Because I Had Children

A few years ago, I was the subject of some specific gossip. (I'm sure it has happened more often but I have pretty thick skin.) It made its way to my ears and my feelings were hurt; I mean really hurt. The person who was talking didn't know all the facts surrounding the circumstance and was assuming some things that were not true. It made me look awful. Gossip: Don't Pass It On I love this person but it has been difficult to be in their circle of friends. Maybe that means I haven't completely forgiven them but I sincerely am trying. I just want so badly to tell everyone the truth about what happened. I wanted this person to ask me for the details; I would have spilled it all but nobody ever did. I still walk around wondering who thinks I'm the terrible person I was portrayed to be. Was this information offered to one other person or to many? I try to avoid gossip. It isn't easy and sometimes it is really hard. I remember a friend who was going through ...

My Anny was born six years ago this month. We didn't know until she arrived that she would be our sweet princess, we like those kind of surprises in the delivery room. She has three older sisters who all originally were going to be named Anny but when they arrived, none of them seemed right for the name. Who knew we would end up having our seventh child actually arrive and fit the name perfectly! But that is another story. This one is about Anny's hand. Anny just over a year old At the halfway point of my pregnancy, I went for a routine ultrasound. As I drove down the freeway with the radio off, I did what I normally do when I'm alone and have a little conversation with my Heavenly Father. I thanked him for this new spirit that was coming to our family and asked him for the strength to do this again after a five year break. I was feeling overwhelmed and nervous. I wanted to know why I felt so much anxiety even though this was my seventh go around. I drove down the ...

I seriously don't know what happened to the month of May and how it went so quickly. But, I'm determined to have a fabulous summer with my kids! June keeps us pretty busy with football, basketball and cheer camps for the older kids almost every day but I need something to do with my younger kids so I went on a search. Here is a brief list of things local to me in the QC/San Tan Valley area that are free or cost very little. Are you ready to join me for some fun this summer?!?! Queen Creek Library (Ellsworth/Ocotillo in QC) Free Every Thursday from 1-2 there are things like magic shows, yo yo demos and more. There are other events as well for older kids as well as babies, check out their calendar Here. Plus they have a summer reading program! Click Here.   Apache Junction Library (Idaho/University (Superstition Blvd)) They have a darling castle for the little kids to climb in, play dress up and checkers along with maybe even do a little reading, ha ha. Miss Alana c...

...and I am way behind on my daily postings of poems. I was doing them mostly on Facebook but I have gotten a few days behind so I'll post them here for my mom and dad and the two other people who read my blog and/or care about my poetry, ha ha. If you haven't been following me on FB, I have been taking my daily cues on what types of poems to write from my friend Stephanie at www.stephaniesaysso.blogspot.com . She has taken all the work out of it for me when it comes to choosing what to write each day and I'm so grateful for this opportunity to stretch myself as a writer. So as a catchup, I'll start with Day 19 which was free verse. It turned out to be harder than I thought and while both of these are quite amateur, I think there is some potential in them and they will be revisited soon. My Closest Friend Procrastination is my closest friend We often spend time together Saying “tomorrow I’ll have more time” When the reality is that I know I won’t. S...

As we drove to the restaurant to meet our 19 year old daughter for lunch my husband says to me, "Remember the time when she was seizing and I just held her in my arms while we sobbed sitting on the living room floor and you kept saying it would end soon?" The tears wouldn't stop running down my cheeks as I looked back through the first few years of her life and remembered how it all started. I can pinpoint her first seizure at age two or three and I remember the phone call from my sister like it was yesterday. I rushed her to the Dr. office she had perked up by then and was walking and responsive. We sat in the waiting room for only a minute before they took her back to a room. After looking her over for a minute, she asked to use the potty. I walked with her to the restroom and helped her. Just as she climbed off the toilet and had her pants pulled up, she collapsed into my arms and had a full gran mal. I held my composure the best I could while I opened the bathroom...

My younger sister was married this last weekend to a wonderful man. In their guest registry, it asked for a simple message of advice or thoughts on marriage. I know I wrote something but I'm not good "off the cuff" and I've been wondering about what I wrote since then and wondered if it was "enough." Marriage between a man and a woman is the most sacred trust our Father in Heaven has given us. It is this union that brings children to the world and links together generations. I wanted to share what I really wish I would have written when I signed our names to the book 1. Always put God first. A marriage is like a perfect triangle with God at the top point and the couple at the bottom two points, neither one being more important than another but always equal. When I think about the choices I make in my life, I always ask first if it is something my Father in Heaven wants for me, if I think it is, then I consider how my spouse will feel about it before making...

I knew this day would come but I didn't anticipate how hard it would be to actually let you go. I do want to thank you for sticking with us as long as you could because being the two oldest of eight cannot be an easy thing. Knowing I am losing 25% of my kids at one time is hard on my heart so tread lightly. There are so many things I hope I have taught you and maybe I'm a little scared that I didn't. Just in case I didn't cover something, here are a few reminders before you go: 1 - Pay with cash as often as possible. You need a house to live in, a vehicle to drive and an education. You don't need new couches, expensive clothing or dinner out a 12% interest rate. Pay your tithing. Everything we have came from the Lord, all he asks is 10%. Be wise and always pay your debts on time. 2 - Serve others. You are entering a period of your life where you only have to be responsible for one person - YOU. You may have to deal with roommates or co-workers but it will be n...