'M' is for mother.

Sometimes, I'm not much of a phone-talker. Except with my mom, and sometimes with her, I just listen because I need to hear a female voice, and there's not a lot of that going on around here. Even still, let it be said that that doesn't mean I love my sisters or my other sisters (my cousins) any less. (I love you all. I think you know that?)

Breah and I talked babies this morning, for an hour, while she rocked Raegen. I'm thankful she called.

Life at this stage is so good. Have I mentioned that lately? Well, it is.

I've been thinking about Mary. I watched this sweet little video about Christmas, and the part that I took with me both times I watched it, was how the little girl's voice emphasized how the journey to Bethlehem made Mary "sooooooo tired!" It's just so cute and precious. And I kept tearing up, and thinking, I know a little about that. And someday, that little girl will understand a little more about it too.

I think the miracle of it all is how our understanding deepens, the older we get. I catch on a little more each day. And I think I've heard something about that before. Line upon line, maybe?

Elder Bruce C Haven:

"Just as a mother's body may be permanently marked with the signs of pregnancy and childbirth, [the Savior] said, 'I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands' (1 Ne. 21:15–16). For both a mother and the Savior, those marks memorialize a wrenching sacrifice--the sacrifice of begetting life--for her, physical birth; for him, spiritual rebirth"

Heather, Why I Love My Stretch Marks: "It gives me strength to remember that just as Christ bears marks in his hands, feet and side as symbols of his blood sacrifice; I too have stretch marks on my side that bear testimony to my sacrifice of blood and my willingness to bring life into the world. I find strength to go forward with my mothering by remembering that just as Christ's body was resurrected, making him complete physically and spiritually, that my body is constantly renewing itself and that one day I too will be complete, physically and spiritually. I also know that my joy is more full because of my children and that because of the sacrifice my body has made life will go forward and my family will go on eternally."

Scar-on-stomach, like me. Or scar-on-heart, like my mom, who made her family a different way, through adoption. Motherhood has brought me (us) closer to knowing our Savior. I feel blessed for that.