Children

For many reasons I have spent a lot of time thinking about children and motherhood recently. I love being a mother. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have these beautiful little blessings in my life. I honestly have a hard time remembering what life was like before them. My life feels so rich and full. I am constantly amazed by how much my children teach me. I find myself looking at them and wondering how they can be so beautiful and so smart. I am truly in awe. I am so thrilled to know that we are sealed as a family forever. I cannot imagine the thought of not having at least that long together. My children truly are the lights of my life.

Besides, what's not to love about this?

and this?

(I know that she is going to kill me for this one someday)

and this?

and this?

and this?

and this?

In addition to thinking about my children, I have been pondering the person that I am becoming as a mother. As anyone who is a mother knows, this is the most stretching occupation there is. Everyday is a completely new and unpredictable experience. I learned years ago that children are definitely not "plug and play". Yet learning how to research child development and implement what you learn, teach yourself patience (ha ha, I am still working on that one), manage a household (endless groceries, dishes, laundry, homework, yardwork, etc.), help your children to grow and learn and develop testimonies , all the while making sure that you maintain your own health and sanity is the most challenging and deepening experience I know of. There is a true depth to great mothers. I am so grateful for all of the many mothers in my life, friends and family included. They are true examples to me. I am grateful for who I am and for my children who have made it happen. (This is the point where I should insert a great picture of the girls and I. Unfortunately I am usually the one behind the camera so I don't have one. I will have to work on that. Instead I will insert a video of my kids that makes me laugh).