The response from most people when telling them I'm having our sixth child,
is always with a very genuine and sincere smile...from them...and from me
however.......
It's kind of funny really...because obviously the people who don't "agree" with us having more than what they think we should have, are going to be those individuals, who don't mean harm, but an inevitable frown appears upon their face, with a similar statement such as
"did you...uh...plan this?"
No harm done......they just are concerned! as am I!! Almost everyone, unless they themselves have over the number of children I do (and trust me...I know A LOT of women who have had more than me!)
or are in the same mind frame as I....and open to life....will ask me next:
"how do you do it?"
well, I'm here to clarify..........and answer this question...........as simply as I can:
(these are in no particular order)
~keeping a clean home~
 |
| (picture credit: Jennifer Rizzo) |
~decorating + rearranging = happy mamma (without leaving the home!)~
(and really, that one could be tied in with "a clean home" because anytime I clean, I rearrange!!)
 | ||
| (photo credit: Jennifer Rizzo) |
~Enjoy your kitchen!!!!~
and....staying as close to the kitchen as possible........someday....SOMEDAY...I will have a comfy couch in the kitchen - or a daybed - I'm really not that picky
last but certainly never least...
~prayer~
both as a family and when it's just me in silent meditation of the mysteries of our faith
hope you are all having a great week!
All my best to those parent's grieving their children going back to school
(I know I certainly would miss mine!!)
xo+blessings,
Dear Anne Marie:
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful, life-affirming post today! I really enjoyed reading how you embrace and enjoy your life as a homemaker and mom. I also love the photos you used to share your thoughts. You're a breath of fresh air, my friend. I'm proud to be one of your blog friends/readers.
xoxo
Donna
Dear Anne Marie-
ReplyDeleteYou, once again, have touched your readers with a message so clear and direct, we are immediately blessed.
I appreciate your suggestions, and I began to think of ways to love my kitchen well-
Thank you,
Laura
White Spray Paint
Congratulations, I am third daughter of seven, yes 5 girls and 2 boys. We had such a wonderful childhood, always a playmate. And our mother well there is just no match to her incredible patience and sweetness. I myself had 1 daughter Breezy my sweet best friend now. I would have loved to have had more children but I just was not with the right person. But now since I had my daughter at a pretty young age, I'm young enough to relish in all the sweetness of grand-babies. Your home looks so inviting wish we were closer I would love to pop on over, sit in your kitchen and chat. Thanks for sharing your Happy News! oxox,Diane
ReplyDeleteAmen and well said!
ReplyDeleteAlthough we've never discussed it, I'm pretty sure we share the same faith and thoughts about life and being open to it in every circumstance.
I admire you so much, and wish you and your growing family every blessing!
That's just wonderful! I think I might be a wee bit envious! My 2 boys are at grandmas' for a bit of spoiling before school starts and my daughter is married. my house is so quiet and it makes me think of how fast the time goes and before you know it they are grown! Enjoy those little hands & feet.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. All children are a blessing. I remember the days when my flock of four went with me everywhere and I got those looks and questions. Of course I did get a lot of compliments on their good behavior and sweet dispositions. I loved every minute spent with them and am so thankful I was able to remain home and teach them. I miscarried two babies after my fourth and believe it or not my children all grieved. My oldest, 20 now, wants to get two cherub tattoos for his brother and sister whom are in heaven. Oh how that touches my heart.
ReplyDeleteHappiness is not a spotlessly clean house or buying new things but it is a close knit family and lots of affection. Welcome little one, and congratulations to your siblings and Mum and Dad who will be so happy to see you in due time.
ReplyDeleteCongratulation Anne Marie on your impending bundle of joy.. I think you deserve that day bed... Have a lovely week... xxx Julie
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for stopping by...gave me a chance to come over and "meet" you!!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on baby #6....can't wait to get to know you better out in blogland.....
Congratulations!!!!!! This is fantastic news :)
ReplyDeleteI am over the moon happy for you, Anne Marie!
ReplyDeleteYou may know...I am the youngest of 8 children, and ironically grew up a handful of miles from where you live. I cannot tell you how many times in my life I have been called an "oops"...its into the 1000s! (At 34 years old it still happens a few times a years!) So I can fully understand what you mean my the reaction people have to news of a growing large family.
My Mom & Dad had 7 children, then I came 9 years later when my Mom was 40 and my Dad was almost 43. I swear people have no idea how that sounds to a kid to be called a "mistake" or an "oops" but yet it happened all.the.time. I can only imagine how it must have been for my parents to hear it when they knew they had 8 children because that was God's plan. Their plan.
