K is for Kids

K is for Kids.  I have 8 of them.  Why do I have so many, you ask?  Well, the short answer is that I was raised an only child and rebelled.  ;)

taken autumn 2003

The long answer is that it's my calling.  It's who I am and what I do.  When I was a little girl and people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I used to say, "I want to be a housewife and have 6 kids!"  It embarrassed the heck out of my mother, who worked.  She used to tell me to tell people I wanted to be a teacher or a doctor.  Something important.

summer 2003

I've known from an early age that I wanted a big family because growing up an only child was lonely.

So when Paul and I were dating, I told him I wanted 6 kids.  He agreed to 6 kids.

Count the picture above carefully.  See the belly?  Whoops.

Baby Jack, April 2004

But not really whoops, in the long run.  I adore our surprise #7.

Jack, June 2011

No matter how adorable he was, 7 kids in 10 years of marriage is a lot for anybody.  We decided we were done.  I think Paul was afraid we'd end up with 23 kids if things kept going at the same rate.

Easter 2006

As the kids got older, things got easier.  

They turned out to be quite a helpful bunch, actually.

Thanksgiving 2008

And when we were faced with the realization that they were growing up and would start leaving home soon, and we had the chaos fairly under control for the most part, we decided that we'd be up for a couple more.  

2009

After mounds of paperwork and 2 years time, we found ourselves in China adopting.  

November 2010

And the following summer, when Zachary came home on leave from the Air Force to visit, we finally got pictures of the whole family together!  

I love my kids.  They make me laugh.  They inspire me to be a better person.  There's nothing I'd rather be doing than being their mom.