In my book, if you are a mom, you deserve a gold medal. This month, in honor of Mother’s Day I’m dedicating my Boss Babe title to my own Mom. This is my small way of giving her a much deserved gold medal.  As I’ve “grown up,” looking back at my childhood I sometimes find myself scratching my head and wondering “how the heck did my Mom do all of that?”  I mean, I have myself and my dog to take care of, a pretty laid back fiancé who helps with dinner every night, and sometimes I’m struggling with finding time for myself (or to even shower!). Add a full time job, and kids with full time schedules to the mix – I’m not sure how she did it! But, she did. And she still is. With two kids out of the house, and my brother still in middle school, my mom works full time and is attending school herself to finish her degree. Yeah, the woman is DOING.IT.ALL. 

Not only that, but she’s my on call sounding board, and always going out of her way to do little things to let her loved ones know they matter. She was a young mother, served in the Air Force, juggled my sister and I, work, and later added my little brother to the mix (which was way more to handle than any of the before mentioned ;)!). She was and still is the mom who wrote little notes and stuck them in my lunch, or had special surprises waiting at home if we passed a milestone. Did your mom literally make you green eggs and ham on St. Patrick’s Day via green food color? Well, mine did! She also chopped up the carrots I left out for Santa’s reindeer on Christmas Eve so I would think they ate them, left Easter Bunny tracks near our baskets, and painted her face green to attend my sister’s class Halloween party as a “witch.” It’s hilarious little memories like these that I look back on fondly and with such adoration.

Think about your mom. What’s the first thing that comes to mind? Probably, a slew of endless things she has done and sacrificed for you. I hope happy memories come to your head, and you are filled with the same warm feeling I get when I think about going home.

My Favorite Mother’s Day Gift Ideas 

Have you ever noticed, when we think of our Moms often times we are thinking of their role as it is associated with our being. What I mean by this is, we tend to forget that our Mothers are people outside of their MOM role and the many hats that come along with that title. Have you ever wondered who your mom was before she had you? Or, taken the time to ask her about her hopes and dreams? She has spent her whole life building up yours, aren’t you curious what aspirations your mother has for her future?

Someday, you’ll look back and you might kick for not getting to know your Mom beyond her “Mom Hat.” I’m fortunate enough that as I’ve grown up, my relationship with my mom has grown and evolved into a friendship. This Mother’s Day, I invite you to take some time and make a special memory with your mother. Please use this free printable questionnaire, and sit down with the woman who played a hand in who you are today, whether that be your mom, grandmother, aunt, stepmom or family friend. Talk, laugh, and get to know the woman behind the “mom.” I promise you won’t regret it.

To my mom on Mother’s Day, and everyday:

Thank you for pouring every ounce of yourself into the happiness of myself and my siblings. Thank you for the green eggs and ham, the silly games we play on Christmas Eve, for making 3 different kinds of breakfast casseroles because we all want something different, for enduring me through my teenage years, and supporting me as I came into my own. It is not unseen to me, that because of your sacrifices I have been able to achieve all of my greatest successes.

In the spirit of Mother’s Day, my Mom was such a good sport and answered my Mother’s Day questionnaire. I enjoyed getting to know her more through these answers, and will cherish this moment for years to come! I encourage you to sit down with your Mom, Grandma, Stepmom, Aunt or whoever that motherly figure in your life is and bond over these same questions we shared together!

1. What were you like as a kid?

As a young child, I was quiet and shy.  I grew up in the 70’s and 80’s, the middle sister of three girls.  We played outside all day, every day during the summer.  We rode bikes, walked through nearby woods, we explored a lot, finding bugs, ladybugs, grasshoppers, caterpillars, locust shells left behind on trees. We rescued animals like ducks and frogs.  It was the best of times.  I was lucky to have two sisters to discover the world with. I was the girly girl. I chose the “girls” bike, my sisters both had “boy” bikes. I wore girl tennis shoes, my sisters both wore boy tennis shoes. 

