Inspired

I've not been in a good place the past day or so. Stress or pregnancy emotions, whatever...anyway, the Lord has such an awesome way of snapping me out of my funk. I've was reading some blogs that I follow and was inspired by one to do this...

26 Reasons Why I Love My Big Family

A: Abundance

of kisses, hugs, laughter, tears, joy, faith, happiness, giggles, smiles, noise, messes, LOVE.

B: Boys

4 sons and 1 one on the way, the Lord has given my husband and I a heritage, a beautiful legacy that if done right will glorify Him in the lives of 5 godly men.

C: Chris

my husband, my best friend and my rock. I can always collapse in his strength when I need too and I never question his unfaltering love and support of me and his kids.

D: daughter

He gave me 1 out of 6. She must be very special....

E: enough

no matter what is happening around me, my kids, my husband, my Jesus is enough...

F: Family

there is nothing like coming home...

G: Grace

grace is something given that is not deserved, 6 times over He's given me gifts that I do not deserve. My goal in life is that my kids reflect His grace in their lives.

H: Harmony

there is something about the chaos, that if you step back there is an unspoken harmony that this is the way it's supposed to be.

I: Impulsively

anyone who knows me, knows I'm a planner, but having a big family, a lot of kids, brings out impulsively in me that I would otherwise NEVER do, even in the small things, they force me to stop and enjoy the moment that I would otherwise probably miss.

J: JESUS

I have 5 kids who love HIM....I get to see Him in 5 different little people, everyday.

K: Kisses

an abundance of them daily

L: Love

at it's purest, rawest form at times, but always unconditional and true.

M: Memories

everyday more are made, God I pray I don't ever take them for granted.

N: Namesake

all our kids are named biblically, it's fun to look at them and see if they're resembling that namesake.

O: Overwhelming

in every sense of the word in noise, messes, arguing, fighting, crying, yelling, but also, support, joy, laughter, jokes and love

P: Perfection...

so not...but we are being perfected daily in His love and seeing my kids grow in that is perfect.

Q: Quiet moments:

there are some and they are so treasured.

R: Rearing

as much as I teach my kids, the Lord is teaching me through them. Raising them to be Godly men and women of integrity is my up most, highest calling.

S: Simple

going back to the basics is always where I end up. It's the simplicity of life that having a big family usually forces you to. And I wouldn't trade that lesson for anything.

T: Tears

although today and tomorrows hold tears and hard times, I'm comforted in the fact that while I'm here on Earth they will be wiped away by someone who means the world to me.

U: Unwavering unity

when you have a big family you see who unified your kids are. My kids fight and tattle like all other kids do, but you take one out of the mix, it changes the dynamics completely. You discipline one and the others will rally around in defense of that one, it's truly amazing.

V: Very ________

you can fill in the blank there and pretty much anything will make sense...for example: very stressful, noisy, chaotic, messy, loving, humorous, expensive...pretty much anything will work there :-)

W: Welcoming

no matter what, no matter who, no matter where, my home is welcoming. I can always take a deep breath and know I'm home.

X: "X-cuse me"

one of my famous sayings with my kids when I hear them say something they shouldn't be. which by the way with a big family you hear a lot of.

Y: "yes, they're all mine"

I did borrow this one, but it's so true. It never fails that whenever I take my kids anywhere, besides church who already know they're all mine, I get asked, "are they all yours", "are there any twins", "how old were you when you started", I've even had a couple "are you mormon?" or the kicker "you know how that happens right?" I've learned to take in all in stride, I am proud of my kids and my big family and I think most people see that.

Z: Zealous

I am completely, fervently in love with my big family and at the end of the day I wouldn't change a thing. I am so honored and humbled that God loves me so much that He continues to give me these beautiful gifts.