Tenth Blog Post

 Putting Family First: Lessons from My Loud, Loving, Real-Life Home

Growing up in a blended family of ten kids, I learned quickly that family life is full of chaos—but it’s the kind of chaos that teaches you about love, sacrifice, and teamwork. With five sisters (Azren, Ava, Sophia, McKenzie, and Brooklyn) and four brothers (Rylan, Ayden, Brennan, and Little Mikey), plus my mom and stepdad, Big Mikey, our house was never quiet, but it was deeply grounded in purpose. Everyone had chores. Everyone had responsibilities. And somehow, even when things were hectic, we all knew we mattered.

This week’s readings and podcast made me think about how much that family experience has shaped the way I view work, money, and the kind of future I want. In the Them Before Us podcast, two women shared what it was like growing up without a father figure because of their mothers’ same-sex relationships. Their stories weren’t bitter—but they were honest. They missed something. Hearing them made me realize just how important both my mom and stepdad were in helping me feel emotionally secure. It wasn’t perfect, but I had balance.

One thing that stood out to me was the sacrifice my mom made to stay home and raise us. People often act like homemaking is “less than,” but I saw the opposite. My mom ran our home like a CEO—with a planner in one hand and a baby on her hip. She kept track of ten kids’ schedules, coordinated meals, taught us gospel principles, and still found time to help us with homework and attend school events. I remember watching her organize Saturday chores and somehow get us all involved (even the littlest ones). Her work was unpaid, but it was priceless.

That’s why Dennis Prager’s article resonated so strongly with me. Homemaking isn’t about giving up your mind—it’s about using your heart, mind, and spirit to build something eternal. Honestly, people might be surprised to hear this from someone my age, but I really believe that home-centered work is both intellectually demanding and spiritually sacred. Watching my mom proved that.

In our family, work wasn’t just something you did—it was something you shared. We didn’t just clean; we cleaned together. I remember folding laundry with my sisters and racing my brothers to see who could sweep the fastest. That article on Family Work made me realize that our chores weren’t just about keeping the house clean—they were about building unity. Working side by side gave us shared memories and taught us to support each other.

Money was always tight with eleven people in the house. But my parents were careful and intentional. Reading Michael De Groote’s article helped me see how they made sacrifices to live mostly on one income. It also gave me ideas for how I can prepare now—like budgeting and living simply—so I can one day be the kind of parent who’s present, not just busy.

Elder Marvin J. Ashton’s pamphlet, “One for the Money,” really hit me. He talked about budgeting, avoiding debt, and communicating clearly about finances in marriage. Those aren’t just financial strategies—they’re spiritual safeguards. I’ve started creating a debt elimination plan based on what I expect to owe after college, and it feels empowering. I want to protect my future marriage from unnecessary stress.

The truth is, families thrive when we put them first—intentionally and repeatedly. That may mean choosing to stay home, living on less, or involving kids in work instead of shielding them from it. I’ve seen the blessings of that kind of family life. And I want that. I want to raise a family where faith, unity, and sacrifice come before convenience and image.

Just like my mom and Big Mikey did, I want to put them before me—because that's where real joy lives.