It's a rare thing to see or hear me tout a movie, music artist, book, or author. Part of this is because I believe there is so much difference in personal taste. Part of it is that I dislike free advertising for products. However, I'm going to break from my own personal ban on such flag waving to tell you about a most charming movie the children and I have discovered.
"Penelope" is directed by Mark Palansky. I could find little about Mr. Palansky, but the movie, I believe was strongly encouraged by Ms. Reese Witherspoon, of "Legally Blonde" fame. I do think Reese is adorable and have enjoyed many of her movies. But none of them left me touched the way this film did.
The main character is Penelope, a young aristocratic "blue blood" heiress who through some cruel twist of fate and the poor choice of a great-great grandfather is born with a pig's snout and ears. Imagine the horror of the upper crust family upon the birth of the dear child. The curse can be broken but only when the girl finds true love with one of her own kind.
Enter the mayhem that ensues as a good meaning mother attempts to match her daughter with a suitor of like kind. Boys enter unaware and as men run away...or perhaps, it is the other way around. But all believe that the only way for Penelope to become "normal" is through true love and marriage.
I don't want to give too much away, in case you haven't seen it. I highly recommend this movie to anyone with daughters. There is a strong message about learning to love yourself the way you are. And that same message really touched my son (born with cleft lip/palate) who also identified with Penelope's struggle with the mirror and herself within.
Christina Ricci and James McAvoy (think Mr. Tumnus in the first of the Narnia movies from Disney) star with Catherine O'Hara (Home Alone) and of course, the darling Ms. Reese Witherspoon. The movie was released on DVD this past Tuesday, and it is a MUST SEE for anyone with children (I would suggest age 5 or 6 and up).
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Just a rainy day
Well, I don't have much to say today. I'm sad, and being postpartum is definitely NOT helping me out much. My hubby is back to work tonight after paternity leave. That makes me sad. He works the graveyard shift and this little break has been really nice because it allowed us all to live on the same schedule instead of sharing a schedule for three days and running opposite to each other for four days each week. Also, it has been nice because he has been so active in caring for baby EM. He has allowed me to sleep in several days and has taken the baby and gotten the three older kids ready and off to school for me. Tonight, however, I will be alone caring for baby all night, and will still have to get up to get the older kids out the door in the morning. (I'm sure I can do it, it just feels daunting right now--I'm tired and hormonal, sigh.)
And this spring has been no winner in my book weather-wise. After a near record-setting winter for snowfall, our winter has overrun spring and locals are beginning to call this season "sprinter". In fact, the day we brought baby home from the hospital (4/13), the temps reached almost 80F. Before a week had passed, we were again experiencing sleet, hail and even snow.
But today, to match my mood, it is raining. Just raining. And my hubby is sleeping, and so is baby. Maybe I should too?
And this spring has been no winner in my book weather-wise. After a near record-setting winter for snowfall, our winter has overrun spring and locals are beginning to call this season "sprinter". In fact, the day we brought baby home from the hospital (4/13), the temps reached almost 80F. Before a week had passed, we were again experiencing sleet, hail and even snow.
But today, to match my mood, it is raining. Just raining. And my hubby is sleeping, and so is baby. Maybe I should too?
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Oh the Places You'll Go! Baby EM's first week
What a busy week we've had! Baby arrived after midnight on Saturday, April 12. We escaped from the hospital mid-afternoon on Sunday, the 13th to pick up all the other kids (thank you to Heather for taking the boys overnight Saturday and to Charlene for taking Ms. B, and to Brenda and Greg for taking all three overnight Friday night!). Our first and only visit at the house so far was from our next door neighbors who had their baby girl on Sunday!
Monday was a slow day for us. We made no plans except to get the older three kids to school and back, and a run to the grocery store for Daddy.
On Tuesday, we made our first trip to the pediatrician. Dr. K checked Ms. EM out and gave his professional opinion: Everything looks good. No shots or blood tests today. Baby's weight is back up to 7lb., 11 oz. after dropping to 7lb., 8oz. before leaving the hospital.
