She reads to us, sings to us and shuttles us to soccer practice.

She juggles jobs and family life and listens to our troubles.

We love our mother, whether she be an artist, a doctor or a stay-at-home mom.

We admire her, and sometimes we even follow in her footsteps, taking the same career path. Here's a look at children who did just that.

MOM: Glenda Alexander

JOB: Real estate agent for 37 years.

Son Leon also chose the profession.

As a child, Leon often played inside empty homes his mom was selling or quietly accompanied her to open houses. A dedicated agent, Glenda took calls at all hours of the day.

And she seemed to love her job.

After years of working in a bank, Leon wanted a change.

He remembered from childhood that giddy excitement of first-time home buyers. So 15 years ago, Leon, now 49, joined his mom in the real estate business. They are now the Alexander Team.

He says he's not sure he shares his mom's bubbly personality but loves being part of the big moment with their clients.

"She has this dynamic personality and people just love her," Leon said. "Every time we go to the grocery store, everyone comes up to her and wants to talk to her. I am hoping some more of this rubs off on me."

Children follow in moms' steps

Teacher's enthusiasm spreads to whole family

MOM: Pat Johnson

JOB: Elementary school teacher of gifted students for some 40 years.

All four children are now educators.

Pat Johnson has crafted spaceship-like bubbles with tanks made out of Coke bottles and loads of duct tape.

At home with her four children, she helped them build varied projects from energy-saving refrigerators to ships made out of trash.

"If it took hours, she was right there with you," said Steve Johnson, who worked for many years in the moving business but recently was drawn to teaching.

His mother, Pat Johnson, now 73, continues to teach part time at Fairview Elementary School in Covington as an instructor in the gifted program.

All four of her children have followed in her footsteps in some way.

Daughter Cathy Spencer opened Color Wheel, an after-school arts program in Decatur featuring sculpture, poetry and painting.

James Johnson is about to go overseas to teach English.

Christy Johnson-Hatchett is a nanny who plans to teach fitness classes to new moms and their babies.

And Steve Johnson teaches students with emotional and behavioral disorders at Heritage High School in Conyers.

"I remember my mom talking about the joy of seeing that 'click' go on in a child's head," said Steve Johnson. "And now I see that. And when you see that excitement and you are the one that helps them get there, it keeps you going back."

Two generations in the kitchen find joy in the details

MOM: Sandy Pitsch

JOB: Former manager at Olive Garden.

Daughter Hilary White is head chef and owner of the acclaimed restaurant the Hil at Serenbe in Palmetto.

As a child, Hilary White spent many spring and summer days tending to the family's garden teeming with tomatoes, green beans and zucchini. She and her mom, Sandy Pitsch, canned and preserved many of the pickings.

White's mom worked for many years as a manager of an Olive Garden restaurant.

And White, who now is the head chef at the Hil, was inspired by her mother's attention to details, even on the busiest of days.

"She would be on her feet all day and then come home and work in the garden and make dinner, and then she would still take that extra time for special details like peeling tomatoes," White said. "A peeled tomato is so delicious, it's luxurious in your mouth."

White's mom recently moved from Ohio to join her and help run the restaurant.

So when White faced a generous zucchini crop, she remembered her mom's zucchini patty recipe, which calls for grated zucchini, eggs, milk and Bisquick and tastes like a "savory pancake."

White served it to her customers on a white plate with sauteed spinach and poached eggs.

With other dishes, she served peeled tomatoes.

Balancing work and family

MOM: Gail Travillian.

JOB: Assistant district attorney in Spalding County.

Daughter Sherry Neal also became a lawyer.

As a child, Sherry Neal's mom was just "Mom."

But then, as Sherry entered middle school, her mother led a protest to keep a small college open and then entered law school.

"I could tell that she was passionate and that this was something she really wanted to do," Neal said.

But Neal also was impressed by her mom's unwavering dedication to motherhood.

Even when she was practicing law, Neal's mom was at every one of her daughter's orchestra performances. And when Neal was a senior in high school and could leave campus for lunch, her mom was almost always there, greeting her at home with a freshly made sandwich.

"Best of all, we would sit around and watch 'The Young and the Restless' together," Neal said.

Neal wanted to be just like her mom —- not only in her career, but with her family life, too.

As a mother now to 2-year-old Latha, Neal works flexible hours and often at home. She takes frequent breaks to read her daughter story books.

"My first title is mom," said Neal. "I remember my mom being a big part of my life growing up and I want to be that kind of mom to my daughter."