For me, being a mom is the most rewarding job I have ever been blessed with.  Being there to watch each stage of my children's lives is amazing, fun and also challenging but let's be honest, there is no magic wand for being the perfect mom.  We all make mistakes in parenting but what makes us better moms is how we teach our children to not make the same mistakes as they grow up.
    My motto...Life is full of ups and downs; it is how I handle each one that makes me a better person.  It makes me a better mom!

Here is my story... of ups and downs and finding my passion later in life.

    Let's start when I was the age of 20, I lost my younger brother in a tragic automobile accident when he was just 17 years of age. He was on his way to meet me and the last words I ever heard him say, "I have to finish my hair, get dressed and I will see you in twenty minutes."  I never got to see or talk to him again. The grief is something that even after 22 years I continue to deal with.
    I married in 1997, had my son in 2000 and my daughter in 2003 and they truly are my motivation every day. They inspire me to wake up each day and make the world better for them to grow up in.  Being a mother in my own words is, "The day your child is born, you surrender a piece of your heart to them and are changed forever."  The biggest "up" in my life is having a family of my own. I told myself I was going to be the best mother I could be and raise these children to be loving and caring adults, this was my passion in life, or was it?  I am encouraged by moms who tell me she is a full time mom and is extremely satisfied with that role.
    I left a 13 year challenging career due to the downsizing of the company I worked for. It was terrifying to think I was going to have to start something new after doing the same thing for so long.  I had several discussions with my husband and told him I was determined to see what else was out there in the world for me.  Leaving the job was a blessing though, I was able to spend the last year of my father's life with him by his side. 
     After my Dad passed away, I took the time as an opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom for 2 years but there was something missing. Something that I needed to be completely fulfilled. So, what now?  Start a new career?
    I thought I would try and be great at something completely out of my comfort zone. I took and passed one of the hardest test I have ever taken and starting selling life insurance. My sister that I was crazy! But I wanted to help people and thought I found my passion again.  I loved working with families and businesses, helping them protect what mattered most in their lives. Educating people on something they may have known very little about was rewarding but what I will always take away from it was the amazing people I met along the way.  My insurance work ended abruptly when the company I worked for didn't have the things I believe most in ... CORE VALUES and HONESTLY!
     My passion was crushed. I am still a terrific mother but the piece of me that craves a passion along with being a mom was missing. I didn't know where to start to find it, once again.
     After doing some mind, body and soul searching, I realized I am a mom first and foremost but my passion was out there just waiting for me to find! I decided this year was my defining moment to change the way I felt about myself.  In February of this year, I decided I to start a life change; first with getting healthy since I had been overweight from the time I had my children and a good friend of mine had lost over 150 pounds and she INSPIRE me to do something for myself!  I started in February with the 24 Day Challenge with AdvoCare and lost 22 pounds and 18 inches! I felt amazing but more then anything I find I was unstoppable in finding my passion! 
    But what could I do that would bring me the passion I was looking for? I have volunteered for years for several non-profit organizations because of the way I feel when I give back and help others. I thought why can't I do something that could help other people, something simple like encouraging, inspiring and celebrating someone who may need to find their own passion.  
    It was there all along...my PASSION!  Helping others is what makes me passionate! Could it be that simple? For me, it is. I didn't know anything about how to start or what to do first.  I contacted my lifelong best friend and told her of my idea. What she said will remain with me forever, "This is the best idea you have ever come up with (and God knows, you come up with tons of them) and this is your destiny!" 
     She helped me create the logo and I taught myself how to create a website and a blog. My very first blog, my very first accomplishment.
     So, I decided to search the world for other moms who have the same passion as I do to share our amazing stories and achievements.
    This is the exciting new beginning of...THIS MOM CAN!