Melissa Voler is a stay-at-home mom to three girls: Rebecca, 13; Olivia, 12 and Kathryn, 10. The Voler girls said they all worked together to fill out the application for their mother to be Mom of the Month.

For the question, "What are the two best things about this mom?" They answered, "She is always there to help us and loves helping others." They also added that their mom "likes gardening, cooking, volunteering and spending time with her children."

That list can seem pretty much run of the mill stuff for any mother. And in talking to Voler you learn that she does what all stay-at-home mothers do: keep house, cook, chauffeur the children to their activities, and try to help at their schools. But what sets Voler apart is that she takes what many of us see as mundane and she mixes it up.

Voler is not afraid to try new things and challenge herself every day. And she does this constantly with the knowledge that her daughters are always watching and always learning from her.

Voler and her husband, John, live in Denver, PA in their "very girly household." They have been married for 17 years. The couple met on a blind date set up by her family.

"Everyone in my family knew him except me," she remembers. Three years into their marriage they decided to start a family. Voler was a buyer for Doneckers and always planned to be a stay-at-home mother.

To hear all that Voler does for her family and her community makes one wonder if there is anything she can't do. But Voler just shrugs her shoulders and doesn't see it as a big deal. She says that to her being a stay-at-home mother gives her the freedom to do whatever she wants for her family and community whenever she wants. "I have the time," she said. And she uses that time to put extra effort in at home and in volunteering.

The family's home is beautiful, and Voler did all the decorating work herself. She made all the window treatments in her home. No one ever taught her how and she simply says, "It was fun. I like stuff like that." She also worked on finishing their basement by helping the workmen lay tile and hang drywall.

Again, no one really taught her how to do it, she just decided to help and learned a new skill in the process. Voler also loves to paint and has done murals for her homes. "There's always something to do around the house," she said.

Voler also loves to cook. She especially loves to cook veggies from her own garden: carrots, sugar peas, green beans, herbs. One year she even tried to grow corn. "I love being outside. I love doing yard work and gardening."

Voler also enjoys trying new recipes that she sees on The Food Network. There have been many times a recipe she's seen on an afternoon cooking show will be served on the Voler table that evening. "I try not to make the same meal twice," she added.

Not all of Voler's talents are for the benefit of her family, though. Voler is all about giving back to the community. She is passionate about teaching her daughters this and involves them in service whenever she can. She especially enjoys cooking meals for others and always enlists help from her daughters in cooking and delivering food.

Currently, Voler is co-president of the PTO at her daughters' school. Last year she was vice-president. "I figure it's something I can do to help."

Also, for the past five years Voler has been treasurer of the Lancaster County Dental Alliance.
She helps support the alliance's efforts in low-income communities with programs such as Brush, Brush Smile and the distribution of dental health kits to shelters.

Voler also sells daffodils for the American Cancer Society.

She is a member of the Denver Woman's Club and enjoys the garden club there. At her church, Faith United Evangelical Lutheran, she helps coordinate the music program for the church's Vacation Bible School.

Hearing all Voler is doing now as a stay-at-home mom, you can't help but wonder what she will be doing in the future when her daughters are grown. Voler is not worried about it, and says simply, "I'm never bored. I always have to be doing something. I'm not a good ‘sitter.' I am sure I will just branch into something else!"

Mom details:

• Voler graduated Dickinson College with a degree in Art History.
• Voler's favorite thing to cook is dessert and her favorite food is "anything chocolate ... particularly chocolate lava cake."
• The Volers only go out to eat "occasionally."
• In the girls' playhouse in the yard, Voler painted a beautiful mural with a castle and fairies. In a previous house Voler painted a large mural of a circus and titled it, "The Voler Circus." When her family moved she painted the new family's name on it for them.
• The Voler family loves to travel.
• Voler's parents recently moved in next door. They see each other often and the girls love it.
• Melissa Voler's favorite television show is "The Barefoot Contessa" or Giada on The Food Network.
• John and Melissa Voler will soon have their first vacation alone since the girls were born. They are going to Bermuda.
• Voler's Favorite season is spring.
• Voler admits she is at her happiest when she is doing things for other people. 
• Though her daughters are very musical, Voler says she is not. "It skips a generation," she said.