Name: Audra Shaw
Kid’s names and ages: My beautiful daughter Aubree is 2 1/2 years old.
Where are you from and how long have you lived in NWA?
I grew up all of my life in Pearcy, AR outside of Hot Springs. I moved to NWA in Fall 2004 to attend the U of A and have called it home ever since.
Which songs are on your iPod right now?
I seriously have no music in my iTunes account and just play Pandora when I want to listen to music.
Tell us about a day in your life:
I am fortunate to get to stay home with my daughter Aubree. Days with her involve reading books, playing with baby dolls, listening to and singing lots of songs, working puzzles, playing with one of her many you kitties, practicing flash cards (which she crazily loves), therapy sessions, exploring the whole house, and lots of snuggling during nap time. Of course, there’s the typical keep the house running things, too.
Tell us about some traditions you’ve started with your daughter:
We watch Wheel of Fortune as a family together every night after realizing Aubree loved it. Simple, clean, fun with everybody interested in the same thing for 30 minutes! During Christmastime, we drove around and looked at Christmas lights many nights, which we plan to continue in the future. In the fall, we also go to a local pumpkin patch and let Aubree pick out pumpkins. We also enjoy going to the farmer’s market when it’s open on the weekends.
What has been one of the most surprising things about motherhood?
I think the most surprising thing is that it is surprising and you can’t be completely ready for it. The pain you feel when watching your child hurt, the joy you have when you see her accomplish or reach milestones, and how amazing the feeling is of holding her cannot be described or understood accurately until you experience it yourself.
I always knew I would love my child, but didn’t know how great that love would be until we had her!
Where do you and your family love to play in NWA?
Our own backyard is probably our favorite! Great shade in the afternoon, swinging, gardening, playing fetch with our dog Mo, playing in water when the weather is warm, it’s great fun only a few feet away!
Away from home, we like going to Murphy Park, Tyson Park, and JB Hunt Park (all in Springdale) to swing, slide, and climb. We also like to take family trips to Lowes for getting things for projects! The racecar shopping cart is too fun!
Do you have any fun hobbies?
I love getting creative in the kitchen and cooking. It’s a great outlet that I really enjoy and allows me to share with others.
If you could vacation anywhere in the world this winter where would it be?
Hawaii. My husband and I love traveling to and spending time there. We hope to take Aubree one day when she is older!
Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life?
I’m not really sure. It would have to be someone who has experienced unimaginable emotional pain in real life (severe illness or loss of a child, etc.) to be able to come close to conveying it on the movie screen.
My daughter has a rare genetic condition called Jeunes syndrome that has left her critically ill and in the intensive care unit much of her life. Watching your baby be so very sick, not knowing if you will ever get to take her home again, and how that makes you feel, I don’t think could be accurately portrayed by someone who hadn’t experienced such terrible hurt that one doesn’t know existed until you have been in that situation.
Also, someone who is a believer and follower of Christ to know from personal experience the hope found in Him to go make it through tough situations.
Thankfully, after ten months in the pediatric intensive care unit and innumerable prayers from us and our family and friends, we were able to bring our daughter back home. Praise The Lord!
While there are still medical complexities, surgeries, and the like, we are so thankful to God for allowing us to continue having our daughter here with us, enjoying life and spreading her infectious joy to all who meet her.
A very specific order for an actress! Don’t see a movie of my life coming out anytime soon!
What’s something you’ve always wanted to learn?
I’ve never learned to drive a standard transmission vehicle. It would probably be useful because I have never been able to drive either of my husband Derrick’s Jeeps in the 8 years we’ve been married!
What three things do you always have with you?
My iPhone, hand sanitizer, and tea bags for a cup of hot tea!
How do you relax at the end of the day?
Holding and rocking my daughter to sleep every night. Many nights I hold her an extra 30 minutes to an hour because it’s just the best feeling in the world!
One word to sum me up: Blessed.
