summer 2011

summer 2011

Paul and I, all 16 kids and Ashley, Benjamin's wife...Christmas 2012

Paul and I, all 16 kids and Ashley, Benjamin's wife...Christmas 2012
family

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

when I became mommy....


This is my daughter Emily Anne, and me, when she had her White Coat ceremony last month. Today is her birthday. She is um...32. 32. How can I possibly have a daughter who is 32?


With Abigail, my second oldest, and little Linnea.


Working at the Ampitheater with Emily...


In Norway last year....

When Emily was born, I was nineteen years old. It's so cliche' to say how smitten I was, how in love with her. That's what moms do. But when Em was born, I was sleeping. She was transverse, and thankfully we had this old school doctor who still went out on a limb and used forceps. I had to sign all the paperwork for a c-section just in case his plan didn't work, to do "mid-forceps", turn her and pull her out. I will spare the gory details, but the doctor's plan worked. I woke up to Paul crying. I had no idea where I was or what was going on. He said, "We have a girl! A girl first!" And I said, "What do you mean, "first"? I looked at my hands, they were black from the fingerprinting, and I was so freaked out...then he handed me a bundle...with a face sticking out...and yeah, I fell hard...right into love with Emily.

Growing up in a family like ours hasn't always been easy for a girl like Em. She is a reader, and she had to be creative to sneak away and find alone time. She was fun and adventurous, and the younger kids depended on her for outings, games, fun meals...she could give baths and showers and put kids to bed. I tried really hard not to depend too much on any one of the older kids, so they could have their own lives too...

One of my favorite things is when I get the chance to have a day with Em. Once we went to Seattle together...she's so calm cool and collected, didn't get ruffled even when we spent $$$ on the wrong train tickets.

The kids are waiting for me to take them to the library....so I can't concentrate. But I will say this: I am super thankful for Emily.

5 comments:

Rose S. said...

Very beautiful daughters... :)

Lucky mama!

R

Marilyn from Canada said...

That is a lovely tribute to your daughter Emily. She has a very calm look about her for sure. I hope she had a lovely birthday!🎉🎊

Marilyn from Canada

Unknown said...

What a great post! I feel like from pictures that Charlotte Claire looks just like Emily. Elizabeth

Katie said...

Random question, but I don't see another way to contact you. Is Sam working at the inauguration? I think Ginger Zee, GMA Meteorologist, just posted a picture with him on her Instagram. I screen shotted it for you. You can either go look on her Instagram or I can send it to you. My email is kathrynricks@yahoo.com.

16 blessings'mom said...

Katie, I checked it, and it isn't Sam. He IS there though. He is seating dignitaries, one of those spiffy guys in a nice uniform, leading people to their seats, then he'll be standing in the back. We are watching it, but haven't spotted him yet. He had to go there last night and work through the night, practicing, ect. He is so excited about it, he called me before he left because his tummy hurt, :) But thank you so much for alerting me to the pic anyway! I really appreciate it!