What is the most rewarding part of being a mom?

The most rewarding part is watching my children grow and change and become independent. It is of course a double-edged sword because I miss my babies! Everyone always says they grow up so fast but you really don't know until you're in it. I also love to hear their "I love yous" or in our secret code "all day long". I hope they don't mind that I'm sharing our code but when my little one was asked how much he loves us, his response was "all day long" and it stuck!

What is the biggest lesson motherhood has taught you?

There is no such thing as perfection. Growing up I would have described myself as a perfectionist, type "a" if you will. Children have taught me that nothing is perfect and if it looks like it's perfect from the outside, we all know that's just not true. I've learned that mothers make mistakes, but you still continue to try your hardest. Sometimes you have to be the one to say sorry. In the end, as long as your children can feel your unconditional love, it's okay to not be perfect.

What would you do with $20,000?

I think I would take a vacation with parents and my boys and put the remainder in savings for my children. As a family with one income, I'm constantly trying to save for my boys. Regarding the vacation, my parents have stepped up in a huge way to help me. After my husband passed, I also was diagnosed with lactation-induced osteoporosis and fractured 7 vertebrae spontaneously. I was unable to pick up either child for months and my mom helped in a huge way and deserves the world.