do we look like this?!
…family in the classic Richard Scarry book. I was reading it to Caleb and Elijah, and the further I got into the story the more I began to relate with being the big family. (When I was a child this was one of my faves…hmmmm….gets me thinking.) Earlier today, after I had dropped of Hannah and Chloe at ballet (they teach), when I arrived home I had to unload all the remaining kids from the suburban. Well, no big deal. Except that my neighbors are getting a new driveway and the workers were taking a break. Right in front of my driveway. So they were watching as:
1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 emerged.
If only Hannah and Chloe had been there. Then their jaws would have REALLY dropped.
I love being this family. I love that the neighbor kids play at my house, and in my yard. I joke that we have a child for each neighbor kid to play with. Where I once used to cower and stutter about our family size I’ve now learned to hold my head up high and be grateful. And proud. And to state, “they are such blessings.” Boldly. You see…we were told we probably couldn’t have anymore children when my husband was diagnosed with cancer. We had five then…a huge family by society’s standards. And yet, we’ve been blessed with those two little guys Elijah and Samuel since. What blessings. They are amazing gifts. Gifts that I will proudly unload from the crowded suburban in front of workers, or well in reality…anybody.
love my fam
Mother Stitches’ words are true…our neighbor kids aren’t lonely when we’re around. 🙂 My kids are never lonely as well. And, to be truly, honest, even though I’m super busy I wouldn’t trade a minute of my time. (Well…I could take a minute or two to sip my coffee…but other than that…oh…you get the picture!!)
lovely tulips
Have a great Monday!
30 comments
It is definitely a journey to re-align our minds with the thoughts of Christ and to push the ‘status quo’ of the world out. I’m am still ‘in process’ too, but the joy that comes with the realization we are conquering is awesome!
I was a single mom of one for 12 yrs and now a TTC mom of 4yrs. My hope lies in the truth that the Lord is good to us and His timing is PERFECT!
Blessings,
~traci
p.s. Thank you for stopping by and your encouraging words. It means a lot to me! 😀
Seeking re-alignment daily,
andrea
haha yep 🙂 You should have heard the comments when we were at Disney world….
“you have SIX daughters!!? You are so blessed!”
“you have SIX daughters!!” You are cursed!!”
I’ve also learned to hold my head high and be proud!! I have driven a Suburban most of my driving life!! haha
I kind of want a large family but my hubby keeps saying just two…we’ll see about that!
What a fun post today! Thanks for sharing!
such beautiful tulips! i just looked at that richard scarry book the other day. your family is awesome… the saying “the bigger, the better” definitely applies! thank God for His precious blessings!
I so LOVE big families. My mother came from a family of 12 kids, my father had 5 kids in his family (several who passed early), and big families are a true blessing.
I haven’t started on the baby blessing yet, but know when that time comes God will give us exactly the amount we are meant to have. I love watching the Duggars on “19 Kids and Counting” and TLC…not sure if you’ve seen it. Oh, so eye opening. Even with that many kids, peace abounds and each child is honored.
Blessings to you and your happy bunch (:
~Michele
I just love busy town and lowly worm is a staple in our house LOL….Kelcee and I read the book at bedtime all the time and it was a must when I was growing up too! Wow you seem like such a wonderful mommy and you seem to do great with a large family! What a blessing god blessed you with two more babies after your husband’s cancer!
I have DM and on chemo based meds!
When I was reading your post it reminded me of the Duggars! I heart that show and I can’t believe how many children they have Wow….
Anywho thanks for leaving such a sweet comment on my blog! I really like yours as well and now a follower! Looking forward to reading more! Sorry this is a book ha!
xoxo
Summer :0)
I absolutely LOVE big families!!! People started giving us looks when I got pregnant with #3 and now that we’re adopting #4 they really think we’re crazy! I have no doubt it will only get “worse” as time goes on and our family continues to grow. 🙂 But hey, if realizing that God’s greatest blessings come in the form of lots of little ones running around is an oddity, then I’m more than willing to be a little weird!
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Wonderful post today, Rachel!! Even though there are only four kids in my family (yes, only four :D), my mom is still sometimes asked, “Are ALL those kids yours?!” Oh, and I agree with a couple of other ladies who commented here… definitely reminds me of the Duggar’s. Their show is so much fun to watch. Anyway…. really great post! Your blog is so encouraging, Rachel. I love how you’re so honest and open… keep up the great work! 🙂
~ Love & Blessings,
Lindsay <3
beautiful flowers!!! I just found your blog today and I love it! 🙂 I loooove big families and hope we can make someone’s jaw drop one day too! We’re in the middle of adopting our 1st from Ethiopia. 🙂 Great to “meet” you today! 🙂
Dear Rachel,
I’m writing to notify you that you have won a prize on My Very First Blog Contest and Giveaway at Faith’s Firm Foundation!
