tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33682292.post2642310820045447157..comments2024-01-30T06:19:10.591-07:00Comments on The Adventures of Melody Yellowvan: So, since Anda let the cat out of the bag anyway (unintentionally)....Becca Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04177698452364502845noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33682292.post-85649611794544147582010-04-15T17:03:28.400-06:002010-04-15T17:03:28.400-06:00Would it make you feel better to know that in my n...Would it make you feel better to know that in my neighborhood, my family is considered odd because we <i>don't</i> have six children? People say the most foolish things. Although, I've always been fond of Bill Cosby's famous comeback: "My wife and I have five children because we didn't want six." Congratulations on having a new little one -- I hope your pregnancy goes well.Brookehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06949700159593843060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33682292.post-57461257103646818602010-04-12T10:20:06.603-06:002010-04-12T10:20:06.603-06:00Love you and all your thinking!! You're awesom...Love you and all your thinking!! You're awesome!<br /><br />As for whether LDS and/or Utah also give strange looks for lots of kids (meaning more than 4) . . . ABSOLUTELY! YES! And they say the same things, "I don't know how you do it. I couldn't do that."<br /><br />My thought is usually that I don't think they know what they are truly capable of. That's one of the secrets of being a mother of lots of children. That's one of the secrets of being a woman.<br /><br />Another is like you said, they play a lot together and so it takes more time off, truly. <br /><br />Also, they help each other which has two great benefits; they learn to serve and pitch in and it lowers your work (somewhat, but who are we kidding?). <br /><br />Also, like my sister-in-law always says; one takes all my time, five take all my time. <br /><br />Lastly, about having lots of kids. Like you say, the culture of big family is wonderful! And I figure it this way; I may not be a perfect mom, but I'm a pretty good one. The more children I can bring into my home, the fewer end up abused on the street in New York or in a hut in a war-torn country. If I can raise 7 with 80% happiness and success or 3 with 100% happiness and success (however you are going to define those words), and be happy myself and not a crazy, grumpy, mom, I'm going to do it! After all, when we talk about exaltation and eternity, what are we going to be doing there? Has anyone ever really considered? Think on it. We say we believe we are going to have numerous posterity. So, I figure if God loves me and wants the best for me, and I know He's perfect and can't lie, than being a mother (as His prophets have also said) is the best and happiest, most fulfilling thing for me! Better learn to love it now!<br /><br />Just a few thoughts. I loved the discussion here . . .<br /><br />By the way, depending on their background and receptiveness and the time and situation, when people ask me about all my kids, I give them any combination, or even all of the above.<br /><br />I even heard of one GA (not Georgia) family (can't remember who), who used to be approached with these questions and one time it came in the form of, "What are you trying to do, multiply and replenish the whole earth all by yourself?" Do you know the answer this witty woman gave? "I can't think of anyone better to do it!" Love it.<br /><br />That about sums it up for me.<br /><br />Congratulations!! What a wonderful thing! I truly am so happy for you and wish you an as-sick-free-as-possible pregnancy!<br /><br />P.S. Sorry if my use of commas is all a hash, it's something I've always wondered about. I tend to use them more how I hear them in my head, conversationally where I would want pauses, etc. Not sure if I'm using them correctly. Input?<br /><br />Thanks for being who you are and for your good example to all of us. You really are a marvel and a wonder (no hyperbole).morelightthanburdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00797491093201509262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33682292.post-69205586208088858742010-04-11T23:54:01.611-06:002010-04-11T23:54:01.611-06:00Oh, and how far along? 5 weeks officially. But I h...Oh, and how far along? 5 weeks officially. But I have this inkling that things didn't line up traditionally and we are 5 weeks along with a 4-5 week old embryo instead of a 3 week old embryo. Just a hunch.<br /><br />We told the kids the day we found out. They'd been talking about "when you have the next baby in your tummy" for about 3 months already, so they were excited but not surprised. We did think they'd wait a month or two before it became public, but not so much.Becca Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04177698452364502845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33682292.post-66788685638418249442010-04-11T23:12:58.050-06:002010-04-11T23:12:58.050-06:00Kimberly,
