I took a quick, no-biggy glance at the pregnancy test on a Monday afternoon.
With a quick double take, my eyes went big when I saw there were two lines. We were pregnant with baby number six . . . and it wasn’t at all planned.
I mean, I was happy, but there were other factors that frazzled quickly through my mind. We were in the middle of self-induced, major house renovations. My husband had just started a new job six months prior after being laid off with a huge pay cut. My three boys were finally all in school, and I was daydreaming about the free afternoons with my one-year-old girl. I could take a nap. What a dream!
But all of that was about to change.
Still, out of everyone, I seemed to be the most excited with the news. In a world becoming less thrilled with children and a declining birth rate, describing us as “weird” would be an understatement. I felt that I was wearing a glowing neon sign that said Rachel the Reproducer.
I felt guilty that I was pregnant again when I knew my friends had struggled. I felt embarrassed to tell my family as I thought they would go on with how we couldn’t give them a lifestyle that was up with the times. We could provide for our family, but yes, it wasn’t an extravagant life. I felt judged that people thought my husband and I were being careless in our love life. I felt defeated that I had just started losing the baby weight from the last pregnancy—and here I was gaining more weight. I didn’t feel pretty.
And as my mind kept spinning, the Lord said in His soft voice, “Children are a blessing and a gift from the Lord (Psalm 127:3). Instead of focusing on what the world would say to you for expecting a baby in a bigger family and their expectations—what would you say to a mom in your shoes?”
Well, to a mom with a big family, I would say you are abundantly and truly blessed. Don’t let the world steal your joy. It’s okay to be happy about it.
To a mom with a big family, I would say it’s truly beautiful to know you and your husband love each other enough to feel safe and enjoy life together.
Money can be had by anyone, but a family is the only thing that can step with you into eternity too.
You can still be you with all these kids. Yes, you are a mom, but you are still independent. Some people will never understand that, and you don’t have to defend it.
It’s okay to want a big family. You don’t have to feel weird, embarrassed, scared, or humiliated. You are a rockstar and carry such an honor that others dream about.
You don’t have to do it alone. You can still ask for help. There are women just like you around the world living this life.
You won’t be like everyone else—and that’s okay. Because, you were made for such a time as this.
You can encourage and be excited for a fellow large family momma. You get it. She gets it—and every baby deserves to be equally celebrated!
So, as we start to prepare for the new bundle arriving in April, I can’t help but smile knowing there are other mommas out there growing big families too. And we can love and enjoy it no matter what anyone else says.
Here’s to all the big family mommas out there . . . you are doing beautiful things with your life, and they matter.
by Carolyn Moore 
by Ashley Bufe 
