Last night, my big boys and I played Apples to Apples. For the record, this is how I get them to play [non]electronics with me: I buy a couple quarts of ice cream and then deny my teenagers access. “You want a few scoops of ‘Cookies & Cream’?” I ask. “Then grab a game and meet me at the table.”
They’re 14- and 16-year-old boys, after all. They would rather be watching football.
So back to the game, which (as I’ve said) was Apples to Apples. The adjective was “Perfect” and I was the judge. “Huh,” I thought, looking at the “Martha Stewart” card in my hand. “She would have been ‘perfect’ for this one.”
Because, you know, she’s Martha.
The boys & their neighbor friend tossed down their cards and it took me all of one second to decide. “Babies!” I said, and their friend Mark whooped with joy. “Hands down,” I stated. “It’s ‘babies.’”
“Not ‘Dolly Parton?’” my son Jem protested. “You love Dolly Parton.”
It’s true, I do love Dolly’s music. But she’s nowhere near as perfect as my baby.
Though she’s got him beat when it comes to big hair and big…
Yeah.
Also yesterday, my baby boy turned 10 months old. He’s a perfect 10!
The little stink.
(I apologize about the quality of that last photo. I had to move fast before the kid went conk.)
He keeps me hopping, that’s for sure, but since he’s Number 7, I’ve got lots of help. This means having the luxury of a quick trip to Target to pick up, say, a pregnancy test. This, too, I did yesterday…and sighed when that extra little line was absent. A negative test is probably for the best, I know, given our financial situation.
And yet…
And yet…
It’s all about being crazy for babies. Am I right? I’m right! When you’re baby crazy, you can’t have too many. You know you’re tapped out but you still want more.
Only seven kids? Heck. Why not make it…ten.
Our marriage was so bad for so long that I didn't WANT anymore babies, and I'm grateful for this one last little one, this one last WANTED little one, who is wanted because we finally figured out how to love each other again.
On an only slightly related note, Davey met some Amish folks the other day, while out shopping for a new wood stove. The woman said people laugh at her for having so many kids. "How many kids do you have?" Davey asked. People laugh at me for having so many kids, too. I was intrigued, since the Amish typically have big families.
"Well?" I asked impatiently, as he retold the story.
"Seventeen. She said she had seventeen children."
Yup. That's a lot of kids. But I'd never laugh at her. 🙂
I'm going to go meet her when we go back to order the stove. I hope she'll like me. I wonder if we could be friends.
You hope she'll like you? How could she NOT?
Jennie C., you and Davey have been through so much and are a beautiful witness the sacred covenant that's marriage. Your only flaw, as far as I can tell, is that you live too too far away. 🙁
Love this post! Sorry about the news. My kids are praying for twins for us, with my rapid aging. Because that would make it 8 for us. I'm open to anything God throws us.
Simeon has those same dinosaur jammies! Cutie pie.
My kids prayed for twins, too! I told "Cate" that if Francis had been twins, I would be homeschooling her through college!
This was awesome – I remember once going to the dollar store with several 'babies' in tow and asking for 10 pregnancy tests (they were behind the counter but only a buck) the guy looked like he was punched in the stomach. For me, I'd rather take a test and 'know' because your right if your overwhelmed with what you have, why not add a few more. Heck, I was overwhelmed with 1, glad I didn't stop!
Exactly. I was more overwhelmed with two than seven. It's just a different kind of crazy!
10 sounds good to me!
I love that Francis is using a toaster to see out the window! And some people use stools…so uncreative.
You'll be relieved to know that we weren't using the toaster at the time.
Your baby boy is just so cute..and naughty! That climbing stage is crazy!
Cute…and naughty. Exactly.
Love! This! Post!
That's 'cause you get it, Sarah! ; )
After our youngest I just knew that he was 'last'. I'd never had that feeling before. I am old, I am tapped out, marriage issues, all those obstacles my heart has. And yet….I'd sigh, too if the result was negative. Love those babies!!
We've had marriage issues too, Lou, but these babies are like glue.
Gosh, that's fairly rhyme-y, huh?
we are done at 10 and it surprised me at first at just how sad it makes me. Very few people understand. 10 babies, 42 years old and you are SAD? You should be counting the days until no more diapers…no more horrid pregnancies…..doesn't matter. I look at my little guy (18) months and still can't believe he is it. And yes, there is 0% chance of anymore. Prostate cancer took care of that for us.
Prayers for you, anonymous. I know what you mean about people not understanding. Just know that there are others just like you out there who do get it. So, so sorry that happened to you and your dh. I know your little one must be very loved.
I would look at prostate cancer as God saying, "This is My will." Yet, I know my own heart has broken at some of His "no's."