I loved every single minute of growing up in a large family. We all had or role, and it worked. I am sure for my parents it wasn't easy...but we never knew that. It just always seemed "right".
So happy for you...such wonderful news!
~mary~
Embrace your life! Congrats to you!
ReplyDeleteAnne Marie, you are so sweet, and what a wonderful mother you are....I feel like a part of your family every time I visit!!! Our homes, and kitchens seem very similar, if not in looks but in spirit and love!
ReplyDeleteI have nine siblings and we were all planned! I love the idea of you having many children!
Hugs,
Margaret B
I love big families, and would have many more kids if possible...so just smile and know it's Gods' will for YOUR life. And enjoy every minute of it. Your are sooo right, rearranging and cleaning go hand in hand (and makes mom happy:)
ReplyDeleteLove the photos--precious kids. Congratulations, and I hope the pregnancy is easy.
Blessings,
Becky C
Buckets of Burlap
Your life is filled with blessings...keep on counting them!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog! It is so peaceful and inspiring. Accepting and loving God's Will in our lives is always peaceful. He made every soul and living thing on earth so unique and beautiful. We all have different lives that compliment. Some are given few and some are given many, and together we make the world beautiful. So far He has given me nine blessings. Thanks for making the world beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIn London, when I was pregnant with my third, at a mature age and a long gap, only ONE of the other mothers was wholeheartedly happy for us - I was amazed at the reactions. He was conceived as a celebration of life and gratitude after an illness, and has been nothing but a blessing. I wish I had had more!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy all your beautiful babies~
Thank you for this touching post. Our daughter and son-in-law are planning, yes planning, on purpose for their 4th child. When she was expecting the 3rd she experienced the "concern" of others...I have emailed this to her and I'm sure she will be blessed by it as I was.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the wonderful new life that will soon be in your arms.
Anne Marie, you are blessed AND a blessing to all of us. Reading your thoughts on life and motherhood is an inspiration for all of us. What other's might think is inconsequential in God's good plan for our lives. Hugs and blessings as you enjoy your life and family! Thanks for being YOU!
ReplyDeletexo,
Debra
Yahooo....each child is a blessing and brings so much JOY! I am so happy for you all.
ReplyDeleteSending you lots of love. xoxoxo
Hello Anne Marie,
ReplyDeleteI love all of the photographs of your home and sweet little kids.... And everything you said is so true!
I am so excited for you.... Congratulations!!!!!
Love,
Maria
P.S. I have been asked when I am in public a number of times with all five of my kids (which is all the time) if they are all from the same father???? I used to get offended by that one....
well said you! i wanted a sofa but instead got a comfy chair and ottoman...good decision...good. you must have one...you'll be surprised just how many kiddies and animals crawl up in it with you!
ReplyDeletewell certainly prayer is the most important part! I think that a cozy couch in a kitchen is the coolest thing ever!! My friend has a large kitchen with a couch in in and a long farm table and i feel like I could sit in there forever. Congratulations on 6 beautiful gifts from God!
ReplyDeleteOH MY GOSH.......can I just say I am bursting with joy this morning seeing all of your LOVELY comments!! YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST! I'm overflowing with love right now....for you and for life........thank you!
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove it love it love it love it!!!
When your heart is turned towards home... when you do what you are designed to do, sure there are rough days... but as you show us every day... it can be done.
i think you're awesome!
ReplyDeletei'm sure you get some crazy looks & questions...i get it and i only have FOUR!
i love this post
i love your list
i love your kitchen
mwah!
I love your blog! I just found out I am pregnant with our second but I am hoping in due time we will have six - so reading your blog gives me hope and encouragement that it can indeed be done!
ReplyDeleteSo happy to have heard that you are expecting your 6th. And there was not a shred of concern from this end when I heard. You seem to be a more than capable, loving mother and if any one has the ability to raise 6 beautiful children (or more!) it would be someone like you.
ReplyDeleteYour home is absolutely a dream. So gorgeous.
I could never understand when all the other Mother's I knew could not wait to send their kids off to school. I almost couldn't bear the start of another year and knowing what I would miss in their lives as they were gone six hours a day. I volunteered one full day a week in each classroom to help me as much as their teachers. I was, and am, happiest at home with my kids in my kitchen or den.
ReplyDeleteWonderful news for you and your family.
Suzan
your home looks like a very comfortable and happy place to be.
ReplyDeleteyour kids must love it there....
beautiful post.
