It's a Miracle . . . or Two

He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord. -Psalms 113:9
Three years ago today we found out I was pregnant. I was at work when I got the phone call. I called Josh and told him, "They called. They had good news." He said, "What!?" We worked near each other at the US Capitol Building. We agreed to walk toward each other and met in the Capitol Rotunda where we sat on a bench, surrounded by unsuspecting tourists, and were in joyful shock together.
What is eight years times twelve months? Ninety-six months of bitter disappointment? I have the children I feared I would never have. I don't want to upset my friends who are still struggling with infertility, I do not give up my faith that your arms will also be filled. I just have to declare my gratitude for a modern day miracle, make that two.
I still marvel at these little people who have come to join us. They are my sons. I am their mother. They need me to teach them all about life; not just eating and potty training, but how to be a good friend, and how to gain a testimony of the gospel. Their tiny hands will grow and toughen but I will always rejoice in every touch, in their mere existence. Their birth was a miracle. Even with all modern science has to offer in help, our case was still miraculous. The doctors didn't think we had a good chance of a pregnancy and still think we were very "lucky." I know differently. I know it was the power of the faith and prayers of many on our behalf. It was God's will and it was in His hands.
There was a time I lost my faith in having children. Many of you may have despaired over different circumstances in your lives. It is a dark place. It is a selfish void that casts a shadow over your life and sucks out the purpose and meaning. I needed this experience to come to know what faith is. I needed to need God in a way I hadn't ever before. I had lived my life without coming to know him until I was forced to give up my dreams and choose a bitter road, or to humble myself and trust him.Since the boys were born there have been some difficult days. Days when hormones or sleep deprivation or isolation have skewed my perception of reality. Even on the worst of days, with the most crying, messy diapers, and loneliness, if I just picked up one of my boys, the negative feelings washed away in the joy of just holding a dream I feared would never come true.Three years ago today my life changed forever. I just wanted thank my Heavenly Father and celebrate it with you.
*Note: My boys haven't been in a picture together since they started walking, hence the pictures from their 1st year!