Mommy struggled with breastfeeding--baby EM doesn't want to latch correctly and the milk is slow to come in. Much to our dismay, formula will have to be a staple at least temporarily while Mommy pumps to increase supply, letting the "owies" heal, and retraining little Ms. EM on her latch.
Ms. B came home from school "sick" on Wednesday, complaining of a sore throat. She had strep throat only a month ago, so we were quite concerned that she had gotten it again. We quarantined her to her bedroom except for meals until we got the throat culture back late Thursday morning. Once cleared, she got to spend some quality time with EM.
Sisters
Thursday evening, Daddy got a bright idea. Baby loved his chocolate chip oatmeal cookies in utero, and since he had promised her juice and cookies if she would come out of her hiding spot after 41 weeks, Daddy decided to sneak baby her first taste of chocolate on the "outside". I am not proud of this, but it's cute anyway.
got chocolate?
On Friday, we got this crazy idea to head off to Portland to see our other brother and sister for the first time. Turns out baby doesn't mind a roadtrip, which is great because Mommy and Daddy both admit to enjoying roadtrips (although we fly free....???), and with siblings across the state (oh, and IKEA...gotta go to IKEA as many times as possible!), we'll likely be traveling tons.
While there, we went to OMSI for our first museum trip. We saw dinosaurs, a cool display with the human baby's development, the planetarium, and all kinds of other cool stuff. We also spent time with Uncle Chris and Faith which was really fun too!
Baby's first trip to a museum/Portland
That pretty much rounded out our week. Mommy is falling in love with baby, and so is Daddy. The sibs are working through jealousy and new schedules, and Mommy is falling even deeper in love with Daddy as she watches him with baby EM.
With big sis, Mz. S
Sorry we were gone so long...and I'm sure we'll be here less than normal for a while longer...but we wanted to drop in to brag, say hi, and share some pics!
Saturday, April 12, 2008
In Case We Forget to Tell You
Dear Baby EM,
Once you arrive, you are going to turn our world upside down. Your schedule will fully dictate our schedule, and your hunger will supersede our own. Mommy and Daddy will likely be grumpy and "slap happy" from time to time over the early weeks, and will forget simple things like putting the milk back in the fridge, closing the tube of toothpaste, and starting the washer once it's full.
It's not that we are really that lame-brained, but we are going to give you (and your brothers and sisters) everything we have. We're going to give up 99% of "me" for 110% of "baby".
We are so excited to get to see you face to face! Daddy can't wait to play with you, and I figure he's going to count your fingers and toes about 100 times before you're one week old. But that's okay. It's only because he loves you sooooo much. I know you hear him talking to you, urging you to make your way out of the womb and into our arms (much to mommy's chagrin...she's excited too...but she gets to do most of the work!).
Oh, and your siblings...they are very excited to see you too. I'm sure you're terrified of actually meeting Mr. J--he's the loud one who keeps pummeling you in your little bubble--but he's just excited to meet you! And Ms. B, well...she's excited to change your diapers and help Mommy out (at least she is right now LOL). And Mr. M is going to barrage you with origami and crochet chains. He will shower you with gifts. And Mr. B and Ms. S are excited too...we'll go to visit them soon so you can see them!
In case we forget to tell you, we are so blessed to have you join us!
The G Family
By the way, our precious new baby girl arrived very early this morning. She was a wonderful 8 lb., 3oz. and 21 inches long. Check back soon for pictures! (Mama)
Once you arrive, you are going to turn our world upside down. Your schedule will fully dictate our schedule, and your hunger will supersede our own. Mommy and Daddy will likely be grumpy and "slap happy" from time to time over the early weeks, and will forget simple things like putting the milk back in the fridge, closing the tube of toothpaste, and starting the washer once it's full.
It's not that we are really that lame-brained, but we are going to give you (and your brothers and sisters) everything we have. We're going to give up 99% of "me" for 110% of "baby".
