Why I'm glad we didn't wait

I am glad we didn't wait to start having kids. For those of you who haven't done the math, Raymond was born pretty darn close to nine months after we were married. It was a conscious decision we both made before we were married. This was one of those things we were on the same page with almost immediately. In fact, I would venture say it was a "selling point" while dating. We both wanted it. We both felt strongly about it. We were both ready. It has proven to be a wonderful blessing; here are some of the reasons why (not listed in order of importance):

• Pregnancy created an immediate interdependence. I'm sort of independent gal--I like to do things my own way. I love being self reliant. But I quickly learned while pregnant that I needed help. I needed support. I needed a husband. This has only increased with the arrival of the wee one.
  
• It put everything into perspective financially. From day one we were forgoing and saving on account of needing our resources for something other than ourselves. We quickly had to learn to live within our budget and get ourselves financially able to support another (entirely dependent) little person.
• I am not as young as I used to be (an obvious statement). AKA I only have so many child bearing years in me. And we want a large family. I get giddy thinking about all the other little people who will come into our family, and I'm so grateful one is already here!
• Raymond himself is such a blessing in our lives. His steady penetrating gaze. Those tender little snuggles. The beauty of his smile and joy of his laugh. Living with such a tiny human spirit gives so much more depth to life than I ever knew was possible.
• The Plan of Salvation has become more tangible than ever before. I remember teaching the Plan of Salvation over and over again as a missionary. I remember feeling anxious then to begin my own family. And here it is. The Abrahamic promise that "your seed shall be as the sands of the sea" takes on new meaning when one small and precious piece of sand is placed in your hands.
• Incredible financial blessings have come as we have followed the prophets' counsel to multiply and replenish the earth. The support of heaven has been miraculous to behold.
• Adjusting to marriage has always simultaneously been an adjustment to a family for us. Going from two to three has not felt like the sacrifice it perhaps would have if we had had an extended amount of time with the freedom of, say, date nights without babysitters.
• As in no other job, no other role, no other capacity, I feel like I am being stretched and molded, fine tuned and placed in the refiner's fire as I begin this adventure called motherhood. And yet it feel so natural, so comfortable, so calm--this life I lead. It is like a modern dance piece: organic and dynamic while using every muscle to its limit. Life has taken on a beautiful and new rhythm.
  

I know this is a somewhat controversial topic (ok, obnoxiously controversial topic), and I am by no means trying to pass any sort of judgment on you or your situation by this post. I also know there are sadly many people who don't want to wait to have children but are forced to--struggling with infertility. My heart breaks for them. But we all press forward, right? Doing the best we can and making righteous choices.