January Mommy of the Month
Joy Geller
Momma to Aaron, Michael, and Oliver & creator of
LuvJoyy Personalized childrens blocks and stools
Joy's reason for starting LuvJoyy:
Before I had kids I started a headband business called Luvvjoy. I hand made elastic headbands. It was the first thing in my life that was truly mine and really helped boost my confidence. Once I had kids, life just took over and I put it on the back burner. Fast forward to last summer when I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer. It was a challenging year, to say the least. In addition to all the treatments and mobility issues, I was having a really hard time with losing my independence and control of my life in general. I got really depressed and wanted something for myself, a distraction. Since I can't physically work(long hours standing) because of the damage from the cancer I knew I needed something not as physically demanding, but that would still bring me joy:). I bought a machine called the cricut and thought name blocks would be cute.
Joy's inspiration behind her work:
When we were younger, my mom made my sister a wooden step stool. It has her name on it and she still has it to this day. She has kept it from house to house and I love that it still is used even now for her kids. it brings back such good memories every time we use it (adults too!). I wanted people to share the same experience and have their stool for generations to come.
Joy's take on being a part of such a large family:
The best thing about being a part of a large family is built-in best friends! Of course we weren't all this close growing up, but as we got older we did. We are now obnoxiously close, all of us, and literally love/hate each other every day. It doesn't get more honest, funny and laid- back then us. We would die without each other, literally.
Joy's advice to new moms:
The best advice I could give a new mom is to be present, Don't think about what you have to do or what you could have done. There will always be wash and dishes and birthday parties to go to. Instead of cleaning up the breakfast dishes, when your 2 year old says "mommy, will you play school with me?", DO IT. Play with them, go swimming and don't worry about getting your hair wet. Let them go run in the rain, let them crack the eggs when you bake and let them sleep in your bed without feeling guilty. The best thing I learned after my diagnosis is that life is too short. You could wake up one day and realize the life you knew was over. I did. But make a new life where you live and love.