You've made such a warm and happy home why wouldn't you want to have more children when you can share so much with them.
ReplyDeleteYou are superwoman of the prairie Anne Marie.
I just love sitting on the sidelines watching you do your thing!!!
xxx
C
We had 3 biological, then regretted not having more and adopted a 1 year old through the state. God's put a love of babies in my heart, so I foster 2. Like you, I LOVE being home, especially in the kitchen. God bless you as you carry this precious life inside you!
ReplyDeleteDear Anne Marie, I am so happy for you and admire you so very much. I'll never understand those who don't appreciate children and the love and happiness they bring to a family. Now that my nest is nearly empty, I look back on the years of raising my children as the happiest and most fulfilling time of my life. God has a plan for all of us, and raising, loving and nuturing children is the most important job and biggest blessing. Bless you Anne Marie and your beautiful family. I am in awe of all you do, and the grace you share. Love, Penny
ReplyDeleteDear Anne Marie!
ReplyDeleteFirst off, Congratulations! I am so very happy for you. The gift of life and motherhood is something to be cherished. I know you do for sure! Many blessings to you and your husband and 5 children.
Second, it is so wonderful the way that God works. I haven't had an opportunity to blog or visit in quite some time, and yet today, I made the time and felt compelled to drop in and pay you a visit. How ironic that today, my 41st birthday and Baby Luke's 4-week old birthday, I should come to read this post.
Finally, thank you so much for your sweet comment a few weeks ago. I know that you said you had lost my email address and that you were just checking in. I'm not sure if I had delivered baby boy yet or was just about to, but I am alive and doing well. Just learning to juggle and LOVE parenting multiple children...that is more than two!
God is so good, Anne Marie. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers in the coming months ahead!
Blessings,
Valerie
this is so nice...you inspire me. i can't think of anything better than a home full of precious little faces calling me mama! family is the most important thing in life....i love seeing mother's like you that believe in that too. i also love that faith & prayer is such an important part of your everyday life....
ReplyDeletexo.
k
Thank you for visiting my little blog...Wading in the Sea. After going through your lovely blog and reading about your family life i can certainly tell you that you would thrive here on Vancouver Island!
ReplyDeleteThe Cowichan Valley has many organic farms and horse ranches. The climate is easy and the pace is laid back. My husband was born and raised here and talked me into moving back. Our son is thriving here because he loves the climate and is very much into the arts. The arts is big here. Music , theatre you name it. Alot of first nations people also reside here. Lots of culture.
This island is known as Canada's paradise!
Congratulations on having a sixth child. How wonderful. My own father came from a family of seven and because of that i have over 39 cousins!
Sadly i have only been blessed with one...but God knows whats best.
Pamela xo
Congrats to you! Very exciting! I only have three and some question me, only we know what is right for our family! I love every minute of it (almost) and can't wait for my gradchildren, years away! Thanks for your visit today!
ReplyDeleteXOXO
Kristin
Beautiful and touching post! Congrats to you and wishing your family the very best!!!
ReplyDeleteI miss my children terribly... school started this week and it's been soooooooooooooo hard,
xo,
LuLu
We all know you are crazy. but we love you any way. ;) The world needs more nada farm babies and you are such a good Mommy! I say go for it! :)
ReplyDeleteOh what a precious post. I soooooo enjoyed being with my children all of their life! I love it that you love having babies and children also. How wonderful!!!! I have children out of the home married and 9 granchildren and two daughters still in the home. One of our girls graduated this last year and the other daughter has two more years to go, but they want to stay with until the Lord gives them husbands. Our family has farmed for over 35 years and this last year we had to divide the farm out to my husbands siblings. Grandpa died. That meant we needed employment. We begged the Lord to keep us together. He did. He is just like that. We are all working at a Christian college 10 minutes from our farm. It is not what this momma wanted to do, but we so did not want our family split. I have a big kitchen to work in at the school. The girls and I are the bakers and my honey does the cooking and serving. It is the best of both worlds for now. We wish we could have farmed, but that was impossible as we know it now. Still asking the Lord what He wants us to do with the land we inherited. I so enjoyed your lovely pictures. We know how blessed you are...........we have walked it.........and the rewards from the Lord..........are such a precious gift. So thankful you are getting to enjoy it all! Mmmmmm getting to hold another little one.......I remember......I would still have more.......but at 59 I can't........miss it! Enjoy.......and delight yourself.........it goes oh so quickly.
