MOPS Mom Spotlight: Kelly Sonderby

This week’s spotlight is straight out of America’s heartland. Kelly Sonderby and her husband, Bryan, moved from the fertile lands of the Midwest to California nine years ago. They have happily called San Clemente home for the past six years.

Kelly grew up on a Minnesota farm riding bikes, playing sports and making up all kinds of games with her brother and sister. Living on a farm, they would roam the land exploring without a care in the world. Kelly is very much a family girl, and leaving the simplicity and comfort of her family home was hard. However, she set down roots and quickly made a home at The Shoreline Church. The connections she’s made have developed into bonds that she describes as family. With the support of a strong church community, Kelly and her family have definitely grown where they are planted.

Kelly is in the thick of raising two rambunctious boys, Logan 6 and Brayden 4.5. Raising her boys is a dichotomy. In her words:

They are the typical dirty, rowdy, sword fighting, Lego-building, wrestling, run too fast, punch too hard boys that will cuddle up with me and read a book as I scratch their backs. I hate the messes they make, but I love their eagerness to be my chef. I hate the running in the house, but love the sound of their giggles. I hate their fighting and wrestling on my freshly made bed, but love their prayers and protectiveness for one another. THEY are my biggest challenge and my greatest joy.

Kelly’s faith is the foundation from which she guides her spirited boys. The Bible is her favorite book, and through her faith, recognizes they are ultimately God’s children. She uses this filter when her instinct is to hold too tightly. It is particularly useful to her when they make her want to pull her hair out! She encourages other moms to find wonder in the uniqueness of their children and to seek the positive over the hardship. There is beauty in it all; whether or not you see depends on your outlook.

Stop by the Orion table and say “hi”. You will be greeted with a smile and left with a hug.