Eight is Great

By Stacy Johnson

Derek William Johnson, born 26 December 2009

I always wanted a large family. I knew when I got married that I wanted at least 7 kids. After our 4th, my husband said we were done. I was blessed, lucky, fortunate (however you want to think about it) to have 4 more. Now, as a family of 10, I am hugely blessed. There is one thing that I didn’t consider when having a large family though. The comments. Yes, I do have a television in my room, I do know what causes it, and I do know what prevents it. You can cut the jokes now. So, in an effort to change the perception of others on how it really is to have a large family, my husband and I have come up with some benefits to having a large family. I’d like to share them with you.

1. We get to drive a 15 passenger van and you don’t have to sit right next to anyone.

2. When I buy the large Stouffer’s frozen meals, they are called “Party Size.” That means when we sit down to dinner, it is always a party.

3. Our family home evenings are super fun, we can have our own 3 on 3 basketball tournament and have substitutions.

4. We get our own bench at church (please don’t sit there).

5. When we go out to dinner, we get to people watch all the folks who have scared/disgusted looks on their faces as we sit down - good times.

6. Another benefit to going out to dinner is that my husband and I can enjoy some of those buffet restaurants without having to get up and help someone all night. We just partner them up, an older one with a younger one.

7. When you get home at the end of the day, there is always someone to greet you.

8. When you participate in any activity (sport, drama, music, etc.), you have your own cheering section, and they are very loud.

I know having a large family in this world is becoming a rarity. I am saddened to consider myself in the minority when just a generation ago, so many families were as large as ours.
I also cannot take for granted the miracle of growing a child inside of me. My heart aches for those who do not get this opportunity. I can only have a glimpse of their suffering when I think of my two angel babies that I will meet someday, and what a glorious reunion that will be. All I know for now, eight is great and if I didn’t have to endure another long pregnancy, I might have eight more.