We are so excited to get to see you face to face! Daddy can't wait to play with you, and I figure he's going to count your fingers and toes about 100 times before you're one week old. But that's okay. It's only because he loves you sooooo much. I know you hear him talking to you, urging you to make your way out of the womb and into our arms (much to mommy's chagrin...she's excited too...but she gets to do most of the work!).
Oh, and your siblings...they are very excited to see you too. I'm sure you're terrified of actually meeting Mr. J--he's the loud one who keeps pummeling you in your little bubble--but he's just excited to meet you! And Ms. B, well...she's excited to change your diapers and help Mommy out (at least she is right now LOL). And Mr. M is going to barrage you with origami and crochet chains. He will shower you with gifts. And Mr. B and Ms. S are excited too...we'll go to visit them soon so you can see them!
In case we forget to tell you, we are so blessed to have you join us!
The G Family
By the way, our precious new baby girl arrived very early this morning. She was a wonderful 8 lb., 3oz. and 21 inches long. Check back soon for pictures! (Mama)
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Then Sings My Soul Saturday--"First Time"
Many thanks to Amy over at "Signs, Miracles, and Wonders" for starting this wonderful music meme--one of my personal favorites! Although I am anticipating being VERY busy this Saturday with a brand new baby, I'm going to take advantage of the ability to write this now (Tuesday afternoon), and post it late Friday night or Saturday morning.
Perhaps in response to preparing our hearts and home for our new baby, I've been thinking about something that God has given me--something that I could never have truly expected to receive although I continued to ask God for it in faith. My doubt had more to do with it being a fairytale than about God being able to provide.
When I became a single mom back in 2002 after over 8 years of marriage, everything that I had held onto as being real and true was ripped from my hands, my life, and my heart. The sacredness of the wedding vows I had spoken at the very tender age of 18 seemed so very far away, and while I never questioned God or blamed Him for the position I found myself in, I did question His design for family and marriage. At the same time, however, I knew that the only way to survive my new lot in life was to stay connected to God and the church. But often I found that the church judged me and made me question myself more often than not.
And yet, in time, I found healing from my divorce and the strength to reject the ideas that left me judged and marked with a scarlet letter. I found the grace and forgiveness that Jesus bought for me with his life on a crude wooden cross. I realized that although I had made choices and embraced decisions that ultimately helped destroy the marriage and family I was mourning, God looked at me and saw a precious little child who was hurt and broken, and reached out His arms to hug me and to calm me.
Ask me and I will tell you some remarkable secrets about what is going to happen here. --Jeremiah 33:3 NLT
The same grace that Jesus extended to the woman caught in adultery, the same forgiveness he gave to the leper and to the criminal on the cross beside me were being extended to me. I just had to find healing and forgive myself. I needed to seek God first in my life and move on.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. --Matthew 6:33 NIV
As I let go of my desire for a man in my life and replaced it with the desire to live for and serve God regardless of what my life looked like, God led me to some truths I had missed previously. I read the book of Ruth in a new light. I saw the provision of a wife for Isaac (and the provision of a husband for Rebekah). I saw a different way of meeting and mating than what I had experienced and viewed growing up. I saw a different version of marriage and husbandry. And I did not know if I could pick that kind of person for myself, and oh how I wanted a husband like that for myself (and a father like that for my children!).
I wanted a love, a husband who would love me like Christ loved the church, and I knew the husband I had the first time around didn't know what that meant, let alone attempted to be that. I wanted what God wanted, and more.
I gave up my hunt for a husband, realizing that I was not equipped for the search.
And I decided to surround myself with Christian friends in my neighborhood--male and female--instead of seeking a boyfriend. I hit myspace looking for these kind of people in my neighborhood. (A large number of the people I saw there paid lip service to their faith, but I had learned how to tell from a few simple sentences which were not at the same place as I, and went into it with eyes wide open).
And little did I know, there was this awesome Christian man who had been on a journey of heartbreak, healing, and was also looking for someone to spend his life with. And you know what! ? ! He lived less than 2 miles away from me...and he wanted more kids (lots more! which is good since I came with three to start...)!
