In 2008, she gave birth to her baby girl Callie, and her son Cayden soon followed in 2010.

“I always knew I wanted to be a mom, but we just had to work out the logistics with my job.”

Crites works what she calls “the mommy shift,” a.k.a., early mornings.

Her day starts when many are still sleeping, and ends when most people are on lunch break.  However, that’s just the first part of her day; when Crites gets home, it’s all about being mom.

“It’s a superhero-mommy instinct.  There is just something that comes over you when you have kids; a motherly adrenaline.  Sometimes I’ll be so exhausted after a shift, I’ll have to roll down the windows and tap my foot to keep myself awake on the drive home, but once I see my kids, it’s just so invigorating. “

Yes, Crites admits there are moments she wants to pull her hair out, scream, and cry, but those instances are exponentially outnumbered by the times when her heart is overflowing with love and affection for her family.

“Dave and I vow we’ll get through the toughest crap.  There’s nothing we can’t figure out together.”

Her rule of thumb: making her marriage a priority.  The couple values one-on-one “couch time,” their consistent form of Q.T.

“Our life is not just about the kids.  We need alone time to reconnect and keep up the romance.”

The proud parents will never pass-up dinner out at Scottsdale’s Fogo de Chao for some serious splurging, but they’re most likely often  found in their Mesa home cooking dinner or watching movies.

As their kids grow up, Crites plans on being more of a mother than a friend, similar to her strict parents that helped form her into the strong, independent woman she is today. (Crites is one of six kids!)

“I’ll probably be the tougher parent between the two of us.  My husband balances me; if I didn’t have him, I’d be a very hardcore, serious person.  He enables me to be calmer and appreciate life more.”

She sure has a lot to appreciate.

This multi-talented supermom seems to have super-powers, juggling a fulfilling personal and professional  life  with grace, spirit, zest, and of course, minimal shut-eye. 

Happy Mother's Day, dear anchor-mom. 

Check out Nicole's blog at www.kpho.com.

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