Mothers Who Know

Julie B. Beck's talk Mothers Who Know is one of my all time favorites. I've listened to it at least 3 times in the last couple of months. David and I were raised by "mothers who know". If you don't know what that means click on the talk for a great read. My Mom raised 8 kids and now has almost 30 grandchildren (and we aren't done yet!). Needless to say that my siblings and I were taught that having children is a privilege and a blessing. She loves being a Mom and she is great at it. I loved coming home from school and seeing her scriptures and lesson manuals sprawled across the table as she prepared for her seminary and gospel doctrine lessons. There was never any question of her love for the Gospel or for her family. My sister once said about my Mom "She is the best conversationalist in the history of conversation". I loved bringing my friends home because my Mom would sit them down at the kitchen island while she cooked and chatted with us. She'd always make them feel important by asking about their lives and they always adored her back. I could go on and on about life lessons and special moments I have with her but I won't. I'll simply say that being called LW (little Wendy) by my Dad and my siblings is the greatest compliment I've ever received.

David's mom is the mother of 6. I feel so blessed that we've lived within 30 minutes of my in-laws for the last 5 years. David's Mom has taken me in as one of her own. I feel so comfortable with her and I know I could ask anything of her. She's come down to kill the yellow jackets that invaded our living room awhile back and she always calls me from Costco or children's clothing stores just to see if she can pick up anything for me. I used to make fun (okay maybe I still do) of her being 100% feeler and that one day I'm going send Hannah to live with her so they can understand each other. But the truth is I have learned so much and come to truly appreciate the compassion and emotion that comes along with this huge feeler. And I'm grateful to Lori everyday for raising David. Not many men are ready to embrace a large family, let alone spaced close together. But David gets it. He saw his own Mom enjoying her children. She taught him the importance of family and because of that there was never a moment's hesitation in being ready and willing to be a father to many.

We often have people ask us about our future family size... usually they make a comment about how that's great but we are maybe a little bit nuts. I've come to respond with a phrase I've been using more and more often. "Yes, but you have to remember David and I have both seen it done. And done REALLY well."

(Picture by the amazing Bree. More to come later.)

And then there are these 3. Oh what a joy it is to be a mother. I couldn't ask for anything more.