Over time, I realize that what I have with my husband, my second chance, is so totally different and exactly what God had intended for me from the beginning. And when I listen to "First Time" by Lifehouse, it speaks exactly what my heart feels. I am so grateful for the second chance. And to be honest, it actually is better than the first time. It's amazing what happens when we live within God's will!
Enjoy a little bit of Lifehouse for me!
Perhaps in response to preparing our hearts and home for our new baby, I've been thinking about something that God has given me--something that I could never have truly expected to receive although I continued to ask God for it in faith. My doubt had more to do with it being a fairytale than about God being able to provide.
When I became a single mom back in 2002 after over 8 years of marriage, everything that I had held onto as being real and true was ripped from my hands, my life, and my heart. The sacredness of the wedding vows I had spoken at the very tender age of 18 seemed so very far away, and while I never questioned God or blamed Him for the position I found myself in, I did question His design for family and marriage. At the same time, however, I knew that the only way to survive my new lot in life was to stay connected to God and the church. But often I found that the church judged me and made me question myself more often than not.
And yet, in time, I found healing from my divorce and the strength to reject the ideas that left me judged and marked with a scarlet letter. I found the grace and forgiveness that Jesus bought for me with his life on a crude wooden cross. I realized that although I had made choices and embraced decisions that ultimately helped destroy the marriage and family I was mourning, God looked at me and saw a precious little child who was hurt and broken, and reached out His arms to hug me and to calm me.
Ask me and I will tell you some remarkable secrets about what is going to happen here. --Jeremiah 33:3 NLT
The same grace that Jesus extended to the woman caught in adultery, the same forgiveness he gave to the leper and to the criminal on the cross beside me were being extended to me. I just had to find healing and forgive myself. I needed to seek God first in my life and move on.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. --Matthew 6:33 NIV
As I let go of my desire for a man in my life and replaced it with the desire to live for and serve God regardless of what my life looked like, God led me to some truths I had missed previously. I read the book of Ruth in a new light. I saw the provision of a wife for Isaac (and the provision of a husband for Rebekah). I saw a different way of meeting and mating than what I had experienced and viewed growing up. I saw a different version of marriage and husbandry. And I did not know if I could pick that kind of person for myself, and oh how I wanted a husband like that for myself (and a father like that for my children!).
I wanted a love, a husband who would love me like Christ loved the church, and I knew the husband I had the first time around didn't know what that meant, let alone attempted to be that. I wanted what God wanted, and more.
I gave up my hunt for a husband, realizing that I was not equipped for the search.
And I decided to surround myself with Christian friends in my neighborhood--male and female--instead of seeking a boyfriend. I hit myspace looking for these kind of people in my neighborhood. (A large number of the people I saw there paid lip service to their faith, but I had learned how to tell from a few simple sentences which were not at the same place as I, and went into it with eyes wide open).
And little did I know, there was this awesome Christian man who had been on a journey of heartbreak, healing, and was also looking for someone to spend his life with. And you know what! ? ! He lived less than 2 miles away from me...and he wanted more kids (lots more! which is good since I came with three to start...)!
Over time, I realize that what I have with my husband, my second chance, is so totally different and exactly what God had intended for me from the beginning. And when I listen to "First Time" by Lifehouse, it speaks exactly what my heart feels. I am so grateful for the second chance. And to be honest, it actually is better than the first time. It's amazing what happens when we live within God's will!
Enjoy a little bit of Lifehouse for me!
Going too far
This morning, while my three kids at home were packing their lunches, I was watching the Today Show on NBC. I have to be honest: very few mornings go by that we don't watch the Today Show. Sometimes the media's view of life and the world is too liberal for me. My political and religious views are rarely reflected by the show. However, they often have interviews with celebrities that I enjoy, performances by groups I listen to (think Amy Grant on Christmas eve), and I do find value in hearing what the other side thinks or embraces.
