Meet ACMB’s New Contributors!

We are thrilled to introduce you to our newest Alamo City Moms Blog team members! You’ll get to know them more over the next few weeks as they share their first posts with you. Here’s a little insight into the newest San Antonio moms who are joining our team…

Anna

I was born in Houston, but I got to S.A. as fast as I could! I’ve been raising my daughter here for four years. I blog about life with a husband in the oil field, homeschooling, all things organization, my favorite recipes, and photography tips!

What are your favorite things to do in San Antonio? Find new hidden treasures (aka: parks and eateries where I can take my daughter and our pup).

What are your guilty pleasures? Candles, cookie dough, and binging Friends on Netflix.

List a few things you can’t live without. Family, friends, wifi, and coffee!

What would your perfect day entail? A rainy morning when I can wake up early, have coffee, and get some writing done before the kiddos wake up. Then have some friends over and bake brunch for them, head over to Target to buy some new home goods, then pop by the pool with my mini me!

What’s the best thing about being a mom? The constant challenge to become a better version of myself for my kid.

Cristina

Here’s my story, and I’m sticking to it. I was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, a sunny, cultura-rich land where la gente are the majority. As a child I spent my days doodling unicorns and puppies and people and anything that caught my fancy. Drawing was my life, and I dreamed of one day being an artist. After high school, I left town for a bit to attend Yale University but ran back to Texas as soon I’d tossed my graduation cap in the air. I got a “real” job in advertising, where I met my wonderful husband, Victor. In 2005, I got a little brave and decided to step into art full time, for the first time. I spent a year recreating the Mexican Loteria, updating it to reflect the symbols and culture I knew: the “Tex Mex” version. The My Loteria game and corresponding line of kitchenware appeared in H-E-B grocery stores and boutiques around the country, which was pretty cool!

Fast forward a couple years, and Vic and I decided it made perfect sense to move to the middle of nowhere and sell ice in the desert (in Alpine, Texas, where we opened the Murphy St. Raspa Co., an homage to Mexican shaved ice, candy, art and culture). A baby later and with one more on the way, we decided to come back home to San Antonio to be closer to family. I landed my dream job as the Marketing Director of The DoSeum, San Antonio’s Museum for Kids. Life was good. But I knew deep down in my heart of hearts that I needed to give my art another try. And a little more than a year ago, I took that leap and never looked back. So here I am today: a mom to two awesome little girls, a muralist, portrait artist, wife, and social media addict. I built a tiny house art studio in my backyard, dusted off my paintbrush, and began painting again after a two-year dry spell. I recently completed my first large-scale public mural to celebrate the San Antonio missions’ World Heritage designation, and am plotting my next art move as I type. I spend my days painting portraits, planning murals, perusing social media, and being my kids’ scheduler in chief. And you know what? I’m having the time of my life.

What are your favorite things to do in San Antonio? I have no idea how to answer this because I love doing so much here. This city is amazing, and it keeps getting better and better. As of late my favorite activity is walking to the Pearl in the evening or on a weekend morning and enjoying all their FREE summer fun concerts, new splash pad, and bustling farmer’s market. But consistently it’s going for a lazy weekend breakfast at one of our city’s amazing Tex-Mex restaurants with my family, because the Noriegas LIVE for tacos. We especially love Pete’s Tako House because it’s close to our house and 100% legit. We are all big river/park people. Woodlawn, Yanaguana, Mission trails—you name it. Followed by paletas. You can’t ever forget the paletas.

What are your guilty pleasures? Beer. I love it too much and drink too much of it. Especially the wheat, hefe stuff, none of that low calorie junk. I see mom wine memes and can’t relate. But show me a six pack, invite me to Burleson, and I’m so there. I have no other guilty pleasures (wink, wink).

List a few things you can’t live without. My family, art, Willie Nelson, swimming, glamping, beer, my iPhone 7 Plus (new guilty pleasure splurge and portrait mode makes me feel like a real photographer even though I’m totally not).

What would your perfect day entail? Wake up. Load up on coffee and tacos. Grab my already packed bags and head to Blanco State Park or Pedernales or any other fabulous swimming spot. Lounge around and watch my kids have the best time while I do too. Pack up and head to Burleson, my neighborhood beer garden, while the kids play and my husband and I have a cold one while munching on food truck fare.

