Nobody’s life is perfect; certainly not mine.
But it’s never lost on me just how fortunate I am.
My 47 years have brought a wealth of experiences: travel, learning, relationships, culinary, cultural. You name it.
And I’ve held a variety of roles in my lifetime: daughter, friend, wife, mother; along with a host of professional positions, including running a $35m business for one of the most recognizable brands in the world, and more recently as the poster child of all things sweaty.
Through all of these experiences, I find it’s easy to start believing my own hubris; to fall into a mindset of self-actualizing through a high profile career or through a new-found persona of motivational blogger.
The truth is, for all the experiences I’ve had, and for all the roles I’ve held, the one that I am proudest of is mom.
If I do nothing else in this lifetime, knowing that I’ve added two amazing human beings to our society gives me peace. And a fierce pride, beyond words.
Amanda & Nick at the OTHER Eiffel Tower.
These two incredible beings are my pride and joy. So much so that I’m even willing to share my ‘fat pics’ to build a gallery of key milestones.
It’s easy to curse aging.
As we grow older, our beauty can fade, our body may no longer do everything it once could.
Despite all this, the biggest gift that time (growing older) has given me is a better understanding of the role my own mom played in shaping me and the mother I’ve become.
There was a time when I vowed never to become my mother. I’m pretty sure we all have uttered those words.
Now I see that the lessons she taught me have most definitely shaped the mom I am to my own kids.
Mom & I, Vegas 2009
My mom never sought to be my friend. She was my mom, first and foremost. When I made a shitty choice, you better believe I got proper shit from all 5’3 of Miss Petra.
I owe much of my ball-busting personality to this dynamo.
And it made me a better mom.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful moms out there!
Keep moving,
xoxo nancy
my year of sweat 
Happy Mothers Day to you and the fine Miss Petra.
And congratulations to your kids for spectacularly winning the random Mom Lottery way back when.
You are very kind, Guap!
Happy Mother’s Day to you Nancy!! You’re lucky to have had your mom when you became a mom!
Indeed! Looking forward to seeing her in a couple of hours, too!
I hadn’t realised it was Mothers Day over there, it is in March in the UK!
Happy Mothers Day to you 🙂
I am turning in to my Mum, and sometimes it makes me sad because it makes me miss her more, but mostly proud, because she is not a bad person to turn into 😀
She was a wonderful mom to have produced such a fine woman, Sam! I know she must be so very proud of you.
😀 thank you
xoxo
😀 xoxxo
Happy Mother’s Day Nancy! Your kids are adorable just like you!
Thank you, Kathy! I am very lucky to have these two good eggs in my life!
Happy Mother’s Day, Nancy! You have a beautiful family and it’s wonderful to see such happy pictures. 🙂
Thank you, Lisa! Happy Mother’s Day to you, too!
Wonderful family. Happy Mother’s Day to you, Nancy!!
Thank you, Carrie! Happy Mother’s Day to you, too!
Happy mom day to you!
Thanks Jayme!
Very sweet post. Happy Mother’s Day Nancy!!
Thank you Laurel!
Happy Mother’s Day to you! Your mom sounds like a real firecracker 🙂 She would probably get along well with mine – does she like tea? And eating?
I’ve just added my special take on Mother’s Day 😉
Yes and yes, Linda! 🙂
Excellent 🙂 You look like such a happy family by the way 🙂
Aww, thank you! We have our moments!! 🙂
Happy Mother’s Day Nancy! Beautiful photos! Beautiful family! Enjoy the day!
Thank you, Jhanis! Happy Mother’s Day to you, too!
I like the sound of your mom! Your children are gorgeous too! Happy Mother’s Day!
Thank you for your kind words! Happy Mothers Day!
Beautiful family. I share your sentiment in that motherhood is my greatest joy. Hope you’re having a great Mother’s Day. BTW it’s snowing in Denver 😦 and my daughter and I are wearing flip flops after our manny peddies!
I heard about the Denver snow, Ingrid. 😦
It’s making us change our travel to Vegas – taking the I40 thru the southern states rather than the I80 thru Nebraska/CO/UT. 😦 Means I don’t get to see my BFF in Denver, as I had planned.
