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

Witnessing my girls grow into the beautiful young ladies they are becoming. When they were babies, it was seeing them learning through their eyes. You could literally see them learning by watching their eyes and watching their faces process new experiences and skills. Now that they are older, it is being there with them as they learn to be kind people that have the biggest hearts for other people. I have been able to watch my girls overcome adversity and have grit and also empathy.

What is the biggest lesson motherhood has taught you?

Motherhood has taught me so much about trying to see the best in people always. Kids are really quick to humble you and I have learned that it's ok to make a mistake, as long as you communicate that to your children and they see that as an adult, you are still learning and trying every day too. Your kids need to see you in real moments, the crying & hurt, to witness that part of life. It's a balance between that and also keeping life as normal as possible when life crumbles around you.

What would you do with $20,000?

I would put some money aside for each of my girls to be able to pursue their passions. Club volleyball is expensive! And so is dance. I would also be sure to use some to take my girls to my favorite childhood beach with my parents and 97 year old grandpa. We have had a hard few years with some very scary moments for my oldest daughter and her anxiety & depression. We need some time to just be still as a family and doing this with my grandpa in that place would mean so much to me.