Why I Shouldn't of Had 10 Kids

I hear just about every day from someone who may be a friend, new acquaintance or a stranger a pretty similar comment.  It goes something like this, "I could NEVER  have 10 kids!" Actually, many times it's, "I could never have 3 or 4 or 5 or whatever!"  Now I'm really right there with these women.  I'm no super mom.  I'm just a regular girl trying to follow the Lord's will. 

Well, I decided to make a list of the reasons why I really shouldn't of had so many kids:

1.  I'm selfish and self-centered.  I basically was raised a spoiled little brat that got whatever I wanted.  

2.  I'm not a natural servant.  I grew up being served not serving.  When I take all those spiritual gifting tests, servanthood is always last on my list.

3.  I spent a lot money, tears and work on my bachelor's degree in nursing, so I should use it and not stay home with babies.

4.  I'm RH negative.  Yes, if I lived 60 years ago I probably wouldn't of been able to have more than 2 healthy children. So I'm thankful for medical science!

5.  I'm not crafty and I can barely sew.

6. I'm not patient, in the least!  Now I have learned some patience (which I think is one reason God gave my so many kids) but ask any of my children whom I've taught to read and they will tell you how patient I am (smirk....please don't ask them.)

7. I don't like my plans being changed or being interrupted. This is a daily occurrence when you have even just one child.

8. I wasn't the best babysitter growing up and I absolutely hated pediatric nursing.

9. I don't like messes or cluttered dirty houses.  This has been a real life changer for me.

10. I like to have "me time" and my husband likes to have "me time with me and no kids."  I think he's looking forward to retirement age. 

But God molds us and changes us.  He knows what we are capable of, even when we don't.  He gives us the grace, strength, patience, etc. when we need it.  Many times not before, because then we would think that we are capable on our own and can do it without Him. Where God calls, He equips and I'm so very thankful for that.  Of course, the world would look at my list and say "no way this lady should have more than 2 kids, let alone 10."  But everyday I look at my precious children and I'm so glad that by God's grace, I didn't listen to the world. 

10 Things I Can't Live Without

Now that I've gotten your attention, I'll add a disclaimer.  Yes, I could live without the below things, but I would rather not.  As a mom of many, these things are basically invaluable to me in the stage of life I'm in.  Notice, there are no people on this list.  These are things, but I will say that I really couldn't live without my husband, children, mother, friends and extended family.  Well, here are the things I'm currently "in love" with:

1. My crock pot: my life is in super speed lately, and this wonderful little device saves me so much time and stress. It's so nice to put some simple ingredients into it mid-morning or even right after lunch and not have to think about dinner again until around 5:30p and dinner is just about all done. Not to mention smell something cooking all afternoon.  I love that! I'm going to do a crock pot post soon on my favorite easy recipes for slow cookers.

2. Comfortable shoes: As I get older, cheap shoes are a thing of the past.  My feet are still in pretty good shape after going through so many pregnancies and still exercising, but they do hurt easily. I have to wear high quality shoes now with arch support.  I love my New Balance sneakers, my Danskos and my Merrills especially for comfort.

3. Tinted moisturizer:  This invention is wonderful.  It saves time and I love it. It's like two steps in one, a light foundation and a nice moisturizer with SPF.  I will never go back!

4. Coffee....lots of it with cream: this is probably my worst vice at the moment. But coffee is full of antioxidants, right? I love freshly ground beans, especially Peet's brand. We make a pot in the morning and I drink about 2 cups (it's half decaf) and then I have another cup in the afternoon. It's supposed to up your metabolism too!

5. Dark chocolate: I've loved dark chocolate even before it was found to be healthy.  I have a little piece in the afternoon or I make a dessert with my favorite dark chocolate chips, Ghirardelli. We have the extra large bag of these that you get at Sam's or BJ's.

6. My smart phone: I know, this sounds so 21st century, but this little baby is my phone, email device, alarm clock, camera, music, GPS and my laptop. We currently only have one computer in our house, so having this really helps.

7. CD player: This sounds so 90's, but it is a wonderful educational/entertainment device for the kids.  They love to listen to history CD's that I have and Christian story tapes.  It keeps them entertained for hours!  I also am using it more this year for school since we are doing Classical Conversations for our homeschool.

8. Front load washer: My washer goes strong.  I've had it for over 5 years now and it practically goes non-stop. What would we do if we had to wash our clothes by hand?!

9. Baby wipes: I think even when all my children are no longer in diapers, I will still have a stash of these in the house.  I use them all the time...on kids' faces, on clothes, on the carpet, hands,etc.  I have a box in the laundry room, my room, babies' room, and diaper bag.

10. The Bible:  I saved the best and most obvious for last.  Having time each day to read God's Word is so important.  It helps me start my day and end my day. I've been reading the Bible for over 30 years now and it is still fresh, still alive and new to me.  I would be lost without it!

My House is One Big Hotspot!

Does anyone else ever feel like this?  You know what a "hotspot" is, right?  It's like a little pile of "stuff" that shouldn't be there in the first place and just keeps growing and growing with other random "stuff."  I don't know who first named these little spots or discovered that they really do exist but I promise you, they do!  You can do an experiment and place a few things on your desk or counter top and watch it grow, practically over night!  If anyone thinks that these things really don't exist then you should come over to my house.  Here are a few of my "hot-spots" just to prove it.

 Laundry/mudroom hotspot~  I have a shelf in there for separate items, but notice that there are hats, ballet shoes, baby dolls, baby clothes and belts are thrown together.  It is a catch-all spot!

The  back stairway hotspot~ This is where we place things that need to go upstairs and it inevitably becomes a hotspot real quick. This is actually a small hotspot at the moment, just a big book, a big tutu, a shoe box, a lovey blankie and a bear.  But itt is NEVER empty!

The toy box hotspot~  Why does everything, plus toys, end up in the toy box?  When I ask the kids to clean up the living room, they just throw practically everything in, thinking that I won't notice :o) So, books, socks, shoes, dress-up clothes, homework, magazines, etc. get thrown in. Most of the time I can't shut it, which makes it quite an eye-sore.

MK's hotspot~ Yes, they start early, especially girls.  She is only 4 years old but her hotspot by her bed is probably the worst of any of my children.  Notice pull-ups, a tutu, glue, a bag from the dentist, etc.  I guess I need to start train her in decluttering now or I hate to see her house when she is married with children :o)

All the decluttering I planned to do this summer, did not quite get done due to the morning sickness.  I guess that is why I feel like the clutter and hotspots are taking over!  Really, this is just a few of them.  The others are rather embarrassing.  Anyone have any great decluttering ideas? :o)

Confessions!

#1. I do sometimes yell at my kids

#2. I do sometimes get mad at my husband

#3. I do sometimes let my kids watch Sponge Bob

#4. I do sometimes pay over $2 for a cup of coffee

#5. I do sometimes eat fast food

Notice all the "sometimes" in the above confessions? "Sometimes" is such a relative term :o) That's why I like to use it. I just wanted the few of y'all that read my blog to know that I am far from perfect. I do try to focus on the positive in this blog, but we have many faults and thank the Lord He does not give-up on us.  My wise husband is always reminding me that raising 9 kids isn't easy, but it is so rewarding.  Like last night he asked me, "Did you think raising teenage boys would be a piece of cake?" I had to honestly answer that I hadn't thought about that when they were toddling around in their Jon Jons. They are great boys though, and I know I need to keep my eye on the big picture.  Happy Parenting!