The Mom job.
What I've realized is that if I shower, dress (for success) and then wrap myself in an apron, I'm far less likely to argue waffles and syrup, jelly toast and gummy oatmeal when the kids wake up. I also enjoy my cup of coffee to the nth degree - I walk around with it as the coffee threatens to slosh over the side. My heart is zeroed in on the hearts of my children as opposed to the logistics of the morning - those things just seem to fall into place - not to mention, they can't get past my apron.
It's beginning to feel a little magical, to be quite honest with you. The school folders seem to fall open, papers leap from the pocket and fall into the appropriate box in the dining room; school lunch boxes lay open ready to be filled with healthy and wholesome foods such as PB&Honey, yogurt and granola (homemade - thanks apron!), locally grown carrots and apples, fruit leather and ope! a piece of Halloween candy. The kids' little metal water bottles are filled with ice to keep the lunch cold and I write a love note before zipping up the contents - the love note is an extension of my Mom. Not a day went by where I didn't open my lunch growing up (insert Ego in Ratatouille's flashback here) and see a huge circle with a smiley face inside and a love note... I've decided we are never too old - still wish I got those to this day. 
With my apron I do amazing things like get my dishes done immediately after a meal, stack the dishwasher throughout the day as opposed to cramming it an night, read to my children, let them color and do homework instead of watch She-Ra and let them help cook while I dance around the kitchen wiping my hands shamelessly across my stomach ridding my fingers of flour and sugar and everything that threatens to take my time. I have another apron where this came from -- let's cook! Let's freeze our extras and save it for another dinner! Better yet, let's give it to someone in need! Whisk, stir, fold til your heart's content! It. Is. Magic.
Today my children received so many disciplines (yes, we spank) because of their disobedience. It has become a recipe for disaster when the little NOs become bigger NOs and then the bigger NOs make Mom incredibly frustrated - and I can only attribute it to my inconsistency. Today, with my apron tied tight across my low-back, I marched those little cherubs into my room and disciplined them with the love of Jesus Christ. I do believe there was deeper respect as their eyes followed from my toes... up... up... up... over my apron and rested on my face - they were calm and full of humility. As was I.
My apron has become what I am now going to refer to as my Armor of God.
"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Ephesians 6:13-16
I don't believe a day will go by when I'm not wearing my apron in and around the house - I will meditate on the armor of God and the fruit that comes from taking it up daily... and I will be a better Mom, Wife and Lover of Jesus because of it.
Not necessarily in that order.
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