Kristen Muse is our TriangleMom2Mom mom of the week. She was recently ordained as a reverend at Hayes Barton Baptist Church, which is holding their big consignment sale this weekend. I live pretty close to the church and have been a faithful shopper at this sale since it started. I've gotten some really nice stuff here at great prices. Maybe I'll see you there!

Here's Kristen ...

Mom2Mom: Tell us about yourself

Kristen: I am the mom of two children, Bradley (4) and Rylee (2) and the wife of a wonderful husband (Rankin) without whom I don’t know what I would do. We have lived in Raleigh since 2003. For the past six years, I have served as the Minister with Children at Hayes Barton Baptist Church. I was just recently ordained (as a Reverend) by this congregation and it was a wonderful celebration. Becoming ordained was something that I took very seriously and waited until God’s timing was right for this step in my faith and ministry journey. I feel very blessed to be able to have the opportunity to be a part of a child and family’s faith formation. It has been amazing to see preschoolers who are now children making decisions to follow Jesus and children who are now teenagers living out their faith. One of our bi-annual events is the Kidz Stuff Consignment Sale. The sale is just around the corner, March 19-21. This will be a great place to purchase gently-used spring and summer clothes along with toys, furniture, books, and more!

Mom2Mom: What's your favorite family place in the Triangle?

Kristen: I have two favorites: Shelley Lake — I love taking the children to feed the ducks, walk the trails, and play on the playground. It is so nice to be there when the weather is beautiful. Farmer’s Market – I love going on a Saturday morning, eating breakfast together, and then getting some fresh fruit and vegetables. Not to mention all the free samples!

Mom2Mom: What's your favorite place for yourself in the Triangle?

Kristen: YMCA at the Factory – I enjoy those early mornings in the gym preparing for the day ahead.

Mom2Mom: What's your favorite ritual with your kids?

Kristen: The regular ritual of getting ready for bed. I love those evening moments where you unwind from the day. It is nice when the entire family is home. I give the children a bath. Then, we get them dressed, my husband brushes teeth, and then it is time for stories. We love to snuggle up together and read stories, say prayers, and give our bedtime kisses and hugs. I miss it when I am not there for that time. A yearly ritual that I love is that at Christmas time we go to paint pottery together. Each year we think of something that has happened that year to go in the center of the piece that we are painting. My children have their hands/feet on their pieces. As we pull these out for meals, it is a reminder of the journey that our family has been on.

Mom2Mom: What did you eat for dinner last night? Can you share the recipe?

Kristen: Baked spaghetti and cake that my children helped me make. I think everyone knows how to make baked spaghetti and the cake (well it was just a box that everyone got to help put together).

Mom2Mom: What's your guilty pleasure?

Kristen: Just taking some quiet moments for myself. .these moments can consist of going to get a pedicure (with a great massage/scrub) or finding a quiet place at lunch to read the paper.

If you know a mom we should feature, e-mail me.

Check out our other daily themes at TriangleMom2Mom:

MONDAY: Meet!
TUESDAY: Ask!
WEDNESDAY: Eat!
THURSDAY: Play!
FRIDAY: Out!
WEEKEND: Relax!