For about a week straight, no matter where we went, my 7 year old consistently asked for me to buy her something.

At the check-out stand in Wal-Mart: “Mom, can you buy me this pack of gum?”
Driving home from gymnastics: “Mom, can you buy me an ice cream cone?”
Even watching a commercial: “Mom, can you buy me that toy? I don’t have it.”

It was when we went into a motor sports shop for accessories, that Ad saw this sweet little number, just her size, marked at $4500 and begged us to buy it for her, that I realized it’s time to teach her the value of money.

My dad was/is an accountant and I remember throughout my childhood (probably starting in my infancy), my dad instilled in our brains the value of a dollar, and how to earn it.  Yes, we even had our own balance ledgers were we were to document our credits and debits of money earned and spent.  I knew that if I really wanted that box of assorted donuts from the grocery store, I needed to earn my own money.  So, my sister and I would bake a variety of cookies and brownies and take them around the neighborhood in our little red Radio Flyer wagon.

It’s no surprise that I was pleased when my daughter decided to start her own money-earning project similar to mine.  Only, instead of selling baked goods, she wanted to sell lemonade.  And instead of donuts being the goal, she’s shooting for Disneyland!  I like her style.

Before we sent this entrepreneur out to make some money, we decided she needed to learn about it first.  So, we counted the money from the piggy banks, taught the difference between each coins and took turns role playing consumer and cashier, learning how to return correct change.

We discussed loans, inventory, and good customer service skills.  Once we purchased all the necessary products, and went over the sales plan, they were off!  Since we were still experiencing colder weather in Rexburg (shocker!), she opted for Hot Chocolate as the sales item.  So, bright and early, before her school started, we packed up the wagon with all the goods and set up shop right on the corner of the crosswalk across the street of the university.  Just in time to catch all the students trying to make their 7:45am class.

For little girls who normally are somewhat reserved around “strangers”, they sure found some confidence to walk right up and talk with these students.  Apparently, Disneyland is enough motivation to open up even the shyest of personalities!

  Before they knew it, they were not only selling cups of hot chocolate, but receiving tips as well!

Who says it’s not beneficial living next to a large university with 15,000+ student attending!

More to come after their next endeavor of selling lemonade now that the weather is warming up.  Will they make their goal??  Stay tuned…

Have you ever met a woman who doesn’t sit for periods longer than what it takes to eat a meal?  Even during a family movie at home, she’s folding clothes, or baking cookies, or saving Tibet.  Someone who is constantly DOING something? And always for somebody else? Someone who is able to take any spoken phrase and turn it into a song?  Someone who is so used to making army-sized meals that even when the kids have all moved out of the house, she still invites them back to eat? (because she made too much food for just her, her husband and Henry GrayCat). Someone who raised 8 “active” children as a stay-at-home mom, and was still able to help make ends meet by finding jobs at home (like ironing, painting doormats, and managing a newspaper route)?  Someone who spends her (well-deserved) “free time” babysitting grandchildren and attending grandchildren’s soccer games, dance recitals and supporting their lemonade stands.  Someone who manages to stay on top of the lives of 8 kids and finds time to check in on a regular basis with each one of them?  If you have, then you’ve met my mom! I left the “most influential mother” of my features as the last.   Yes,  it is my own mother but hey, it’s MY blog!

How long have you been a mother?
I became a mother almost 37 years ago!  I cheated a bit and gave birth to two beautiful daughters.  That was an eye-opener!  It’s a good thing I was so naive because I didn’t realize how hard taking care of two was, until the next ONE came along.

How does your “motherhood” compare to how your mom raised you?
I find myself saying and doing the very things that bugged me when my own sweet Mom said and did those things.  When I was in my mid twenties, I couldn’t believe how wise my Mother became!  She gets smarter and more wise with each year.

What is your most embarrassing moment being a mom?
Oh my goodness!  Do I dare say?  OK, here goes.  When Camille was 2 years old, she was sitting in the shopping cart with her twin sister as we maneuvered our way to the check-out line of the grocery store.  A black woman with her adorable baby was right in front of us.  Camille said, in a loud 2-year-old voice, while pointing at the baby, “Look Mom!  A Monkey!”  I pretended I had forgotten something and left the line. Another time, Dan, who was 5 years old, answered the door when our new home teacher, who happened to be vertically challenged,  knocked.  Dan let him in and announced, “Mom, a little man is at our door!” There was an APB out on Dan and Dave because Dave was brandishing a toy gun in the back seat of Dan’s car.  It looked like a real gun and was reported.  Another time…

If you had a “day off” – how would you spend it?
When I have a “day off” I’m usually spending it with my grand kids!  However, it’s also nice to just do nothing…if I want.

