It Takes a Village

One of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make in my life was going back to work.  It was gut-wrenching and there were nights that I cried myself to sleep.  But after I got my confirmation that it was right, I realized that it was what was best for my family.  It certainly wasn't easy though.  I had complete strangers walk up to me and say, "I didn't know you work.  You must be a disappointment to your father who stands up a stake conference and asks the women of his stake to stay home with their kids and his own daughter doesn't listen to him. Hmm tut tut."  and they walk off.  Even family members have been upset by the fact that I had to go to work.  It hasn't been easy, but it has definitely been rewarding.  The only way I would have been able to work was if my mom agreed to watch my kids during the day.  I didn't want a stranger who didn't really care about them taking care of them.  I wanted someone who loved them as much as I do, and who wanted them to succeed as much as I do take care of them.  Of course my mom agreed.  She gets up at 2am everyday so she can finish work early and take care of my kids.  She's the best.  It has been over a year and my two children love her just as much as they love me or Matt.  Don't believe me?  Here's the proof.

Jeremy's first day of Kindergarten, he was asked to draw a picture of his family.  He showed it to me when I got home from work and I noticed that there was an extra person in my family.  I asked him who everyone was in his family and he replied, "Well, that is Daddy, then Grandma, then Sister, then you, and then me."

My mouth started to curve into a smile and I asked him, "Is Grandma part of your family?"  "Yup, she's my favorite." And he smiled and walked off.  Suddenly I was grateful for my mom and what an influence she has on my kids.  I know they will be better than me because of what she does for them.  For family home evening last night, we made necklaces with our family member on them.  Bailee was looking through her necklace papers that she was coloring and she came over to me and said, "Mom, I don't have any babies on my necklace."  I told her that we were making necklaces with each of our families.  Her family was Matt, myself, her and Jeremy, and Ammon's necklace was his mom and dad, and Sam, Isaac, Ben, and himself.  Bailee looked at me and said, "But I love them and want them on my necklace."  I consoled her into coloring her own necklace, but later that night I thought about that.  Now that Cory and Sharon and their little herd of boys is living with us, my kids will have more influences that will help shape and develop who they are.  Suddenly I was overwhelmed with a great feeling of gratitude.  I was very grateful that so many people loved my kids and wanted to see them succeed.  Even though I had to be to work, I knew that my kids were being loved and taken care of.  I know that my mom can teach them things that I might not be able to, and I know that Sharon will influence them in a different way than I do, but I also know that all the exterior influences and lessons will mold my children into the best people they can be.  It truly does take a village to raise a child.  I only hope that I will be able to bless others the way I have been blessed.