Homework, yesterday, let me thinking about what my children's thoughts are about what my job as a mom really is. My little one had a project to interview a parent about their job. As I am the parent that helps the children with homework time, I get the tough questions.

My little asked "What is your job?". I did not hesitate and answered that "I am a Mom." He laughed. What was so funny about that?

 "Mom, I mean a real job." What! 

"Everett, being a Mom is a real job." Duh.

He was still giggling and I love his giggle so that may be why I was able to really process what he was saying to me. 

"No, Mommy I mean a job where you help people." What? 

"E, I do help people. I help you and Sissy and Brother all day"

"No, not that I mean other people." Ok, I have an answer to this i'm thinking.

"I do help other people. I volunteer, help at the school, do things for neighbors, strangers and friends. I am busy helping people all day" That was a great answer, I'm proud of myself!

"No!" he is still giggling, "I mean outside help. Where you do things for other." At this point I am starting to get a little irked as I think about what I did that day. I got up at 6. got husband and kids fed, ready, backpacks packed,  lunches made, and out the door, fed 4 pets, did laundry, dishes, cleaned, made beds, washed bathrooms, then i finally had some coffee. Then I sat down and wrote an adoption grant. If you have never written a grant or filled out the adoption paper work consider yourself lucky. Hours later, all paperwork done; 100 questions answered, 2 essays about our family and our faith answered, emails sent to pastor and adoption agency, tax forms and home study copied, a spread sheet of  our money flow and after all that the grant is almost ready to mail. I then had to cancel a meeting with someone about finishing a quilt. Then I met a friend for a late lunch. I fielded some phone calls from my sick husband for a bit. Then I had to get food for dinner, pick up the kids, get one ready for football and make dinner. Making dinner was what I was doing when Everett was asking me about my non-existent job. I had to stop and pray at this time that I would say the right thing.   

"I really do have a job helping people. Everett, I did a lot of work today" Ha! I feel much better about myself.

"Mom, I think i'm going to ask Daddy."

say what?

"Doesn't Daddy kill bugs?"

??????

"Everett, Mommy has a real job. She takes pictures of people." Oh I love my middle child. Santiago, you are amazing! Thank you for saving me!

You can see my answers to the questions Everett had to ask in the photo above. I realized that the reasons I love being a photographer are some of the same reasons I love being a Mom!

I know that all moms go through something like this. I just want you to know that I KNOW you have a real job. It is probably the hardest job ever. We should all gt a regular salary, vacation and sick days for it but we don't. Maybe just a nice glass of wine will be enough? Never, but thank you for all you do everyday. You are making a better world.

 You are doing your JOB!