Emails...

A few people wrote me back about my complaining email...I'll post them here- very interesting views....
From Granny:
Dear Sara,
I relate to your frustrations of dealing with a newborn. I took care of the babe and let the house go. I bought a few dozen diapers so I would not have to wash them every day. There were no disposables. I had no help from my husband. He was always out and about on the ranch. After I got over the pp period, I felt better and went into action. I had one good thing going in my favor. I had been brought up to get up early. My dad used to sprinkle our faces with water after the first call. I bless him for that now. At the time I hated him. Well, I found out for myself that the morning hours are the most valuable in getting things under control. I don't know what to tell people who cant get up early. If a person has help, it may be different.There just aren't enough afternoon hours to accomplish what should be done in the hours from five to noon. I had three children before we had electricity and running water. I just worked from daylight until dark doing what needed to be done. I never needed to worry about gaining weight. The household chores took care of that problem. Plus I always loved to get in some kind of exercise and I found time to read a good book. No television nor radio.I know the Lord will guide you and help you to accomplish the things you need to do. I am so grateful the baby has a loving mother and day to care for his every need. I think it a privilege to see a mother nursing her baby in sacrament meeting. Children need to see that also. It is a normal and natural thing to do.I loved the letter Jarem wrote to the bishop and the ward. It was very touching.When we were children, no one thought anything of seeing a mother nursing her child. Nothing is mentioned anymore when women expose everything on TV. Puzzling. Isn't iit?. Surely do love you and Jarem. Wish I could see and cuddle little Ari. Why do we all have to live so far apart? Perhaps I'll get to see you when Marcia and Kelly return from Guatemala. The Lord bless you and keep you in the hollow of his hand. Granny

From Wayne and Rebecca Madsen:
wow. Why is it that you keep facing so many obstacles for the way you
want to parent? And I can't tell you how completely baffled Rebecca and
I were at the reactions of your ward. Thankfully for your sake, your
bishop is guided by the spirit. There are plenty of bishops out there
who are more guided by the "influence of man" than by listening to the
spirit. Breastfeeding is completely natural, but beyond that it is vital
for a developing child's health. It sounds so ridiculous that you have
to sit in a corner like an outcast and cover up with a blanket (funny
enough, I thought of The Scarlet Letter :P ). This world never ceases to
amaze me with the crazy ideas some people have.

And good for you for being an exhibitionist! The world needs more of
them in the church. Modesty is very important, but modesty is terribly
different from understanding what we are and being comfortable with
that. I have gotten lots of flack from painting nudes.

Anyways, enough of that. I hope that you and Jarem and Ari are doing
better now. It's tough, but I'm glad you guys are sticking to your guns
and being parents the way you believe is correct.

From Rachel and John Hone:
I'm still planning on taking pictures of me doing spiritual things for your grandma...I just keep forgetting to take a camera home from work seeing as how we don't own one yet. John's working on that, we should have one soon. But I will try and remember to take a camera home so we can get them to you if it's not too late anyway. Sorry about all your trauma, that doesn't sound fun. I broke down yesterday because I felt like I wasn't being a good wife. I can only imagine doing your best to be a good mom and have other people tear you down because of it, horrible. I'm glad that Jarem is taking care of you both. so many men wouldn't blink about it.

Elizabeth:
Awesome, awesome. I love it! I think this is a great letter, Jarem.
Well-written and thought out. Thanks for sharing, Sara! Maybe some day
more people will be tolerant of something so natural and pure.

Love,
Me

Suzanne:
WE just wanted to say yay to u guys. That letter was
well put. I totally agree with you guys. Iam getting
so sick of the looks I get when breast feeding Halle.
I am a lot tougher dealing with it this second time
around though. Aaron and I thought that was a great
letter. Good luck and keep us posted. LOVE U.