What’s the best thing about being a mom? The unconditional love they give. And seeing the world through a child’s eyes all over again. It almost feels like a free do-over. But my goodness, it’s SOOOO fleeting. And that breaks my heart.

Danielle

Danielle is a minivan-driving, Rick Ross-listening, wannabe Whole 30-eating mama to three little blessings. Born and raised in Florida, she is a Texan by marriage to Zach, whom she wooed with her passion for college football (go, Gators!). Their oldest is seven and rocking an extra chromosome, while their middle daughter is just extra in all things, like the red glitter tutu she insists on wearing 24/7, and their new baby boy is everything she never knew she always wanted. Danielle recently decided she will be on maternity leave for the next 18 years but continues to enjoy her work as a Speech-Language Pathologist in addition to the SAHM position. She is a passionate advocate for individuals with disabilities and enjoys discussions on chakras, faith, and The Walking Dead.

What are your favorite things to do in San Antonio? Explore! From sitting in Southtown’s newest restaurant to hiking in the Hill Country (that means walking up to wineries), I’m still excited by the fact that there is always something to do for whatever mood, whatever budget, with or without kids.

What are your guilty pleasures? Binge-reading books about weather events, buying the newest food trend from Trader Joe’s, watching cheesy TV shows (currently Hart of Dixie), drinking coconut LaCroix or red wine (fine—any wine, all the wine), sleeping with no less than eight pillows on fresh Costco sheets without any kids or crumbs.

List a few things you can’t live without. One cup of coffee a day, family text threads that make me choke on said coffee, my husband’s reassurance, friends who become family, sometimes leggings, sometimes Soma pajamas that can pass in the daytime, sound machines, my children’s’ giggles, and spontaneous, joyful moments when you least expect them.

What would your perfect day entail? Brunchy, brunchy, brunch, brunch.

What’s the best thing about being a mom? Watching my girls choose to sleep in the same twin bed together nightly, nursing my son for nourishment and comfort, dinner time when they share their feelings and perceptions, knowing I can shape our future by raising loving, kind humans. Also, nap time.

Hazel

Hazel is a San Antonio native, who after high school sought adventure in the mountains of Wyoming. Although she managed to survive the winters, her heart was always in San Antonio. Hazel obtained her graduate degree in banking from the University of Wisconsin and works for a *locally owned financial institution. She is a single mom to six-year-old cyclone Cara, who has a huge personality crammed into a tiny package. Hazel serves on the board of three local nonprofits and is passionate about giving back to the community. She has a deeply held love for tacos and junk food, and drinks coffee until it is socially appropriate to drink wine.

*The opinions expressed online are her own, and do not necessarily reflect those of her financial institution.

What are your favorite things to do in San Antonio? My favorite thing to do in San Antonio is going to the theater with my daughter. She loves exploring downtown San Antonio before or after a show, and the excitement in her eyes as we enter the Majestic, Magik, or Tobin never dulls. It fills my heart with joy.

What are your guilty pleasures? Like many moms, my guilty pleasures are the things I do for myself: the time I take to volunteer, buying the more expensive bottle of wine or purse, or having groceries delivered. I savor them all and feel a little guilty, but quickly get over it.

List a few things you can’t live without. Things I cannot live without: coffee, wine, mascara, tacos—in that order.

What would your perfect day entail? My perfect day involves spending time with those that I love and adding to the adventure I call life. Sleeping for more than five hours a night would be a bonus. Brunch with girlfriends, spending time with my daughter, or attending a local charity or cultural event all sound perfect to me.

What’s the best thing about being a mom? The best thing about being a mom is all of it: the struggle, the laughter, the worrying. It is a package deal, and the hard times make the good times that much more rewarding.

Jennifer

I’m a native Texan/San Antonian who spent a decade in Seattle and has never readjusted to the heat. I spend most days puzzling over my boys’ constant states of hunger and their non-stop wrestling. I live with my three favorite people on the planet: a fuzzy-faced dog that everyone loves (@sarge_the_whoodle on IG), a really ornery cat, and a fire-bellied toad that has defied the natural life expectancy for all toads. In my spare time, I operate a private practice as a marriage and family therapist, with specialties in traumatic grief, couples, and managing depression/anxiety without medication, which is a nice way to make use of my master’s degree in Applied Behavioral Science. I can most often be found on my own back patio with wine and a book, perfecting my status as a world-class procrastinator while ignoring laundry.