It continually surprises me how much ali...Kimberly,<br />It continually surprises me how much alike we are! (Oh, btw, didn't you LOVE "Fat Tony"?)<br /><br />Homeschooling: I'm not organized either. So we do school really relaxedly (is that a word?). Also I'm NOT a morning person. We usually start lessons after dinner and finish before bed. It works for us.<br /><br />It has surprised us both that, while we expect our neighbors here in Colorado to be surprised, members of the Church and also friends and relatives in Utah are surprised. And that surprised US! I guess 6+ kids isn't even common for LDS families anymore. ;)Becca Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04177698452364502845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33682292.post-35935506080219258742010-04-11T22:42:33.628-06:002010-04-11T22:42:33.628-06:00Need to vent much? ; )
But I do really get where...Need to vent much? ; )<br /><br />But I do really get where you're coming from. I laughed out loud about the reactions you get from people depending on which kid it is (#1, 2, 3, etc). Especially out in CA. I didn't think you'd get that response as much in Utah where there are a lot of big families.<br /><br />And my comment on fb was not to say, "How do you do it, are you crazy?" but more impressed that there are people out there who can handle having more kids (which is awesome). I can be genuinely happy for others and still wonder if it's something I am capable of doing.<br /><br />A lot of things I agree with you word for word, like that we've talked about how many kids we want, but really we take them one at a time and plan them based on inspiration and gut.<br /><br />The homeschooling comment really made me think. It's very possible that it would be easier to homeschool than get them all off to school and then supervise that darn homework. But I know about me that I'm not an organized person, and there would end up being huge gaps in my kids' learning, plus I'm not a morning person so my kids would play video games for half the morning, waiting for me to wake up to start some schooling. So I admire those who homeschool and say kudos to them, and also am ok that I don't.<br /><br />Anyway, I love how your post starts, and so many things in it. Like how it's hard to be trying for a baby even when you have some kiddos already, and even though those 5 months for you are a drop in the bucket for some folks who try for years. It doesn't take away the want for you with your experience. It took us over a year to concieve Carter.<br /><br />AND, I get tons of questions like you do, about if we want more, if we're done, if we'll try for a girl, if we want a boy or a girl, yada yada. I think a lot of people are just trying to show interest, but it gets old when you get asked the same questions over and over every day.<br /><br />Oh, and you didn't answer the only question that I have! After all your answers! Even though I could do the math for a December baby for roughly how far along you are, as of today how many weeks are you? And, how far along were you when you told your kids? Our kids were THRILLED when we told them I was pregnant with Carter. It was a very special morning. And then Nathan went to church and told everyone in primary that day. So keeping it mum didn't last too long. : )<br /><br />And living in CA definitely gets me LOTS of questions, since a lot of families have 2 kids, 3 kids tops.<br /><br />And.... I start a lot of sentences with "and." I guess I should stop babbling. : )Kimboolyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02224586480718419499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33682292.post-75759952303983282402010-04-11T22:00:43.596-06:002010-04-11T22:00:43.596-06:00Deborah--you're the same kind of feminist I am...Deborah--you're the same kind of feminist I am. I don't usually self-identify as a feminist because in the places I've lived, it has a specific, political meaning (even among the feminists!) that I don't agree with.<br /><br />But I am TOTALLY with you. Every woman should be allowed to choose what is best for her family. Amen to That!Becca Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04177698452364502845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33682292.post-19593276371723113912010-04-11T21:34:13.684-06:002010-04-11T21:34:13.684-06:00Becca,
