Two Quotes from Two Prophets

I'm posting these quotes on here for no other reason except that I feel like I should. I was reading President Monson's talk "Finding Joy in the Journey" and enjoyed this paragraph as much as I did when he first said it during General Conference in October.

If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will—to your surprise—miss them profoundly.

It reminded me of another quote that I like, from President McKay:

[The] ability and willingness properly to rear children, the gift to love, and eagerness … to express it in soul development, make motherhood the noblest office or calling in the world. She who can paint a masterpiece or write a book that will influence millions deserves the admiration and the plaudits of mankind; but she who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters, whose influence will be felt through generations to come, … deserves the highest honor that man can give, and the choicest blessings of God (Gospel Ideals [1954], 453–54).

I guess on some days it's good to have a healthy dose of perspective and be reminded that what I'm trying to do, with the Lord's help, really is important and that it's a blessing that I've been given the opportunity to be a mother. For good measure, here's a We're-Almost-a-Family-of-Four picture taken last October. Now there are only 6.5 weeks to go!