Mothers have a role that
requires an immeasurable amount of patience and love and a commitment that
extends well beyond the annual celebration of Mothers’ Day. Their contributions
to our lives often define our personalities, goals and values. Like many moms,
Jeanine Babyak dedicates herself to meeting the needs of her children. However,
unlike most moms, she brings world travels and artistic flare to her home and
her children.
Although she was born at an Army base in the small town of Fayetteville,
NC, days before Christmas in 1965, Babyak spent most of her childhood abroad due
to her military dad’s assignments. Without permanent roots, she learned to make
friends quickly and seize memory-making opportunities. When she reached high
school, she moved with her mom and sister to the U.S. and then attended Liberty
University, now the largest Christian university in the world.
Babyak graduated with a degree in Communication and met and married her
husband, Bill, in 1993. They soon settled in northern Virginia and joined Sovereign
Grace Church of Fairfax. Dissatisfied with public school standards and
environments, Babyak decided to homeschool her two daughters and helped establish their
church’s dynamic homeschool co-op.
For many years, “Mrs.
Babyak” was a favorite art teacher in the co-op, creating her own curriculum to
incorporate art into world history through the ages. Fellow teacher Marcie Concepcion
remarked, “She has shown me what it means to do everything as unto the Lord, to
the best of her ability, even when others would settle for less.” She has
always been an artist at heart, applying herself to interior design, painting, and
set and costume design as needs arise. In addition to art, Babyak taught
Spanish and history over the years. Former art student Megan Merryman said, “Now as a
sophomore in college, I still witness her love and passion for serving the
co-op. Jeanine is
a very talented lady who works joyfully and passionately on the many projects
she undertakes. She genuinely cares for
her students in- and outside of the classroom and wants to see each one
succeed.”
“Industrious” and “inspiring”
only begin to describe Jeanine. She is known for throwing her whole being into
everything she does with a creative flare and for joyfully giving her life away
for others. A leader with great initiative
and vision, she orchestrated an annual themed co-op celebration for many years.
Merryman, said, “Each year-end event involved decorations and food to
match the time period in history the kids were learning, which Jeanine was
actively a part of planning and setting up each event.” From the very beginning, she
cultivated in her daughters a fascination with foreign cultures, a love for
learning, and solid biblical values. According to Concepcion, “She is a woman
of strong convictions and she follows [them] with great passion, especially as
a mother. She has poured herself out for her daughters and for the friends that
are in her daughters’ lives.” Her daughters attest to her fun, spontaneous
personality characterized by honesty, loud laughter and tight hugs that often
draws friends and troubled teens.
For Jeanine Babyak, being
a mother requires unwavering dedication and has the potential to transform hearts.
Her role is timeless and expands to include new friends and family members. Every
day is Mothers’ Day.
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