Enter a segment today on young girls and cosmetics. Wait...let me rephrase that. I want this to be clear. The segment was about a trend in our country of marketing and selling hardcore make-up products (including fake eyelashes? ! ?) and spa treatments to young girls and preschoolers as young as 4! Yes, I did correctly type four.
Let me interject here a reminder: I am the mom to three children, stepmom to two more, and am expecting yet another. Among these six beautiful children are two girls--ages 11-1/2 and 10--and I would NEVER allow either of these girls to wear heavy makeup. The older one is allowed to wear body glitter (much to my disappointment, but it was a compromise) and clear lip gloss. She is encouraged to wear deodorant (ah, the joy of young pre-pubescent hormones!) and owns a bottle of modest body spray. I encourage her to use hair care products and to wash her face twice daily.
But I draw the line at colored makeup products for my almost 12 year old!
Perhaps I am getting old-fashioned and am losing touch. I mean, I suppose I am getting old. I'm almost (gasp) 32 years old now! LOL Yes, I do mean that in a very tongue-in-cheek sort of way! Perhaps we are sending a horrible message to our young girls. Perhaps both.
And I wonder.....
Are we surprised that the number of girls being treated for eating disorders continues to grow? Are we surprised that mothers are encouraging their young daughters to lie so that they can win tickets to see concerts that run over $200 per person? Are we surprised that there is a generation of teen girls who do not think twice about considering plastic surgery to "correct" the "imperfections" God created them with? Are we surprised that very few women in our society, even in our churches truly believe that they are beautiful?
It breaks my heart to see our girls sexualized and demoralized in the name of physical beauty. It is a sad day when five year old girls develop an eating disorder because they believe that they are fat (just as sad as the child who is obese because they are not encouraged to be physically active), when ten year old girls buy and wear thong underwear (I am still in shock that these are sold and marketed to girls that young!), and when we embrace and accept these practices as being "okay" or acceptable.
I am brought back to the root of what I feel is safe to believe:
Beauty does not last. Physical beauty is fleeting. It mocks us at best. But God loves us so much that He has designed us as women to have something that lasts a lifetime that is far more attractive to the people who really matter--fear of the Lord.
It is my deepest prayer and hope that as I raise daughters that I am able to teach them to take pride in their appearance. I believe that God created us with a physical body that is unique to us so that we could take pride in it and be good stewards of it. But it is also my hope that they will know that what they look like will NEVER supercede the importance of who they are (PRINCESSES--daughters of the King of Kings!), and what their value is (bought with the blood of Christ). And I pray that I remember and embrace these values in the face of a society that is going to laugh at me and mock me and my girls.
Father, let me balance the importance of taking pride in and care of the body you have given us with the importance of raising up girls who know that true beauty is not physical, but spiritual and emotional. Let me model a healthy lifestyle and self-esteem for my girls and the girls around us, including modesty in dress and good health habits, so that I can remain relevant to them for you. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
Enter a segment today on young girls and cosmetics. Wait...let me rephrase that. I want this to be clear. The segment was about a trend in our country of marketing and selling hardcore make-up products (including fake eyelashes? ! ?) and spa treatments to young girls and preschoolers as young as 4! Yes, I did correctly type four.
Let me interject here a reminder: I am the mom to three children, stepmom to two more, and am expecting yet another. Among these six beautiful children are two girls--ages 11-1/2 and 10--and I would NEVER allow either of these girls to wear heavy makeup. The older one is allowed to wear body glitter (much to my disappointment, but it was a compromise) and clear lip gloss. She is encouraged to wear deodorant (ah, the joy of young pre-pubescent hormones!) and owns a bottle of modest body spray. I encourage her to use hair care products and to wash her face twice daily.
But I draw the line at colored makeup products for my almost 12 year old!
Perhaps I am getting old-fashioned and am losing touch. I mean, I suppose I am getting old. I'm almost (gasp) 32 years old now! LOL Yes, I do mean that in a very tongue-in-cheek sort of way! Perhaps we are sending a horrible message to our young girls. Perhaps both.
And I wonder.....