What is your staple that gets you through the day? Music and singing.  I think it helped me keep my sanity and drove my kids INSANE!

What would you TRULY want as a Mother’s Day gift?
I just want EVERYONE to get along…TRULY!!

What has been the biggest shock in being a mom? – something you weren’t prepared to deal with?
How much LOVE one can have for another human being and how much it HURTS when my children hurt!

What is the most rewarding aspect of being a mom?
When the children were younger, it was rewarding just getting through each day!  Now, I am amazed at the responsible, lovely people my children have become. I am impressed with how they step up and support each other during times of trial and yet tease one another and have fun together.  They’re my friends and my confidants.  My children make me SMILE!

I first met Kim at the Story@Home Conference in Utah earlier this year.  I had never laughed nor cried so much in the same hour as I did in her class.  Kim shared not just experiences of her childhood, but shared them in a way that made me connect with her, and think of my own upbringing.  Her sarcasm and down-to-earth perspective of life makes me think, “no wonder she’s a professional storyteller”!

How long have you been a mother? I have been a mother for 26 years!

How does your mothering abilities compare to your mother’s? I was way more open with my kids than my mom was with us. Her generation was taught that children are seen not heard. I allowed my children to sit with adults and hear deep discussions. I believe children understand much more than we credit them for.

What was the most embarrassing moment of being a mom? When I took my firstborn for a walk in her stroller…with 2 feet of snow on the ground. An older woman looked at me like I was crazy and told me I shouldn’t have the baby out in that weather. I was so embarrassed! I was a new mom and I was so excited to take walks with her that I didn’t think twice about it.

If you had a “day off” how would you spent it? Alone, with some books, in the mountains with no cell service! Pure quiet.

What is a staple that gets you through the day? Laughter

What would you TRULY want for a Mother’s Day gift? To have all the women, in my family, together in the same place, with a great meal and hours to talk. No men allowed.

What has been the biggest shock in being a mom? – something that you weren’t prepared to deal with? That the ‘happy always” life you envisioned and dreamt for your child seldom happens. If it did, they would be soft and unprepared for life. So now I embrace the bad moments and treasure them for what they teach.

What is the most rewarding aspect of being a mom? My daughters are all grown now, and we are very good friends. Open , honest and willing to say sorry. We like hanging out together and they actually WANT to hang out with me. That is the biggest compliment a parent can get.

This week, in celebration of mothers, I’ve selected a myriad of women of all different places, personalities, lifestyles, and motherhood and have asked them to share their perspective on being a mom.

photo credit Kate Pease Photography

I don’t even remember when the first time was that I met Kathy, but I DO remember her being so gracious and kind with every interaction we’ve had.  She is virtuous, lovely, praiseworthy, and of good report.   If I could mirror all her characteristics, I’d be very pleased. And so would my children.

How long have you been a mother?
I have been a mother for 4 years 4 months. I became a mother 6 weeks earlier than planned when my water broke and our son arrived early. 
 
How does your “motherhood” compare to how your mom raised you?
Motherhood is different than expected because I think we want to emulate the example of our mothers, but forget that it’s taken them a good 30+ years to become the mothers they are today. I wish I could go back in time and see what my mother was like when I was four. They were living in Denmark at the time and she was a nurse. I wonder how it would have been to ride by bike all around, drop children off for school and go grocery shopping with out a car.

Growing up,  I took for granted that my mother sacrificed so much. I think it takes becoming a mother to understand that. Honestly, as a teenager, I assumed that she loved doing house work and cooking. It came so natural to her. It has not come so natural to me. But I do make it a goal to properly laugh with my children daily.

What is your most embarrassing moment being a mom?
The most embarrassing moment as a mother would have to be learning to nurse in the NICU with an audience.

If you had a “day off” – how would you spend it?
Some where quiet. I like to refuel and have peace and I find that solitude in nature. Going for rides on my cruise bike makes me happy.

