Roots:
I was born in Los Angeles and grew up in Murrieta, CA. I went to college at USD. Post college I moved to Chicago and lived there for seven years. I never thought I would live in Chicago that long, but I absolutely loved it (other than the winters!) I missed San Diego so much though and moved back six years ago.
Family Life:
My husband Terence and I met in Chicago and it didn't take much convincing to move to San Diego after a year of dating. He proposed to me in Paris exactly two years after our first date. 5 months later, we eloped at the county building downtown and went to Cabo for a week. Best decision we ever made! A year later, our daughter, Decklyn (3 1/2 years) was born. 19 months later, our daughter, Millie was born (2 years) We moved to Del Sur, our San Diego community, 3 years ago.
Work Life:
Currently, I am a stay at home mom and head Chef of the Cooke household. Prior to having children, I dedicated seven years to working at the Make-A-Wish Foundation, planning wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses. I worked for the Foundation in Chicago for 5 years where I managed all of the celebrity and sports wishes. I also worked at the San Diego chapter for two years prior to having Decklyn. I am very passionate about the cause and want everyone to know that it is not a dying wish. Many wish children go on to lead happy and healthy lives! I hope to start volunteering for them once I have a little more free time on my hands.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned through my iGnite experience…
Accountability. I am responsible for myself and my actions. The only one that is going to get me to class every week is myself. I've realized that I am really motivated by incentives and challenges given to us. I mean, I'm so close to completing 4,000 glute raises in 40 days! I really like being given those challenges!
The best advice I’ve been given… "Surround yourself with people that reflect who you want to be and how you want to feel.
If I were ice cream, I'd be this flavor...
Mint chip ice-cream and a pair of white Converse.
My celebrity look-alike is…
I don't know if I have one. When I was in college, a little girl asked me if I was Lindsay Lohan (pre hot mess)
If I am looking forward to....
The day I go back to Paris and show my girls the spot my husband proposed.
Something people may not know about me is...
When I was 11 years old. I lost my mother, sister and grandmother in a car accident. As tragic as it was, it has shaped me into the person I am today. I feel like my life would have taken a completely different path if the accident never happened. I probably would have never moved to Chicago, therefore, I would have never met my husband and our beautiful girls wouldn't be here. It's crazy how life works sometimes
Who inspires you the most and why.. My husband. He is a genuinely happy person who always stays true to himself. He doesn't let other people's opinions effect who he is or how he acts, and I really respect him for that.
sure the “fun parent.”