Nov 4
2006

Smiley Family

I didn’t start out planning to have a large family. In fact, if you ask my mom she’ll tell you that I declared “I’m never having any children!” quite frequently throughout my teen years. Usually after a horrendous day spent babysitting my (then) bratty younger siblings. 

Then I grew up and got married. Apparently I am one fertile Myrtle because I got pregnant with my first child pretty much right after the wedding. I didn’t consciously change my mind but, as I tell my daughters, sex is remarkably efficient at creating babies.

A couple years later, my second daughter was born. “There – I’m done” I thought. Two kids – the perfect number. Then I met and married Steve. He gave me 2 more children as a wedding gift and a 5th child as a honeymoon souvenir. With 5 children under the age of 6, we decided we were definitely done and spent almost 8 years just enjoying our life and watching our children grow. Then one day Steve winked at me suggestively and our 6th child was conceived.

The first child you have really changes your life. The second doubles the work. Three is quite a challenge but the fourth, fifth and sixth add joy and not that much more work. Those years were crazy good and I miss them sometimes. Sure our schedules were hectic and there were tons more dishes and laundry than the average family generates, but there was also more laughter, more fun and more love too.

I am happy that my children are growing up and are living their own lives. I loved planning Stephanie’s wedding and I am absolutely in love with my grandson. I am proud that Amber and Vicki are doing well in college and will soon be starting careers of their own. I am tickled when I stop by to see their cute apartments and I love when they come home for family dinner or just to hang out for a while and do their laundry. But I miss them.

I still have 3 children at home and many people might think that is a full house. But really, it feels half empty to me. Soon April and Jon will be leaving home and the house will be even emptier. I know Violet is going to be sad too. She already cries everytime the older girls go home after a visit. What’s it going to be like when we only have one child at home? I used to think that it would be great but I don’t think so anymore. Having a large family is a blessing.

Last night I was reminded of how much fun it is to be part of a large family. We had plans to meet up with the Mattos family in Springfield for dinner. Amber and Vicki came over to the house so that they could ride with us. After the initial squabbles over who was sitting in what seat (“I call front back!” “No – I already called it!”), we spent a pleasant hour driving to Springfield. The van was noisy – the good kind of noisy - with 3 or 4 different conversations going on at once and everyone laughing and joking.

The dinner was very enjoyable – kind of a combination celebration of Alexander’s birth and a chance to make more good memories for Eric to take with him to Iraq. Check out the pictures here.

The trip home was just as much fun. It reminded me of the many Family Music Nights we had when all the children were home. If you’ve never been in a van with 7 people singing at the top of their lungs you don’t know what you’re missing. Be prepared – Vicki has declared “Jukebox Hero” our new family karaoke song and it’s Coming Soon to a family event near you.