Defining...

What defines you? Me? It is a question that many of us, especially us mommy-types, ask repeatedly throughout our lives. I was reminded on Thursday once again what defines part of me. Teaching. I am a teacher at heart. The first day back on Thursday after six and a half months off on maternity leave. Six great months of pure mommyhood defining moments. Albeit to say that hopefully the marathon of yoga pant wearing, spit up smelling shirts, hair pulled back, make-up less face, and repetivness of the day did not define my mommyhood, I still managed to soak it all up. Every minute. My kids are fabulous. My heart. Teaching is a part of me too. I love working. I love that my kids totally get what I do. How I contribute. How important being a teacher is. We live a lot of life in this house. We are always going. As I dismissed my students on Thursday, I felt rejuvinated. Refueled. Invigorated. Part of me was back. Then I got to come home and relish in endless mommy moments. Hugs, cuddles, kisses. Quality--I am constantly reminded, not quantity. I know who I am. For that I am grateful. Grateful to know my purposes in life--mommy, wife, teacher. friend, sister, daughter. Grateful to not have a void. Grateful to love what I do. Grateful to know that as my children go through different stages in life, and at one point leave our nest, I will still know what defines. What always has. I will always be a teacher. Teacher to my kids, and to many others. It's an awesome feeling. Dylan is going to kindergarten at the school I teach. Holy cow...how many people get to be at the school their child is attending all day? SO lucky! I get to see him (okay spy on him) eating snack, playing outside, hear cute stories from his teacher. What a blessing! Next year, Emma will join him at my school too. Seriously, it doesn't get much better than experiencing school, at the same school, with your oldest child--the first to go to kindergarten. What a moment! At that moment--all that defines who I am--mommy and teacher--came together in a perfect look between Dylan and I as I let go of his hand and sent him on his first day. Defining moment? To say the least.