Photos: Moms Get Pampered, Recognized and Honored for Hard Work

In honor of the Mother’s Day this Sunday, the Jefferson Valley Mall held a . For some moms it was a much needed break to get away and spend some time for themselves.

Sonja Fanelli, of Mahopac, and Kerry Waldron, of Yorktown, each got a free massage and pretzels at the mall. They wanted to take advantage of the night to relax, get pampered, walk around and shop while their husbands took care of their children. 

"I think it's great that we get honored," Yorktown resident Wendy Lang said. "It's important we are recognized. It's tough in this economy to be a mom, support a family, but I make it work."

Lang, a mother of her 2-year-old daughter Addison, said she has always heard from others that your life would change once you become a mother, but the feeling is indescribable.

"She is the apple of my eye, she is the joy of my life," Lang said of her baby girl. "She is what I live for."

Lang also gives great credit to her own mother Sara Kardash and says she is her best friend. She helped her get through a hard time in her life when it wasn't easy for her and her husband to have a child, but they were finally blessed with one.

"She gave me the strength to get through such a hard time in my life," Lang said. "If it weren't for her encouragement to never give up and to always have faith I'm not sure I would be a mother today. I love her more than words could ever express."

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For two Mohegan Lake women, Kelly Seeger and Natasha Allison, Sunday would be a special holidays as they will be celebrating their first Mother's Day. They met at a breast feeding support group at the Hudson Valley Hospital Center, where they gave birth two their two children. 

"It's challenging," said Seeger, who works as a lighting consultant and has to leave her daughter Charlotte at day care during the day. "It's hard to leave her and only see her for a couple of hours in the evening."

Allison, who was at the mall with her son Brody and husband, also said being a mom is challenging, but very rewarding. Thursday night was a day to feel as if all mothers' hard work was being recognized. 

Throughout the mall, stations were set up with vendors offering free samples, refreshments, prizes, dance and fitness demonstrations. The first 250 lucky moms received their choice of free Asian fans or CD and a complimentary pair of sunglasses and a free gift bag with product samples and offers.

Sandy Morales, of Mohegan Lake, stopped by one of the pampering stations at the mall with her two daughters – 10-year-old Leara and 13-year-old Tylene. 

"She is very special," Leara said of her mother. "She does a lot for me and my sister. She helps with the chores, cooking and homework."

Jane Gentile, a breast cancer survivor, said she looks forward to Mother's Day every year because she gets to be with her family. This year she is a first-time grandma of 3-month-old Ryan. 

Michele Iovanella, of Yorktown, also spent some time with her three children and niece at the Jefferson Valley Mall. She loves children and being a mom – two of her kids, Destiny and Anthony, are both adopted from foster care and she said she wants to adopt another child. 

Caroline Murphy, wife of Yorktown councilman Terrence Murphy, who was at the mall with her three children KcKayla, Jack and Kian on Thursday, said Mother's Day is so special because it's a complete honor and blessing for her.

"Every day I try to do better for my children who are so enthusiastic about life," she said. "They're so inspirational to me."

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You can also tell Mom (or anyone) how much you appreciate her any time of year on Patch by posting an announcement. It doesn't have to be Mother’s Day to tell the world how wonderful your mom is!