What is your staple that gets you through the day?
Diet coke is my vice.

What would you TRULY want as a Mother’s Day gift?
I’d love to know what I’m doing right and what they love doing together. Also, what do I need improvement on? 
 
What has been the biggest shock in being a mom? – something you weren’t prepared to deal with?
The thing that shocked me the most is how little “me” time I have. It’s usually just a few minutes during the day. I’ve tried to find ways to find quiet during the day, but it’s not so easy some days. 
 
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a mom?
Snuggles and kisses. The first time a child says “Mama” is always a heart melter. Watching them grow and develop and learn things. 

photo credit Alision English Photography

This week, in celebration of mothers, I’ve selected a myriad of women of all different places, personalities, lifestyles, and motherhood and have asked them to share their perspective on being a mom.

Jen has always struck me as the “cool mom”. You know, the one whose house all the neighborhood kids want to play at; the one who plays on the jungle gym with her boys; the one who takes the kids out for ice cream after soccer practice… The one who loves her children unconditionally and finds humor despite the chaos, craziness, and work it takes to be a mother.  Jen has blessed my life not only with that example, but creating memories for me through her amazing photography skills. At Christmastime, we take advantage of her Glimpse of Santa photoshoots.  And just 6 months ago, she braved the strong winds and cold weather to capture my wedding day.  She was a good sport!  If time allowed, I’m sure she would have taken us out for ice cream afterwards.

How long have you been a mother?
9 years

How does your “motherhood” compare to how your mom raised you?
My own mother is an amazing example to me of a mom who always invited LOVE, KINDNESS, FUN and MUSIC into our home.  It is something that I am really trying to do with my own kids now.  It certainly is  A LOT harder than she EVER made it look!!  I can say we’ve got the “MUSIC and FUN” part down pretty good.  We take the other two day by day;)
 
What is your most embarrassing moment being a mom?
One summer morning I was out in the front yard filling our little pool up for the boys when along came a couple of Jehovah’s Witnesses.  They shared a sweet message with us and then asked if I would like a book/pamphlet  about how I could better improve our family and be a better parent.  I respectfully declined and told them I had a church I loved that taught similar things on family and parenting.  As they left….still well within earshot,  my then 5 year old son says to me “Hey Mom, who the HELL were those guys.”  To which I promptly shouted to the Jehovah Witness Missionaries…….I’LL TAKE THAT PAMPHLET NOW!!” 

If you had a “day off” – how would you spend it? 
Sleeping, Shopping, Spa and Sushi!!

What is your staple that gets you through the day?
On a tough day A Sonic Route 44 Diet Cherry Diet Coke does the trick!

What would you TRULY want as a Mother’s Day gift? 
A Beach Cruiser which must include a basket and a bell.  Oh and it would probably have to have a baby bike seat on the bike if I actually want to ride it anywhere.
 
What has been the biggest shock in being a mom?
Pregnancy and Childbirth.  All I heard was just the good stuff prior to my first son.  How amazing it is, the miracle of it all, how much you’ll love that sweet little bundle etc… While all true they seemed to have all left out everything in between.  Gesh! That did me ZERO favors.  Of course totally worth it but still SHOCKING!!

What is the most rewarding aspect of being a mom?
Being a Rock Star in my own home. Usually when I walk through the door my “fans” come running and screaming!  Sometimes out of happiness but mostly just running from a brother chasing them with a sword or light saber.  My boys are also still young enough to think I know everything, sing the prettiest, tell the funniest jokes and cook the best! (My oldest might be catching on about the Top Ramen though.)

This week, in celebration of mothers, I’ve selected a myriad of women of all different places, personalities, lifestyles, and motherhood and have asked them to share their perspective on being a mom.

Isn’t she beautiful? Amy is just as kind, compassionate, friendly, and creative as she is lovely.  She has been my mentor in many things from photography to being a working mom of little girls.  I’ve always been impressed at how Amy balances her life with a full-time job, preparing lessons for her Sunday School class, blessing others’ lives with her photography, early morning fitness classes, and cultivates a loving relationship with her daughters and husband.  And still found time to squeeze in a lunch or cupcake run with me.   She blogs at The Family Trifecta. 

