Jon and I have been married since September 1989. By the time I was four months pregnant with our first child, the Lord began to lay issues on my heart about raising a large family and home schooling. We are now finishing our 7th year of home schooling and our 8th child is 14 months old.

One thing I've learned is to accept change. I realized that our family situation is ALWAYS changing. We are moving, having a baby, or going through a different toddler stage, different grade levels and curriculums, etc. We average a move about every 20 months.

I've also learned that even though my nature is to "fly by the seat of my pants", our family flows better when everyone knows what they're supposed to do and when they are supposed to do it. We have used the Managers of Their Home (MOTH) system to make our own schedule that works for our family. This is now custom made and easily changed.

Another thing we learned is that there are MANY good things, but not profitable things, for our family to be involved in. Keeping this motto, we do extra-curricular things that the whole or a majority of the family can enjoy together. For instance, after three years I pulled out of AWANA and focused on learning scripture as a family and applying it to our everyday situations. The same is true for sports. We have been able to get the kids on swim teams, dance/music lessons, tennis, gymnastics, etc.

New family "rules" are easiest to implement when we move. I explain to the kids the "new" rule(s). We talk about the rule and I explain my reasoning and it is implemented IMMEDIATELY. The new friends do not know that this is a "new" family rule; so it is easier for me to stick to my guns.

A fifth idea that has blessed our family is "rest time". Rest time in our house does not involve T.V. or video games or play time; it is a time for the Lord to restore our body with energy for the second half of the day. The little ones actually take a nap during this time, but as they get older and don't "need" that extra sleep, I do not make them take a nap, but they are required to read a book (look at the pictures if they are not reading yet), or listen to a quality Christian radio program (Adventures in Odyssey, Jungle Jam and Friends, or radio shows from www.homeschoolradioshows.com).

Reading aloud is such a wonderful way to grow together as a family. We read aloud even to our oldest children for about 30 minutes or most nights. It is a way to prepare for bed, spend time together, and enjoy good works of literature. It also provides "inside" memories/experiences/jokes with our children. We are all writing our own "life" books, but we have common memories and experiences which are bonding us together and building great relationships.

The final blessing we've implemented in our family is demonstrating our skills and talents in our weekly "family night" or our working book of stories, poems, and artwork. It usually only takes 10-30 minutes, but it is something that EVERYONE looks forward to doing or watching. They can act out a play, quote scripture we've been memorizing, recite poems, jingles, or facts they've learned from school or other books, or demonstrate songs on the piano or guitar, or dance. The people listening have to practice being a good audience. It also teaches those performing how to speak in front of others with confidence. The working book of stories, poems, and artwork is a 3-ring binder with examples of poems and stories we've written and art work we've drawn. I have also included a section of "dialogues" which are just funny conversations the children have had with us. The book also includes a list of "The GREAT Things About A Large Family".

Our goal is to be a family of ten (or more) unified as one body. We hope to teach our children of God's love and what he did for us by sending His son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for us.

[Editor's note: they are getting ready to welcome blessing number nine in January!]