Fab Mom: Blake Van Es
Mom-of-three Blake Van Es is the founder of Johnjay & Rich LoveUp Foundation and LovePup Foundation. She strives to be a force for positive change in the community, whether for children facing life in the foster care system or homeless dogs.
Mom of: Jake, 18; Kemp, 17; and Dutch, 14
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Favorite ways to spend family time: At home, at our cabin in Pinetop, La Jolla and Maui.
Most rewarding motherhood moment: When my boys interact with each other, laugh and have a good time.
Biggest challenge as a mom: Making sure that my boys grow up to be good men. Every day is a challenge, but they have definitely shown signs that they will grow up to be productive, good-hearted men.
A mother who inspires you and why: My mother-in-law. She was always loving and laughed a lot at what her kids did growing up. Johnjay was not easy to deal with, and she always saw the humor in it.
Best piece of advice for a new mom: Enjoy every minute of it; it goes by so fast. My oldest is headed off to college. I don’t know where the time went.
Your biggest hope for your children: My biggest hope is that they find happiness in what they do, their jobs are fulfilling and they marry girls that lift them up.
How are you celebrating Mother’s Day: My family will be in town so we will go to brunch together.