Article in Courier Journal

Award-winning women is "best mom in the world"

A wonderful article was written about Heather Deshler being named 2007 Kentucky Young Mother in the Courier Journal on Wednesday, October 22, 2008.

It was as if they were about to burst...As soon as I asked Heather Deshler's kids what they thought about their mom being the "2008 Kentucky Young Mother," the words spilled out of them. "She's the best mom in the world," said Avery, 11.
"She has so much to do," said Easton, 10.
Collin, 7, piped up about how great she is at sewing. And Zoe, 5, sported a smile that seemed to reach from plonde pigtail to the other.
Deshler, though, stays grounded when she talks about the honor. It's "an opportunity to volunteer and just sort of dedicate some time to spreading the cause of advocating and supporting mothers," she told me.
"I just think it's something that's easy to be overlooked -- what an important role mothers play in our society and our communities. It's a hard job, and it's day to day," she said. "You just get small moments that are very rewarding and the rest of the time it's a lot of worry and work, and it can be hard."
The Crestwood mother is part of American Mothers, Inc., a non-profit group that works to strengthen the moral and spiritual foundation of the family and home. After reviewing a portfolio of Deshler and an essay she wrote about what's most fulfilling in family life, the group picked her in February as the 2008 Kentucky Young Mother.

Most Wonderful Job in the World

Being a mother is the most wonderful job in the world, but the fruits of our labors are not often immediately apparent. Sometimes it’s hard to see the progress or feel the sense of achievement that is easier to measure and identify with other jobs. My dear friend once described it well when she told her husband that in leaving the job force behind to stay at home with her first daughter, she no longer received job performance reviews to help her gauge her success in her most important job. However, because of our human need for validation and because we care so much about being great moms, we look for signs that we are doing the right thing all over. Without a written job description, we do what comes naturally—we compare ourselves, and our children, to other mothers and their children. We compare labor stories, newborn milestones, walking, talking, reading, grades, athletic & musical ability, behavior, college entrance exams, and on and on. And all the better if my son just won the summer swim league championship—right? That must mean I’m a good mother. What about when my daughter can’t read Harry Potter at entrance to Kindergarten like my friend from church? How many of us have let our own feelings of worth about the work we do slip because we compare ourselves and our children to others? I know I have been guilty of this.Motherhood is NOT a competitive sport. I don’t know exactly when I realized this, but it has been liberating. I can love my four children, praise their successes, and be unashamed about theirs and my own shortcomings (we ALL have them). I’m not less of a mother then my friend who has 8 children, or better than my friend who’s child didn’t pass the test for the advanced program at school—we are all mothers. Motherhood is not a game with winners or losers, it is a journey and I believe that one of our greatest resources are the others mothers we associate with—just remember, they need cheerleaders too!

Louisville Young Mother Announcement

Heather Lynn Deshler

2008 Kentucky Young MotherOn March 22, 2008, the meeting room at the Oldham County YMCA was packed with people to honor the newly named Kentucky Young mother, Mrs. Heather Deshler. Although she currently resides in Louisville, she and her family will be moving into Oldham County later this year. Oldham County welcomes her. Heather Deshler was selected by AMERICAN MOTHERS, INC. to be an example to all mothers throughout the state and to help the organization promote its purpose of strengthening the moral and spiritual foundation of the family and home. Heather Deshler was presented flowers as 2008 Kentucky Young Mother

Photoed with Betsy Lowe

Heather Deshler with friends Kelly White, Voni Saxi and Jamie Gilbert

Heather's passion is the BIG picture. She would like to help promote the many wonderful programs American Mothers, Inc. offers to anyone interested.

For more information please contact your area contact:

Louisville: Betsy Lowe 502-749-4339
Bowling Green: Vivian Foe 270-842-3566

SAVE THE DATE - November 22

Dear members and mothers, friends and family,

Our next State meeting will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2008

at the Hilton Garden Inn, in Louisville, KY.

The meeting will start at 10:30 a.m.

Special guests include:
2008 National Young Mother, Kimberley Shelton
and
American Mother Inc, National President, Ralene Hill

Lunch will be served.

The cost is approximately $15.00 with an $5.00 registration fee.
Invitations will be sent out soon.
Please reserve the date on your calendar now.

This is a meeting not to miss. New state officers are being installed and the

2009 Kentucky Mother of the Year and

2009 Kentucky Young Mother will be announced.
Please invite your friends and neighbors to this meeting - it is sure to be wonderful.

National Convention - Lincoln, NE

National Convention was held the week of April 23 - 29, 2008 in Lincoln, NE. What an amazing congregation of people. Men and women from all over the country, in every different stage of life were present at the Annual AMI National Convention. Betsy Lowe accompanied Heather Deshler to convention. Heather was also joined by her husband and her parents. "What a great honor it is to be here among such outstanding women," says Deshler.

The convention was packed with various activities. From the onset with orientation, the mothers were actively participating at every gathering. The first night was BIG RED NIGHT. We had a traditional "Husker" dinner with folk singing and dancing. Later we were entertained by the Nebraska Husker Mascot:

Heather and Betsy with the CornHusker Mascot; GO BIG RED!

Thursday was a very BIG day for all the State Young Mothers as they presented the audience with their three minute speeches. The pressure was on to get everything said in less than three minutes. Heather Deshler and Betsy Lowe at National Conveniton after her speech
Heather did a fabulous job on her speech!
2008 State Young Mothers

Throughout the convention there were several workshops to attend offering information on the various program offered by AMI. Betsy Lowe and Heather Deshler attended workshops on Mother Mentoring, Chapter Group Development, Anti-Pornography (WRAP) and Public Awareness. Following the awards luncheon where the winners of the 5th Grade Essay Contest, Music Award, Literature Award, and Arts Awards, we were invited to tour the State Capital and have tea at the Governor's mansion.

