Just the Right Amount of Kids

I drafted this a few months back, and the topic of 'more kids' occasionally comes up in our home. So faithfully, we will just have to wait and see.

A few weekends ago, a guest pastor was in our church and he was probably in his 50's. I'm not great with ages, so I hope that was a flattering guess. He showed us pictures of his family and his eight children, now all grown. The picture was of their family on some hike (or maybe it was their backyard) and everyone looked so happy. This guy was full of life in that picture (and while preaching) and I'm immediately thinking of Psalm 127:4-5. Our associate pastor is like that too, except for the age ; ) They had six children, and while obviously older than me, I find them full of life and family. (Literally, do the math, those grandchildren start piling up quick!)

I was telling Jess these thoughts on the way home and she asked me that question of, "Do you want any more kids?" That answer is a mixed bag. I love our two kids right now, and realize that great joy comes from them. And I also see these older men who are reaping the blessing of that full life. Then I also think of how busy we feel at times with two kids, among other factors, and question if spreading out all that fun among additional children is healthy for my (or my wife's) sanity!

A friend of mine just had his fourth and just a week or two after baby came home has said things are mostly back to normal. "The jump from three to four isn't really that bad, all the things we use to do we just do more of! Except, we are just later when trying to get anywhere." The time guideline for my house is ten minutes to get in the car, and that is once we actually start trying to get into the car (coats, shoes, stuff to bring, etc). I can definitely see the time getting away.

Jess made the same joke about that pastor's picture, how we always see pictures of big families once the kids are grown. Who has time for pictures with five-plus little kids. It was probably the first time in ten years that everyone was even dressed at the same time!

I could not imagine keeping a house that full running smoothly. But, maybe "smooth" has different meanings at that point too. I am still not sure the answer to that question, and it really could go either way. More kids? Why not! Adoption is not out of the picture either. Or maybe my quiver is as full as it is going to get. Maybe it is as full as I can handle! Either way I'm thinking that when I am sharing my old man family photographs - on the 4D hologram machines - that they will be with just the right amount of children.