ReplyDeleteSorry this is so long! smile
Blessings, Linda
Prairie Flower Farm
ANN MARIE!!!! AHHHHHH CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! You will do it....you have come this far, and you are a pro!!! AND YOU sweet person you....you come to see my posts? I WOULD HAVE NEVER KNOWN! Thank you for leaving a word this time, it is always nice to know who visits! TAKE CARE, ENJOY, and keep your tremendous faith...that is really all we have!!! You surprised me so! Hey, say YO to Savvy City Farmer woman for me! I have a hard time getting into her blog!
ReplyDeleteAnita
Ann Marie, what a beautiful and heartfelt post. Congratulations to you and your sweet family! Wish there were more like you in our world, you are awesome woman!
ReplyDeleteTake good care.
Nancy
People need to
ReplyDeletekeep those kinds
of questions to
themselves....
I used to get
questions about
why we "only had
one...." which
made me very sad,
because we wanted
a whole flock! We
ended up with two,
as that was God's
intent for us.
Love your kitchen;
I'd be in there
ALL the time, I
think!!
xx Suzanne
PS: Congrats, again : )
Hello Anne Marie,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely, LOVELY post!!! I just love the fact that you have another blessing on the way!!! I must say I do envy you a bit, I wish we had more children, but it was not in God's plans for us. Nevertheless, I am blessed with the two that I have~ Mercy & Grace I call them!! And I will forever be grateful!! Your family is such a blessing~So happy to see that it is growing!
Love Carissa
It doesn't matter what other people think, Anne Marie. All that matters is what makes you and your husband happy. How can anybody be anything but happy for you and your growing family? You're both obviously loving parents and provide all that a child could need or want... most importantly love and nurture.
ReplyDeleteI love to get glimpses into your beautiful home, Anne Marie. Your kitchen is the most warm, inviting, and charming country farmhouse kitchen I've ever seen. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE everything about it... beautiful!!
I wish you and your growing family all the very best!
Hugs,
Jo :)
I have 3 precious ones. My best friend has 11! I am such a HUGE fan of big families. YOU GO GIRL! Have as many as the Lord allows and as many as you want. I will always be a supporter!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! As the mom of 4 unplanned(!)children it was my experience that 3 is the backbreaker--after that, you can pretty much keep havin' em. I'm generally for lower population, but women like you should have as many as you can because you love mothering and nurturing so much. And, YOU have a lovely family that touches my heart when I see the photos. Allegra
ReplyDeleteMy babies are age 31 and 38.
ReplyDeleteNow my reward for having children
and raising them to adult hood
are being a Grandma to my
beautiful grandbabies.
We only had 2 babies because I
have to have C-sections.
Wishing you excellent health for
you and yours.
Pamela
Ohio
I am 43 and pregnant with my 7th...due in 3 weeks.....Iknow what you mean about negative comments..most people just don't get it....
ReplyDeletecongratulations! I really believe that we KNOW when we're done--and God had different family plans for different people. But I do wonder how you do it! You amaze me!
ReplyDeleteyou are very blessed and so are your children. and you know what, so am i, because i know you. i am proud to call you my friend. God bless your beautiful, growing family!!
ReplyDeleteAnne Marie~
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to read so many life-affirming comments! What a beautiful post and congratulations to you and your family. My husband and I are from large families and we fell blessed because of it. We welcomed our 6th child just 2 yrs ago both at the age of 41. Our oldest was 19 when Cecilia was born. I think the oddest comment I received was the one about, "Do they all have the same father?"
I would love to visit your farm at your next event. I own a vintage shop in central Iowa...and it's been a banner year...yeah! I am looking forward to the reveal of "Bridgette" tomorrow. Thank you for this most blessed post!
Brenda
A man that I was engaged to who passed away 18 years ago came from a huge family. 15 brothers and sisters! And all of them grown with children and some of them had grandchildren. What family outings we all had! It was wonderful being surrounded by the love of so many folks! I truly loved every moment spent with him and his family. God bless you and your family!
ReplyDeleteI am 44, and my 7th baby just celebrated his first birthday this past Saturday.
ReplyDeleteIf I had a nickel for every time someone has asked my husband and I if "we are finished now", I'd be rich.
In all honesty, this large family was not our original plan. But I thank God every day that He opened our hearts to His plan, and that we are surrounded by this wonderful, crazy, creative family life. I feel blessed to be living the best years of my life for over 25 years now...
So glad I found your blog today, and I soooo wish I lived closer, so that I could enjoy those amazing barn sales!!! OOOooo La La!!!