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Momspiration: Valley Moms reflect on Mother’s Day

Posted on: May 9th, 2015 by Taryn Jeffries 2 Comments

Mother’s Day conjures up thoughts of breakfast in bed that consists of a messy tray adorned with a lovingly plucked flower from the backyard in a dainty vase, a messy plate of questionable food items presented by tiny eager faces (im)patiently waiting for a nod of approval from their favorite lady. It’s enough to bring a tear to they eye.

MothersDay2015Most day’s being a Mother is hard. I’m not joking. Hallmark will present a picture on Sunday that is all about thank you’s for kissing my boo-boo’s and always being at the ready with a hug. I would like to say that is my picture of motherhood, but most days it is not.

There are often struggles with finishing homework, trying to get a straight answer about why we lost a ticket at school or why the cat scratched you…again. Don’t get me wrong; I am madly in love with my children and I would jump in front of a bullet, a speeding car or rabid dog to protect them, but every day is not Mother’s Day. And that’s okay.

Often times, I find myself doubting myself, my capabilities as a mother, and come days are much harder than others and some days there are tears, a lot of tears; but then in a quiet moment my older son will want to sit next to me on the couch and ask what I am doing or my youngest will just come up and give me an out-of-nowhere hug and tell me that he loves me. In those moments, it makes the tough times okay.

My gift to you this Mother’s Day is the gift of forgiveness. Forgive yourself for being hard on yourself. You are doing a great job and you are a great mother!

As an added bonus, I had the opportunity to pose questions to some Multi-Tasking Mommas in the food community here in the Valley.

Kathy Lubinski| My Mom

What would your perfect Mother’s Day look like?
Maybe starting the day with a nice brunch and then some shopping. (*I had to pull this out of her; my mom has always been the type that will tell you she doesn’t want or need anything, no matter the occasion.)
Do you recall a Mother’s Day that you are particularly proud or sentimental about?
I always really liked when I got something handmade, something that one of you created yourselves.
If you had the chance to do a Mother’s day “re-do”, what would that look like?
I would always want to have another Mother’s Day with my mom. The whole family would get always get together, she was a great mom. (*My Grandmother was a phenomenal woman and the mother of 14 children. 14 children who would never miss an opportunity to be around her, no matter what their lives looked like at the time.)

Julie Moreno| Owner and Head Chef of Jewel’s Bakery & Café

What would your perfect Mother’s Day look like?
A relaxing day with my mother and all of my 6 beautiful children would be my ideal day. I don’t get too much down time with the bakery so doing nothing is nice!
Do you recall a Mother’s Day that you are particularly proud of or sentimental about? 
5 Years ago we had lost our precious dalmatian, Lucky. For Mother’s Day, shortly after, my kids and hubby got me the sweetest little puppy. I was pregnant at the time and she just would cuddle on my big belly. Izzie is a very important member of our family today.
If you had the chance to do a Mother’s Day “re-do” what would that look like?
I would love to be able to take a relaxing trip abroad. I have never been across the ocean and a trip with my mom, hubby and kids would be amazing.

Chantal Hause| Co-Owner of Fabulous Food Fine Catering

What would your perfect Mother’s Day look like?
I would sleep in for a month and stay in my pajamas all day.  Then have brunch with lots of bacon.  Snuggles with my two boys.
Do you recall a Mother’s Day that you are particularly proud of or sentimental about? 
I’m sentimental about all of the Mother’s Days I get to have now.  6 in fact.  I LOVE that my boys try to make it special.  Last year they really wanted to watch Power Rangers with me.  While it isn’t my thing, they were so excited to do something that they felt was special.  That’s all that matters.  I believe we had hot dogs and macaroni and cheese for our Mother’s Day special dinner.  Priceless and perfect.
If you had the chance to do a Mother’s Day “re-do” what would that look like?​
I was supposed to visit my family in Nebraska last Mother’s Day.  It was a big weekend – a wonderful graduation celebration for my niece, Mother’s Day with my Mom and Sisters. I was taking them to see Wicked in Omaha.  Early show, afternoon appetizers and drinks.  My entire household got so sick.  We couldn’t fly, we couldn’t get out of bed.  I was soooo disappointed.