Hope your Mother’s Day was awesome!
Driving? Did the airlines ban you? 🙂 I won’t be returning to Grand Junction tomorrow as planned due to the snow. I-70 is not looking good at the moment.
We’re bringing the monster truck back down there as our primary Vegas vehicle. (it’s the one we drove up here last September) The tiny convertible we have down there just doesn’t work for my hiking; I need a high clearance vehicle.
So, yes, driving down – then flying back.
Nancy,
I can honestly say that I never uttered the words or vowed to not to become a mother. 😉 Happy Mom’s Day.
Patrick
Not “a” mother, Pat; “my” mother. It’s a chick thing. I think every woman tells herself that (even as she’s using mom’s phrases, tones, etc). The irony is delicious! 🙂
“Chick Thing”…That explains it! No wonder I’m confused.
🙂 Since you’re not a chick you get a pass.
Thanks!
Happy looking family. Hope you enjoyed your mom’s day!
Thank you kindly, Nancy! My day was great!
Ah, Happy Mothers Day, Nancy! Remember when I wrote my sappy post about The Boyfran and you were all “where is the real Aussa?” I almost, *almost* felt that way about this one… but it’s lovely 😉
Heh 🙂 I know.
I *almost* thru in a few fucks, just for the hell of it. 🙂
Awwwww…….happy Mother’s Day, Nancy.!
Aww, thank you my favourite Storm Trooper. (Spoken like I actually know what that means. :-))
It means you like me more than the other stormtroopers. 😉
ah, see… one word, not two. Noted. (Now I’ll be a more convincing poseur. 🙂
Lol
🙂
I hope you had a great day with your kids, and enjoy your you time in NYC.
I had both kids (plus 1’s girlfriend) so it was a great day! Tomorrow it’s a little bit of work and hopefully a lot of play. 🙂
Beautiful pictures of a beautiful family! Mother’s Day is a great opportunity for us to reflect on the blessings we have been given.
It absolutely is, Joanne. Hope yours was lovely!
LOVE these pics!! Very beautiful family, Nancy! So inspiring to hear how much you love your babies despite rotten cucumbers and all! 🙂 I hope you had a lovely day and that you didn’t sweat too much.
BTW, have I ever told you that I am the definition of SWEAT. I’m talking…SWEATING PROFUSELY DAILY. Without even lifting a finger!! It’s ridiculous how much I sweat just by being. My loved ones love me regardless. 🙂
Thank you, Maria! I heart these people so much!!
And re sweating, lawdy lord, I hear you. I sweat like crazy!! It’s definitely worse since I started the crazy workout regime last year. It’s like my body knows it needs to sweat – so it does at the drop if a hat. 🙂
Look at those humans you brought into this world! Happy Mom Day to you 🙂
I know, right?? Whenever I have dark moments – or feel like a failure – I look at those two and know it’s all good. I made those!!
Terrific post. You really are one special lady, who is obviously a terrific mom, and has apparently learned from the best.
I hope you had a memorable day. Cheers to you, Nancy!
Right back atcha, Shelley!
Great looking family! Aren’t you the lucky one? Although luck probably had nothing to do with it.
I’m pretty sure luck had a great deal to do with it. It’s why I never went for a third. I figured after two really good babies the 3rd would be the spawn of Satan, so I quit while I was ahead…
That’s just silly. But two is a good number, especially with one of each!
Couldn’t agree more!
You are lucky. So am I. Gots to remember to remember that, even during the tough times.
Amen to that.
I’ve only “known” you with your short, platinum hair so it’s like looking at a different person in your pics! you’re just as beautiful! Happy (belated) Mother’s Day to you!
Right back atcha, Kerry! Hope yours was lovely, despite the current hardships.
Lovely post, Nancy. I can say that best accomplishment is also my two grown children. They turned out to be fantastic people–not sure I deserve all that credit. LOL! But I could have done many things with my life, and I’m glad I chose motherhood as my happiest role. I loved the photos! 🙂
Thank you, Debra. Motherhood is definitely my happiest, most fulfilling and rewarding role as well.
We can take some of the credit though, right? 🙂
Nice post, Nancy! Sooo far behind in my reading…
Thank you, lovely!