Motherhood as a vocation

Have you ever asked your child or someones child what they want to be when they grow up? Depending on their age and gender you could get anything from a superhero to batman to a princess to a doctor, teacher etc. Some little girls say mommies because they see their mommy playing dress up or play dough or painting. They don't "see" the laundry, dishes, sweeping, diapers etc.. If they did see and truly understand that, they wouldn't say they want to be a mommy. I love the innocence of children. They can only see the fun in all the jobs people have. Erik goes to Phil's work and doesn't see piles of papers that are a million different projects, or the schedule with all the boring meetings. He sees the key that locks the drawer or the hard hat that is 4x too big for him.

Lately I have had a number of people say to me that motherhood is a vocation. I always looked at the word of vocation as a job. Growing up I didn't think being a mom was a job. You don't leave the house (unless your are running an errand), you don't dress up, and most importantly you don't have a paycheck with $$ that is. I remember Phil asking me "are you sure you want to have a baby now, it's not all giggles and cooing" And of course not knowing ANYTHING, I said yes I do.
Don't get me wrong, I love being a mom. When I hear my kids giggle or chase each other or tell me they love me is the best feeling in the world. However it is a job! The difference between a job and a vocation is simply this: a vocation is something you are meant to do, a job is something that you do to pay the bills.  A vocation has purpose on  a much deeper level. At least that is how I see it.
Being a mother you are suppose to give yourself to your children completely, being a wife you are suppose to give yourself to your husband completely. Where does that leave you as a women?
I honestly believe I have the best life a person could ask for. I have a wonderful husband who is ALWAYS there for me without question. I have three healthy kids, We have an income that provides for us what we need and then some. However, I still struggle. Yeah yeah, everyone struggles, especially stay at home moms I'm told. Is that a reason or just an excuse for why I'm feeling the way I am and acting out to my children and husband. Granted this has been a tough year for my family (with my dad's stroke and all). Again is that a reason or an excuse. I feel like I'm rambling on so back to my point of motherhood as a vocation. I may not enjoy my daily tasks of my job but I know that I am very lucky with my vocation as a mother.

Here are some things that my children have done lately that brought joy to my heart:

Erik is reading level one books. Even books that we've never read to him before he is figuring them out on his own.

Sarah's expressions have been so entertaining lately it's hard to discipline her when she makes them (and she knows it)

Caleb is my baby and when he smiles at me, all my frustrations just melt away.

and now that, that's said I am going to return to the screaming and yelling of my children.. Haha, the joys of motherhood.