The fabulous (and kind of embarrassing) part of writing a blog is that, in a way, you’re kind of just writing to yourself. Sure, on my most egomaniacal days, I like to imagine that I’m reaching millions of people, each paragraph of every post resonating with readers all across the world, but in all reality, I’m usually just writing to myself and my Mom. (Hi, Mom!) So today, in honor of Mother’s Day and in addition to an absolutely fabulous, insanely easy no-bake lemon icebox pie recipe that will come later, I’m going to interview myself to answer all the questions about motherhood approximately no one everyone is currently asking me.

Q: So tell me about your kids! I’m a mom to three tiny humans: Aimee (6), George (almost 5), and Charlie (1). Aimee is my bold, type A, creative mini-me. She’s a little bossy but only because her big Mama-bird heart really believes it’s her job to take care of everyone. Aimee makes friends wherever she goes, and her kindness and compassion for the people around her is admirable. George is the silliest, snuggliest kiddo in the bunch. He loves to be loved and to give out his love to anyone who will receive it. George’s laugh is one of the single-greatest sounds I’ve ever heard in my life, and thankfully, I get to hear it often. And finally, there’s Charlie. He’s the newest in the bunch, and we’re still getting to know his little personality. So far I’ve seen him to be strong-willed, fearless, and eager to keep up with his older siblings. Also, I know every mother thinks their kid is a smart, but this mother KNOWS her kid is; Charlie has mad street smarts, even as a 1-year-old. Please pray for me.
Q: Wow! It sounds like you have your hands full. How do you juggle motherhood and a work-from-home job? Let me start by saying that, besides mothers, childcare workers are the most underpaid and overworked people I’ve ever met in my life. My kids all go to school/daycare for at least a few hours each day, and I have those women to thank for my workday freedom (and sanity). While they go to school and drive their teachers insane, I get to plug away at this little site and do all the household stuff that no one cares about.
Q: Lucky you! Sounds like you’ve got it all down to a science! Wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong. Mothering is the one thing that cannot be subjected to scientific law, because children are forever changing, morphing into little Transformer versions of people I’ve never met. For example, last Monday, one of my kids requested blueberries in his lunchbox and then proceeded to eat the entirety of the two pints I had stored in the fridge. Delighted that he was enjoying fruit so much, I brought more berries home only to have him spit at them, puckering his lips and declaring he was allergic to them. Well, I wasn’t having it. I let him sit with those blueberries until he finally came clean with his real reason for avoiding them: he wanted Cheez-It’s in his lunchbox instead. Rule #1 of parenting: WE DO NOT NEGOTIATE WITH TERRORISTS.
Q: Aww, that’s so funny. Kids do the dardest things. Tell me more! You’re right, it probably would be super funny if that was the only resistance I came up against on a daily basis. But then there’s bath time, temper tantrums, and trying to keep track of all those tiny socks. There’s spilled sippy cups in my car and sticky mouth stains on the shoulders of all my shirts. Also, have you ever tried to put long john pajamas on a baby straight from the bath? Have you ever found your phone in the garbage can or your retainer in the toilet? Have you ever found your kid hiding in the pantry with a Costco-sized bin of gummy bears 5 minutes before bedtime? *Cough* Yeah, me neither.
Q: Wow, that was kind of an intense over-share. Maybe we can get back to the fun parts of motherhood? Sorry for spoiling your fun, Karen. I was just being honest. But you’re right- there is so much good stuff to gush about when it comes to motherhood. I can’t speak to mothering older kids or adults, but I will say that one of the sweetest parts of mothering younger kids is knowing sure as anything how much they love you. You can see in their eyes and feel it in the way they linger in those morning hugs. As exhausting as the schedules and discipline and wide-open chaos can be from time to time, I know that even when they don’t acknowledge it they are receiving all the little bits of love I throw their way. What a privilege it is to be that person for someone. One day in particular will stick out in my mind forever- a few years ago, one of my kiddos crawled up in my lap and, after sitting there still for a few minutes, looked up at me and said, “Mama, you make me feel safe.” It wrecked me. Ultimately, that kind of trust is something we all are looking for from the people we love, and I get to offer it three times over. #Blessed.
Q: Such a sweet story! Any last words on mothering? I dreamed about being a mother my whole life (No, literally though. I think I scared a lot of my high school boyfriends away when I told them I just wanted to be a Mom when I grew up, but I’ll save those relationships for another interview), and I’m happy to report that motherhood is everything I dreamed it would be and more. The longer I mother my own children the more I realize that mothering isn’t reserved for the select few that grow, birth, and raise children under their own roof. As women, we’re all called to motherhood in our own unique way, and now, I am able to look back and recognize how all sorts of women mothered me throughout my own life: aunts, mothers of friends, sweet women at church, and even grown ladies I rub shoulders in the present time are among the many who have sowed encouragement and love and truth into my day to day, and that kind of selfless, unwarranted love is truly what mothering looks like. So for all the women out there with kids or without kids: Happy Early Mother’s Day. You have an opportunity to mother beautifully right where you are, and I hope you receive the love and gratitude you deserve for it in the coming week.

So today, if you find yourself with a Mama you want to love on this coming Mother’s Day, check out the guide I’ve prepared below! Lots of my favorite things are represented on this list, and I have a hunch you know just the person to buy them for.

From top left clockwise:
Winc Wine Subscription
Swim Cover-Up Romper
Zalto Wine Glasses
Lululemon Wunder Under Train Leggings
Woven Slide Sandals
Citrus Press
Monogrammed Beach Tote
OPI Longwear Nail Laquer
Relaxed Denim Shorts
Faux Orchid
One Love Enzyme Cleansing Oil
Letters to My Son (or Daughter!) Book

Now onto this no-bake lemon icebox pie.

Why do we need this lemony dessert in our life? Because it’s no-bake. So simple. Quick to make and entirely refreshing. If you’re new to baking or, like me, just need a few things in your back pocket that are insanely delish and easy to make, this no-bake lemon icebox pie is just the thing. With a graham cracker crust and a whipped lemony cream cheese filling, this dessert is the freezer all-star us Moms need.

To make this no-bake lemon icebox pie, we start with the salty graham cracker crust. Butter, graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, and salt come together into a sandy mixture that get pat into the bottom of a springform pan. The filling here is just a few ingredients too: lemon juice, cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and loads of whipped cream. You can think of it as a no-churn ice cream in a pie crust (aka HEAVEN!) After a long stint in the freezer, this dessert is ready to go. Make it ahead and serve it slightly thawed from the freezer for a bright, refreshing, and decadent treat. This is the perfect dessert this time of year, but would be great in the warmer months too.

I do hope you enjoy this no-bake lemon icebox pie. If you happen to try it, let me know what you think! Happy Mother’s Day to all the women out there and happy baking, friends!

If you like this no-bake lemon icebox pie you should try:

Lemon Lavender Icebox Cake
Strawberry Icebox Pie
Lemon Poppyseed Muffins
Lemon Olive Oil Pie

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