Seek and Ye Shall Find

James and I have been married for a year and 3 months, and we have enjoyed every second of our time spent as husband and wife. Lately, we have been wrestling with whether or not we want to start a family any time soon. I am so sick and tired of hearing people tell us to wait as long as we can. We got married with every intention of having children, and that want has intensified as our love for one another has grown stronger. Some people say, "You're young! Do want you want before you have kids!" The Negative Nancies say, "Have fun staying up all night with them..." The most common response I hear from people (which also happens to be the response that I detest) is, "Babies are expensive... wait until you have more money". I personally believe that if James and I waited until we could afford a child, we would never have one. Why is it that the mothers I talk to about kids seem to hate kids themselves? I can't stand the fact that when I bounce baby ideas off of my friends they seem mortified. What on earth is so bad about starting a family?! Being able to have children is such a blessing. We have felt like something was missing for a while now. It's not baby fever either... I believe we should start having children as soon as we are ready. So James and I have prayed about it.

And prayed.
And prayed.
And prayed some more.

We were going to go to the temple to pray about it, but I don't feel like I have to any more. Today during General Conference, Elder Neil L. Andersen gave a talk on eternal families. He reminded us that the commandment to multiply and replenish the earth is still in full force... I was in awe while I listened to him speak. He went on and on about how the decision to have children should be between husband, wife, and the Lord. I felt like he was looking through the TV and speaking to me directly. I have never had a prayer answered so profoundly. My favorite quote from his talk?


"Having children is not something you do if you have time, having children is what God gave you time for." -Elder Neil L. Andersen

I can't wait to be a mommy... and I know James will be an amazing dad. I am not pregnant just yet, but I think it's time to start trying. Here is a picture of me and Natalie Oliva, a little girl my good friend Nicole just gave birth to! Congrats again, Nicole!