Are we surprised that the number of girls being treated for eating disorders continues to grow? Are we surprised that mothers are encouraging their young daughters to lie so that they can win tickets to see concerts that run over $200 per person? Are we surprised that there is a generation of teen girls who do not think twice about considering plastic surgery to "correct" the "imperfections" God created them with? Are we surprised that very few women in our society, even in our churches truly believe that they are beautiful?
It breaks my heart to see our girls sexualized and demoralized in the name of physical beauty. It is a sad day when five year old girls develop an eating disorder because they believe that they are fat (just as sad as the child who is obese because they are not encouraged to be physically active), when ten year old girls buy and wear thong underwear (I am still in shock that these are sold and marketed to girls that young!), and when we embrace and accept these practices as being "okay" or acceptable.
I am brought back to the root of what I feel is safe to believe:
Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised. --Proverbs 31:30
Beauty does not last. Physical beauty is fleeting. It mocks us at best. But God loves us so much that He has designed us as women to have something that lasts a lifetime that is far more attractive to the people who really matter--fear of the Lord.
It is my deepest prayer and hope that as I raise daughters that I am able to teach them to take pride in their appearance. I believe that God created us with a physical body that is unique to us so that we could take pride in it and be good stewards of it. But it is also my hope that they will know that what they look like will NEVER supercede the importance of who they are (PRINCESSES--daughters of the King of Kings!), and what their value is (bought with the blood of Christ). And I pray that I remember and embrace these values in the face of a society that is going to laugh at me and mock me and my girls.
Father, let me balance the importance of taking pride in and care of the body you have given us with the importance of raising up girls who know that true beauty is not physical, but spiritual and emotional. Let me model a healthy lifestyle and self-esteem for my girls and the girls around us, including modesty in dress and good health habits, so that I can remain relevant to them for you. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Explaining child labor to children...AKA Don't bother trying!
We are now approaching the week mark to my due date, and we have three children who are anxiously awaiting the big day. Mind you, Ms. B (11), Mr. M (10), and Mr. J (7) are old enough to understand patience, to some extent. They are masters of the countdown thanks to Advent Calendars and other holiday countdown rituals. But I have been unable to convince them that Baby EM is not magically just going to show up on her due date!
How long will you have to push her out? asked Ms. B yesterday.
Uhm, hopefully not too long, I answered in infinite wisdom.
More than four hours?
I pray to the Lord NOT! I responded.
And from Mr. J:
What's that line on your belly, Mommy?
What line? I don't see a line, I insisted.
Those, pointing to the fifty zillion faint white and pink stretch marks on my stomach.
Those are stretch marks, Mommy informed him.
Where'd you get them?
You! (Mommy tries hard not to cry!)
And Mr. M:
What if you go into labor while we're at school?
What do you mean?
Who's going to let us into the house?
(Mommy at this point lists about 25 possible different people from the neighborhood, family, church, etc. who could/would/should/might be able to help if such a thing actually happens. Unfortunately, the kids have a half day tomorrow and are off school all next week for spring break. The odds are strong that they will be home ALL DAY when I go into labor. Thank God for Aunt Brenda!)
So secretly, I'm hoping that birth and pregnancy will serve many lessons for our children, although after some of the questions we've fielded, my hopes aren't as high as they had been. I do secretly hope that it will serve as a great lesson for abstinence for the older two, at the very least. While we love babies around here, we hope they wait another 15 years or more to even consider having their own!
How long will you have to push her out? asked Ms. B yesterday.
Uhm, hopefully not too long, I answered in infinite wisdom.
More than four hours?
I pray to the Lord NOT! I responded.
And from Mr. J:
What's that line on your belly, Mommy?
What line? I don't see a line, I insisted.
Those, pointing to the fifty zillion faint white and pink stretch marks on my stomach.
Those are stretch marks, Mommy informed him.
Where'd you get them?
You! (Mommy tries hard not to cry!)
And Mr. M:
What if you go into labor while we're at school?
What do you mean?
Who's going to let us into the house?
