EVER ENOUGH LOVE?

There are many questions that go through the mind of parents as they find out there is another baby on the way, some of them are:

Will we have enough love? Can we give each child the attention they need? Will we have enough hugs/kisses? Can we meet their needs? 

I will answer these after giving my experiences with having a large family.

 

 

 

My family

  I had these same questions when we decided to have our family grow, it didn't happen when Marcus was born as Matthew had 15 years to himself with us.  However, I still remember when I found out number three was on the way, we were very happy. When it came time to go to the hospital, I still remember as clear as day, Aunt Jan came as soon as I called to take care of our then 21 month old Marcus.  Brian got the car pulled into the parking lot, I gave Marcus a hug and kiss as well as Aunt Jan.  I got into the car, Brian shut the door, and I got teary...I said, how can we love another? After the delivery of Luke and recovering in the hospital for a few hours, Brian brought Marcus to visit his baby brother. With him, he brought his little New Testament Bible and stood up on a chair to look at the baby, he had the biggest smile on his face and proudly announced the Bible was for "Wookie" (as he was affectionately called at the time pronounced with the you sound).  I knew then, it would be okay.

Fast forward to finding out we were expecting another little person....I again questioned, how will we love this child? How will we do it? They will be closer in age than Marcus and Luke.  We go to deliver and again, there were no issues when the boys came to meet John. 

John with daddy and his brothers.

John meets Thomas

Thomas

Genevieve Mommy and Becky

Marcus Luke and Genevieve

Timothy and mommy

We were then blessed with Thomas, and later Genevieve, sadly, I miscarried (very early in pregnancy) a child in November of 2012. I remember the sadness and anger I felt. But had to focus on the blessings I was given, there were some tough days. I want to say it gets easier, but you NEVER, EVER forget.  We were going to announce the child at Christmas as part of the children's present. That didn't happen, we had to share sorrow earlier....HOWEVER...A few months later, we were blessed with little Timothy...

a true blessing and joy to anyone who knows him.

NOW on to the answers to the questions... can you love them all? ABSOLUTELY. will they have everything, NO, but they don't need everything. will you have enough hug/kisses? More than enough to go around and more to spare, and the return is even better!! Can we meet their needs? You certainly can!

fun with daddy

A dear friend told me of this example she heard on a talk show, and it was PERFECT! 

When you have a dark room and light a candle, the room gets a little brighter...when you light a second, there is more brightness...as you light more candles, the room becomes increasingly brighter...this happens to your heart as well...the more children you have, the more hugs you have, the more kisses you have, the more LOVE you have...it is amazing...trust me, 

All I can say, is each child God has blessed us with are amazing, unique individuals, growing up in a family that is full of love! Just enjoy each one for who they are and let your LOVE SHINE.

Remember the song, "This Little Light of Mine"?

Well, that is what they are...so, let the light shine and have fun!

Until next time,
God Bless!

Counting our blessings!

Psalm 127:3

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 


You may or may not know but here is the news:

Our family is being blessed by God one more time--in early Autumn, we will
be welcoming baby number 7 to our family.

When we first told the littles, they were a bit quiet about it, but as time is passing, 

belly is getting bigger, making it harder for Monkeyman to get his little arms around me,

the thought is more exciting to him.

I love our night time prayers with the children as we ask God to bless each child, then

we always add, and the new baby.  I know His hand is at work with this precious

baby, and has been, even before I knew it would be happening!

This pregnancy is different, I feel a bit more tired, a bit more sick, but

a lot more at peace, for now anyway.

I am trying my hardest to make the most out of this and enjoy the time carrying this

child, because all too soon, he or she will make an appearance.

There is no where safer for the child than in it's mother's womb.  I am thankful to God

that he found my womb fit to carry my first 6 children to term with very little difficulties, maybe

some discomfort, but that ends eventually, and I want to remember that this time, no matter

how difficult it may get, I know I can rely on God for help during these times and in

times of doubt.

The big questions people have when you make the "announcement":

1) when are you due?
2) are you going to find out what it is?
3) names?
4) are you "done" yet?

I am going to get this out now:

1) around Oct. 7
2) we haven't decided yet
(the children want to know, but I am not sure I do...
I already know it will be a BABY, a gift from God, and that's all that matters
of course health is important too)

3) totally undecided at this point, and throwing names around, won't know
until we see our gift
4) it is God's will, and if He wills us to have more, we will gladly accept that fact.

At this point, I am patiently waiting for Friday to come, and it will hopefully be a very good day...
first of all, it will be my birthday, and I will get to see the baby during my Level 2 ultrasound, so
my birthday wish is that all will be well during my ultrasound. 
I am not going to bore people with the normal issues of pregnancy, as most won't really care,
(If for some reason, you do care to know, you can message me either here, facebook or email)
but if there is something major, I will ask for prayer.

I hope you will keep us in prayer on this day coming up, and throughout the pregnancy.


Proverbs 17:6

Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. 

Shepherdless

 

For the first time in 600 years, the Pope resigned.

What does this mean for the Catholic Church, it's people and their leaders? What will happen in the future?

When will we get a new Pope, will he be able to withstand being the Pope while the former is still in the area?  Will he try to get back to the basics of our faith, will he get strict and get rid or try to eliminate the problems of the scandals our Church has been facing?

These are all questions we all have, and probably many, many more.  

Unfortunately, I have no answers to these questions, as I really don't think anyone does. 

What we can do is know that "He is with us always."

We need to have faith and trust that when the Cardinals do begin the conclave to elect our new Pope, that the Holy Spirit guides them and they do elect a most holy person to do the job.

I pray that the next Pope will be strong enough to stand up for what is right and just.  

Our culture is a mess right now, we know that Jesus built the Catholic Church with St. Peter as the foundation for the future.

The True Church can never fail. For it is based upon a rock. – T.S. Eliot

During school, we talked about the fact that our Church no longer has a leader and we must pray for the Church.  Marcus said, "St. Peter should just come back and be the Pope again."  He has a firm understanding of his faith, and the Bible.  I am so thankful that we can teach our children the faith here in our home, without all the disturbing things that happen in the schools....transgender children, bullies, drugs, sex, foul language, etc.

So, even though the flock has lost a shepherd, we will gain a new one, and hopeful one of a very strong faith.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 

Pray without ceasing,

This is all we can do until we have a new shepherd..