WHY ELEVEN?
This is probably the question that has plagued mankind since the beginning of time...at least those of mankind that have associated with my husband and I.
The only answer I have, is a quote from what a wise man once said, ”Insanity runs in my family and I used to worry about it a lot, but, now that I’m in it, it’s not too bad!”
It actually began a long time ago. Ever since I can remember I've wanted to be a wife and mother. So when CL and I got married we started our family right away. (I married an awesome man with the same dreams as I.)
After Dot, Rosebud, Lulu, and Beaver were born, I was feeling that our family was just the right size and it might be a good time to quit...SILLY ME!
When our eighth child, Nails , was just a year old I became very ill. I was ill for several years. I began to think that with me so ill, there was no way I could get pregnant and that I was done bearing children. I had eight children, this was a huge responsibility, but it was doable.
When Nails was three years old, I sold all the baby furniture, got rid of all the baby clothes and got on with the task of family and home.
One beautiful autumn day in 1995, I was on holiday at the Gulf of Mexico walking along the beach barefoot and content. It was a peaceful and delightful day. The kids were faraway with CL, I was here all alone. Then that old feeling came back, someone was missing from our family. Not only that, but this time I knew it was a boy.
But, low and behold, when I got back home, I was already with child. Okay, change of thought...
I was so sure this baby WAS GOING TO BE A BOY that I didn't have a ultra sound...when the doctor deliveredJoka and announced it was a girl, I told him it was not a girl, it was a boy and to quit joking around. The doctor looked at me, then the baby, held her up so I could see and said, "This is one thing you can't debate, this is a girl."
Don't get me wrong, My little Joka was precious to me, as were all my children, each one a new person to get to know and unique!
When Joka was three months old, that same exact feeling I'd gotten on the beach came back...a son was missing from our family.
Time passed... Tatty was 4 months old when, you guessed it, along came that haunting and unwanted feeling that there was a son missing. By this time my attitude was...
This time the ultra sound gave great evidence that, finally, finally, finally we were going to get our missing son!
In August, Buster was born.
That was almost 12 years ago. I have spent a lot of time looking at my eleven children; whether their gathered around our enormous dining table, or piled on the sofas watching a movie, or tucked safe in their beds with my little Buster sleeping soundly in his crib. My heart rejoices that I didn't give up and leave him behind. Our home is complete!
It is amazing to me that I have come to know eleven great people on such an intimate basis. None of us are perfect and we go through the same funnies and trials that all families go through, but...
THIS IS AN AMAZING ADVENTURE
The only answer I have, is a quote from what a wise man once said, ”Insanity runs in my family and I used to worry about it a lot, but, now that I’m in it, it’s not too bad!”
It actually began a long time ago. Ever since I can remember I've wanted to be a wife and mother. So when CL and I got married we started our family right away. (I married an awesome man with the same dreams as I.)
When Beaver was about 1 year old I began getting the strongest feeling that someone was missing from our family. Several months later I was pregnant with Bogie.
Awhile after his birth, that same strong feeling happened again, someone was missing...and then we got Chip. This happened two more times, bringing Woody and then Nails to our family gathering. This brought our family to a total of eight.
Wow, eight... that's a lot of kids!
When our eighth child, Nails , was just a year old I became very ill. I was ill for several years. I began to think that with me so ill, there was no way I could get pregnant and that I was done bearing children. I had eight children, this was a huge responsibility, but it was doable.
When Nails was three years old, I sold all the baby furniture, got rid of all the baby clothes and got on with the task of family and home.
One beautiful autumn day in 1995, I was on holiday at the Gulf of Mexico walking along the beach barefoot and content. It was a peaceful and delightful day. The kids were faraway with CL, I was here all alone. Then that old feeling came back, someone was missing from our family. Not only that, but this time I knew it was a boy.
Well, I tell you, I'd had it, this was the limit,
I'm not going to do it, no one can make me...
But, low and behold, when I got back home, I was already with child. Okay, change of thought...
I can do this, just dig-in and go for it...
I was so sure this baby WAS GOING TO BE A BOY that I didn't have a ultra sound...when the doctor deliveredJoka and announced it was a girl, I told him it was not a girl, it was a boy and to quit joking around. The doctor looked at me, then the baby, held her up so I could see and said, "This is one thing you can't debate, this is a girl."
