The EVM team of contributors features local, real moms, just like you! We’re not a group of influencers by trade, we’re just nextdoor moms who love the East Valley, and who love to keep it real, and overshare a little (in the best way possible).
Contributor since 2019
Coffee order: Iced chai with coconut milk
Best thing about your East Valley city: This fun corner of Mesa/Queen Creek/Gilbert is exploding recently! So many amazing new restaurants, activities, schools, and retail stores are popping up everywhere. We love how almost everything we need is right at our fingertips and the vibe out here is so fun and new!
Megan is originally from North Florida, but has called the East Valley her home since 2009. She has been married to the love of her life, Matt, for 12 years and they have 3 boys (ages 6, 3, and 1) who keep their hands and hearts full.
Having lived multiple career lives before turning SAHM, she has faithfully served in many positions at her local church, and tries to help create community wherever she can. Megan’s interest include finding ways to enjoy the crunchier side of life, nerdy documentaries of all kinds, and binging podcasts.
Lover of Jesus, daily naps, and finding something to laugh at in all situations, most days you can simply find Megan making up this whole mom thing as she goes with some wins and some losses along the way.
Contributor since 2022
Favorite thing about the East Valley:The sense of community that our Queen Creek brings through the numerous community events they host
Favorite EV Restaurant: Old Ellsworth Brewery
Amanda is a native Midwesterner who decided to ditch the cold weather for the west coasts warmer weather in her mid-20’s. She has lived in Queen Creek since 2016 and is married to her favorite human, Ryan. Together they share four boys (yay boy moms!), two of whom are her step-sons.
Amanda is a full-time manager at a large bank but she tends to be a jack of all trades; still holding her cosmetology and esthetics licenses, as well as doing balloon decor (previously having an event business) when asked. In her free time you can find her cooking new foods, finishing a DIY house project, crafting with her kids, watching trashy reality TV and Vikings football, and sharing funny-to-her Instagram reels.
Contributor since 2022
Favorite sweet treat: Chocolate chip cookies
Best mom advice: You’re doing great!
Barbara is a proud Arizona Native, born and raised in Mesa and currently residing in Chandler with her husband, two sons, and one fur baby.
After thirteen years of teaching second grade and working as a Reading Specialist, she traded in the teacher life for the stay at home mom life.
She loves her Catholic faith, a good book, and any meal she does not have to cook.
Contributor since 2024
Favorite restaurant in the East Valley: Joe’s Farm Grill
Favorite thing about your East Valley city: The close proximity to hiking trails and the variety of things to do for families
Ameema is a first-time mom to her daughter Aria. She’s usually busy balancing her career as a writer and videographer while chasing her toddler and keeping her engaged with activities.
Ameema comes from a background in television news so multitasking is second nature. She can usually be found with an iced coffee in hand. Ameema likes to bake, hike, try out new kid-friendly places in the East Valley and read in her free time.
Contributor since 2024
Coffee Order: Cold brew with white mocha and a splash of cream
Favorite EV Restaurant: Please don’t make me choose between Backyard Taco or Eggstacy!
Andrea is a mom of three boys—a kindergartner and 3-year-old twins – who survives on caffeine, spicy margaritas, and sheer determination. Based in East Mesa, she loves the outdoors, and you will likely find her and her kids outside at their local park, cruising the bike park, having a picnic in the sunshine, or being public pool rats in the summertime. Andrea is married to her college sweetheart and her whole family loves cheering on the sun devils in any sport that is in season!
Contributor since 2024
Coffee Order: Brewed at home with a splash of whole milk
Favorite park with your kids: Freestone! Lots of playground options and beautiful walking paths
Desa Rae currently resides in Gilbert with her college sweetheart, three kids (ages 4 and under), and her very first baby, a German Shepherd dog.
During the week, she is most likely at a park, attending a free event in town, baking anything with sourdough, or curled up in bed reading a good book.
Originally from Ohio, she and her family are happy to call sunny Arizona home since 2017.