Kim Hopper| Owner of Sierra Bonita Catering Company

What would your perfect Mother’s Day look like?
My perfect day would be spent with both my mom and daughter. A morning hike or bike ride. Hitting as many antique shops in the Melrose District as possible. Grabbing a late lunch without reservations — I do not like my days off to have timelines. Coming home to a perfectly tidy house, and finish out the day in my backyard with a glass (or two) of wine with my husband and dogs.
Do you recall a Mother’s Day that you are particularly proud of or sentimental about?
The most memorable would have to be my first. My son is 30 now, so that would be the one that really stands out.
If you had the chance to do a Mother’s Day “re-do” what would that look like?​
No re-dos here!

Joanie Simon| Host of Restaurant Live Arizona

What would your perfect Mother’s Day look like?
Pretty simple. A decadent brunch at a restaurant after church with my little fam. Then, from there, heading home for a good hour or two nap. A great brunch and a long nap would be the ultimate. I’m hoping to fulfill that this weekend with a brunch at Sierra Bonita and a dutiful husband ready to run herd on our boys.
Do you recall a Mother’s day that you are particularly proud or sentimental about?
Mother’s Day 2012 was very memorable as it was my first as a Mom. I remember prepping for it in usual fashion to celebrate my Mom and Mother-in-Law, but then that morning, before church, my hubby had flowers and a card on the kitchen table to me. I had forgotten that I was also being celebrated! Obviously, I haven’t had a hard time remembering that it’s a special day for me since. I take any excuse I can get to leverage more time in bed and not doing dishes.
If you had the chance to do a Mother’s Day “re-do”, would you and is there a specific one in mind?
I would love to go back to one of the Mother’s Days of my childhood with the knowledge I have now of how hard being a Mom can be, and tell my own Mom how much her hard work and love means to me. Being a Mom is not easy and it’s great to get validation that you’re doing a great job.

Rachel Broughten| Owner and Chef at Rachel’s Bake Shop

What would your perfect Mother’s Day look like?
Breakfast at our favorite local diner (EggsTc in Queen Creek) then a movie! Followed by reading on the couch while the kids play and then going out to dinner.
Do you recall a Mother’s day that you are particularly proud or sentimental about?
My brother and I would make breakfast in bed for our mom which was always really fun.
If you had the chance to do a Mother’s Day “re-do”, would you and is there a specific one in mind?
No! Even the ones where my son’s birthday falls on Mother’s Day and it becomes just Andrew’s birthday is just fine by me.

Nelly Kohsok| Owner and Co-founder of Pita Jungle

What would your perfect Mother’s Day look like?
Being a single mom, I would start the day with my two little girls, Charlotte and Lily, with all of us wearing our comfy pajamas. We would grab a cup of coffee for me, and hot chocolates for them and head to a local farm. We would have breakfast under a tree, sitting on the grass. Just enjoying being the three of us would be the perfect beginning to a special day.
Then I would open my gifts, knowing that the only rule was that they had to be made with supplies that are found in the house. (I am planning on getting tons of lovely drawings and letters!)
Afterward, we would go home and play, laugh, and have fun together. My girls also like to pamper me, which includes a manicure, pedicure, styling my hair, selecting my clothes and as a final touch, doing my makeup. I know that they love this and I love to see them happy – regardless of how I look in the end!
In the afternoon we would cook together and have long talks about our lives, motherhood, and being a kid.
Then, we would go back to regular life: homework, music, and all the daily activities that keep us busy.
In the evening, we would sit all together and read a book, like we used to do when they were smaller children.
Do you recall a Mother’s Day that you are particularly proud of or sentimental about?
I had the great joy four years ago to be reunited with the three generations of our family – all women – my mother, myself and my two daughters. We spent the entire day together sitting by a pool at a hotel and enjoying all-American food. This was a day that I will always remember!
If you had the chance to do a Mother’s Day “re-do” what would that look like?
All my past Mother’s Days when I was in America and my mother was in France. I would like to re-do those!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the families out there. I hope that you all get your brunches, naps, shopping trips and sweet story times. Treasure each other.

About the Author - Taryn Jeffries

Editor and Chief Eating Officer of PhoenixBites, 2017 Food Writer of the Year (Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame) Taryn grew up in a small town in Illinois with a doting Grandmother who taught her the way around a kitchen and that food is representative of love. Her current quest is to find the love in local dishes and the chefs behind them. In addition to running all things PhoenixBites, Taryn is also a freelance writer, sharing her insight on the best dishes and where to get them each and every month.

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