Somebody somewhere was not being very nice to me.
When Joka was three months old, that same exact feeling I'd gotten on the beach came back...a son was missing from our family.
You have got to be kidding, this is not funny,
everyone already thinks I'm crazy,
even my parents and husband, and I agreed!
But, low and behold, Tatty was born and she was NOT A BOY. But this time I was prepared, I'd had an ultrasound...no more surprises for me. By now I'm asking myself,
"How high of a stress level I could take? What does all this mean? Where's that boy?"
Time passed... Tatty was 4 months old when, you guessed it, along came that haunting and unwanted feeling that there was a son missing. By this time my attitude was...
WHAT EVER!
This time the ultra sound gave great evidence that, finally, finally, finally we were going to get our missing son!
YAHOO!!!
In August, Buster was born.
That was almost 12 years ago. I have spent a lot of time looking at my eleven children; whether their gathered around our enormous dining table, or piled on the sofas watching a movie, or tucked safe in their beds with my little Buster sleeping soundly in his crib. My heart rejoices that I didn't give up and leave him behind. Our home is complete!
It is amazing to me that I have come to know eleven great people on such an intimate basis. None of us are perfect and we go through the same funnies and trials that all families go through, but...
THIS IS AN AMAZING ADVENTURE
AND I'M SO GLAD TO BE ON IT!
WOW some story that was !!! Very big family you have... and people think I am nuts wanting a 4th Child ;)( lol ) Congrats on your beautiful family of 11 :) Way To go !!
ReplyDelete~Kirsten~
http://theemtmommy.blogspot.com
http://kirstiesbowtique.weebly.com
I have another friend who also has 11 kids. We attend Mass where most families have 5 or more, so whenever I hear, "Are you Catholic or Mormon" with just our six I say, "Mmm Hmm...yep!" I remember after my 6th my granny, who had 15 said, "Once you've had 4 you may as well have 10." God love my granny. She was nuts :)
ReplyDeleteSharon
mrsmomx6
Sharon...I think I can relate to your nutty grandmother...lol
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely amazing. You are so remarkable.
ReplyDeleteLove love the story! I used to say I had a dozen children, only focused on the first two and the last two and will have to wait for heaven to fill in the middle. Being a mother is such a priceless gift, and your story is an inspiration:-)
ReplyDeleteRJ, the HOPE Coach
http://jrrsehopecoaching.com
WOW! That's amazing. And I think it's awesome. I have myasthenia gravis, and I was able to carry one child miraculously. I can't have more, but I really want to adopt....a ton! But hubs doesn't share my desire. You have a beautiful family.
ReplyDeleteI think big families are awesome. I often wonder what my other children would have been like had things been different. I'm sure I would have several more! As it is, I have three wonderful children without whom I can't imagine living. They're all so unique; maybe that's why I wonder so much what the others would have been like. We're quite an eccentric family, lol! But God's in control and I am very thankful for my three!
ReplyDeleteWow! I love big families and I love that you have a big family because that is what you and your husband wanted and you are not apologetic about it. Returning your visit from VoiceBoks.
ReplyDeleteAmazing! I have felt what you said in your post that just one more feeling. May God bless you and your family! Mom of only 7, looking in amazement at you! ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story. I understand that feeling you got. i have had it many times over. But four was all the blessing I was able to carry. I am thankful every day for each of them. I am sure it is a blessing every day in your home to have so many to love and care for.
ReplyDeleteFirst time visting your blog. Amazing story. I have 5 and am in awe that someone could have 11. I have had that same feeling. My last one was such a strong feeling that someone was missing. My hubby was done but I talked him into trying for just one more. My beautiful daughter is now 4 years old and every time I look at her I am so grateful I followed through with my feelings. You have an amazing family.
ReplyDeleteWow, so glad I found this post--just what I needed to hear right now! I "only" have eight, but sometimes I must admit I am tempted to wonder if I made the right choice--of course I love all my children to bits and wouldn't trade them for anything in the world, but you know, we all have our moments! Some people think I'm crazy, including myself, ha, but you are right--without them there would be something missing! May God bless you as you strengthen others and continue to be a pillar for all of us!
ReplyDelete