How long have you been a mother?
9 years and 3 months
 
How does your “motherhood” compare to how your mom raised you? 
My mom was a stay-at-home mom until I was in junior high.  My mom was always home when we got home from school.  She always had a healthy snack for us and always prepared a healthy meal that had lots of color in it.  I work full-time and always have the whole time that I have been a mom.  I love my job but I don’t like that it keeps me from being home every day the girls get home from school.  It also keeps me from getting to take them on spur of the moment hikes during the summer.  But, because I work, I’m able to provide my girls with more opportunities than I was able to have.  “Trade-offs” is sort of my mantra.
 
What is your most embarrassing moment being a mom? 
I’ve made a lot of mistakes as a mom but I don’t have any embarrassing moments that I can think of.  There are moments my family laughs at me – like the times I snort while laughing, or when my family will have a contest to see who can make me gag the fastest or the longest.  Sometimes I get really goofy, but that only embarrasses my kids or Scott.
 
If you had a “day off” – how would you spend it? 
A day off would be spent sleeping in, then going to the gym for a yoga class or a good swim.  Then I’d spend hours on the computer updating my blog, editing pictures and if there was still time, go for a hike with the family under a full moon.
 
What is your staple that gets you through the day?
Lots and lots of water.  And if it is a hard day, chocolate.
 
What would you TRULY want as a Mother’s Day gift? 
The one thing I want more than anything is for my girls to focus on being respectful and everything that comes along with it. 
 
What has been the biggest shock in being a mom? – something you weren’t prepared to deal with? 
I wasn’t prepared to deal with attitude problems.  I was a very easy going and peace-making child.  I’m constantly taken back any time my girls talk back, throw around attitude or yell at one another. 
 
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a mom? 
My favorite thing is when my girls come in and snuggle into me so that I can make everything better.  I love knowing that when things aren’t going smoothly that I’m the one that they hope can fix it.

This week, in celebration of mothers, I’ve selected a myriad of women of all different places, personalities, lifestyles, and motherhood and have asked them to share their perspective on being a mom.

When I first met Amy, we both were sporting tan lines from our calves down (including lines on our feet from sandals), long comfortable dresses, and black name tags.   Despite the sweat-induced humidity, drenching rainstorms, and drunken old men whistling at us from the corners, Amy ALWAYS had a smile on her face and lifted spirits with her sarcasm and random impersonations.  After the mission, Amy spent years in the corporate world working as Director of Brand Development for growing companies like Fat Cats, The Pizza Factory, and Costa Vida.  Then, once she met her sweet husband, she gave it all up to become an instant mom of three.  Amy has lived an amazing life with an amazing story and improves others’ lives with her humor, smile, and perspective on life.

How long have you been a mother?
I became a mother three and a half years ago, when I said “I DO” to my husband Mike. Mike lost his first wife (of 18-years) to breast cancer, leaving him a widower with three children (ages 12, 10, and 7.) We have since had two children together, Hope (22 months) and Gracie (4 weeks.)

How does your “motherhood” compare to how your mom raised you?
When you were raised by the greatest mom in the world….you shouldn’t compare! I do find myself saying things like, “You’re not really going to wear that, are you?” Or, “Honey…..you’ve forgotten to comb the back of your hair….you’ve got a rats nest growing back there!”

What is your most embarrassing moment being a mom?
After my husband and I returned home from our honeymoon, we picked up our kids (who had been with their grandma) and boarded a plane for (my new) home in Seattle. We were unable to get seats together so my husband and I were sitting a few rows in front of the children. About ten minutes in to the flight, the flight attendant came by and said, “Excuse me ma’am……your children have been trying to get your attention for the past ten minutes!” I thought, “my children?” I turned around and saw all three of them calling, “mom, mom, mom!”

If you had a “day off” – how would you spend it?
I would spend the day with my mom and sisters in Midway, Utah…first at a fabulous spa, than shopping in Park City, dinner at a wonderful restaurant and finally a movie with lots of (REAL) buttered popcorn!

What is your staple that gets you through the day?
(I was going to say Diet Coke….but I’ve had to kick that habit since I’m now nursing!) I would have to say it’s my 5:30pm kiss that I get from my handsome husband… every day. It’s a kiss that means, I’m home (and here to save you), I’m happy to be married to you, you’re beautiful and I love you……..all in one simple gesture! I could not do what I do everyday without out it!

