Featuring Tabitha Agany
We met the beautiful Tabitha at our first Moms Night Out Event last year. She came up to us, this joyful smile on her face, and thanked us for creating a platform for local moms. It meant the world to us and in talking with her for a few minutes, she felt like a long-time friend. She’s always supported us and we’ve loved watching all that she does, as well!
She’s an aspiring photographer, a full-time mom to her three babies, a pre-school teacher, and freelance model. She’s as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside and she’s got the most inspiring story to tell.
We’re thrilled to give her the spotlight today to tell a little about her journey and we hope you find her as uplifting and inspiring as we do!
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in Katy?
I am a South Sudanese. I grew up in a refugee camp in Kenya but at age of nine I resettled in the great magnolia state of Mississippi( also i can truly call myself a Southern girl because i have lived in Mississippi the longest). After I got married hubby and I moved to Northern Virginia and from there to the Katy/Richmond area. We have lived in this area now almost 3 years in May.
You’re a mama! How many kiddos do you have and how old are they?
I am a proud mama to my 3 kids, they are Deng who’s 7, Ajak who’s 5 and the boss of all my 2 years old daughter Ayak.
What’s your favorite thing about raising a family in the Katy area?
We adore this area because it’s family friendly! Katy is a melting pot and we love that a lot.
Greatest gift about being a mom?
Being called a mom! It is the greatest gift so far because I am living my parents dream.. They both did not survive to grow a family, let alone make it to my age so that’s my greatest gift.
Least favorite mom job? (i.e. packing lunches, dishes, bath time, etc.)
Bath time, folding laundry, and cleaning dishes after dinner!
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
I am an orphan, but I still think I have a big reason why God kept me alive in this world even though I am still searching for that why. Also, I wouldn’t have been in this country if my family had lived. I am a Lost Girl of South Sudan. I was a part of the Lost Boys and Girls of Sudan Refugees Resettlement in the 2000s. We were called “lost” because a reporter at an airport somewhere saw hundreds of tall, dark boys and girls who asked, “where are y’all going?” And they had no idea, but they knew they were in the USA. And that is how we got our famous name. I was in the foster care system for 12 years. The first five homes were rough but the sixth home showed me how the United States might not be a bad country after all. I have seen this country through different homes and I am grateful now to have aged out of the foster care. Mind you, being under DHS I had to get a judge’s approval to even take one step out of Mississippi until my 21st birthday.
Favorite local things to do in Katy/Richmond/Fulshear? (With kiddos or just for mom!)
Story time at the Cinco Ranch library and after that we walk across to the LaCenterra for some food and play at the green area. My kids are currently taking Taekwondo at Reza Naderian Taekwondo Academy and this has been so good for my boys.
Do you have a favorite family friendly restaurant in the area?
Torchy Tacos at LaCenterra is our favorite. El Asador- Kids eat free mondays and tuesday. Jimmy Changas with a playground and free ice cream cone for kids. Hat Creek Burger Little Matt’s. And Chick Fil A
Best mom hack that makes your life easier?
I lay everything out at night.
Tell us about your business, your love for photography! Do you want to open a photography business?
Ever since I can remember I’ve loved photography. Being in school I took Photography as my art credit. I don’t have any pictures of myself as a baby or even a photo with my biological parents – I was never photographed until i was nine years old for my ID so I could come to this magical land: United States of America. Now this is why I love to document my kids and family through photos! I like capturing genuine emotion with the use of natural light and minimal editing to bring out the natural beauty within you. Yes, I do want to open my photography business this year. I am currently working on it and also I am in need of clients, so please help a mama out! I specialize in candid with focusing on family, portraits, head shots and anything that needs to be photographed.
What are some of your passions outside of motherhood?
I am a preschool teacher, I am a freelance model, I teach Sunday school and photography.
Do you experience mom guilt? If so, how do you deal?
All the time but that shows how much I care for my family.
How important is it for you to have a passion outside of being a mother?
It is so important to do what you love other than being a mom. Thank goodness for my many hats of jobs because they keep me going.
Who has most influenced you to be the mom you are today?
My Aunt who was taking care of me back in the refugee camp and to those moms who adopt or foster a child and bring them up as their own.
When parenting gets hard, what’s something you tell yourself that gets you through?
I tell myself that this moment is not going to last, so enjoy the hard and good times. Also, I remember at hard times that life is given, everyday is a gift, as are those in our lives.
Name one thing you hope your kids look back and remember about their childhood and you as their mama?
I hope they know I try my best and everything I am doing is for them.
What would you tell the old “You” before you had kids?
Get more sleep!
We are all about community, as are you! What does having a mom tribe mean to you?
Mom tribe to me is a free zone for any questions and place to share your motherhood struggles. Most of my friends nowadays are moms and I am okay with that. Also not having family here in the area some of my mom’s friends are family to me now.