by Deb Seminary

Most people do a lot of backseat driving when it comes to civic issues and community involvement. They do a lot of talking, possibly even complaining, but that’s as far as it gets. Maybe it’s a lack of knowledge or a fear of failure? But then there are people like Tracy Wanek who see a need and jump right in with both feet and without hesitation. (more…)

by Deb Seminary

She has endless energy, doesn’t take no for an answer and is passionate about every child getting an education. This is Carrie Grosz, and her mission is caring for “her kids” in the Carrie’s Kids program and throughout Bismarck.

Grosz is the Local Liaison for the Students in Transition program in the Bismarck Public School District. She has been in that position since 2003, part of a mandate by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 that every school district should employ a homeless liaison. (more…)

Lisa Bauman, just another typical working mom Editor’s Note: When I asked Lisa Bauman to be on this issue’s cover, it took her awhile to agree. I explained I wanted people to read her story and know they are not alone. “I don’t feel like I am any better than any other working mom,” she said. “There are a lot of heroes out there. We are all in the same boat, doing the best we can.”

Sometimes we, especially working mothers, feel we are the only ones experiencing guilt and stress. It helps to read about others going through the same thing. I didn’t ask Lisa to be on the cover because I thought she was better than anyone else. I asked her because I know her, she inspires me and I want her to inspire you.

Lisa Bauman’s typical day begins around 5:30 a.m. “I spend time with my school work – I’m relearning,” she said. “I haven’t taught earth science for 12 years and there is all this new stuff – science changes!”

About the time Elise, her oldest, and she are headed out the door to Horizon Middle School, the two youngest girls wake up. “They have to have their mom time when I’m supposed to be leaving,” explained Bauman.

For the first time in twelve years, Lisa is working full-time and the whole family is adjusting. Bauman has four daughters between the ages of twelve and two, and her husband, Bill, is the Operations Director at the Bismarck YMCA. The whole family’s busy schedule pulls Bauman in several directions every day.

“I teach phy-ed right away in the morning, then four science classes,” she said. “I work until about 5:00, then it’s off to three different pick-ups.”

When she’s not coaching, picking-up or dropping off, Bauman and her family try to squeeze in dinner together and have some family time reading books or playing games before bed. Still, not every child gets all the ‘mom time’ they want.

“Grace and I started a notebook where we write each other notes every morning,” said Bauman. “She gets left out a lot since she goes to Centennial. Elise gets to come to Horizon with me.”
Bauman also writes her husband notes on their white board about who needs what for the day ahead. “I don’t think you can be a working mom without a husband who understands what a sacrifice it is for the mom,” she said. “Bill has really filled in the gaps and he understands that the kids also need time with their mom and the housework might have to wait – at least most days”.

Bauman met Bill when he was her boss at the YMCA and she worked as the Day Camp Director. “He was so shy,” she said “I don’t think anything would have happened if God wouldn’t have put us in the same office. We worked side-by-side that summer. I fell in love with him when we did Christmas in July and he was the Santa.”

Her first teaching job was at Shiloh Christian School teaching physical education part-time. When the school needed a science teacher, she added that and worked there full time for about 8 years. “When I had Elise, I cut back,” said Bauman. “When I had Grace, I cut back even more.”

The school decided they needed a full-time teacher and three days later, Lisa had a job at Spirit of Life church in Mandan. “I think God had another plan,” she said. Her new job running the church’s children and youth programs was supposed to be 15 hours per week. But Bauman soon felt there was a need to develop a family program. “I ended up working many hours away from my family on Sundays and Wednesday nights,” she explained. “If I was teaching, I would just be gone when they’re gone and the extra money would come in handy.”

However, when Bill was diagnosed with cancer, it was a gift for their family to be immersed in that church community. “Blessed are the poor in spirit – I always had trouble teaching that, because I didn’t get it,” said Bauman. “When you’re that low, that down, there is nothing else you can do but rely on God. He is there more than you ever imagined.”

