Hi... my name is Mama.

I'm not an artist, a gardener, or a tuba player. I'm not an English teacher anymore. I am a Mom. I love my children more than anything, as most mom's do. I also can't help but feel like there's more out there for me.
When I transitioned from full time employee to full time mama, I devoted my entire life to my children. I was no longer the person that used to exist before these tiny little dependents came. It's almost like a whole person disappeared.
I used to wear make up. I used to wear pants with buttons and zippers. I used to rate my worth based on how many lesson plans I was able to create, how many professional development seminars I attended, or how many students I was able to connect with on a certain day. I knew I was going to be acknowledged, reviewed, and compensated every week. Now, if someone were to ask me about myself, what would I say? I'm a mama. What about that answer differentiates me from all of the other millions of mamas out there? Who the heck am I? No one wants to be just one thing, do they?
Everyday, I teach my children to be multifaceted. I would never teach them just to love reading. Sure, I want them to love literature and books, and learning, but I also want them to love art, and sports, and their friends, and science, and movies, and crafts, and Jesus. See, I want them to know all of the things they are able to do.
For me, most days include playing zoo, watching cartoons, wiping butts, feeding the fish, cleaning up crafts, or running errands. It's a constant struggle to feel important while doing these sometimes mind numbing tasks. It's even harder to remember who I am. So, as I teach my children all of the things they can be or do, I need to focus on the same way of thinking. Children learn by example. So, if I am "just Mom," that's no good.
I often need to focus on my self worth. I think all mamas should. Even if we are no longer able to do ALL of the things we once enjoyed, focusing on a few makes for a happy mama AND a happy family.
SO, I have decided to make a conscious effort to be more than Mom. Sure, that's always going to be my most important role; however, it can't be my only role. While I am no master chef, animal rescuer, or violinist, I am going to focus on what I am passionate about and what I can do while still focusing on my number one job.
I will show my children that I am  a photographer, a blogger, a writer, a Zumba enthusiast, a church attending Christian who walks with and loves the Lord, a family member, a friend, a movie goer who loves dramas and documentaries, a volunteer for schools, a decorator, and a crafting how bow lover. I can be a mama and more! And, so can you. What do you love, besides your children?