My husband and I have 9 children, and have had a difficult time with it. Our first two (twin boys) were born 11 weeks early, after I had spent 5 weeks on bedrest in the hospital. They spent 6 weeks in the hospital before coming home. They are now sixteen and have had relatively few problems. Next, we had three single children (boy, girl, boy), for a total of 5 children in 6 years. The youngest was born 4 weeks early (while visiting family out of town), and spent 21/2 weeks in the NICU, after being airlifted home. Three years later, we had another boy. I spent 5 weeks on bedrest, and although he was not born early, he spent 7 weeks in the NICU. Within the first week, he was diagnosed with Prader- Willi Syndrome. For the first couple of years, he had oxygen, monitors, and feeding tubes. He is now six, and receives special education and therapy services. The next child, another boy, was born just 15 months after the 6th. Again, I spent 6 weeks on bedrest, and he had only a short stay in the NICU. Three years later, we had a 7th boy. I was very sick throughout the pregnancy, but he did not arrive early. The last child, a 2nd girl, was born 10 weeks early (just 15 months after the 8th child), and spent 13 weeks in the NICU. She is 4 months old now, but continues to struggle. She has chronic lung disease, receives oxygen, and has an NG tube for feeding. In the next couple of weeks, she will have surgery to place a G-tube for feeding. Her long term health is unknown at this time. I had originally intended to homeschool all the children, but after the birth of a child with a disability, I found that I could not keep up with the responsibilities. It is a tremendous burden to have the children in public school, but I could not manage without it. This year, I homeschooled 2 of the children, but next year, I will only have 1 (the 1st girl) at home. My husband and I are very busy (might I say, overwhelmed) with the work at home, and have found little support from others. We are lonely, and are having difficulty finding our “place” in the Church. Because I love teaching, I “get away” by teaching Catechism classes at the parish when I can. What keeps me going is that I count myself among the saints. My favorite verses from Scripture are Hebrews 12:1-2:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perserverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfector of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” God Bless.
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It is one of the tougher parts for me. I homeschool the three big ones, so I really have no break. However, now that Baby #5 is reaching an age to eat something besides breast milk, I am hoping to resume going out with my husband on dates a couple of times a month. I love that. I get to have my husband to myself then! 
Also watching my husband play with our children.
) You have the same house, and hand me downs are a blessing!
" Dont’ you have cable Tv?"
npatrol: