Welcome!

This is a photo of my oldest daughter, Daly Kay, and my youngest, Vaughn.

If you’ve just found our family blog due to the DailyMail UK post, then I’m so glad to have you here! Welcome! Wish we could sit down for a spell– I’d love to have a nice cup of coffee with you!

Yes, it’s true. I have 16 kids.

And sure. Maybe I am a little crazy.

Crazy about my husband. (You would be too if you met him…he’s an incredible guy!)

Crazy about children. (I’d have to be to have so many!)

And I’m definitely crazy about my country. I absolutely love America.

Why have so many children? Because I truly believe that with each new child there is the promise of something amazing. Some new development, discovery, perhaps a great work of art, some sort of possibility and opportunity to make an incredible difference in the world. I see hope in their eyes. I see true joy in their faces.

When the jaded and harsh reality of a cold and cruel world threaten, a tent fort made from the dining room table with blankets, a pile of pillows, a stack of books and a flashlight keep the evils at bay.

When frustrations or challenges seem to overwhelm, a simple note from one of the young ones reminds me of what’s really important in life.

When I look at my oldest daughter, now 23 years old, and see my youngest son Vaughn who is two, I’m blown away at the blessing and joy that each of these children has been in our lives and in the lives of so many who know them.

No, they aren’t perfect…and certainly neither am I.

At our little coffee date, you’d probably blush at how easily I use salty language. It’s a bad habit that I have tried OH SO MANY ^&*%$#@! times to drop. If my kiddos were anywhere near us– you’d definitely hear them. Not because they use salty language, but because they are not exactly a “quiet” group.  But I bet we’d have lots of funny stories to share about crazy things our sons have done or the way raising a daughter can be so challenging in today’s world. Maybe we’d roll our eyes at the latest fashion trends or  we’d reminisce about how WE were when WE were teens and how tough it is to deal with social media as a parent.

My point is, I bet we have a lot more in common than you might think.

And that’s why I wanted to have this blog in the first place.

To show us how we all struggle as parents. How hard this job can be. How rewarding. How heartbreaking. How terrific and terrible and beautiful and messy and life-long and life-changing all at once.

So before you gawk at numbers, judge, assume, or (in the name of Jesus please do NOT) put me on some pedestal of have-it-all-together perfection…let’s just agree to be friends. And let me know how I can encourage or pray for you in your journey of parenthood.

And if you’re looking to find a way to show your gratitude for the amazing families who have lost a loved one in the service of our nation’s military…PLEASE join us at BelieveWithMe.com! Believe With Me is our family’s non profit organization that is dedicated to bringing hope and help to the families of our fallen soldiers! We are WORKING HARD to purchase a new home for a family that lost theirs after the death of their son. This is no small feat- but together, even if it’s just a few dollars at a time…we can restore this family to home ownership in the country his son gave his life for! Our goal is to give them a new home July 4th at our race, The Freedom Four Miler! Join us and run virtually no matter where you are!