What is the most rewarding part of being a mom?

For me it's seeing when your children make the right decisions and feeling that sense of pride. It's the little things, the little acts of kindness that I see that lets me know I'm raising boys to be men someday. On spring break recently I came home on Wednesday to have my whole kitchen cleaned by my oldest son because he knew I don't like it a mess (and he wanted more computer time), but he took initiative without asking or complaining to do something to help.

What is one memory of your kids that you will never forget?

When I was younger and a single mom to my oldest I was working full time and he was in daycare. I will never forget coming to pick him up and he ran towards me to give me a plastic ring he found on the playground during the MORNING. According to the daycare lady he refused to give it up during eating, playing and nap time in order to give it to me. He told me he wanted me to have a ring like the rest of the mamas 😭. I still have it to this day.

What would you do with $20,000?

Honestly it's hard right now for a family of 4 in this economy. I have a teenager looking to get his license in a year and a half, we have house repairs to do as well. So probably a little bit set aside for each would help us right now. A portion of it I would like to help fund a trip for us to see the ocean. We rarely get out of our own state for a vacation much less going to the ocean. But I think it would be a core memory for the boys and us as a family.