FAIRMONT —
As she was growing up, Cheryl Wilmoth always wanted four kids.
“I don’t know why,” she said. “I guess I always thought having a big family would be cool. Lots of people together, lots of fun.”
When she met Paul Wilmoth at Jackson’s Mill when they were both 4-H volunteers, those plans didn’t change.
When they married in 1993, those plans didn’t change.
They didn’t change after she had Sarah, almost 13 years ago, when Paul was pursuing his degree and she was working.
They didn’t change when she became pregnant with their second child.
They kind of changed after Emily was born 27 months after Sarah.
They definitely changed when she quit her job to stay at home with her girls.
“Two was plenty,” she said with a hearty laugh.
Cheryl has learned it’s not important how many children are in your home. It’s how many are in your heart that counts.
Both Sarah and Emily are your typical active girls. Sarah’s in band and on her school yearbook staff, and takes piano lessons and plays soccer. Emily is more athletic. She plays basketball, baseball and soccer, and takes piano lessons.
When Paul and Cheryl are lucky, both girls have activities at the same time and place, and not at the same time ... on the other side of town.
But when that happens (and parents know this is more likely than not),
“One of us goes in one direction, and the other in the other direction,” she said.
And when Paul is out of town?
“That’s when you call friends. Thank God for good friends,” Cheryl said, laughing.
“You just juggle the best you can.”
You have to be organized, she said.
“It can be hectic. I just don’t understand how people with four kids do it. I tip my hat to them.”
She’s got herself one of those “mom calendars,” where everybody has his own column for his own special activities.
It works.
The ultimate in organization is being ready for school the night before.
“I’d love to say both girls are packed and ready to go. Sometimes it might be one; sometimes it might be the other. Otherwise, it’s a dream,” she said with a sigh.
You also have to be flexible.
“Life happens. You have to live with it. It helps to have a good support system.”
And you have to have a sense of humor. When life throws you a curveball, you just have to hope you don’t drop your catcher’s mitt.
“I don’t have as much of one as I should,” she said. “That’s not to say I don’t always do good with it. I hope it gets better.”
Most of all, you just have to drink in the specialness that is being a parent.
“Every phase they go through you think is cool and it will never get better,” she said. “But things just keep getting lovelier.
“The girls are coming into their own. They’re becoming independent and asserting their personalities. And as our relationship changes, I’m having fun and enjoying it.”
Every day with preteener Sarah (who will be 13 in just a couple of weeks) and tweener Emily, 10, brings the future closer and closer.
“Emily will say, ‘It’s just five years till I get my permit and six till I can drive.’”
But that’s Emily, Wilmoth said.
“She’s got a heart bigger than Texas. She’s kind and intense, and is bigger than life. Sarah is more laid back and wise and kind-hearted. She’s got the sense of humor.”
Now she can’t even remember wanting four kids. These two are enough.
“I love being a mom,” Cheryl said. “Kids are such a blessing from God. I thank God for the privilege of being a mom.”
Email Debra Minor Wilson at dwilson@timeswv.com.
Family Times
Related Photos
-
Life with two preteen girls can be hectic, said Cheryl Wilmoth. But with a little organization, flexibility and a sense of humor, things get lovelier with each day. From left are Cheryl, Emily, Paul and Sarah Wilmoth. SUBMITTED PHOTO
Catching life’s curveballs
Wilmoths juggle daily activities with two daughters
- Family Times
-
-
Building traditions
“I didn’t think I would get married or have kids,” Jodie Saunders said. “I was just more into what I wanted to do.”
-
Help kids learn importance of Memorial Day
Memorial Day, celebrated on the last Monday in May each year, was originally referred to as “Decoration Day.”
-
Full circle
A daughter may be grown and out on her own, but you know she will always be your little girl.
-
Help prepare students for annual tests
Students around the nation are preparing for standardized achievement tests that are administered toward the end of each school year.
-
A full house of love
With six children, Mari Comas has learned one important thing.
“You always start tomorrow tonight,” she said with a laugh. -
Teach children the importance of casting vote
The government — whether it’s in Washington, D.C., in your state or in your hometown — affects your life. And by voting you get to say what’s important to you, and you say it straight to the politicians.
-
A balancing act
Lots of little girls dream about getting married and having a family.
“I just thought it would happen,” said Alison Ross. “But I definitely wanted my college education and all that before I even thought about marriage.” -
Celebration of family
Pam Nolan can remember when her home was filled with “only” four children.
But there was room enough in the Nolans’ hearts — and home, too — for two more. -
Simple steps make family traditions fun
Family traditions are the best way to build a strong family. The key is to set some traditions and do them so you have fun together and create lasting memories.
-
Organized chaos
Three kids.
Three times the rush.
Three times the fun.
Heather and Bo Gibson of Fairmont will celebrate their 17th wedding anniversary this August. They met while attending Glenville State College. She majored in elementary education; he majored in computers. - More Family Times Headlines
-
