20 and Counting

So, I'm going to step out on a limb here and talk about a subject that is surprisingly very controversial. 

Drum roll please.......


Michelle Duggar!

If you live under a rock, and don't know who Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar (along with their beautiful brood) are -  they are the family behind the hit reality TV show series 19 Kids and Counting.

Yesterday they announced on the today show that they are officially expecting baby #20!  Which, came as a surprise to some, not much of a surprise to others.  I figured it would be coming one of these days.

I have to admit first that I am a dedicated fan of 19 Kids and Counting, I love their parenting philosophy and although I do not really want 19 kids (or more) I do love the way they are raising their children to love and respect each other as well as having a deep a firm knowledge of what they believe and why.  Something I hope to instill in my children. 

Today I adress only 1 small part of the controversy surrounding Jim Bob and Michelle and their desire for as many children as God chooses to give them.  What I've heard from some moms is that becuase of her history of preeclampsia and the premature birth with their last baby, Josie, she is taking unnecessary risk by even allowing herself to get pregnant.  She is putting her baby at risk and she is also putting herself at risk. 

So, here I go...

I am pro-life, and pro-life means life begins at conception and ends at natural death.  "From conception to natural death" as some people would say.  So if infact your claim that Michelle Duggar should not get pregnant again because she is putting the life of her unborn child at risk, then infact you would say to me that I should not get pregnant again becuase I put the life of my unborn child at risk.

I have a greater chance of miscarrying a child than carrying one at this point.  My odds are 2:6.  Not good.  She however has had 1 miscarriage (her very first child) and 1 born prematurely and 2 with preeclampsia.  Out of 19 pregnancies (1 set of twins).  So her odds are much better than mine.  And as my mom made clear to me this afternoon, when I miscarry a baby it is not my baby who has lost, it is me.  My child lives a full life, in heaven, pain free - in the arms of Jesus, something I fully look forward to at the end of my own life. 

And as for the possibility that she puts herself at risk of death by carrying another child.  My own grandmother died in childbirth.  She was birthing her 6th child who also died with her.  The risk of  a woman dying in childbirth today is much lower than it were many years ago, but yet families were still large many years ago.  My piano teacher was 1 of 20 children in her family, and I don't think they were odd balls.  I think Michelle knows the risk but yet, she knows her God better.  She knows that ultimately whatever happens is what is supposed to happen.  She puts a tremendous amount of trust in his hands - which is something I still struggle with. 

Do I think its right for any person to decide what is the "right" number of children for any other family - no.  It's not, it's not your family.  You don't have the right. 

I want a large family someday, 20 kids would be pushing it... but of course I have no idea what God has instore for us.  So, you may think I'm crazy, you may think they're crazy - but why.  Why are they crazy?  Because they love their children? 

There is no crime or crazy in loving your children and knowing that in all things God has the best plan for your life.