What is the most rewarding part of being a mom?

All you want for your kids is that they do and have better than you did! You want them to have a happy and healthy life and it’s hard at times to keep your thoughts to yourself. When you think you’ve been doing everything wrong that day, you’ll get a note under your door that says, “thanks for being my mom.” Or when a stranger tells you that your kids are so kind and polite, and to keep up the great work. It makes you think, well, I guess I didn’t screw them up! Always learning as a parent.

What is the biggest lesson motherhood has taught you?

Motherhood has taught me to trust my gut, it’s usually always right. Don’t compete with other moms. Kids are simple, they need love and consistency. Motherhood is scary, fun, exciting, unpredictable and overwhelming at all times. Trying not to lose myself in my kids. They will always need you, it changes as they get older and they’ll need you in other ways. That’s hard to grasp, but eventually you’ll figure it out! “Bigger kids, bigger problems,” is what someone once told me. So true!

What would you do with $20,000?

This is hard to answer. I don’t usually do self care for myself, that’s always been a struggle for me. If I received this award. I would like to donate some of the money to the MS Society. My mom passed away 22 years ago and Ive always wanted to donate to the MS Society Chapter Of AZ to help families! I’ve done walks and runs for it, but donating a large amount of money would be awesome! Also, I’d like to treat myself to a relaxing trip to Hawaii! I’ve never been. Thank you! Jackie