“There wasn’t a day that went by – I would get up and think, Bill is at radiation at 3:00, I have to pick up Grace from school and Claire is going to be napping. How am I going to be three places?’,” she continued. “It never failed, somebody would call, ‘do you need anything today,’ or they would stop by at just the right time. We felt totally wrapped and protected.”

It was also the job flexibility at Spirit of Life that made it possible for Bauman to stay home and care for Bill when he couldn’t get out of bed for three months. Having mom at home, but unavailable at times, was especially hard for Claire who was just one and a half.
“Someone would have to take her downstairs while I was caring for Bill, because of the sterile environment,” she explained. “Then we traveled a lot to Rochester. She is the one that never wants me to leave.”

In the middle of the cancer treatment, care and recovery, Bauman discovered she was pregnant. “Her name is Hope and that is just what she brings,” she adds. “She wakes up happy, goes to sleep happy. Bill finally got it about a year ago when he said, ‘I think Hope is just straight to me from God, just my little gift.’”

Although Bauman was the primary care giver for her family during Bill’s cancer , she learned many lessons from those who supported her entire family. “I was so humbled as others reached out to us during Bill’s cancer. So many taught us what it means to love. Members and staff at the YMCA and Spirit of Life Parish brought meals for three months straight, money came in from strangers and neighbors cared for our yard. I learned when I cannot, God and his people can,” she said. “Cancer is an unbelievable journey. Through its trials, ups and downs we are refined and learn we truly do not have control, but must accept so much of this life. Thanks to the lessons learned by my Mother, and the God who will carry us through, Bill and I can honestly say we are thankful for the lessons taught by our walk with cancer. My life is better post-cancer than it was before cancer.”

Currently, Bauman is dealing with a challenge many others are also facing. “We are in the ‘caring for your parents’ and ‘caring for your children’ stage of life,” she explained. “We learned so much when we were the ones being cared for. It has become an awesome opportunity to teach our children how to care for others. It has been so rewarding to see the compassion in their hearts lead them to reach out and care for those they love.”

Of course, at times she needs a break and Lisa has developed many outlets to ‘let off some steam.’ She has great friends who are willing to meet early in the morning for prayer and coffee. “I can’t wait to meet with them and often cry out some stress or listen to theirs,” she said. “Women need other women. If you don’t get that time to talk, you lose your balance.”

Bauman sneaks in workouts with her PE class or takes the family to swim at the Y. “I’m always looking for time at Mom’s cabin, a bike ride, walk or a minute to bump around a volleyball,” she said.

Another release is being a part of a praise and worship band that plays at the Youth Correctional Center once-a-month. During the trip to Mandan, she and Bill are actually alone in the car and have some time to connect . Bauman also considers the time she can spend ministering to the youth a gift. “Those kids are awesome and keep us counting our blessings,” she said.

Bauman also considers teaching a great benefit. “I always wanted to be able to be with my kids as much as possible,” she said. “Teaching does allow for that, at least in the summer. And, one of my favorite things is watching people find their potential. Everyone has gifts, talents and abilities. Most of the time, they just need to believe they have them and gain the confidence to use them. I hope my classes allow my students to believe they can, and they leave my class surprised at how much they know and can do.”

But Bauman’s top priority is still being with her family.. “I just love it when we can all hang out in the living room and watch the little ones dance or attempt their latest gymnastics move,” she said. “On warm summer nights, we love to eat outside and spend the rest of the night in the backyard playing volleyball, jumping on the trampoline, or playing on the swing set or in the sandbox. These are the moments I wish I could stop time and just soak up the goodness of being together.”

She has a long list of ‘things to do,’ but Bauman is always reminded of what it most important in life. “There are so many things I want to do, but I realize there are seasons,” she said. “Right now my job is to make sure my kids feel as much love as possible and become the best teacher I can in the time that I have. We have to accept the season. I would like to be more involved in the church and community, but for right now it’s about my family, my job and serving God in the “little ways”.

Our current cover story asked several people, “what is the best gift you’ve ever received?” Here are their responses:

The best gift I have received (so far) is from my daughter. The bracelet has a Mom charm (with a real diamond) on it and I wear it every day. D.