What would you TRULY want as a Mother’s Day gift?
World peace, or at least family peace! (I would not be sad to get a gift certificate for a pedicure!)

What has been the biggest shock in being a mom? – something you weren’t prepared to deal with?
Nothing could have prepared me for the quantity of BOOGERS that I would find and the vast number of places I would find them.

What is the most rewarding aspect of being a mom?
When I was a single, working woman I remember thinking….no matter what I accomplish in my career, no matter how much money I make, or how many companies I’m running, the work I do will never be as important or as fulfilling as being a mother is. Now I am a mother & I waited a LONG TIME to be one and now I know….I really know, that being a mom truly is the most important work I can be doing. Nothing in life has been more rewarding than hearing one of my little children say, “Mommy, can we have loves and tickles?” Or one of my older children saying, “Today has been the best day of my life!”

The Whitmore family (minus baby Gracie, who was born a month ago)

This week, in celebration of mothers, I’ve selected a myriad of women of all different places, personalities, lifestyles, and motherhood and have asked them to share their perspective on being a mom.

Aly is one of those mothers that you just have to look at, and it seems she has it all together. Then you learn about everything she’s involved in – from encouraging triathlons and half marathons, to coordinating an amazing blogger retreat for local women… (not to mention her own website of indelible style)..and you realize that she really DOES have it all together.

How long have you been a mother? 
My oldest child, my girl, recently turned 8!  It is so bizarre.  Time flies way too fast.  She recently started checking the Gap App on my iPhone almost daily and commenting on the clothes (who is this child?).  I remember my first Mother’s Day with her well, she was only about a week old.  She was still tiny and perfect.  She had yet to stamp her foot and tell me “no!”  I have two boys too.  One is 5, almost 6, and my baby is two in just a few days.  I call him my baby but the other day I went in to check on him as he was playing in his sister’s room with some kids and he said to me, “Go away,” pointed his finger at me and said, “Walk!”  I guess he’s not really a baby anymore
 
How does your “motherhood” compare to how your mom raised you?
 My mom was an artist, a sculptor mostly, we were raised on paint and clay.  It paid off because two of my brothers (there are six of us) are well-known painters, one is a doctor/sculptor, and my sister is a graphic designer/illustrator.  My mom was unorganized, messy, and utterly creative.  The chaos of six kids covered in paint didn’t bother her a bit.  In fact, when we are all good and wallowing in it, that was when she would break out the industrial-sized bag of clay.  We always on the Reflections Contest (art contest) in elementary school.
Me, not so much, I don’t like messes.  My creative genes didn’t kick in quite the same way as my siblings.  Rather, I take a much more organized (though I still struggle with this) path in life.  I channel my artistic side through business.
 
What is your most embarrassing moment being a mom? 
Agh, I don’t even want to admit it.  Ok, here goes, I forgot to pick up my oldest child on her first day of kindergarten!  True story.  The school called me, “Umm, your daughter is waiting for you in the office, school ended a half hour ago.”  So there you have it.  I was only two minutes from her school, engrossed in planning the Daybreak Triathlon course.  Sorry
 
If you had a “day off” – how would you spend it? 
My husband is super radical and gives me an entire day off to hangout with my girlfriends fairly often actually.  Of course, when I get home they have riden their bikes 5 miles, are covered in mud, and have eaten pizza for every meal.  Still totally worth it.  
 
What is your staple that gets you through the day? 
Exercise.  I really can’t live without it.  I have been an athlete my whole life.  I played Jr. Olympic and college volleyball and now I have taken to triathlon.  Although since I have actually been producing triathlons I don’t get much chance to compete.  My favorite thing in the whole world is running to the community pool, swimming a mile, and running back home.  As moms, we are constantly physically attached to our kids.  Sometimes having them climb all over me it’s great and sometimes it gets a little crowded in my personal space.  So I love the moments when it’s just me, working out, my mind goes blank.  Pure bliss!
 
What would you TRULY want as a Mother’s Day gift?
Ok, so, let’s talk… if we are talking gifts in general I could give you a long list of stuff I want.  But truly, when it comes to Mother’s Day, no gifts required.  I honestly feel like I’m living the dream and it has so much to do with my fabulous husband.  My husband not only supports, but totally loves, all my crazy projects!  His support means everything to me.  Of course, a diamond ring upgrade wouldn’t upset me LOL.
 