(Mommy at this point lists about 25 possible different people from the neighborhood, family, church, etc. who could/would/should/might be able to help if such a thing actually happens. Unfortunately, the kids have a half day tomorrow and are off school all next week for spring break. The odds are strong that they will be home ALL DAY when I go into labor. Thank God for Aunt Brenda!)
So secretly, I'm hoping that birth and pregnancy will serve many lessons for our children, although after some of the questions we've fielded, my hopes aren't as high as they had been. I do secretly hope that it will serve as a great lesson for abstinence for the older two, at the very least. While we love babies around here, we hope they wait another 15 years or more to even consider having their own!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Best from the Past--It's my body...
So, I'm in the final countdown waiting for baby to arrive, and I have lacked energy and drive to write anything worth putting up here. BUT...I had been writing and saving stuff elsewhere (myspace) and thought that this one was very timely considering I'm counting the days until our new baby arrives.
By the way, pray for me. The doc announced yesterday that she thinks our baby is going to be another "big" one...sigh...and I had so hoped for a normal sized baby. That picture of her foot back at the end of January should have clued me in, I suppose.
Here it is:
My husband and I are expecting our 6th baby (we each have children from a previous marriage, but this our 6th total), and we couldn't be more excited. We both knew before we met each other that we wanted to have bigger families. You can imagine my surprise when we first talked about size of families to find out that he wanted a large family too (I come with THREE of my own to start with!). But God is so good like that. He knows our hearts, and when we let Him, He puts us where we should be, with the people we should be with.
I'll admit that for the majority of modern families, the idea of more than two children (okay, maybe three...most of my friends who have children have three, not two) is vastly overwhelming. As a woman who had been raising three alone for several years, I can totally relate to why it IS overwhelming to think about for most people. But there are others, people who see more children as a joy, a gift, a chance to bless the world with adults who will make a positive difference, a prize even...well, to these people...small families seem odd.
As I watch TLC and other similar channels featuring shows with families that are comprised of 12 or more children, or shows like "John and Kate plus Eight", I realize that money really isn't a factor in whether these families choose to have "big" families. In every one of these families, mom stays home and works fulltime running the household and childrearing. These women, if employed outside of the home, would likely hold high-stress, high-powered positions because the skills that make them effective caring for numerous children and caring for/maintaining vehicles/homes also are the same skills that would make them highly qualified and effective executives.
And yet, when a woman chooses to have a large family (I have to question if men are questioned the same way...I have heard no reports from my husband of co-workers, etc. questioning his choice to rear a large family), society comes down hard on her.
Why?
I have several theories on this. First of all, I believe that we are all called to different purposes. Some women are not "built" for this lifestyle, either childbearing is not physically easy for them, or their passion does not fall to childraising. That's fine. I would hardly advocate that someone fight what their body will do or what their heart and stomach can handle. And their choice is just as valid as mine.
Another theory of mine is the pervasive cultural theory of stuff. Because mothers with large families rarely work outside the home, and because growing children eat TONS of food, create TONS of messes, outgrow TONS of clothing/shoes/toys, a large majority of the family's income goes into raising the children rather than into "toys" and stuff to fill a house. But why is it that people justify going further into debt to get a newer, fancier car, but can't understand how a family would choose to have another baby (that they will not put onto credit)? I know that no car, boat, RV, vacation home, sound system, theater system is going to make my life, from a hindsight view more blessed or meaningful. They just won't. But I believe strongly that looking back at moments shared with my children and spouse--moments of joy, laughter, tears, and pain--will highlight my life as I look back.
And perhaps, my third theory is that there are just too many people who are unhappy with the choices they've made in their own lives and who have too much time to criticize me for the choices I've made in my own. And for these people, more than anything, I have great sadness in my heart (for I know that, at times, I am guilty of this type of criticism towards others). Perhaps for these people, if they had had more children and less stuff, if they had made other choices, they would be too busy enjoying life to spend time questioning and criticizing mine. (Yes, don't worry...I'm reading my own words as I write them and feeling the conviction...and betting that in two months when this baby arrives, I will have too little time to spend worrying about others' decisions...and if not, shame on me!)
