Thoughts on somebody elses thoughts (or "Why, yes. We are crazy, and enjoy it.")

I recently read this sweet article. You can read it if you click on these words. Here is what I think about "planning" a big family.

First, I always wanted a big family. (Perhaps, we should get Gene's thoughts because as a very young person he didn't think he'd have kids. . . . BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!)
I have a friend that still ask when we are going to have/get the other dozen. (We aren't. If they show up, we'll keep'um. But for today we are in mostly permanent pause. - Mostly permanent because God may have other ideas. He's so funny.)
You know, God's provision is always WAY better then what we could hope for or imagine. Better then anything we could do or plan ourselves.

Second, I'm "that mom," the one with "ALL those kids" and I say, "It really does get easier."

Admittedly, there have been times when I just couldn't handle one more thing. This morning I rescheduled a kid's doctors appointment because I know that come tomorrow it will be a HUGE deal - but only for me.
There are still days I'd like to hide - but I'd miss these little people (eventually) if in a little while (like maybe 2 days) they didn't come sit under the rock with me.
Hormones, make be crazy. (As well as certain people). And that makes life in general harder to handle. I battled depression for a long time. I still do. We live in a fallen world. Sadness is one of the symptoms. God wants us to have a deep relationship with Him. He also has graciously given somebody the smarts to make "happy-pills." And He blessed me with a Super Man for a spouse. Those are all big helps in making it through the next day.

Those children can be trained to help. They actually desire to please us. (This morning I'm doubting that sentence. I find myself nagging. But that doesn't make it false.) We've never had jealous-of-the-new-baby syndrome because the older ones (even the tiny older ones) take responsibility for that new baby. They fight over whose turn it is to "help." Even if all they do is bring a clean diaper and throw away the dirty one so that you don't have to leave the recliner for a few more minutes.

Third, I've found myself pregnant (more than twice) when I thought it was just NOT the right time. AT ALL! Now, I can't believe I ever thought that. I can't imagine not knowing that "unwanted" child. I miss those that were miscarried and wonder who they would have been. There have been miscarriages where I felt relieved. (Is that selfish?) But I still miss them. I quietly remember their un-birthday and count how old they'd be now.

I joke that it does get easier after #3. I'm really NOT joking!
With the first one, no matter how many baby's you've helped with, you still are unsure of this one that is all yours. This responsibility of the greatest magnitude. With the second, your a little more sure of yourself (and the1st one can "help"). By the third, you know that you can do this. You worry less. By number four, you are capable of doing all sorts of things with a baby in one arm and one around your leg while yelling at the other two. Number five you just plop somewhere or hand to a "big" kid. Number 6 . . . well you get the picture.

I will tell you that by number 5 or 6 (or more) you cherish the littleness all the more because you look at those big kids and realize how fast it is over. How much sleep you've had since the time of walking a screaming baby all night. Every night.
Each day becomes a little more precious because you can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

And on that day when you see that light at the end of the tunnel, you also realize that the only mess at the end is your own. And you'll no longer have anyone to blame for being a wrinkled mess. And you'll miss the smudges and sunshine-dirty stink that comes with healthy kids. (Eventually, you'll look forward to grand kids - so you can enjoy them and send them home. Dirty.)

You will never get ALL the laundry done (unless you all become nudist for at least a week). The dishes will ALL be done when people just quit eating and drinking. You'll remember to pay ALL those bills just as soon as the lights go out or you realize that you may not have been using hot water for a few hours. (No, you want figure it out in the shower because you haven't gotten to take one). You will talk to adults again. But you'll probably discuss your children.
By number 3 you've begun to except these facts.

 Nobody said it would be easy. But the return on this time of investment is eternal.

Your always welcome to visit us. We'll listen, pray, and you'll see a happy, somewhat chaotic, pretty messy, glimpse of how it will be if you hang in there. (Could you call first so we can clear a path?)







As I wrote this, the "2half" year old baby took off all his clothes and left a surprise in the biggest sisters' room. I realized there was an issue when he showed up wearing lipstick (not exactly on his lips) and showing me a large turd. He giggled.
He was followed by those biggest, now disgusted and complaining, sisters who were told to clean up the mess in their room. Put lipstick and other silly things in their proper place (up HIGH). While I washed the boy of odd colors and smell beside the tub with baby wipes because I realized the hot water was cold.

I have to go pay some bills.