journaling: I’ve seen that look before. I’m pretty sure I’ve given that look. Of course it was probably before I had my own kids. Or when I really, truly questioned a parent’s sanity. In today’s world, nobody, NOBODY, has as many kids as I do. (Well not really, but in people’s minds, that what it seems...) When I was growing up, I wanted to have at least 4 kids. 2 boys. 2 girls. I wanted each of my kids to at least have a same-gender sibling. It was important to me. I never imagined I’d have my 2 boys and 2 girls in 4 kids. 4 kids in a family never seemed like a large family to me. 5 kids was a nice-sized family. And now I know so many people who have 1 kid, and they procalim that they couldn’t imagine having as many kids as me. Or that they don’t know how I do it. In reality, it’s not difficult. I’m sure we have had to give up things (literally THINGS) for having our large family. Things like eating out as often. Or as many vacations. Or as many toys to play around on. I’m sure we may have to give up more things in the future. I couldn’t imagine my family life any other way. These kids are joyful. I feel bad for people when I see that look. The look that they think I must be crazy. These kids and my family are the joy in my life. I probably still give that look to other people. But I think I’ve replaced the look of “Are you insane?” to the look of, “You don’t know what you’re missing.”* I am infinitely happy that we didn’t stop having children after we got our boy and girl, or that we didn’t stop after our initial 4 kids. And who knows when we might make that decision to be done having kids. But it’s not a decision that comes easily. I cannot, literally cannot, imagine not having little children at my feet, but it will come eventually. For now I’m happy to be the mother of 5.

* disclaimer
I realize that not everyone CAN have as many kids as mine for many reasons, and I know that there are people out there who have many more kids as me they maybe I wouldn’t be able to handle...

Family fun by Plum Dumpling Designs

Designed to be a second page to my mother of 5 layout