Packing for 9 children, myself and a household might seem a little much.
And it is. If I ever go down the path of-- maybe we should leave so and so with... my heart immediately stops me.
My husband and I decided long ago that 'no one gets left behind'. Yes, we have occasional date nights, but if we're going anywhere for more than an hour or two-- "Get everyone ready. We 're all going out for a bit."
The running theme in our home is that 'we do things as a family'.
One day my children will be all grown up and my husband and I will go many places-- just the two of us, but for now, I have 9 children and we do things together.
My children look forward to our Summer trips and I couldn't imagine leaving someone behind to make it easier on me or Chris.
That even goes for our annual Disneyland trips.
Everyone from our newborn on up goes along-- and enjoys the experience. That is just the way our family does things.
And with pre-planned, organized packing and trip planning, it is much easier than someone might think. Everyone participates in that too.
And right now---everyone is so excited to go to Bible conference and see all the cousins!
8 comments:
That is how we do things too. Always. :) I would have it no other way.
I'm glad you take advantage of the privilege. It is a beautiful lifestyle that is simply not a reality for our family. Some families, like ours, do not have that option because of special needs children. There have been many times when we have all experienced the heartache of missing out on family time because of chronic illness. Whether it be long wearying hospital admissions, or physical inability, it doesn't ease the strain. We even fought our medical team for months because a particular ailment was keeping one of our children housebound--and they refused to change the fixable problem in a timely manner. It was a very difficult time in our lives, simply because we couldn't do anything as a family--especially church, which is our life.
I hope everyone is mindful that sometimes those who DON'T go out together, simply CAN'T. It is not a reflection on their willingness....I know this lesson all too well :(
Kelly-
I really do feel for you and your family's situation. My post wasn't to tell others they were wrong--just to express what 'we' do. I'm sorry if you took it that way.
I TOTALLY agree with you... too many people treat their children like burdens instead of like gifts from God. I take my children everywhere too... (but then I only have two. I can't IMAGINE nine...)
I only have three children, but we do the same thing. A couple of years ago, a friend of mine was in disbelief that we took our children with us on our daytrip for our anniversary. :) We didn't have children to leave them behind!
Your children are so cute.
AMEN! I remember when our oldest had gone for a year to travel with missionaries, we were all lined up to go to the library. We all sort of stopped at the door and looked around - we felt lost. Someone said what we were all thinking, "We just don't have enough children!"
Thanks for linking up this sweet post today!
wow! that's amazing. we just have one and it's hard to get out the door. but i can totally understand why you make that choice. it is for real that they'll all be gone with their own spouses one day and you might be lonely. a friend of mine said recently (after finding out about her slightly surprising fifth pregnancY), "i feel like i'm never going to be alone again!!" and our share group leader said to her (after raising 7 children and having five of them in college or married) , "oh you will be, don't worry!" it really struck me how true this is.
i'm here from jami's blog and am a new follower. i can't wait until my family looks like yours. i'm expecting my 2nd right now but in reality, i can't wait for a few years from now when we'll be expecting a much higher number. i've always craved a large family.
xo esther
lovinglythrown.com
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