No, I'm Not Stupid. I'm Blessed.

Family Search's question for July 15 was: What were the biggest momentous events in your life and how have they changed you as a person?

I have had many momentous events happen in my life, but the three biggest so far have been getting married, having kids, and graduating from college.

I was 19 years old and a freshman at BYU when Gerson and I got engaged. Upon finding out, one of my classmates who I wasn't close to and didn't know very well, looked me right in a eye and in a voice filled with spite asked, "Are you stupid?" I was too stunned to say anything, and an other classmate jumped in and said, "Don't listen to her! I think it's wonderful, congratulations!"

A couple years later, upon hearing that I planned to stay home with my kids and get a job when they were older, a different classmate asked, "Don't you think your education is a waste of money then?"

Even though I don't even remember the names of either classmate, their comments hurt. And even though I didn't get to respond to either girl, knowing those opinions exist has made me realize how blessed I am to learn the Lord's plan for me as His daughter, and follow that plan. I also have been able to learn about the positives and blessings to the decisions that I have made, and I can teach those positives and blessings to my children about marriage, having children, and getting an education.

Marriage

Gerson and I got married in the temple. That means that our marriage is not "until death do you part." We are sealed for eternity. Our family truly is forever. We have a video of our engagement photos, my bridal photos, our photo shoot outside of the temple, and our reception. It's little clips edited together and set to music. Benjamin loves watching it. He calls it "Mommy and Daddy's temple." And when those songs come on in the car Benjamin will say, "Hey! This song is from Mommy and Daddy's wedding!" Benjamin can recognize a temple wherever we are, and he call's the Salt Lake City Temple "Mommy and Daddy's temple."

In a recent Family Home Evening, our lesson was about the first paragraph in The Family A Proclamation to the World. The first paragraph is about how marriage between man and woman is ordained of God. I showed Benjamin and Luna pictures from my and Gerson's wedding to teach them about marriage. I told them that me, Gerson, Benjamin, and Luna are all a family. I told them that Gerson is now apart of Grandma and Papa's family because he married me, and I told them that I am apart of Abuelita and Abuelito's family because I married Gerson, and I told them that they are apart of all of our families. I also told them that when they grow up Heavenly Father wants them to marry someone in the temple. It was one of our more spiritual FHE's.

Having Kids

Before I got married I actually didn't want kids. Because of my LDS upbringing, I knew that I would one day have kids, but I wasn't looking forward to it. A few months into marriage, I received some personal revelation that made me realize that I did indeed want kids. Everyone has an opinion on when the best time to have kids is: when both spouses have finished school, when at least one spouse has a full time job, when you own a house, their version of "being financially ready", etc. But at the end of the day only three opinions matter: yours, your spouse's, and Heavenly Father's.

Gerson and I decided that at least one of us should be graduated from college and working a full time job before we started having kids. Since Gerson is 6 years older than me, he graduated from college way before I did, and we were very blessed for him to get a job offer right away. We had Benjamin a year later. Benjamin spent the first two years of his life being babysat so that I could finish school, but I do not regret that. I wanted and needed to finish school. I was inspired to do so, and I know that it was a part of Heavenly Father's plan for me. I graduated BYU pregnant with Luna.

I'm currently pregnant with my third, and we are doing all we can to teach Benjamin and Luna about babies and prepare them for their baby sister. We have showed them ultrasound pictures, took them to one appointment so that they could hear the heartbeat, and we encourage them to talk to and hug their sister in my belly. The both appear excited and love talking about the baby.

Getting an Education

Those of you who have known me since at least high school, probably aren't surprised that I pursued a college education and graduated. But after Benjamin was born, it was really hard, and there were times where I was tempted to quit. I took a six month break, and when I went back I only took 6-8 credits a semester. That prolonged my graduation, but it did make it easier to get good grades, and we didn't spend too much on babysitting since I scheduled my classes so that Benjamin was only with a babysitter in 2-3 hour intervals, 2-3 days a week.

Benjamin was two years old, and I was pregnant with Luna when I graduated from BYU. Benjamin was there at my graduation, and he is in the pictures. My graduation photo is framed and visible in our living room, and my kids love pointing out who is all in the photo. As they get older I can explain to them what the photo represents. I'm so glad that I have a degree that I will use one day - and I actually do already use it. I have used some of the stuff I learned while preparing Relief Society lessons. I also plan on purchasing my own pre-school supplies and being Benjamin's pre-school teacher this year! I think it's a huge blessing that both Gerson and I have an education and will be teaching the importance of an education to our children.