How many children do you have?/Is that how many you imagined having?

Even when my hubby and I were dating, we always said we wanted 2, one boy and one girl. Well, we got it right! We’ve got a 7yo son and a 5 1/2 yo daughter. When dd was about 2, I began feeling like something was missing. I have a strong, almost urgent, desire to adopt and have had for over three years now. My husband does not desire this, so we have left it at that. I still feel I’m missing a child out there somewhere, but I have been able to lay down my dream of adopting at the foot of the Cross. 

So, no I never thought I’d have more than two, but my desires have changed. I don’t think I’d ever want as many as some of you have. God knows who can handle six or seven kids and who can’t! That’s probably why we stopped at two! ha!

I, like a few other ladies, wanted neither a husband nor children, but the Lord is good isn’t He?  When He brought me my husband, I was relieved he didn’t want children either, that was an easy premarital counseling session!  God changed our hearts and showed us what a blessing they truly are.  We currently have 5 children, 6.5 and under, and I long for more:)  With each baby I don’t feel I can handle another, then the Lord brings me to a place where I feel like I can with his grace.  Interesting and fun responses from all of you, thanks! 

Adrienne

I never wanted to marry or have children when I was a teen, but that changed when I met my husband at 19 and came to know the Lord. Immediately, I had a desire for a family, but didn’t have a set number in mind. We talked about having 2 – 6, but it took five years before we were blessed with dd10.

I had some difficulties getting pregnant and really became consumed with the idea of becoming a mother. After some minor infertility treatments, I became pregnant, but miscarried at 10 weeks. I was devastated, but the Lord is so merciful. I realized that He had placed a gift in my hands and I had closed my hands to Him, saying this baby is mine. Though a difficult lesson, I’m so thankful to have learned that children are a blessing that He gives and that I need to hold them in my hands, open to the Lord, always! After this experience, we decided that perhaps the Lord didn’t intend for us to become parents and we devoted ourselves to other things, including mission work. Wouldn’t you know it, 2.5 years later, without any assistance, our dd was born. She was followed by three more blessings – ds7, dd3.5, ds15 months. 

So, we have four and we’re finished. Four 10 lb.+ babies and four c-sections were all my body could handle! I hope to have dozens of grands someday, though!

Christie

I have 4 kids ranging from 11 to 18months. My husband and I never thought we would have over one or two, but God opened our hearts to the blessing of more…even through all c sections! 🙂

With each child comes more blessing, it is amazing how my love has grown more and more with each one. God’s grace has brought so much joy to us through children. Hard work? Yip! But sooooo worth it! 🙂

Blessings to your family!

Fun thread!

Well, i was 19 when i got pregnant with my oldest; i was not a believer at the time.  my boyfriend (now husband) was not a believer either.  we were sophomores in college.  we knew we wanted to marry, so aborting was not an option.  we had our beautiful daughter, i finished my education, and my hubby went to work (he’s finally finishing his degree now), and we were able to marry when our beautiful daughter was 3.5. (my parents wanted me to finish my education before i married dan.  we were living in their house, and they were helping us, so i had to comply.).  After we married, we immediately got pregnant again, and had our son.  then another daughter, two and half years after our son.  i had to ask my hubby for #3.  He wanted 2-3, i wanted 3-4.  3 was the compromise.  dan said he was done after #3.  but then we met the Lord, and became believers.  my heart just ached for more babies.  God changed his heart, and we decided on one more.  two and a half years after baby #3, came baby #4, our 2nd son.  dan was really really done.  he scheduled a vasectomy.  i was having like, panic attacks about it.  i told him i was not ok with it b/c we were only 31.  so he canceled.  but much to our surprise, God has a sense of humor.  we were being soooo careful, but God moved several mountains, and when our #4 was only 6.5 months old, just 3 weeks after the canceled appointment, we conceived #5, quite unbeknownst to us.  it was a really hard pregnancy, as i had severe varicosities in my legs, a nasty umbilical hernia, and separated abdominal muscles.  i was in so much pain!  so, at our midwives’ suggestions, we called it quits.  when baby #5 was 5 weeks old, dan went for the vasectomy.  i still wish we hadn’t done it, because i’d have just kept going…but my body sort of gave out.  it still really pains me sometimes – wondering if maybe we didn’t really pray it through, if we stepped out of God’s will and cut off His plan. our last two boys are only 16 mos apart, and it’s crazy!  but they really are best buddies already!

so, now to sum up, i have a DD 13yrs, DS 8.75yrs, DD 6.25yrs, DS 3.5yrs, & DS 2.25yrs.

Love to all!

Amy

MAMAWEB- Your feelings mirror mine in so many ways! Although I had to stop at 2, my health prevented me from having more and I struggle with the vasectomy decision also.

My husband and I both talked about children before we were married but never discusses how many. I got married at 18 and got pregnant with my first 10 months later. I had a very difficult pregnancy. I began having high bp, stayed extremely sick, had to be put on bed rest and she was delivered by csection 6 weeks early. She was born healthy but I had bleeding issues and had to remain in the hospital. When she was 4 we found out we were pregnant again. This time I had to be on bed rest at 5 months. This did not help at all. I eventually had toxcemia and my heart started doing all sorts of crazy things. He was delivered by emergency csection 2 months early. He spent a month in NICU with so many problems.

After meeting with my OB, he suggested no more….he said I would not make it through another. My husband said he did not want to raise our kids alone so he had a vasectomy. We were only 25 and 27! I struggled with the decision because the ache to have another every year or so is so painful. I wish I could have 6 or 7! For some reason that only He knows, God only meant for me to have my 2. I struggle with the fact that God has given some women the ability to carry so many but not me. I am trying to trust Him and know that He knows the reason. It’s just that feeling that you get, ya know? It’s unexplainable!

So, I have a DD8 and DS4!

We have been blessed with two beautiful boys.  I have always wanted to be married and have children.  My dear hubby only wants the two kids and will not adopt unless God showed him that he should.  So, although I would have liked more children I will praise the Lord for my two and leave it at that.  I am living out my dream anyways. 

Suzq

We have SE7EN. Ages 16 mos – 13 yrs, the oldest two are girls, youngest five are boys. And NO! … I never dreamed we’d be so blessed!