They had eleven children. What? I remember other people thinking that was unusual but I didn't fully realize how monumentally ambitious that was until I was older. Imagine it. 99 months of pregnancy (and she got sick through most of it). The number of parent/teacher conferences. The amount of food to be prepared. The homework. Keeping that many children in clothes and shoes. And Christmas. The challenge of quieting that many children of different ages for scripture reading, family home evening, church (and several of those years, Dad sat on the stand). Providing transportation for that many people and bedrooms and bathrooms. Think about the school programs, the music lessons, the basketball and football and track meets to attend. The concerts, the recitals, the New Beginnings and Priesthood Previews.
It's overwhelming.
But then imagine doing all those things with love and patience. Imagine having that many children and not having a single one have any doubt that their parents loved them. Imagine eleven children being made to feel like they were college-worthy athletes, the best singers and the smartest and most clever people. It wasn't until later that we realized we were all pretty average.
I could go on and on. But I won't. I'll just say that today I'm grateful for my parents. I can't wait until they gt home.
Comments
My new favorite quote: Gratitude turns what we have into enough.
(author unknown) So true!
cannot wait for them to get home.
i love them both so much.
i am amazed by them every day.
every day!