Tara Cooke is our TriangleMom2Mom mom of the week. She's been very busy fielding e-mails about the massive Kids Exchange consignment sale, which starts up next week. But she took a few free moments to share with us.

Here's Tara ...

Mom2Mom: Tell us about yourself.

Tara: I’ve been married for 11 years and live in Wendell with my husband, John, and our two sons, Taylor, 10, and Tristan, 8, who I homeschool. I volunteer at our church office in Zebulon, Living Water Fellowship, every Thursday and Friday afternoons and also volunteer at the Wendell Library by dressing up as their costume characters.

I first got involved in Kids Exchange as a shopper in 2000. I was immediately hooked and knew that this was a great way for me to buy gently used clothes and other items and also provide a chance for me to sell my own items and make some money. After getting to know the women who ran the sale, I think we immediately clicked and I knew that I wanted to be more involved. I started out being a volunteer and then ended up becoming a staff member. This was really nice since I not only made money selling my own items, but also made money while working at the sale. Kids Exchange has provided me a way to stay at home and homeschool while at the same time do some pre-sale work from home for the sale and also at the sale. I have loved every minute of it and my sons love it when I come home with “new” items for them.

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

Tara: My boys and I love to go to the Museum of Natural Science and the History Museum in Raleigh

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

Tara: Without a doubt, The Homeschool Gathering Place and The Teach Me Store.

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

Tara: Saying our prayers at night, taking walks down nature trails, and letterboxing.

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

Tara: Nothing. Well, maybe some popcorn. Neither of our boys were at home.

Mom2Mom: What's your guilty pleasure?

Tara: Well, I think I have several. I love to make my own cards using my Stampin’Up items, staying up late at night reading and window shopping at any electronics store.

Know a mom we should feature? E-mail me. Read about other local moms by going to www.TriangleMom2Mom.com/meet and checking back here every Monday.