Role Models for Motherhood

A couple of Saturdays ago my good friend Aubrey threw me a baby shower in our hometown, Bloomington. The entire event was so sweet because it allowed me to see many of the people who helped me grow up from age five until I left for college. I went home from the shower with not only plentiful gifts for our baby, but valuable advice for taking care of her when she arrives. The "growing up" process continues . . .

Here is Aubrey with her mother Karen, who hosted the party, and her son Landon.

April, pictured below, was one of my church youth leaders in high school, and also helped organize the party.
Donna was one of my church youth leaders as well. Her husband was my bishop while I was finishing my college coursework at U of I, and they were both a huge support while Forest and I were engaged.
Laura let me babysit her children almost weekly for about five years while I was in junior high and high school. Here she is with her oldest daughter, Jessica, who is now seventeen. To think she was only seven when I first started watching her . . .
. . . time certainly flies. Thanks to my mother and all the other women in my life who have taught me the the important role mothers play in families--I will have a lot more to learn in the coming months, but I have so many outstanding examples to turn to for inspiration. And thanks to Aubrey and Karen for their thoughtfulness and generosity in planning such a memorable shower.