You won the “Pick Your Level Weight Loss Pilates DVD” with Ellen Barrett! Please email me at
faithsfirmfoundation@embarqmail.com
by April 22, 2010, at 10 PM (CST) with your name and address where you would like the prize sent, or you will forfeit the prize, and another name will be drawn. Upon receiving this info, I will send you a confirmation email, and let you know when I have sent the prize.
Congratulations on being a Winner!
Blessings,
Wendy
http://www.faithfultojesus.blogspot.com
faithsfirmfoundation@embarqmail.com
P.S. Great post, and I rejoice with you over your many blessings!:)
I always had fun going places with all the kids. If I hadn’t lost my youngest, would have had 7, too.
Praying in Seattle!
Isaiah 41:13-14: For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Fear not…I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
Prayer Bears
My email address
Rachel…You are truly truly blessed. You’re a great testimony to the Lord’s love. I SO enjoy reading your posts. I laughed out loud when I saw the picture from Richard Scarry’s book. As a mom, grandmother and former 2nd grade teacher…he is one of my favorites!! I wish I could have been there to see the looks on those workers’ faces!!! My only wish is that I lived next door to you to see (and help!!) your beautiful family daily~
xoxoxoxox
Ah, very well written, Miss Rachael. I am not even the Mom and sometimes I feel like that;) People are always asking us when we go out “are they all yours?!?” Mom used to smile and say yes, but now likes pulling their leg with replies such as, I think they are” or, “We may have lost one or two but not many!”;)
WOW! Seven kids? You go girl. I bet you get lots of hugs and smiles. 🙂 My 2 keep me on my toes. LOL
Hi Rachel, it is lovely to meet you. This post is so thought provoking. Really wonderful.
Thank you for your kind comments at Bella Vista.
Hugs, Barb ♥
Hi Rachel,
Thank you for the comment on my blog. I feel very honored that you enjoyed my post!
I have to say that in the past I would not have been able to read your blog because reading about large families filled me with sadness and, if I am being honest, jealousy. My dream was to have a big family like yours.
Sometimes our lives take a different course than our dreams though. I have come to accept that my dreams were different than the ones that God has for me. God has given me three beautiful daughters and I am so very grateful for their unique stories.
Now I am able to look at your blog and feel nothing but joy for you and your beautiful family. You are truly blessed!
Hi Rachel! So nice to meet you. I think it’s absolutely fantastic that you got a little kick out of making those workers jaws drop! How much fun to have a big (wonderful) family!! You are so very blessed!
Kare
So true! I’m very grateful as well. I love having six children – although I wish I had all nine. I’m content and very thankful.
Sounds like a fun story. 🙂
Love,
Lynnette
Continuing to pray!
Psalm 73:23-26 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
Prayer Bears
My email address
Hi,
You have a nice blog. I just thought of mentioning about this website http://www.dustmitesallergies.org. They seem to offer specialized advice of dust mite allergy.
Rachel…I just HAD to stop back here and tell you that you have an AMAZING young daughter! Hannah is a testimony to great mothering. You know that’s hard for us mothers to acknowledge….but from one mom to another…I just have to say, “WoW”!
Carol
I love Richard Scarry books!
And those tulips are gorgeous.
We love visiting my mom’s house where there is homeschooling family with 6 (I think) children. My daughter is never bored there! Actually, there are quite a few families that all come out and play.
Thanks for dropping by my blog! It was amazing to watch that butterfly laying eggs. I know I’m going to go back and try to get some better photos AND watch those little caterpillars hatch and grow!
we have that book.. in our big family.. Well I don’t know if 4 kids is really that big of a family.. My oldest is getting ready to leave the nest soon.. Enjoyed your post about the boys and the thatch too..
Thanks for linking up!!
The Lazy Mom
visiting via Lazy Wed Walk from http://www.imalazymom.com
I would love to have a big family! I have to say I can’t imagaine having 7 plus all the neighbor kids. My hats off to you!
The more the merrier! (:>)
what a fun post! and your tulips are gorgeous!! thanks for linking up to wed walk!