When I asked people, “What was the best gift you have ever received” some could answer immediately. Those replies were usually, ‘my grandchildren’, or ‘my son, my daughter, my kids’.

Others had to think about it for a while, but eventually almost everyone was able to come up with something. Some of these gifts can’t be bought in a store, some were received as a child. There are gifts that are long gone and gifts that continue to give.

My grandchildren S.

The car my Dad bought me H.

Now – it’s a smile on a kid’s face, but as a kid it was the ventriloquist doll I got B.

When my husband bought me the whole Friends DVD set for Christmas S.

My kids D.

The greatest gift I have ever received was time spent with my Dad. It didn’t matter if we were playing cards, eating, watching something on TV, or just sitting with each other talking. I learned so much from him and valued his opinion and honesty. I loved him with all my heart and miss him dearly. L.

A wife who understands her husband’s need for golf J.

My honest answer would be my 2 boys.. But materialistic…… COLD HARD CASH!!!!! J.

My best gift is good health for both me and my family, really! K.

The first thing I thought of was my sweet sixteen. My mom and dad gave me a ruby and diamond ring. Probably 10-15 yrs ago I had it made into a pendant for a necklace.
I remember the day well. I got to have a few friends spend the night at the lake.
We had a blast. I got the ring and the girls and I went out into the boat to swim and I lost my contact case in the lake.
I felt so bad because they had just given me this ring and I lost my contacts. $$$$$ S.

$100 gift card to Kohls J.

My grandma was my best friend, I told her everything and anything. She had 3 boys and no girls so I came along as her first (female) grandchild. She was thrilled, we were two peas in a pod and I would beg to go home with her when she came to visit. When I decided to pursue college in Minot, one of the reasons was so I could be closer to her…So when I found out I was pregnant she was actually the first person I told, yes, even before my husband! I knew immediately if it was a girl I would be naming her after my grandma. Sure enough 20 weeks later we were told the baby indeed was a girl. Once again my grandma was the first person I called.
About 3 hours before my daughter was born my grandma passed away. Before she passed away, she was on oxygen and unable to leave the house so she worked secretly with my mom to get these four little dresses for the new baby. My mom made numerous trips to the store to get just the right ones. A couple of days after my daughter was born, my mom brought out these dresses from my grandma. It was so very painful, but yet so absolutely wonderful at the same time. Those four dresses are my greatest gift. B.

I have received so many “greatest gifts” in my life. I have 2 that I would address.
The first is the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. The other would be my mom. She is the one who made sure we went to church every Sunday to make sure we knew who God and Jesus were. Our dad did not go to church because he was out drinking until the bars closed most Saturday nights and slept late Sunday mornings. He thought religion was for other people, not him.
Our mom did not drive until she was 32 so there were others who deserve credit as well, but I was too young to remember who they are. There were 9 of us kids. That would be a big deal on its own, but the real big deal is we went to church 22 miles away from my home town. She felt the need to bring us to this church because it was a church that used the bible as it’s only source of knowledge and taught what she called “the truth.”
For the past 5 years I have called my mom every morning to chat a little and wish her a good day (she is 73). I can’t imagine my life without her and her influence that still touches me to this day. She is truly my best gift. S.

I would say that one of the best gifts I have ever received, if not the best gift, is being allowed to sit on Dakota Zoo’s Board of Directors. It does much more for me, of course, than I do for the zoo/board, but I truly believe in the zoo and am so very fortunate to be a part of it. B.

My snowboard J.

The best gift I ever received was a puppy we got at Christmas when I was five. My parents worked hard to keep it a secret. The puppy came on the train from a kennel in Minnesota and was kept at a neighbor’s house until late Christmas Eve. I heard some noise downstairs that night so I started down the stairs to see what it was. Both of my parents met me at the door to the upstairs with, “What do you want?” I said, “Ahhhh. I want a glass of water.” My mother said, “I’ll get you one” and fetched me a glass while my dad stood watch. So I went back to bed. The next morning when we were opening presents my Dad brought a Norwegian Elkhound puppy into the room. He held her high above our heads because we were all grabbing for her. It was the best present ever. We called her Kola because she looked like a little Koala bear. B.

