Mini Me

A couple weeks ago my neighbor made the comment that Avery was a little version of me. I have had several people share this same opinion and when I compare pictures of when I was a little girl and watch her mannerisms, I would absolutely have to agree.

Anyone who knows me, knows that my favorite room in my house is my kitchen. I really enjoy creating food and entertaining my family and friends. I have seen Avery develop this same interest. Last Christmas she asked for a decorating baking kit because she wanted to learn how to bake like her mommy. It was so much fun taking the time to help her learn the very basics of baking which made me feel like I know a thing or two.

Right now when I ask Avery what she wants to be when she grows up, she will say with confidence: "I want to be a mommy and have 100 babies. I want 5 cats and 4 dogs and I want to stay at home with them." When she first revealed her ambitions, I wasn't sure if I should praise her for her desire to be a mother or to call her the "Old woman who lived in the shoe." More than anything I took her answer as a compliment. The job of mother, I hold to be the most sacred and highest responsibility I have. It has also been the most trying, difficult job. I have found that anything that is of great worth most of the time, requires sacrifice and hard work to achieve. I have faith that down the road, all of our hard work and gray hair will pay off.
As a mother I have found to be my own worst critic. I think women, especially mothers, we are hard on ourselves because we know that the task at hand is important and with that we carry a lot of responsibility on our shoulders. Sometimes all of the responsibilities of motherhood can be too much to handle and so we check out, shut down and don't want to face the day (that was me yesterday!). I often find myself questioning if I am doing all that I can to teach, guide and love my children. Some days I wonder if what I am doing really matters. One thing that I know for sure, I couldn't do this without God's help. He helps me see the joy amidst the chaos. He helps me see the pure goodness in my children and reminds me that they are His. At the end of the day when I fall exhausted into my bed and pray that the kids will give me a good night sleep, when I wake up the next morning, I still get excited to see them and begin a new day. The job of being a mother is completely worth it.

I think Avery may change her mind when it comes to the number of children she will have one day. I just don't think her goal of 100 babies is possible, but hey, I'm not going to be the one to break it to her. I hope that she will continue to see the value in becoming a mother someday. I am just grateful that at 5 years old she not only looks like a mini me but wants to be a mini me. I hope to be more like her when I grow up.