2. Growing up who inspired you most? Why?

Growing up, My Grandmother was a huge inspiration to me. I think she inspired me because she was kind, caring, humble and accepting. She was also a great cook and worked endlessly to take care of her family. I loved her laugh. She was always happy to see me and made me feel special.  I would also add my Mom to the list of inspiring people in my life.  As a kid though, I’m sure I didn’t appreciate her enough.  As an adult, I admire her strength. I am mostly inspired by people who do good, people who help others with no other motive than being kind. People with kind hearts.

3. What advice would you give your 16 year old self?

I would tell myself not to grow up too fast.  I would tell myself to take advantage of the opportunities of High School.  I would tell myself not to worry about standing out or blending in, but just to be the best person I can be. Don’t be afraid to try out for the High School musical, Volunteer in student organizations, be more active with HS activities.   I would tell myself to listen to my Mom.  She was right about everything.

4. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you “grew up?”

Other than a Rock Star?  My first memory of what I wanted to be when I grew up was a dentist.   I’d still like to be a Rock Star though.  Hahaha!

5. If you had to do it all over again would you choose the same career path?

Yes,  I don’t think I would change much regarding my career path, (except to maybe speed up my new nursing career goal)  I think I am where I am supposed to be in this moment.  I do believe things happen for a reason and in perfect timing. (even though sometimes it’s hard to see it that way) 

6. Looking back at your life now, what are you most proud of?

I know it’s cliché, but I am very proud of my kids.  All 3 of them – they make me the proudest. Maybe because I just Love you all so much. I’m proud of everything you do!   Brady asks me which one I love the most, and I always tell him, I love you all the same… then he makes me list the reasons I love each of you until he’s satisfied that it is possible to love each of you equally.  It’s not hard to think of proud moments. I think of you graduating from BGSU and now your amazing career and inspiring blog.  I think of Ellie and her leading role in the H.S. musical. (or the solo in 5th grade) and of how Ellie lights up a room with her personality!  I think of Brady and how hard he works at everything he does and how sweet he can be. It’s hard to be proud of myself – but I suppose if I have to… I am proud of my service in the Air Force, and I am proud of my new career goals and GPA. 

7. Think back on one of your hardest times, how did you overcome it? What is 1 piece of advice you would give someone  facing a hardship?

The one piece of advice I would give someone facing hardships would be a piece of advice my mom gave me, that I will never forget. She said, “ When you are struggling with something in life and you have no idea what to do or where to turn, sit down,  open the Bible.  Whatever page you turn to will give you answers. My mom may have no idea how much her words stuck with me. She is not a “religious” person, but she does have faith in God. There have been times that this advice has gotten me through some real difficult moments in life.  It’s really about Faith. Turning your trouble over to something higher than yourself.

8. What is your favorite memory?

The favorite memory that pops into my mind right away, is our family vacations in NC. With my mom, sisters, brother, kids, nieces and nephews. For obvious reasons, I guess. It was just fun to relax, be crazy, have fun, and enjoy each other’s company without worries or expectations. I have more memories, like Silver Lake vacations.  Memories where Brady makes us all laugh. Childhood memories…etc.

9. If you could travel to one place all expenses paid, where would you go?

Europe or someplace warm that I’ve never visited before!

10. What is your idea of the perfect day?

Spending time in the sunshine with my family.

11. What do you wish you made more time in your life for?

Myself! Relaxing and enjoying time with loved ones is always something I wish I had more time for.

12. What do you wish you spent less time doing?

Working? Ha, Just Kidding…probably anything that does not bring me joy.

13. What family tradition do you cherish the most?

I love my families tradition of “Thanksmas.” Half of our family lives in North Carolina, so they come up North for Thanksgiving and we celebrate Christmas + Thanksgiving in one crazy night!

14. What are you looking forward to in the years to come?

Finishing my nursing degree, watching my kids continue to be happy and healthy, enjoying new memories with family.

15. Describe yourself in ONE word:

Compassionate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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