Apryl Sweezy is the first one to admit that her life is a sort of "controlled chaos."

And she'll also admit that motherhood has at times been a little overwhelming for her. Especially since she "never in a million years imagined myself as a housewife and mom." But as surprising as it is to her that being a stay-at-home mom is her life right now, as she is in the thick of it, she wouldn't have it any other way.

Sweezy and her husband, Adam, have two children: Odessa, 10 and Erik, 4. The couple met online, and Sweezy says, "It was love at first sight." Sweezy says she always thought she was too selfish to have a family, but after meeting her husband she started feeling that "I want to have babies with this man." Any fears about being too selfish to have a family evaporated. "As soon as you hold that baby, you know it's not about you anymore."

Sweezy is a stay-at-home mom and that also surprises her. "My mom worked (outside the home) and I assumed I would, too." But Sweezy says that she has learned that she is "blessed" to be a stay-at-home mom. "My place is here," she says.

But the lifestyle does not come without sacrifices for the family.  Sweezy says it is a "luxury" for her to be at home and that the family does without a lot because of it. "We have one car, and we live in a little town home." But she wouldn't trade it. "I would miss the absolutely craziest things that come out of my children's mouths!" But at the same time Sweezy admires other mothers who do work full time outside the home. She says, "I don't know how they do it. Single moms are my heroes."

As much as Sweezy loves being a mom, it can take a toll on her. Erik has hearing loss and has been diagnosed with autism, and Sweezy spends a lot of time and energy being an advocate for him. "He's come a long way," she says. But interestingly, it has been motherhood itself that has taught Sweezy how to be patient. She has had six miscarriages and had a bad bout of postpartum depression. Sweezy also suffers from bi-polar disorder. But through therapy, medication and her family, she is doing great.

One activity that Sweezy credits for helping her is something the entire family does together. She started taking her children to the Lancaster YMCA for tae kwon do classes and would sit and watch. She decided to try a class and was hooked. Soon husband Adam joined in, and now the entire family takes weekly classes. She says, "It builds self-confidence and is good exercise."

Of course her annual birthday trip to Atlantic City in February also does wonders to help recharge her mommy batteries. Sweezy goes by herself. "Just being in the car alone for three hours feels amazing!" She'll play black jack, see a show and go home. Last year she saw the band Duran Duran.  But, she admits, while there she does spend a lot of the time thinking about her family.

Sweezy is a big animal lover and admits to going out trick or treating with her children and coming home with a kitten. Currently the Sweezy's share their home with three cats, two dogs and a hamster. She says, "I just love my furbabies!" Sweezy supports the Humane League and animal rights. "Everyone should have a rescue dog!" she says. She wishes she had more time and resources to do more. "I'm the crazy lady who hands out pamphlets!"

Like many moms, Sweezy has suffered from "mommy guilt." "I wonder if it's bad if I don't read three books to them each night. Or, if they need to be watching Einstein videos. But I just look at other children, and I know I am doing a good job." She wants to share with other moms, who may feel the same way, what she says to herself: "If you're worrying, it means you are doing a good job, and you have nothing to worry about!"


FAST FACTS
Sweezy loves to read and says she will read anything except romance novels. Her favorite author is James Michener.

Sweezy also loves to learn and wants to instill that love in her children. She has taught them how to count in different languages. Sweezy says, "I'm a total dork!"

One of Sweezy's favorite things to do is to nap with Odessa.

About her house: "There's a lot of love in this house. This is not the cleanest house ... but I'll have plenty of time to clean after they (Odessa and Eric) are in college!"

Sweezy was born and raised in Lancaster.

The Sweezy family loves to play board games together.

Sweezy loves to sew and can make clothing for her children.

As Sweezy's Mom of the Month nominator and friend, Janene Mussmon says, "No one deserves [to be Mom of the Month] more." Mussmon describes Sweezy as "the most accepting person I have ever met. She is an amazing woman and is doing everything she can. Her family is an absolute joy, and I am so lucky to have them in my life."

Written by Maureen Leader, Special Features Writer