You Know You're a Big Family When...

We are down to the wire now with our "New York!"  The Baby can come any day now!!
I am getting excited to see this new creation that God has made.  I definitely have a different outlook on number 6, as compared to 4 or 5.  With 4 or 5 I was a little worried about how to do it, what to expect, etc., etc.  Now with number 6 I feel completely prepared and have laughed at myself at how I have not had those concerns cross my mind.  Instead I have only looked forward to the idea of a new child within our home and have busily prepared for their arrival.  I love the content feeling and joy this new child brings.  I am so blessed that God has allowed me to grow and learn and has prepared me for this time.

Praise God for His amazing blessings and trials in our lives that grow and stretch us to become more like Christ.  My prayer is that I will continue to honor God in all I do and to teach my children through training in righteousness and by being a Godly example of a wife and mother.

I have posted this in the past, but came across this again while reviewing some old files and I enjoyed reading this!  I know you will get a few laughs out of it like I did... it's too funny how true all of this is, for us at least.
You Know You're a Big Family When...
by Rebecca Prewett

Many people have asked exactly what constitutes a "big family". Some have defined it as any family with more than the socially acceptable number of children. Others have defined it as four or more children. Yet others have defined it in any number of ways. We have come to the conclusion that, almost no matter how you define "big family", we probably stand a good chance of meeting the criteria. How do we know? How can you know if you're a big family? Well, read on:

You know you're a big family when...
...people count the number of your children out loud when you're in public

...people ask, "Are they all yours?"

...you start counting your children when you're out in public

...you have at least three bunk beds set up in your home

...almost everyone you know has less children than you do

...people say, "Wow! How do you manage?"

...people ask you, out of the blue, if you are Mormon or Catholic.

...you buy your pots and pans in the restaurant supply store

...supposed "family size" food portions seem awfully small

...you complain, "Doesn't anyone make large dining tables anymore?"

...you outgrow your mini-van

....you've forgotten what it's like to be alone anywhere else but in the bathroom

...your children never run out of playmates among their siblings

...everything you buy is in bulk

...people ask, "Don't you get overwhelmed?"

...you and your husband can no longer hold each child's hand while crossing the street

...it takes a wonderfully long time to hug and kiss everybody

...one of your children looks wistfully at the newborn and asks you, "Can't you have another baby really soon? I hardly get to hold this one because everybody else is taking turns."

...you realize that few houses are designed with your family in mind

...people ask you if you've ever accidentally left any of your children behind

...life around your family never seems boring or dull

...your tent is the largest one in any campground

...you feel sorry for people with only two children

...you sometimes wonder what on earth mothers with only two children do with all their spare time

...whenever you set your dining table, it looks like it used to look when you were expecting lots of company

...you read a cookbook and joke, "They call these meals? Sounds like a little snack to me."

...your gratitude at the abundance of God's blessing moves you to tears unexpectedly

...you start thinking of yourself as "rich in children"

...you secretly think that life in your family might possibly be a much more joyous adventure than life in smaller families

...you are vastly amused at much modern parenting advice, realizing that it is unnecessary, impossible, impractical, or simply silly to try to apply it in a large family setting

...it seems as if you pack more stuff going on a short trip than some people pack when moving their entire household

...your husband sighs happily, "I've finally got my dream car"--and it's a used 15- passenger van - or an extended Excursion :)