Tuesday, September 1, 2009

FAMILIES ARE FOREVER!

These pictures are just a fractional representation of my children's growing up years!
Not all of my children are represented.


Do I look exhausted? There are 2 older daughters who are not in this picture.


Many years ago, I met a friend, Colleen, at the library for the summer story time. Between the two of us we had 9 ½ children under the age of 9. As the older children sat and listened to the story, told by the librarian, Colleen and I were running in different directions. We were both chasing toddlers. I was comforting a tired baby, refereeing arguments between the older kids, changing diapers, trying to cover up the wet marks on the front of my shirt because the nursing pads didn’t absorb well, keeping the toddler from ripping up the library books, and basically having a “mother of many small children” moment. As Colleen came walking toward me with sweat dripping off her face, 6 months pregnant, and wrestling a squirming 18 month old, she said, “Remember, Connie, if we are really good, and follow all the commandments and do all we should do, we can do this FOREVER!”

When I think back on that event, it seems like only yesterday.
It may seem strange, but, there are times I’d like to go back to those days. I hear nursing pads are more absorbent and there’s air conditioning in the library!

I’m glad families are forever!

16 comments:

  1. I am having a flash back of our library trips, where I did the same thing. Older ones listened, as the younger 2 toddled around pulling books off the shelfs.

    I am glad families are forever!

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  2. Oh my goodness! You have me cracking up with your pictures! We should all have pictures of "real"moments in our life, dear friend. Good for you! Life is not always sunshine and flowers, but in the end it is all worth it.:) Lori

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  3. Oh, I love the photos! You are, and were for sure, a great mom. Taking all of those kids to the library? You should get your fees for late returns waived forever!

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  4. This post made me cry!!! So sweet and true!! Thanks for reminding me to stop and enjoy the crazy moments in life, before ya know it, they will be gone. You are awesome!!:-)

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  5. Oh I know EXACTLY where you are coming from--I feel the same way.

    I, too, am very glad that families are forever.

    Next time I'm back in Utah, let's get together.

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  6. YOU'RE exhausted?!! Maybe you didn't notice that strapping young helper in the top picture! I'm tryin to enjoy MY childhood, and what happened? You shaved steps in my hair, spiked my part, and made me take the worst kid you owned to Lagoon... and where were you? laying peacefully on your back on the library carpet, eating Bon bons near sleeping babies.
    Oh the tangled web we weave


    It's no wonder Jordan turned out as great as he did.






    -Nicole

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  7. Those are the best days of our lives. I wish more young mothers could know that.

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  8. There are just moments in life that you have to laugh or you will cry! Thanks for sharing!

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  9. I was just going to comment on Dan's steps (which he shaved himself) in his hairdo! But it looks like he beat me to it! :) The reason why you don't have any pictures of the "older daughters" on your post is because we were probably lying next to you on the library floor eating bon bons.

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  10. Thanks for the reminder to enjoy it all! Time adds perspective too, don't ya think?

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  11. Oh...you make me laugh!! Do you sometimes think, "It's a wonder I even made it?" Looks like you did a bang up job as a mom!! AND YES....so glad families are forever.

    Thanks for sucha great blog to visit!
    Sandra

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  12. Jeanette is wondering why I cry all the time.

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  13. Oh Connie - cute story! I know that I can remember days like that. It seems like it was forever ago but at the time it felt like you'd be exhausted for eternity!
    Time really does give perspective and oh how blessed we are that we DO get to do that forever!!!

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  14. Oh my..., I am STILL laughing!!!!! This rings a bell all too clear..and I only have 2 kids!!! and P.S. Its true about the nursing pads. :)

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  15. That is a hoot! It goes by so quickly. I loved all of the pictures. Such blessing - all of it when you look back.

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  16. That's great story! Thanks for the encouraging comment at grannymountain today! Want to know a secret??? I call myself Joycee on the blog (I'm really Joy COLLEEN) no kiddin'!

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