Betsy Lowe & friends with Heather's family at the Governor's Mansion Heather and Betsy at the State Capital

Friday was another wonderful day filled with funny, heart felt and touching stories from the State Mother's of the Year. Following the speeches was the traditional Young Mother Luncheon honoring the 2007 National Young Mother, Mrs. Ansley Barnett. Friday night was the Gala for the Young Mothers, Mrs. Kimberly Shelton on New Hampshire was announced as the 2008 National Young Mother.

Saturday started with the Interfaith Memorials and Honors Breakfast. Later we heard from Jon Bruning, NE Attorney General. We had a wonderful lunch followed by speaker Gail Brand " Family Strengths". The afternoon was open for picture taking and personal time. That evening was the GRAND GALA where it was announced that Ellen Jo Blackwood was selected as the 2008 National Mother of the Year.

A highlight of this convention was that the Young Mothers, including Heather and Betsy were filmed in the process of making a documentary on motherhood. The documentary should air around Mother's Day 2009.

Annual Lucneon 2008

I love the traditional Mother's Day Luncheon held in conjuntion with the Mother's Day Celebration at the State Capital because friends from all over the state connected by the love of motherhood gather together in joy and friendship. above: Vivian Foe (State President), Pearl Taylor (Search Chairperson),

and Mary Lou Kirby (2007 MOY)
Avery Deshler and John Foe
Norma Hodge (1981 MOY) and

Carrol Hoagland (Past State President and 2000 MOY)

Heather and Reed Deshler

The AMI Luncheon was held at the Chinaberry Tea Room in Frankfort, KY just prior to the Award Celebration at the Capital Building.

Mother's Day Celebration at the State Capital

It's the day before Mothers Day and mothers from all over the state of Kentucky gather at the State Capital in Frankfort, Kentucky to honor the thing they love most - motherhood.

Among those being honored are Mrs. Mary Lou Kirby, 2007 AMI Mother of the Year, and Mrs. Heather Deshler, 2008 AMI Young Mother from Kentucky.

Mrs. Vivian Foe, State President opened the meeting and presided over the business contucted. Betsy Lowe, National Literacy Chairperson and State President Elect presented Heather Deshler with citations from the Governor of Kentucky, Steve Bershear and from Senator Mitch McConnell. Mary Lou Kirby and Heather Deshler's names were added to the American Mother's Plaques that hang in the Capital builiding. Traditional photos were taken in the Rotunda. It was a very special day for those being honored and for mothers everywhere. Happy Mothers Day.

2008 State Young Mother - Heather Deshler

Heather Lynn Deshler

2008 Kentucky Young Mother

At the Annual State meeting of American Mothers, Inc. held on February 16, 2008. AMI conducted its annual auction to raise money to offset the cost of our MOY or YM going to convention. John Foe and Russ Morgan did an excellent job aucting off the items.

Pearl Taylor, search chairperson announced that Heather Lynn Deshler of Louisville, KY was selected as the State Young Mother. Mrs. Deshler will attend the American Mother's National Convention in Lincoln, Nebraska the last week in April later this year as a representative for her state. While there she will learn of the amazing programs AMI offers and bring something back to Kentucky.

Mrs. Deshler would like to start Mother-to-Mother chapter groups in the Louisville area during her year to serve. There will be a celebration to honor Mrs. Deshler in the Louisville area on March 22, 2008 at the Oldham County YMCA.

For more information, please contact the State President, Mrs. Vivian Foe at 270-842-3566.

5th Grade Essay Contest Results

Winners: Marissa Lowe, Morgan Hayes, Lucy Sweetall, Mallory Price

On March 22, 2008 American Mother's Inc. announced the winners of the Annual 5th Grade Essay Contest. There were contestants from six different schools.

First Place went to Mallory Price of Goshen, KY. Mallory attends Liberty Elementary School. She wrote an eloquent essay honoring her mother. She was awarded a certificate and $25 gift certificate to Barnes and Nobles bookstore. Her essay is then entered into the National essay contest.

Second Place went to Lucy Sweetall of Prospect, KY. Lucy attends Goshen Elementary. She wrote of a time her mother comforted her. She won a $10 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble bookstore.

Third Place went to Morgan Hayes of Goshen, KY. She wrote beautiful words about all the things her mother does for her. She attends Liberty Elemenary. She too won $10 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble.

Honorable Mention went to Marissa Lowe of Prospect, KY. She wrote a wonderful essay expressing the love her mother shows and how someday she wants to be just like her mother. She won a $5 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble bookstore.

All 5th graders in the state of Kentucky are welcome to enter the contest. The contest will start up again on September 30, 2008.

2007 Mother of the Year

Mary Lou Kirby

2007 Kentucky Mother of the Year

American Mothers, Inc. has selected Mary Lou Kirby of Bowling Green, Kentucky as the State 2007 Mother of the Year. In April, Mrs. Kirby will represent Kentucky at the National Convention held in Florida. Please help me in congratulating Mrs. Kirby in this very distinguished honor. On Saturday, May 10, a Mother's Day celebration was held at the State Capital in Frankfort, KY. There her name was added to the plaque of those that have preceeded her in this great honor.