You have 10? That's beautiful!
Oh I am with you! I bought a tests this month too. Nope. And with finances the way they are it is probably for the best, but… baby. Sigh.
Love the toaster pic! So many of the photos in my house are blurry because I have to catch them when I can too!
I know. Babies are swoony and NOT "to be afforded." The pros are too many to reduce it to just finances.
Margaret, I love your heart! I rarely comment, but have been reading your blog faithfully for years. I want another baby or two so very badly, it just hurts sometimes. My current littlest is nearly 18 mos, born when I was 41. I have wanted to ask for a long time….do you have any advice for those of us over 40 (-I will be 43 in Feb) on how to maximize our chances? Other than the obvious, lol…. 😉 I will keep your intentions in my prayers.
I'm not the best one to ask about family planning, Robin, 'cause we pretty much stink at NFP! Plus, hello? Husband leaves job and loses insurance, then BOOM, we conceive #7?! God's will has no why, that's for sure. I would just keep lovin' up your husband and trusting in God–trust, trust, TRUST, and take heart in the fact that I'm 47. : )
Oh, and talk to your doctor about it, too.
I was one of 9 and LOVED it! I always wanted 10. As long as I cold remember. I was so excited to have my last one that I've been staying away from the mourning and enjoying every single day with her.
That's a big part of the "letting go" process, Patty–loving every moment, and knowing that when they're grown, (please God) there will be grandkids.
Margaret! Margaret!!!! Are we on the same trajectory or what?!?! My baby boy, my #7, turns 10 months tomorrow, and I was just thinking of purchasing myself the same little product from target last week, but I thought, "eh, Imma hold off til payday because whatever." (see how brilliant I am in my mind?!) Anyway, I never made it back to target, but turns out that the arrival of a certain something let me know that I didn't need that test after all.
Yep. Definitely the same crazy/wonderful trajectory.
I love this post! I love teenagers and always love a story with them in it. And I love babies too. My baby just turned 1 last week and I will be 41 very soon. I certainly hope he isn't our last (we started late and have 3 total) but will take what we get. 🙂
I love teenagers too, Stephanie!
I love this post. You are my inspiration when it comes to being open to life. I am ten years younger than you and 'only' have five kids and I'm trying to use the 'too old, too busy' rationale when discerning family size… and then I read this post and those reasons don't seem to hold as much weight. (Not trying to call you old!) You. Are. Awesome. Oh, and I meant to tell you if you notice a drop in comments from what you used to get, I think it's due to mobile devices. My darn phone is so picky about commenting on blogs. I will start typing and then it just won't let me type anymore. So, I'm reading…just not commenting much. 🙂
Family size is certainly an area for discernment, Jill. Or in my case, for keeping one's fingers crossed, looking up always, and trusting 'til I bust!
Large families fascinate me. I don't have an opinion on whether people should have lots or no children. What matters most is that the children are loved and cared for and nurtured into decent human beings who will carry on this world. I am one of 5 girls born to my parents.
I'm 49 and had 2 gorgeous girls, now nearly 23 and just turned 20 years old today – no more teenagers and I escaped with no grey hairs! Honestly, they were no trouble and have grown into beautiful women, one finished Uni and has been working nearly 2 years in a great job and the younger one in her second year of a Bachelor of Nursing degree (with Midwifery to follow). I am blessed.
I have loved reading all the comments here. Margaret, if you are looking for #8, I hope you get it – you are an awesome mama!
Cheers – Joolz xx
Thank you, Joolz. XX
Aww, your little guy is adorable – and yes, very creative with that toaster!! (His smile is perfect in that picture, he KNOWS how smart he is.) Your kids are very blessed to have such a great Mom.
Right back at you, Miss Betsy M! I'm praying for you and your beautiful baby-on-the-way!
I was thinking of you yesterday Margaret when some kind stranger asked me if I was my 12-month old's GRANDMOTHER. My oldest son (16 yrs.) was with me too. I have 10 and though it's almost as hard as having 7 or 2 kids (those numbers were the hardest for me) it just keeps getting better. My teenagers (3 of them) are so Awesome. I want to be like them when I grow up! I am 41 and so grateful to your example of openness to life. Your blog is such a blessing. I always think a lousy one line comment is inadequate. I want to tell you long stories and have this deep connection- so I do nothing. Not even a one line comment. But you are appreciated!!! Anonymous just because my kids need me and I have some password or ID that I haven't used in ages and can't remember and am sneaking in time on this when I'm supposed to be serving lunch. 17 minutes late for the Angelus and counting….
Now you've got me curious! I'm wondering, who do I know that's got 10 kids? : )