What is the most rewarding part of being a mom?

Watching these young people that you helped create, all grow up to be so different. With 5 kids, ranging from 25 to 3, we have a blended and complex family, and each child is different. Being able to provide for their needs and watch them all flourish as individuals, pathing their own way and being successful is the best reward. When your kids are good people, with good values, that choose to spend time with you, you know that even though you did some things wrong, you did most of it right.

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

There are specific memories associated with each child that I hold dear. But Christmas memories with the whole family are the BEST. It's our favorite holiday. It's the one time a year that we can get all the kids together. Spending Christmas Eve collectively, in our PJs, watching movies, and letting the kids all pick out 1 present to open, catching up, seeing them all grow and change from year to year...those moments you sit back, breathe, are grateful, and thank God for all your blessings.

What would you do with $20,000?

So many things! Get caught up on bills so I feel like I can breathe. Help our middle child finish college. Put some in savings. Unfortunately, nothing fun. Life has been hard and keeping up, trying to provide for our family, has been a struggle. Even with good jobs, multiple jobs, it's hard to make ends meet.