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

Honestly just watching your kid grow into their own personality is my favorite. Being able to share experiences, memories, and spend time with them really is what makes me thankful to be a mom. When I walk into the room and see my son, his eyes light up and he immediately gives me the biggest smile. It makes my day, no matter how stressful work has been. Learning what he likes to do and getting to do it with him is also such a rewarding thing.

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

I’ll never forget the day when he was born, I had a pretty stressful birth with him. I was in labor for 3 days before having to have a c-section. When they held him up and he started crying, it was like my world fell into place. Something in my brain clicked and I remember thinking “I was made to be his mom.” I’ll never forget holding my son for the first time, and being so thankful I finally had my sweet baby after trying for so long. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about that moment.

What would you do with $20,000?

I would use the money in a couple different ways. I would set some aside for my son’s education, and then use some of it to finish renovating our house so that it can be the best place for a baby to grow up. We bought a fixer upper, and there are still some fixes that need to be completed. It would also give my husband and I the ability to breathe easier with our finances since I had to scale back with work after our son was born in order to recover. It would mean the world to me to win this.