The greatest gift my parents gave me was my college education. They paid for everything.
Also, getting a pound puppy for Christmas back when I was 5. I wanted it so bad!!! G.

For my 18th birthday, my mother & father bought me a Gold Omega Watch. I had my eye on it for months. It had a delicate 18-carat gold simple clasp band. The detailed mesh band felt like velvet on my wrist. A beveled crystal protected the round gold watch face.It had to be wound daily, and it kept perfect time.
The watch cost $300 and that was a huge amount of money back in 1970, it still is to me.
Well, I still have this watch, I still wear this watch, and although I try not to love “things,” I love this watch. It still fits beautifully, looks like new, and keeps perfect time. My husband might be sad to know that it is my favorite piece of jewelry.
I recently had the watch appraised. The jeweler was thrilled to see such a beautiful timepiece.
The good news is that this watch is worth $2000. The better news is that, I will never sell it.
Every time I wear my special timepiece, I think of my mother & father – now that is priceless! D.

My Harley-Davidson G.

The greatest gift that was ever given to me was my mother’s love. She was kind, gentle, caring and funny. I have been without her for more years than I was with her. As I bring up my own daughter, I can now pass along some of that gift to her. K.

My wedding ring still takes my breath away! C.

My first answer was ‘salvation’. AND – - ‘a very special Aunt’ who was an amazing example and passed away this year. C.

My daughter L.

I have to say I have received a lot of great gifts from my husband. He goes all out for our anniversary – follows the theme for every year and goes above and beyond!
Just a couple examples….1st year is paper so he had our vows printed and framed (we made up our own vows). 2nd was cotton so he wrapped a cotton Bears t-shirt and planned a trip to a Bears game (I am a huge Bear fan).
For our last anniversary, 6th, the theme was iron and candy. So he bought me a commercial size candy machine, you actually have to put a quarter in it, he filled the 3 sides with candy and he put a gift in each slot where the candy comes out. Can’t wait to see what I get for year #7. J.

One of my fave gifts to get is a bookstore gift card, a Starbucks gift card and the time to use them (i.e. an offer to kidsit with said gift cards)! T.

Waking up in the morning J.

I grew up with 2 older brothers on a busy farm/ranch. There was little time for play for my brothers, as they were busy helping with all the work. When they did do something fun, it usually didn’t include their little sister. The one thing I longed for most was a sister. I remember combing through the ads in the newspaper one day, and noticed that babies were on sale for $8.99. The cutest one caught my eye, and I quickly pointed out this great bargain to my mother. Little did I know that the fair-haired, blue-eyed beauty didn’t come with the outfit!
By the time I reached my late grade school years, Mom and Dad were tired of hearing me beg for a sister, so they finally gave in! Well, sort of. The summer after 7th grade, Marisol Gutierrez from Orizaba, Vericruz, Mexico came to live with us. She was my age, and possessed as much vigor as I did. This made for a very interesting summer. In fact, she returned the following summer through the same program, and the third summer she came on her own just to visit. My parents and I also visited Marisol and her family in Mexico. I not only gained a friend, but I at last received the one gift I’d always longed for…a sister. B.

When I was about 6 or 7 years old I received a Bozo the clown ventriloquist doll from my grandparents for Christmas, I was convinced that my grandfather could really make it talk and that he was the only one who could. He never tired of my requests to make Bozo talk that Christmas, he would scoop me on his lap with that doll and we would laugh and laugh… J.

One of the greatest gifts I have ever received is that of my Mother’s
starting me in piano lessons when I was 6 years old. My first teacher
was Wilma Dorsey in Waxahachie, TX and I studied with her until I
graduated from high school. Even though I might not have known to
appreciate it at the time, this was the first step on this long pathway
of music that has in time made the gifts of friendship and magical
musical times just multiply! B.