They grow up too fast... too soon!

Fourteen years ago I became a mom. I was twenty-six years old. I had a full-time job at a very busy ad agency as a copy/compliance editor. It was an extremely demanding job and one I loved very much. After giving birth, I had every intention of returning to my day job. As my twelve week maternity leave was nearing its end, I was certain of one thing. There wasn't a job in this world I could love more than being Jake's mom. I made the decision to become a stay-at-home mom and I've never looked back.

Things I've learned...

My grandmother used to say these are the best years of your life. I'd look at the mountain of bottles in the sink, the runny noses and the loads of laundry and think, seriously? Guess what? She was right. The time I spent snuggling with my babies on a rainy day or pushing them on the swing in the yard will always be some of my favorites along with bath time, story time and silly time.

When I would go to the mall with the diaper bag filled with cheerios, goldfish and juice cups, pushing my double stroller I'd see a woman carrying her Victoria Secret bags, hair highlighted, nails done, floating in and out of stores without any kids and I'd think, "I wish I was her." Ten years later, I AM HER. Guess what? I wish I was the mom pushing the double stroller.

One time the kids and I were watching a Pooh movie and Christopher Robin was going off to school and he and Pooh were singing a song. The lyrics went something like this... 

Christopher Robin - "Forever and ever is such a long time, Pooh."

Pooh - "Oh Christopher, forever isn't long at all."

Guess what? Pooh was right.

***

Today my "babies" are 14 and 11. We're still cuddling on the couch and making memories for me to cherish the rest of my days. I wear lots of hats... author, PTO mom, wife, substitute teacher, but the title I most appreciate is being a mom to Jake and Cole.

Happy Mother's Day!

Leave a comment and Beachwalk Press will throw your name into the drawing for some awesome prizes. Be sure to leave your email address too!

Prizes:

1 - $20 Gift card to your choice of Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or All Romance Ebooks

2 - $10 Gift cards to your choice of Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or All Romance Ebooks

Ella

xoxo

Mother's Day Post - Imogene Nix

Hi gang,

So I'm back today, but in light of the really cool blog on Mother's Day, rather than tell you about me, I thought I'd share two women who are a big part of my life.

My mother and my mother-in-law.

Both women have had a profound impact on me both as a mother and as an author.

My mother, Kathleen was born in England during the war. She lived on a farm with my grandparents in the Midlands with her siblings, where they raised animals and crops.

As a youngster she would regale me with stories of life on the farm and I always took it, that it was a hard but satisfying lifestyle. They didn't have a lot, but they made the most of what there was. She and my father migrated to Australia in the 1960's as £10 poms.

It was through my mother I learned a love of the written word.  She was the one who always insisted on turn off the television and read a book. (I'm also fairly sure she regretted that on all those nights when they would turn my light off three and four times!!) The other funny thing is she loves Amish romance... (For an erotic romance author, I always find that to be somewhat disconcerting! I mean where did I get that interest in sexy stuff from??)

These days, she's retired to Tasmania to grow flowers and enjoy the cooler atmosphere with my father.

Now I'd like you to meet my mother-in-law, June. She has read every one of my books and is so

supportive. Every one of my successes she has celebrated. And every not so successful thing she has commiserated with me over.

June was born in Queensland before the war, as we were coming out of the depression. The daughter of a Fettler (railway road worker) who died at a very young age. (The one surviving photo of him hangs in our hallway.) When she married my father-in-law, she was forbidden from ever stepping into a catholic church again. The bishop having told her that a bolt of lightning should strike her down. (What a horrible thing to say! She's never stepped into a catholic church since.)

She's such a strong woman, and yet she is so kind hearted and loving. My girls absolutely adore their Nana!

My father-in-law was a farmer and together they ran a dairy herd until it was no longer financially viable. Then she worked in a school library while he worked off the farm. Nowadays, they live in town, having left the farm some years ago.

In all the years I've known her, she has always been there with advice, support and affection.

This mothers day, I know who I'll be thinking of. In the comments below, tell me who you'll be thinking of!

Imogene

Competition:

Okay, the Mother's Day blog event is on from 28th April until 10th May 2014 and you guys are all in the running.
All comments made with regards to the blogs will be considered your entry (How cool is that??)
Remember to leave your email address in the comments though, so if you are a winner, our wonderful  publisher from Beachwalk Press can contact you.

Day 1 - My supportive Mom (Lacey Wolfe)

Today kicks off our celebration of Mom! I've always been close with my mother. During the summer, I sometimes call her daily since she's off on summer break (she's a teacher). During the school year, I leave her alone until the weekend. I usually call her every Sunday, even if we only chat a minute. I call her about everything. Even little things teachers might do that annoy me, I call her to vent. 

My mom was the first person I called when I got my first publishing contract. I can call her and complain about writing or talk about the good parts, and she always listens. She doesn't try to offer much advice, but does when she can. However, she always tells me not to give up. Keep going. Oh, and she wishes I'd write more clean books so she could read them because she isn't touching the dirty ones!

Growing up, she was always someone I could talk to. My friends were comfortable coming over and hanging out. I often found it weird when they'd hang out with my mom, because lets face it, my mom was not cool--in my eyes. However, she must've been to my friends.

I don't have many photos of her, and unfortunately before this post I didn't have time to stop by her place and find some. Not that she'd probably let me. I don't remember her taking many photos growing up with us. 

I'm a mother myself, and I hope that I do half as a good a job as she did. Never did  I not feel comfortable coming to her about something I needed to discuss. Oh, and she talked my ear off about life....sex....drugs....to the point I'd want to run from the room. This I have done to my poor oldest. He often tells me I'm weird, so I must have picked something up from her. :)

The next two weeks, we are sharing posts about our moms or posts about being a mom. Leave a comments (include your email) for your chance to be entered into out grand prize giveaways. Each comment you leave, is an entry! So be sure to visit back!

Prizes:

1 - $20 Gift card to your choice of Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or All Romance Ebooks

2 - $10 Gift cards to your choice of Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or All Romance Ebooks

Be sure to follow along!

Schedule:

Monday, April 28th - Lacey Wolfe

Thursday, May 1st - Stephanie Beck

Friday, May 2nd - Emily Wood

Saturday, May 3rd - Imogene Nix

Wednesday, May 7th - Olivia Starke

Thursday, May 8th - Ella Jade

Friday, May 9th - Tracey Rogers

Saturday, May 10th - Tara Mills