Glad to be a Mother

This spring-like morning as I went walking, I listened to a talk that Elder Quentin Cook gave at BYU yesterday: https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/quentin-l-cook_banquet-consequences-cumulative-result-choices/.

It was an excellent talk and I highly recommend it. His main theme is that Satan's goal is for people to see bad as good and good as bad. One of the ways he accomplishes this is by devaluing children. He said, "The adversary has targeted women and painted motherhood as a dead–end road of drudgery." But, he says that motherhood and having children brings great joy and happiness. He said, "In raising children, there are challenges and sacrifices, but the rewards, both in this life and in the eternities, are breathtakingly beautiful."

One of my all-time favorite pictures. I just wish Lincoln were in it but he was on his mission.

It helped me feel really good about my choice to have 9 children. And it does bring me joy. My happiest moments come when my family is all together and my children are enjoying one another's company. I can only imagine what it will be like in the eternities. This last summer it happened when we were all finally together again, just for a day.

I don't know exactly why, but I always wanted a big family. I read "Cheaper by the Dozen" when I was maybe 10 years old and that was my dream--12 children. Then I had one child and realized that it was much more difficult than I realized. It required a level of selflessness and discipline that I was unprepared for. No way could I have had 9 children without my very supportive husband. At times, I have wondered if I was really up to doing this. But it has been and continues to be worth the effort.

I pray every day to be a better parent. It is a huge responsibility and I want to do as well as I possibly can. And hopefully enjoy it along the way.

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