As for me and my family, I have no idea yet whether we will choose to have more children. Is six enough? Only God knows! But I feel strongly that it is God's decision, not mine (and definitely not society-at-large's) whether we have more children. And yes, for the record...I know what causes babies...and no, we don't have too many....
I mean, it's my body, and I'll pro-create if I want to!
By the way, pray for me. The doc announced yesterday that she thinks our baby is going to be another "big" one...sigh...and I had so hoped for a normal sized baby. That picture of her foot back at the end of January should have clued me in, I suppose.
Here it is:
My husband and I are expecting our 6th baby (we each have children from a previous marriage, but this our 6th total), and we couldn't be more excited. We both knew before we met each other that we wanted to have bigger families. You can imagine my surprise when we first talked about size of families to find out that he wanted a large family too (I come with THREE of my own to start with!). But God is so good like that. He knows our hearts, and when we let Him, He puts us where we should be, with the people we should be with.
I'll admit that for the majority of modern families, the idea of more than two children (okay, maybe three...most of my friends who have children have three, not two) is vastly overwhelming. As a woman who had been raising three alone for several years, I can totally relate to why it IS overwhelming to think about for most people. But there are others, people who see more children as a joy, a gift, a chance to bless the world with adults who will make a positive difference, a prize even...well, to these people...small families seem odd.
As I watch TLC and other similar channels featuring shows with families that are comprised of 12 or more children, or shows like "John and Kate plus Eight", I realize that money really isn't a factor in whether these families choose to have "big" families. In every one of these families, mom stays home and works fulltime running the household and childrearing. These women, if employed outside of the home, would likely hold high-stress, high-powered positions because the skills that make them effective caring for numerous children and caring for/maintaining vehicles/homes also are the same skills that would make them highly qualified and effective executives.
And yet, when a woman chooses to have a large family (I have to question if men are questioned the same way...I have heard no reports from my husband of co-workers, etc. questioning his choice to rear a large family), society comes down hard on her.
Why?
I have several theories on this. First of all, I believe that we are all called to different purposes. Some women are not "built" for this lifestyle, either childbearing is not physically easy for them, or their passion does not fall to childraising. That's fine. I would hardly advocate that someone fight what their body will do or what their heart and stomach can handle. And their choice is just as valid as mine.
Another theory of mine is the pervasive cultural theory of stuff. Because mothers with large families rarely work outside the home, and because growing children eat TONS of food, create TONS of messes, outgrow TONS of clothing/shoes/toys, a large majority of the family's income goes into raising the children rather than into "toys" and stuff to fill a house. But why is it that people justify going further into debt to get a newer, fancier car, but can't understand how a family would choose to have another baby (that they will not put onto credit)? I know that no car, boat, RV, vacation home, sound system, theater system is going to make my life, from a hindsight view more blessed or meaningful. They just won't. But I believe strongly that looking back at moments shared with my children and spouse--moments of joy, laughter, tears, and pain--will highlight my life as I look back.
And perhaps, my third theory is that there are just too many people who are unhappy with the choices they've made in their own lives and who have too much time to criticize me for the choices I've made in my own. And for these people, more than anything, I have great sadness in my heart (for I know that, at times, I am guilty of this type of criticism towards others). Perhaps for these people, if they had had more children and less stuff, if they had made other choices, they would be too busy enjoying life to spend time questioning and criticizing mine. (Yes, don't worry...I'm reading my own words as I write them and feeling the conviction...and betting that in two months when this baby arrives, I will have too little time to spend worrying about others' decisions...and if not, shame on me!)
As for me and my family, I have no idea yet whether we will choose to have more children. Is six enough? Only God knows! But I feel strongly that it is God's decision, not mine (and definitely not society-at-large's) whether we have more children. And yes, for the record...I know what causes babies...and no, we don't have too many....
I mean, it's my body, and I'll pro-create if I want to!
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