Connect What is the most rewarding part of being a mom?

I love spending time with my babies, watching them grow, seeing their personalities and the beautiful humans they are becoming is such a joy! Knowing they love and trust me enough to talk to me about not only the joys in their lives but also the complicated hard things that I never felt safe enough to share with my own mom. I cherish the open and honest relationships that we have. I look forward to being their friend when they are adults, & love the fact that they want to do things with me.

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

My absolute favorite memory is how when my kids were younger they'd wake up in the morning and come slip into my bed and we'd talk, snuggle, have tickle wars. It was a great way to start the day. Sometimes even now at 17 and 12 when they need a hug or some snuggles they'll ask to have mommy cuddle time, and I'll hold them and give them all the love they want while they share their heart with me. My 4 year old knows he can ask for cuddles & get them & it helps him regulate his big emotions.

What would you do with $20,000?

With $20,000 I'd put a down-payment on a house. We've lived in apartments most of their lives and it wasn't until recently when I rented a house that they got to have a yard to play in. Buying a home that I can have for them to always come back to and pass on to them has always been my dream. Finally having something that is a physical sign of my love, with space for each of them would make me so happy!