Contributor since 2024
Favorite Restaurant in the East Valley: Joyride or Humble Bistro
Favorite thing about your East Valley city:The ease of access to all sorts of cool places. Coffee shops, thrift stores, parks, etc.
Jackie Kelley is a storyteller, illustrator, wife, and mama to two adventurous boys. Her strong desire to create is constantly leading her into new projects (both big and small). She is always looking for new and creative ways to take on life’s obstacles alongside her sweet family. Jackie has called Arizona home for the past decade and can’t imagine living anywhere else.
Contributor since 2024
Coffee Order: Coffee lover here! Iced vanilla latte with oat milk.
Favorite thing about your East Valley city: Hiking!! Before I had my two young children I was an avid hiker. I am looking forward to them being my little sidekicks on the trails!
Jenna Colossio was born in Chicago, Illinois but has grown up in Mesa, Arizona. She graduated from ASU as a young mother to her son Braxton, who is now fifteen years old.
She found passion for teaching reading and writing in various grades. She now teaches full-time online courses at ASU and feels blessed to work from home with her two young children, Jordan and Violet.
Jenna is extremely organized, motivated, creative, and always thinking of new ways to improve herself (strong Capricorn traits) while trying to balance the full time job of motherhood.
Contributor since 2024
Coffee Order: Cold brew with cream and sugar
Favorite East Valley date night activity: Sushi and book shopping
Kristen is a mom of 2 kids – Ilyana who is 8 and Ezekiel who is 3.
She is an Arizona native who has been married to Richard for 13 years. He’s the extravert that keeps her introvert self socialized. She lives in a neuro-spicy house with both Richard and Ilyana diagnosed with ADHD.
Kristen owns a cottage bakery out of her home, Floured Cupcakes, with her sister/best friend. She can basically always be found in the kitchen or somewhere cozy reading.
Contributor since 2024
Favorite park with your kids: Red Mountain Park
Favorite East Valley date night activity: Going to Daruma to get sushi and ramen, then heading to Barnes and Noble to browse books.
Lindsey is a stay at home mom who occasionally substitute teaches. She and her husband are involved in a small church plant in Mesa and host a small group every week in their home.
She loves playing with her kids, heading to the library, going on walks and chatting with friends over coffee.
Contributor since 2024
Coffee Order: Iced brown sugar shaken espresso with sweet cream cold foam
Favorite East Valley date night activity: Good food & live music!
Maile is a Southern California native, who’s making the east valley her home. She’s a Disney adult, Taylor Swift lover, and stay at home mom to 3!
She has been married to her best friend for 7.5 years.
If she’s in AZ you can find her going to Pilates, reading, or spending time with my friends. Maile tries to visit Disneyland once a month!
Veteran Contributor since 2017
Coffee order: Iced coffee with coconut milk
Favorite park with your kids: We have a small park inside our neighborhood and our kids LOVE it. It is super bare bones but I think because it forces creativity, they have a blast.
Kira is a busy working mama of 4 (3 chicks and a little guy) and lives in NE Mesa. She and her husband are high school sweethearts and moved to Arizona from the Midwest almost 10 years ago now.
Kira likes a good project, iced coffee, CrossFit and Yoga, gin, and Marshmallow Dream Bars. She dislikes the school pickup line, emptying the dishwasher, and mom shaming.
Veteran Contributor since 2018
Coffee Order: Iced triple espresso with 2 pumps vanilla and half and half
Best Mom-Advice You’ve Been Given: Choose your battles.
Cara is a thirty-something, second-generation Arizona Native. She grew up in NE Mesa and still has a deep love for the East Valley. She moved around the state a bit before planting roots in Old Town Scottsdale with her family.
Cara started writing for East Valley Moms in 2018 as a way to reconnect with the East Valley after living in Tucson for a few years. In Summer 2022, she returned to the office and is getting reacquainted with full-time, working-mom life.
In her free time, Cara can be found at Barre3 or continuing her search for the best margarita in town.
Mesa mom of 3
Gilbert mom of twin boys
Mesa mom of 4
Gilbert mom of 2
Florence mom of 5
