I've wanted to be a mom for as long as I can remember.  I vividly remember getting a doll every year for my birthday when I was a child.  Each and every doll was dutifully dressed, fed and disciplined.  I suppose I was simply mimicking what I viewed my own mother do every day.  I loved it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Now that I am a mother and now that I am no longer in the sleep deprived state of toddlerhood, I have this enormous desire to put all of my energy, heart and soul into raising my kids and educating them.  I can really think of no other area of social life that has been belittled and mocked as much as motherhood has been.  Especially the "stay - at - home" kind of motherhood.  We're accused of "wasting" our time, wasting our lives and talents, we're made fun of and looked down upon.  But you know what?  That's okay.  It is not everyone's opinion that I'm seeking, it's my children's respect and love and education that I am working towards.    To be honest with you, I was very doubtful that I would make it as a homeschool mom.  After all, everyone that I know says that they "need a break" from their kids and that they could never "spend all day" with their kids.  I won't sugar coat it.  There are difficult days, but an amazing thing is happening to me.  I am becoming one of those strange moms who "loves being around" her kids.  I'm the mom that used to raise my eyebrows when they would gush these statements to me, and secretly, I'd be thinking "LIAR".                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        But, it's true!  Chloe is 9, Jake is 7, and Tirzah is 5 and I can truly, honestly say that I LOVE spending all day with them.  I love seeing their faces light up when they've understood a difficult math concept or they've remembered that hard Latin word.  It's amazing to me that lil' ole me and taught each of them to read.  I didn't realize that I had it in me!   There is no professional job in this world that could now lure me away from this job of motherhood.  There are days when Jacob wraps his little bony arms around my waist and looks up at me with his heavy lashed hazel eyes and he says, "I love you, Mom.  You're the best Mom in the whole wide world."  I tell you what, there is no award or monetary job bonus that could be better than that. I WANT to be the best Mom in the whole wide world.  Not that I will be, I know that, but I want to give this job my all.  I want to teach my kids to respect their elders, love their siblings, use manners, work hard, be responsible, be honest and to most of all, love their Creator with their whole heart and soul and mind.  Motherhood is such an awesome, thrilling responsibility and I think, too often, us moms get caught up in the griping about the day to day grunge.     But, think about it!  This very small person was given to you.  She is a part of you and a part of your spouse.  A living breathing reminder of your love for one another.  It is mind boggling if you really consider it deeply. So, for all us stay at home moms,  I know your hair has split ends and your pedicures are chipped.  I know that your feet are spread out from wearing flip flops all the time.  I know that "alone time" is an unheard of event.  I just want to say HANG IN THERE!   It's a long road, but you can do it!  Teach your children to love you and to respect their father.  Don't ever let your child hit you or yell at you or even glare at you.  Sometimes it feels like a marathon, but as you're building character and patience, so are they!  Push on, do your best, embrace the lessons and late nights and reach for that difficult goal of raising wonderful, respectful kids.  *note*  I am certainly not in any way undermining working moms.  I think that moms who work have a lot of dedication and have a lot on their plates, also.  This is an encouragement for those who know what I'm talking about in the stay at home world.  I certainly don't wish to offend career moms.