What has been the biggest shock in being a mom? – something you weren’t prepared to deal with? 
I just didn’t realize how hard it would be.  Not so much physically, but emotionally.  It is so hard to see a child struggle in school or be bullied.  So hard not to step in at every point and do it for them.  I think instinctively we want to protect them from everything and make it all better and it’s hard to realize that cannot actually be done. 
 
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a mom? 
Oh, I just love the relationships I have with my kids.  I love watching them learn and grow.  I love those moments when I can see the joy on their faces.  I love watching them walk down the street holding each others hands.  It’s just those few choice moments when they do something great and it all seems to be paying off.

This week, in celebration of mothers, I’ve selected a myriad of women of all different places, personalities, lifestyles, and motherhoods and have asked them to share their perspective on being a mom.

I have followed Brooke through her blog since it was “Conversations with a Cupcake” and watched it evolve to Cheeky Kitchen where she not only shares her tantalizing food recipes, but her zany and playful personality as well.  And THEN I find out we went to the same high school? And it was as if I’ve known her for years!  But really it’s me secretly wishing I were like Brooke - in so many ways.  If this is the first time you’ve heard of Brooke, go visit her website right now and scroll through her recipe links.  These are a few of my favorite (tried and true): Chewy Chocolate Brownies, Orange Chicken and Chinese Noodles. (to name just a couple)

How long have you been a mother?
For 14 years! Holy Bananas. 14 years!!!
 
How does your “motherhood” compare to how your mom raised you?
When I was 16, my parents divorced and my mom gave up custody of us to my father. It was a deeply sorrowful, lonely time in my life and I think that experience as a child has created a deep, intensive devotion to my own motherhood. I want to be there for my children in every way. I never want them to doubt that they are important to me. I feel an incredible sense of loyalty to each of them. Perhaps I overcompensate (a lot) for my childhood, but I feel it’s generally created a remarkable relationship with my own children that I wouldn’t trade for the world!
 
What is your most embarrassing moment being a mom? 
One day, my son called incredulously from the back of the car, “Mooooooom?!?!” I replied with a baffled, “What bud? What is the world is wrong?” to which he said, “I just told you my finger was bleeding and you said, ‘That’s awesome, bud. Good job.’” I do that all the time, get so gosh-durned sidetracked in my busy schedule that I forget to actually pay attention to the conversations I’m having in the car with my little people. Sigh.
 
If you had a “day off” – how would you spend it?
Walking and talking! I’d just walk all over the world and talk to people! I can’t think of two more beautiful things to do with a day that celebrating the gift of a strong, healthy body and connections with other humans.
 
What is your staple that gets you through the day?
Podcasts. Since I work at home and all my kids are at school during the day, there’s a lot of quiet time to sit and type and clean and think. If it weren’t for ThisAmericanLife.org, RadioLab.org, Zencast.org, and CompassionateCook.com, I’d go criz-zazy!
 
What would you TRULY want as a Mother’s Day gift?
I want a room full of my favorite 6 people and time to enjoy a loooong, sloooow meal with them all in the same place at once. I have 6 best friends from all different walks of life who don’t know each other, but who have been remarkable gifts to me, and who I KNOW would adore each other. So, every year I “hint” to my hubby, “you know, one day, I’d really like to have all my favorite people in one room together at the same time.” That’d  be, like, waaaay better than a sack of plastic-covered roses from the grocery store!
 
What has been the biggest shock in being a mom? – something you weren’t prepared to deal with?
How much I love my children. I had no, no, no clue how entirely delicious I’d find them all to be. Every one of them. With their unique talents and quirks and imperfections and noses full of freckles. Ohhh! They are lovely.
 
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a mom?
Seeing my children discover their own voices, passions, and abilities to change the world. I can’t think of a greater experience that taking a small part in watching little baby birds learn to fly.

This week, in celebration of mothers, I’ve selected a myriad of women of all different places, personalities, lifestyles, and motherhoods and have asked them to share their perspective on being a mom.

