With Mother’s Day this Sunday I thought it would be nice to reflect on each of our own inspirations for the most rewarding and difficult job there is… Our own mothers!!! Each of us comes from a family of sisters, so there was lots of estrogen in the air. Leah and I each have one sister and Abby has three!! All of our mom’s worked full time and took care of us, raising us each to be the women we are today!
Now they live out their glory years as the cutest grandmas around town. Truly, we owe so much to our mamas and this is the perfect time of year to reflect on that. Although, I think we can all agree that now that we are all mothers ourselves we think about how much they mean to us much more often.
Jacquelyn
Since becoming a Mother yourself, do you look at your own Mother differently?
100%! My mom and dad would both always say, “you’ll understand when you have kids someday”. My parents were pretty overprotective, probably because I gave them a reason to be, haha! But I would always complain about it growing up, now I completely understand. Being a mom is like having your heart outside your body! I now see that immense love and sense of worry you have. The thought that you would do anything for your child to protect them and take care of them.
When Court was a baby, just a few months old probably, I was up in the middle of the night with him. I rocked him and nursed him and held him for some time and while I did I wrote my mom an email. Basically thanking her and telling her how I now realized how much she loved me. My parents were right, you don’t understand till you have kids of your own.
What is the most important thing you learned from your Mother about being a Mother?
Selflessness & Support. My mom always gave her all to us and most of the time put herself last. She worked full time, and then would drive us to whatever soccer practice or dance class we needed to be at. And have a clean house and make an amazing dinner every night. My mom is also always supportive with whatever direction I go in life. When I went to college and wanted to be a theater major, my mom supported me all the way. And let’s be honest, if Beijos had a number one fan – it would DEFINITELY be my mom!
She always worked her little booty off to make sure we were happy and loved. Of course she continues to do so as a Grambee now, flying or driving to me at moments notice if I need her. A few months ago Court broke his arm pretty badly and she changed her plans, came down and stayed with us for almost two weeks to help out. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without her!
What is the one tradition you hope to pass down to your own kids that you learned from your Mother?
It’s something I already do! My mom made every single holiday a big deal and so much fun, but she especially outdid herself on birthdays! Every year we would have a big family party AND a friend party. Each party was a different theme or idea and always special. One year when I was 7 or 8 she took me and my little friends all dressed up to a really fancy restaurant and we had ice cream sundaes then went to a movie. Another year we had all of my friends in a talent show competition. And I’ll never forget my 13th birthday party where she threw me a surprise party that caught me way off guard! I love how she took the time to make us feel special and spoil us on our birthdays, I obviously have followed suit with my kids! Seeing their reactions and smiling faces is the best, and I have a feeling that’s the same reason she did it too.
What did you learn from your mom that you use now with Beijos?
So much, I don’t even know where to begin! I definitely got my creativity and love for entertaining from her. She hosted every single holiday for my family growing up. Of course each occasion was well thought out with the perfect menu and tablescape that she would set weeks ahead.
I also think I learned being adventurous and a bit of a risk taker from my mom. She always tries new food or cocktail recipes, looking for new ideas for her home or coming up with fun new adventures to go on. My mom was never the mom who made the same 3-4 things for dinner every week. So I think the fact that I’m always searching for new things to try or ideas for the blog or clients is from her.
Abby
Since becoming a Mother yourself, do you look at your own Mother differently?
Absolutely! Growing up, I was always that bratty kid that would give my Mom the hardest time. Not intentionally (I think?), I just wasn’t the easiest kid. Girl got some attitude! Now having my daughter who is 8, and exactly like me, I think to myself how in the world did she do this working full time with four girls! Yes, 4 girls! Any challenges that I face with my kids, I immediately think, how would my mom handle this? Being a Mom is a challenge, a challenge I will be obsessed with doing forever, but without my mom, I would not know how to be the mom that I am today.
What is the most important thing you learned from your Mother about being a Mother?
The most important thing that I have learned from my Mom is being present. Since having my kids, she always stresses that I need to slow down and just spend time with my kids. And I couldn’t agree more, I’m going to look back one day and be like, oh man, they are teenagers! We always had cuddle time on the couch when we were little watching a show before bed. Life goes on was one of our favorite tv shows to watch. Anyone remember that?!? So now, no matter what is going on or how many texts or emails I might have, that cuddle time will always happen. They are only this young so long.
What is the one tradition you hope to pass down to your own kids that you learned from your Mother?
My Mom is the queen of traditions! Pretty sure it started with my grandma who still carries out her Santa bag tradition at the age of 93. Grandma has been doing this since I was a baby. Our family is all about traditions. If you change one, you better run! My mom has created so many with us when we were little, and still does them to this day with us and now her grandchildren. You name it, Santa gifts which are now called Nema Santa gifts to Easter baskets which have the same exact things in them that we had when we were little.
But the one tradition that I think I will always pass down to my kids, and I hope they continue the tradition is the pajamas on Christmas Eve. Since we were little, my mom would always give us a new pair of Christmas PJs to wear as we get ready for Santa’s arrival. We would get so excited! We knew the minute we got home on Christmas Eve night that we would get some new PJs which came straight from the dryer! Fast forward to 2018, and my mom now buys PJ’s for all of her kids, their spouses, and all the grandchildren.
What did you learn from your mom that you use now with Beijos?
Oh man, my mom created this monster! When I was in elementary school my mom was in charge of doing the fashion show/ tea lunch. We would have a hall closet full of different flatware, glassware, dinnerware, textiles you name it! And each holiday in our house was a different table setting that she would create a couple weeks before.
Along with table settings, she was known for her Christmas tree decor. This lady would spend weeks decorating her Christmas tree, you name it, from ribbons to faux flowers it was there. And each year, it would be different. Don’t get me started on decorative pillows! You know the moment where you realize you are just like your mother? Yes! That is me now with decorative pillows. On the couch or the bed, no one is allowed to sit on them! I’m way too much like my mom is scary!
Leah
Since becoming a Mother yourself, do you look at your own Mother differently?
Yes, very much so. I look back and remember her at my age and I now think she was a superhero! No but really, I have a genuine appreciation for all of her selflessness and love during those years. Working full time with a full time job at home too!
What is the most important thing you learned from your Mother about being a Mother?
She told me, I will never forget this, “It’s the most exhausting and rewarding thing you will ever do!”
What is the one tradition you hope to pass down to your own kids that you learned from your Mother?
In my family Christmas is the biggest tradition that my mom is consistent with, and I love it. I find myself keeping up with them in my house too. Christmas cookies and having a christmas eve party at my house like she did all the years we were little. I haven’t done this yet, but someday making Tamales…eekkk Can’t believe I’m saying that, but I’m sure it will happen soon!
What did you learn from your mom that you use now with Beijos?
I would say my organization, and follow up. My mom will be the first to admit it wasn’t creativity. Haha. Got that from my dads side of the family.
So much love for these mamas
xx
Jacquelyn