Also:
I’m married to my college sweetheart, also a Native Texan; and mom to three boys: two who run and one who soars, ages 13 (deceased), 11 (hungry), and 7 (also hungry).

What are your favorite things to do in San Antonio? Be in the air conditioning. Feel righteous about the superior quality of our city’s tortillas. Spend time with my very fun family.

What are your guilty pleasures? I don’t work on Mondays. Red wine. No-kid breakfasts out with friends.

List a few things you can’t live without. Lists. My camera. Quiet time alone. Good books. Did I say lists?

What would your perfect day entail? Watching the sunrise. Breakfast tacos! Some kind of road trip adventure with my boys. Camera in hand and time to take pictures of kids and wildlife. Watching the sunset. Hanging out with the man who has been making me laugh since 1991.  

What’s the best thing about being a mom? Creating family traditions and experiences that will someday be the landscape of a person’s childhood memories. Marveling at how these tiny humans are becoming such unique and interesting people with the world still all out in front of them—so exciting!

Kathleen

I’m a native Pittsburgher through and through, but transplanted to Texas with my superhero cape to teach elementary school. I have a five-and-a-half-year-old girl and a two-and-a-half-year-old boy who keep my days full of laughter, glitter, monster trucks, and stuffed animals. As a stay-at-home mama, I am constantly yearning for new ways to engage their minds, hands, and bodies with the city and community around them, while stealing a run and a cup of coffee or two. I can be found at the local library for storytime; the park for an afternoon swing; and/or the local splash pad to escape the heat. I’m not hard to miss due to my donning of Steelers gear in the fall and Penguins attire in the spring. I welcome and thrive on new conversations, friendships, and methods of rearing littles.

What are your favorite things to do in San Antonio? Celebrate Fiesta week with fireworks lighting the skyline, knowing that my kids are taking part in preserving the history of this city.

What are your guilty pleasures? Running without a double stroller, reading books without pictures, and drinking my morning coffee in silence.

List a few things you can’t live without. Running shoes, any type of Pittsburgh sports apparel, books, and homemade cards from my littles.

What would your perfect day entail? Starting my day with a workout (sans kids), heading to the pool for a mid-morning swim with the kids, a little shopping and pampering for me in the afternoon, and a family dinner on the back porch with deer in sight and wine in hand.

Lisa

Lisa is a mom and stepmom to Jonah, Jack, Sophia, Henry, Wyatt, and Quinn. Against Waylon’s and Willie’s advice, she’s OK with some of them growing up to be cowboys. A native Houstonian, she moved to San Antonio with her Detroit car guy husband four years ago. Lisa and Todd are raising their brood in the scenic town of Garden Ridge, where she serves on the city Parks and Recreation committee. She’s passionate about raising awareness of Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Lisa’s Rocket Scientist dad and King of Malaprops approves of her “blobbing” adventures but thinks she should stay off of MyFace.

What are your favorite things to do in San Antonio? Explore different areas of the Hill Country.

What are your guilty pleasures? Spa time!

List a few things you can’t live without. Coffee, wine, and Thai food.

What would your perfect day entail? Sleeping in, drinking coffee, chilling with my husband, and playing with my kids.

What’s the best thing about being a mom? All the kisses!

Maria

I was born in Mexico, which means I’m obsessed with the culture and carry it with me, and raised in San Antonio, which means I love longhorns, ranches, and the Spurs. I used to think that I was made up of contradictions—I mean, who majors in art and then switches to accounting? Or who loves to get lost in intricate painting details for hours, and yet has four kids in four-and-a-half years? So, it’s a fun, wild, chaotic journey my husband, four kids, and one dog are on, but we’re learning to soak it in, especially when the “it” is mud in our backyard.

What are your favorite things to do in San Antonio? Eating good food and finding fun places to hang out with the kids!

What are your guilty pleasures? Eating in the middle of the night. Like, full meals at 2:00 A.M. And I like to sweat. There’s no pretty way to say that.

List a few things you can’t live without. Avocados, embroidered anything, getting messy, a good girls’ night out, COFFEE, and my dear husband who has to deal with my crazy on the daily.

What would your perfect day entail? A full day of eating nothing but avocados and mangos and hanging out with my people next to a body of water.

What’s the best thing about being a mom? The opportunity to shape my kids and hopefully help them have kind hearts as well as being a safe friend to help others who are hurting. Also, I get to play in a lot of mud.

