Biography
Second daughter in a family of 12, Laurie learned mothering skills at her angel mother’s side. Her powerful feelings on motherhood have guided her life. She graduated Valedictorian and Scholar of the year at USU, with a Master’s Degree in Child Development. After marrying her soulmate, her 47-year teaching career began in Indiana, then NYC’s House of Little People and Bank Street College of Education. Later, she founded and directed Melody Lane Preschool, nurturing thousands of preschoolers, training student teachers, mentoring and employing teachers and serving as demonstration preschool for universities in Utah and Idaho.
Her greatest joy is unquestionably raising her six children. When two daughters developed Juvenile Diabetes and her youngest son was born with Spina Bifida, Laurie became a passionate advocate as a board member for Center for Persons with Disabilities, advocate and fundraiser for JDRF, and spokesperson for Children’s Miracle Network and Primary Children’s Medical Center, encouraging and counseling mothers of children with spina bifida.
Watch Laurie’s three-minute speech on “What Being A Mother Means to Me.”
Philosophy on Parenting
I am in awe of the great privilege, wonder, and responsibility of being a mother. This breathtaking gift, the ability to partner with God in creating, nurturing, and loving children has given me ever-increasing joy and gratitude throughout my life.
My first priority has been to build strong family bonds and create a place of faith where all feel safe, unconditionally loved, and respected. I believe children who have freedom to imagine, create, express curiosity, and feel the magic around them will be the strong doers and innovators of tomorrow.
I’ve learned that though love can be perfect, home is not always perfect. Sometimes children cry and sometimes moms cry too and that’s ok because we’re a family and we love and help each other, and mistakes are ok because that’s how we learn.
I believe that showing is more powerful than words, borne out through our two sabbaticals to countries where we were in the minority. Not only did it accomplish our life-changing goal of igniting understanding and empathy for all kinds of people, but it strengthened our family bond as we struggled together, and proved to us that we could find joy in doing hard things. I have learned that such experiences help children learn to adapt and adjust and advocate for themselves and others.
Finally, I believe in teaching children and moms that one is a very big number. Never underestimate your power. One devoted mother will raise that one daughter or son who will change the world for the better.
Motherhood and Community
Two core values that I have sought to grow in myself and my children are gratitude and service. We encouraged our children to use their talents to lift and build others. Among our many service activities, our concerts in rest homes and hospitals, Education Week, etc. became a cherished family tradition, and our grown children still bring their children home during the holidays to participate.
Our world was rocked with the news that our sixth child would be born with spina bifida. I determined to learn everything I possibly could, and the more informed I became, the less fear and more joy I felt at the opportunity. As we gathered our children with the news that Christmas Eve night, tears gave way to plans of how each could help.
We were told Ben would never walk, probably not sit or read, but the children began challenging him in little, then big ways. His brothers carried him to the school-ground and practiced hour after hour, while his sisters created a school where they taught him to read before kindergarten. I grew to love PCMC through his more than 20 surgeries in 3 years and was asked to become a mentor, counselor, and advocate for other parents of children with spina bifida. This became a great blessing in my life and I gained strength through offering hope and perspective to others with challenges. My speaking opportunities expanded and ranged from elementary school classrooms to Children’s Miracle Network, community and church events, BYU Education Week, and publishing a CD “Unexpected Journey.”
While serving on the board of the Center for Persons with Disabilities, I became aware of a huge deficit of sports opportunities for children with disabilities. My family joined wholeheartedly in helping establish the first children’s wheelchair basketball and tennis organizations in Logan.
When two of my daughters were diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, it felt natural for all of us to join in learning and helping manage this disease. Siblings practiced giving shots and advocated and fundraised together for JDRF. Our daughters became spokespersons and helped educate countless others about Diabetes.
I believe we are given gifts to serve, and I have rejoiced as I’ve watched my children go into the world with the courage and desire to advocate for others and use their gifts to lift and ennoble.
A comment was made by her daughter about Laurie: She is a “magical” mother who nurtured thousands of children, all the while focusing on six who needed her most. What she didn’t know, she found out, and what wasn’t available, she helped create, exemplifying the power of “one”.