Working Mom Spotlight: Madison Upton
Restored is all about bringing working moms into the intentional community they need to thrive. That’s why we’re excited to kick off a new series on the blog called “Mom Spotlight” where we can highlight our awesome Restored moms! Today, we begin with our friend Madison Upton - a wife, operations officer and Restored mom.
Number of kids: 2
Favorite candy bar: Anything dark chocolate
Restored: Tell us about your family and your childcare solution.
Madison: I’ve been married to my college sweetheart, Rudy, for nine years. We have two daughters, Reagan (4) and Anna Gray (2). We have tried every childcare solution possible – nanny, preschool, part-time daycare and full-time daycare! Each have served our family well during different seasons. Now, we feel very blessed to have our children full-time at our church daycare. We’ve learned childcare isn’t one size fits all, and that is OK!
Restored: Where do you work, and what is a typical workday for you?
Madison: I am the operations officer for our family company, Upton & Co. We are custom home builders building homes in and around the Triangle. My father-in-law started the company 40 years ago, and my husband and I both work at Upton & Co. full-time. My days look a little different, as we trade off dropping off the girls and picking them up from daycare. On a typical day, I would do one or the other and work at our office in Morrisville from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Most days I’m behind a computer crunching numbers, but sometimes I head out to job sites to see the progress. My background is HR, but finance is my current passion.
Restored: What are some of your goals — personal or professional?
Madison: A big personal goal of mine was to earn an MBA. Ten days before our youngest daughter was born, I walked across the stage at Meredith College and received my diploma! I’ve always known I wanted to pursue higher education. It took several years for timing, finances and opportunity to line up. After lots of prayer, I changed careers and took a leap of faith. My career has taken a different direction than I had anticipated, and I’m thrilled to be in the role I have now. My professional goal is to hold the title of CFO. I hope Rudy and I can continue to move Upton & Co. forward for many years. However, I’ve learned to be very careful making plans, and I can’t wait to see what else God has in store.
Restored: What motivates you to work?
Madison: My motivation has changed during different seasons of my life. Rudy and our girls are what motivate me now. I never want Rudy to feel like he has to solely carry the burden of providing for our family. We are a team. Additionally, I want my girls to know they can do anything they want as long as they are willing to put in the work. If I’m being honest, I like working. I take a lot of pride in my job, and I think I’m a better mom because of it.
Restored: How do you like to relax?
Madison: While it may sound counterintuitive, I love to work out! If I have 30 minutes to myself, you’ll find me working out. I also really enjoy a glass of wine on the back porch!
Restored: What is your favorite part of motherhood? How has it impacted you personally?
Madison: Watching my girls learn something new. Seeing that “ah ha” moment in their little faces is the neatest feeling I’ve ever experienced.
Restored: What is one of your favorite Restored events to date? Why is it your favorite?
Madison: Hands down the Philippians Bible study we did in April 2020. Seeing that group of women come together, craving Godly connection was amazing. April is always a bittersweet month for my family, as we lost my cousin John on Good Friday, 11 years ago. Philippians 4:13 was his favorite Bible verse. What a timely study this was! Not only because of John, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Paul wrote such a hopeful message all those years ago and it is just as meaningful and impactful today.
Restored: Can you share how you overcome challenges related to the “mom chaos” that settles in when you feel pulled in 100 directions?
Madison: Prayer and centering myself. It took me a while to realize this, and I’m not always the best at it. However, when I take care of myself first, I’m able to take care of my family so much better. When I start to get frazzled and overwhelmed, my best line of defense is to say a prayer and go do something for me. Sometimes I do a quick workout or take a trip to TJ Maxx - anything that gives me a chance to re-set!
Restored: Besides your faith and family, what are you passionate about?
Madison: My marriage! This year I have really felt a push from God to work on my marriage. I’m not sure what the big guy is trying to tell me – but I’m doing my best to listen. Rudy and I took re | engage at our church last fall and then lead a table this past spring. What a life-changing ministry we have stumbled upon. Having a strong marriage for me, for us and for our girls is so important to me.