The Multi-tasking, Unpaid, Miracle Worker

My fun new apron!

I just have to show you my new apron - it's just gorgeous.  Hot pink, it defines what a Mum is, a:

• multi-tasking
• unpaid
• miracle worker

That defines mothers the world over - who hasn't juggled feeding the baby with reading a story to a toddler while stirring the soup on the stove and wishing desperately for five minutes peace? I know I have, so when I opened the prettily wrapped present from my mother and saw what it was I just smiled.  I still have the smile on my face.

The best job I've ever had is mother. Doesn't that sound trite and patronizing? I don't mean it to be. I mean that I truly love having three human beings call me "mum".  I wouldn't be the person I am if I didn't have them in my life.

If Wayne and I had not had children, for whatever reason, we'd still be living in Sydney, in the hustle and bustle.  I imagine Wayne would still be in the same job, his loyalty is forever. I know I'd have moved on, but I'd be working flat chat at a job I love, that much is for sure.

Our three kids are grown-up now. Hannah is the youngest and she's 15 already.  I'm sure if I turn around she's just 8 months old and taking her first steps to keep up with her big brothers.  She was one little sister who was not going to be left behind.

And wasn't it just yesterday I was watching Thomas through the kitchen window as he played under the magnolia tree, making roads and tunnels and dams for his cars, and settling the argument and wiping the tears when said little sister wanted to play and "wuined my woad Mummy".

I still know all the words to every Wiggles song and I can still repeat word for word the Chubby Engine book.  I don't think I'll ever forget the script to Puff'n'Toot, AJ's favourite cassette. If I've heard it once I've heard it 95,658 times! We played that cassette so many times the first one wore out and we had to replace it.

I remember the absolute joy on Hannah's little face when she announced that when she grew up, she wanted to be a.......SHOPPER! I remember how hard it was not to laugh out loud too.

They were so cute when they were little.

As they grew of course they weren't so cute. But they were interesting. When I first heard my friend Debbie say her children were getting interesting it stopped me in my tracks. But she's right. Babies are gorgeous, toddlers and pre-schoolers are cute. Then they get interesting.

It's been fun watching them grow and their personalities develop.  Seeing how they work things out for themselves and how they like their independence.  How Thomas will always defend the underdog and AJ is a peacemaker, doing his best to stop quarrels and arguments.  Seeing how Hannah is compassionate and caring, generous and loving to everyone. Now the boys are both at Uni and Hannah
is in Year 10.

Yes, they are interesting and I just love being their mother, even if I am a multi-tasking, unpaid, miracle worker.