Congratulations! I'm glad you are hap...Becca, <br /><br />Congratulations! I'm glad you are happy. I wanted you to know that I am a feminist and admit it freely. For many of us, the issue is choice. Women have options now that they never had before, and that is a good thing. They have the choice to work. They also have the choice to stay home (well, some do - some can't afford it), and that should be equally acceptable. Women have been burdened too long with all sorts of limiting rules, prescriptions, and expectations that hamper their ability to follow their own path. That is what feminism is all about for me. Condemning women for their choices (as long as they are freely made) is not the point - we should celebrate their ability to choose. <br /><br />I also don't believe it is an issue of work vs. baby. I have both, and love my life. I do not bow to societal expectations in the way I do things - I set my own priorities an do what I think is right. The issue is not all or nothing, black or white. I did not choose a career OVER my children. Many women (and feminists) want both, not just career, and another of the goals of feminism is to make that choice more viable for women since employment is often still not structured to accommodate family. That, in my opinion, is perfectly acceptable - there is nothing wrong with a woman wanting to be fulfilled in a career and as a mother at the same time. It doesn't work that way for everyone - but that's the point - everyone is different and should be allowed to decide what is right for them. <br /><br />In the end everyone has to do what they feel is best for their family and let others do the same. I have received plenty of condemnation for my own choices, but from the opposite camp as what you've probably experienced. I have been told outright I was a bad mother for not staying home, but it doesn't bother me because I simply know it's wrong. <br /><br />It's the judging of the life choices of women - from both sides - that really needs to stop. <br /><br />Good luck with your pregnancy - I hope it all goes smoothly and that you are all very happy. <br /><br />DeborahUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14550617496110709224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33682292.post-10269943089659774042010-04-11T21:12:39.758-06:002010-04-11T21:12:39.758-06:00Melody, I found your blog the other day (I don'...Melody, I found your blog the other day (I don't remember how....) and I was delighted. You're a really good writer, so I really have enjoyed reading what you've written.<br /><br />How come I'm not surprised Casey wants six kids? It seems so in character for him! I'm interested to see what happens, too!Becca Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04177698452364502845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33682292.post-19465825764095098832010-04-11T21:10:48.519-06:002010-04-11T21:10:48.519-06:00Hey I didn't know you had a blog? I'll fol...Hey I didn't know you had a blog? I'll follow you! i'm on here too. I'm still fairly new though. Oh and I also like your explanations on having your 6th. I never even thought about all those things. Lol, Casey wants 6 (he even said it while we were dating) but I wonder once I get into it what that number will actually be.... well, congratulations with it all! Very exciting.....caseyandmelodyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13901995933867560371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33682292.post-17872906873068411282010-04-11T21:09:45.363-06:002010-04-11T21:09:45.363-06:00Thanks, all!
Lisa, we're kind of eclectic. So...Thanks, all!<br /><br />Lisa, we're kind of eclectic. Some days we unschool. Most days I manage to get everyone to do a couple days' worth of lessons on http://theheadoftheclass.com (we're anxious for their upper elementary and middle school lessons, though!).<br /><br />We also use lessons I write myself and post on my other blog, http://learninglynx.blogspot.com. I also collect resources for homeschool families/parents and post them there. So there's a LOT to dig through. I recommend using the index!<br /><br />Are you homeschooling?Becca Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04177698452364502845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33682292.post-11016262701294790382010-04-11T21:05:01.963-06:002010-04-11T21:05:01.963-06:00I read your post aloud to my husband. That's a...I read your post aloud to my husband. That's a lot of sense all at once, and I appreciated reading it. Thanks!Becca Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08018431127500583485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33682292.post-55715569129755877642010-04-11T21:05:01.964-06:002010-04-11T21:05:01.964-06:00Congratulations. That was a great blog post! Wha...Congratulations. That was a great blog post! What homeschooling method do you use - or do you have your own? Tell Tim hello and well, happy pregnancy to you both!Lisa Luhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10006016085264497629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33682292.post-9138351499445742010-04-11T20:29:27.397-06:002010-04-11T20:29:27.397-06:00Congrats to you, Tim and the kids!Congrats to you, Tim and the kids!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00533620274068635194noreply@blogger.com