LightFull Lady–Jenee Taylor
We’d like to introduce you to Jenee Taylor, this month’s LightFull Lady who spends her days juggling the family business, an active son and lots of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation volunteer time.
Q. We all are looking for our own perfect balance in our lives, but I recognize that "balance" means something different to everyone. Describe your own perfect balance.
A. Knowing that the people that I love are safe, happy and cared for. Balance is being able to give enough of myself to them without hurting my business or the things that I am involved in and enjoy.
Q. What do you do when you want to reward yourself?
A. I take a book, my iPod and a towel to the beach and spend the day lying in the sand. I still have yet to learn to surf, but when I do, I’ll be doing that all the time.
Q. What is a typical day for you?
A. My day usually starts around 6:30am with getting my son ready for school. After taking him to school, I get most of my errands done. I spend the majority of the day working. Fortunately, I work from home so I am able to take breaks in-between working to do laundry and some misc things around the house. In the late afternoon I usually run work errands and then pick my son up from school. He normally plays with the kids in the neighborhood while I make dinner and his lunch for the following day. After dinner, I normally do something with him and his friends then we do bath, books and bed. When he’s asleep, I clean up the house from the end of the day destruction, usually work for a little longer and then head off to bed usually after midnight.
Q. Family: How many children do you have? What are their activities? Which activities do you make a priority and why?
A. I have one son, Gavin. Gavin is my every dream of what my child would be like. He loves sports, loves the beach, goes non-stop, but at the same time will sit down with me and play a video game or read a book. He’s recently learned to ride his bike without the training wheels, so keeping him home has been quite the chore. To me, it’s most important that Gavin exercise and be as active as possible. It’s very important for Gavin to have as much exercise in his life as possible because he is a Type 1 Diabetic. The more exercise that he has, the healthier he is, but also, the less insulin he needs.
Q. Tell me about your career, and how you got to where you are.
A. I own a plumbing company with my husband. Approximately 10 years ago, I took a full time job as a receptionist at a national plumbing company. Within a few months I had been promoted several times and my new position required me to work hand-in-hand with my now husband. After years of working for someone else, we decided to start our own company. We have been in business for almost 2 years now and are doing very well.
Q. Community: What community service are you/have you been involved in? What inspires you to contribute your time to these charities?
A. I volunteer as much time as I possibly can to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. I became involved with the organization over 3 years ago when Gavin was diagnosed. I have found that it is my true passion in life. The researchers and scientists who are looking for a cure for this disease are nothing short of amazing. When my child was born, he changed my life completely. When he was diagnosed with diabetes my life changed all over again. When I found the JDRF, I knew my life had changed yet again, but it was all going to be okay.
Q. What are your secrets for keeping your energy up and staying positive, focused and balanced in all of the activities that you juggle?
A. I generally find humor in almost everything. I definitely can have my “down times” just like anyone else, but I always try to find a way to laugh in almost any situation. I’ve come to realize that I am 31 years old and live a life that people twice my age have never experienced. I am very blessed in a lot of ways with my family and friends and my amazing little boy. Life’s little bumps in the road make us stronger. They’re not worth getting upset over.
Q. Do you have any tips or tricks that you can share to help fellow busy women stay in balance?
A. - I’ll always say to find the positives. There is at least one in every situation.
- If you’re asking yourself is something is too much for you to handle, it is.
- Remember that every little minute with your child is a gift. I held a friends baby today who fell asleep on my shoulder. Those days were here and gone before I knew it. But I’ll always have the amazing memories.
Q. Describe a time when you felt out of balance. How did you get back on track?
A. There was a period recently when we had what I call “a Murphy’s Law period” at the company. In addition to the problems we were facing at the company I was struggling with keeping Gavin’s blood sugars in range and found out that my father’s heart condition had worsened. It all seemed very overwhelming at the time and I really didn’t think I could handle much more of anything. With the support of my family and friends I got through it all and it worked out okay. I was reminded of how strong I am and put my foot forward on a lot of changes that had to be made including my son’s lifestyle. I learned that just when I feel like I want to quit, that’s when I need to be strong and power through it.
Q. What are your goals for the future?
A. My goals are to add a lot of simplicity to my life. It’s very difficult to be stressed more than not and it can take a toll on you and your body. I really plan on making some more changes so that I can spend some more time on “me”. Also, learning how to surf. :0)
Q. If you could leave the world/your children with one gift, what would it be?
A. If my son could live in this world knowing how hard I always fought for him so that he could be a truly amazing person as an adult and live a happy, successful, diabetes free life, that would be more than enough for me.