Patricia

Patricia W. Fischer is romance author, journalist, and retired pediatric/adult critical care nurse who’s made her homes in Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Missouri.

After having a fantastic time at The University of Texas (hook ’em!), she decided actually attending class would help her reach her long-term goals faster. She buckled down and in eight years earned a Licensed Vocational Nurse certification, then an Associate’s in Nursing, and finally, a Bachelor’s of Science in Journalism. During that time, Patricia worked in multiple fields of nursing, including medical/surgical, recovery room, orthopedics, telemetry (ICU step down), and critical care before she settled into the unpredictability of the emergency room. For five years, she worked in a general ER before she ended up at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center.

She retired from nursing in 2002 and started writing full-time.

She has written for many publications, including iVillage, Hot Mom’s Club, Modern Mom, Dallas Child, American Journal of Nursing, The Writer’s Edge, Nursing Spectrum, and Chicken Soup for the Soul Series.

For the past two years, she’s had a monthly book picks segment on San Antonio Living, a local morning show on WOAI. She’s a member of the San Antonio Romance Authors (SARA).

Contact Patricia on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or email her here.

What are your favorite things to do in San Antonio? Find new adventures and discover places I haven’t found before. I love the music and the diversity of the people [in San Antonio]. I also love the graciousness and passion of the San Antonio spirit and, of course, the Spurs.

What are your guilty pleasures? Superhero movies, coffee with friends for no good reason, a mani/pedi while brainstorming a new book with my writer peeps.

List a few things you can’t live without. Coffee, wine, books, writers’ group, and probably my family. I’m kidding—I would die without my family.

What would your perfect day entail? “A day that’s not too hot and not too cold, somewhere you only need a light jacket.” Great weather, laughing with friends and family, and writing a great chapter. Wine and/or coffee would probably involved.

What’s the best thing about being a mom? Seeing the excitement in my children’s eyes when they see something is as cool as I’ve been promising it would be.

Shanti

Shanti is the product of recovering hippie parents. She’s a lifelong Texan, born in El Paso, with stops in Lubbock and Austin for college, before settling in San Antonio. She met her husband when she was 18. They both married and divorced other people before they realized it was meant to be. She now works as an attorney for the federal government, and he designs HVAC for commercial buildings. They are raising twin tornadoes affectionately known as the Aliens, along with a rotating menagerie of dogs and cats. In her free time, she is involved in local nonprofits, runs, and grows a (sometime) thriving vegetable garden.

What are your favorite things to do in San Antonio? This changes every year! Right now, I love following my favorite chefs on their food experiments and finding new places to eat. My children have discovered hiking, so this summer my family is hunting for the best places to get our shoes scuffed and take some cool pictures.

What are your guilty pleasures? Monthly dinners with my “tribe.” This is a non-negotiable event and keeps me sane even in the worst of times.

List a few things you can’t live without. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee.

What would your perfect day entail? I would wake up in a hotel room on a warm sunny day, get coffee and a light breakfast from the bistro downstairs, and stretch out in my lawn chair with a good book and an ice cold beverage. At some point, I could wander into the nearby spa for a massage, facial, wrap, manicure, and pedicure and then ooze up to my room where a gooey cheesy pizza and giant piece of chocolate cake would be waiting (calorie free, sodium free, sugar free, OF COURSE). Then, I would fall asleep in a giant, fluffy, child-free, dog-free, cat-free, snoring husband-free bed.

What’s the best thing about being a mom? One, the amazing group of women I get to do this with. They encourage me, support me, call me on my baloney, and just generally love me for who I am; they show me all the different ways to be a mom and they (rarely) say “I told you so” when I make the same mistakes they made and tried to warn me about. And two, my kids are a constant fascination to me as they investigate, experiment, and grow their way from screaming amoebas to curious toddlers to willful little people. I can’t wait to see who they will become next.

Lindsay
Lindsay is the co-founder of Alamo City Moms Blog. A native New Orleanian, Lindsay found her way to the Alamo City via her husband, Steven, who is a born and raised San Antonian. She is a mom to three young children. Lindsay earned her B.A. in Psychology from Rhodes College and her M.A. in Early Childhood Education from UTSA. She was a preschool and first-grade teacher for 10 years and is now a Reading Specialist and Dyslexia Therapist.