Tauna Egan is a quick-witted, sarcastically uplifting woman, who has a talent of making heavy topics light.  You have to be if you work in the Emergency Room and living in the wind gales of Rexburg, Idaho!  I kid, I kid.  (kind of) I’ve known Tauna through her blog for almost 2 years now, and have been so impressed with her humor and perspective on life.  And then, I coincidentally happened to move right in to her some hometown with my recent move from Utah! We commiserate about the weather and she boosts my spirits with chocolate.  My kind of lady!  You can read more about her on her blog “Garden of Egan”.

How long have you been a mother?
My oldest turns 33 on May 4th. It seriously seems like yesterday! I look in the mirror and wonder who that lady with the wrinkles is!
 
How does your “motherhood” compare to how your mom raised you?
“Mirror mirror on the wall…you’ve become your mother after all!”
My mom had two children. I had five.
I think my mom was pretty patient with me but she wasn’t a real “hands on” mom. I couldn’t go to her about stuff, friends, fears. I really wanted that. I hope I did that with my kids. I hope I was open and there for them.
 
What is your most embarrassing moment being a mom?
Honey, there isn’t enough internet space!
Probably had to be some of the cars we drove. I know the kids were mortified with the “blue poo” and I made jokes about it, but I was more embarrassed than them.
I don’t know, there were so many embarassing things my kids did and said.
 
   – Having a police officer come to the ER (where I work) to let me know my son was driving around hitting mailboxes with baseball bats. (not a proud moment)
   – Having the same child egg the neighbors house….again, not a proud moment
    (that child has actually turned out to be an awesome human)
There really have been too many and I’m old and think I must be losing my mind…..or I have selective memory. Kinda like childbirth…..you forget the bad stuff.
 
If you had a “day off” – how would you spend it?
A foot massage…..no, a scalp massage….can’t decide. Both are totally the best!
 
What is your staple that gets you through the day?
Well, my first thought was CHOCOLATE. But if I think about it, I’d have to say what gets me through the day is silence. My kids are almost all out of the house and you would think I would have an abundance of silence, but I am talking about the silence of the intrusive world, music, phones, babble, news, craziness of the ER. I crave silence. I never have the TV on or music going. I love silence. (But when the family is all home, I love the sounds of my family laughing and joking with each other. It’s the best!)
 
What would you TRULY want as a Mother’s Day gift?
A vacation with my hubby. He travels and is gone so much. Even after 34 years of marriage, he’s the one thing I can’t get enough of.
 
What has been the biggest shock in being a mom? – something you weren’t prepared to deal with?
Being a mom.
Seriously. I was an idiot. In fact, I’m surprised the nurses let my firstborn go home with us.
I was the youngest of two kids and didn’t babysit. I had NO experience with babies.
I had just nursed my newborn and was holding her and the nurse came in and asked if I had burped her.
I looked at the nurse and so “no, I didn’t know how old they were supposed to be before you burped them”
Ya, I was an idiot. 

Another thing I wasn’t prepared for was the fatigue. The utter exhaustion. The feeling of being completely overwhelmed and like you would never make it another second.
 
I thought that would go away after they started sleeping through the night.
Then I thought it would go away when they got a little older.
Then I thought it would go away when they got married and moved out.
…………..I’m still waiting.
 
I also wasn’t prepared for the intense feeling of love for them. I knew I would love them, but I wasn’t prepared. I wasn’t prepared for the feeling of fierceness in the desire to protect them.
I understand the mother bear, lion or any other wild animal in the Wild Kingdom.
She is my twin.
Don’t mess with this mama!
 
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a mom?
Seeing your grownup children have children of their own. Watching their children misbehave.
I get all warm and fuzzy.
 
Seriously, the best thing is seeing what great human beings my children have become.
 
They certainly aren’t perfect, I wasn’t a perfect mom.
The best days in our lives have come from overcoming the hardest experiences that we’ve had together.
 
One of the best things is when we get together and I am in another room and I’m just listening in on them.
I love the goofing off, the talks they have, the laughing….I love that they LOVE being together and that they are friends.
They have rallied around each other during tough times.
 
I hope as a mom, I’ve done it right more often than I’ve messed up.
I hope that someday I’ll LOVE sitting through a Mother’s Day program at church without guilt.
I hope that my kids remember the happy fun mom, rather than the one that was stressed about dishes, laundry and grocery money.