Don't you love when someone asks you "So what do you do..."? Sometimes, I feel like being really sarcastic (Gasp...I know not me! :), and telling them something like, what don't I do, or I pick up stray kittens off the side of the road and do experimental research on them. (Disclaimer...I would not really do that, I love kitties and have a few myself that are spoiled rotten :). I just feel like making something really outrageous up.
My sister Lynne with Dom...
Heaven forbid you tell them you are a mom and housewife. I actually had someone tell me once, that no he wanted to know what I did for work! Hello? Most women I know have more than one "job". A lot of them two or three. Some do have an outside the home (or in the home) paying job that they do for income. But they also have the all time consuming 24 hour a day, 7 day a week, 356 day a year non-paying, usually under-appreciated job of wife and mother. I once received an e-mail with a calculation of what a wife/moms monetary worth would be if even payed minimum wage for the service rendered in her week. It was shocking, yet society today doesn't seem to appreciate what they do not only around the house, but with nurturing our future generations.
My sister Tonya feeding Bryana...
One time, a friend of mine (an awe inspiring woman with 13 kids) told me her husband came home from work one day and asked her, what she had done all day? She was so upset, but she didn't get huffy or bent out of shape, for the next several weeks she kept a notebook of every little detail of her day, from how many diapers she changes, meals she prepared, squabbles she settled, loads of laundry she did, boo-boos she kissed better, dishes she washed...you get the idea. The next time he asked her that, she just handed him the notebook calmly and let him see. He never questioned her again about it. Granted most of us don't have that many children, but for many (like me) it's hard to keep up with the ones you have.
Me taking a nap with Ashley...
It's easy to forget the little things that have to happen to make a home operate smoothly. Sometimes things get pushed aside or postponed (for me its ironing :). Eventually it does get done...my house might not get dusted as often as I'd like or my garden weeded when it should, but I hope I make a difference in all the lives of those who come into our home. I love talking to the kids when they get home, or playing with the babies, whom I get the privilege of watching several days a week. For me, that is what's the most important. The hugs, the kisses, the chats about their day the little things that you don't always see, but can make a bigger influence in the lives around you. It's not always just your own kids you mother either...You may have as many kids in your home any given day as my friend with 13 of her own! I know I have before.
Morgan with her son, Alex...
So, kudos to all the Moms out there. (And all you future moms!) Know that you really are appreciated for what you do. (Yes, I know there are also awesome dads that do amazing things, maybe next post will be about them. ;)
