The Homemaking Cottage Series Presents:

Mothers of Large Families

I was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and we moved to Quincy, Illinois when I was five years old. My dad had taken a job in his field of business management, working for Quincy College's cafeteria. He changed jobs a few years after that, and was a bread delivery man for the entirety of my school years. My mom was a teacher, then a principal, and is now a director of religious education at the church I grew up in. I have one sibling, a brother four years younger, named Chris.

I learned early on that I had a bent toward fine arts and an ability to write well. I began taking saxophone lessons and participating in the citywide youth band in the 4th grade, and began playing with the high school band when I was in 7th grade. In high school, I participated in marching band, concert band, and pep band, as well as Chorus where I sang in the alto section. I participated in district and state contests each year, and was accepted to the All State Choir in my junior year. I had started to write poetry in late elementary school, and continued into high school. My speech teacher took an interest in my writing and would read and edit my poetry. I attended both Quincy University and Illinois State University before graduating with a bachelor of science in special education and psychology. Although I enjoyed both writing and music, my calling was clear to me after a life changing incident during the summer after 7th grade.

I live in a suburb of Raleigh, North Carolina now.

Her Husband

My husband is a true renaissance man. His major in college was Religion, with minors in Biblical Languages and Music Business. He can play the acoustic bass guitar, the bagpipes, and some piano and guitar. He writes wonderful poetry. He has a great voice, a strong baritone. He is currently working in the Information Technology field, but is nearly done with his Master of Arts through Reformed Theological Seminary. He hopes to teach at the college level in church history or philosophy of religion. I assume he will write theological books and some sci-fi fantasy novels too. Maybe open a restaurant. He takes such good care of me and of our children. He works hard, he anticipates our emotional needs, smooths over arguments and is a wonderful spiritual leader for us. He is a gentle, even-tempered, generous, sensitive, honest man of great integrity.

Why The Decision to Have a Large Family?

I was raised with only one sibling, and I always felt like someone was missing. I had decided before I met my husband that I wanted a large family of biological and adopted children. On our second date, my husband revealed that his wish was the same, without my sharing first. It was a moment I will never forget.

Ella Grace is almost 10. She is very sensitive, a loyal friend, very logical in her thinking. She is a sweet and thoughtful big sister.

Maddie Caroline is almost 7. She is hilariously funny, a peacemaker, and a fountain of creativity. Very impulsive, and somewhat unpredictable.

Annelise Lenore is 4. She is sweet, helpful, bright, and independent.

Edward Gresham (Teddy) is 2. He is affectionate, energetic, talkative, and easy-going

Some joyful experiences with her large family

The girls love to cook and bake with me, and we all have aprons to wear when we do a project together. I love to watch how Ella has taken on Annelise as a charge and Maddie has taken Teddy on as a charge without me ever saying anything to them. Ella finds clothes and shoes for Annelise, and they will often be building with blocks or drawing pictures together. Maddie carries Teddy around, gets him sippy cups or small snacks, goes to get him from his nap, and plays very energetically with him.

A Funny Story

I only have four, just enough to be considered a mom of many, but it is enough to get comments and questions from strangers. I have loved my children piping up to answer if we want to have more!

Experiences or knowledge has helped her on her journey

I was not well trained to be a stay home mom that homeschools. I am just finding my way in managing and planning and executing the everyday. I look for tips online, write down what sounds like it would help make things flow better, and ask lots of questions of moms of many. God presenting me with friends who are moms of many has been the best gift!

Her Mentors/Exemplars

During my growing up years, I was friends with a girl named Florence. She was child #13 in a family of 17 children. Her mother was probably my first inspiration in having a large family. They did not have much, but they were so happy and loved each other fiercely. The children have given their parents more than 50 grandchildren. So far!

Her Housekeeping Tips

Straight out of the dryer, have baskets for each family member set up, so you sort as you take them out, and can fold or delegate folding of each basket.

Favorite Scripture Verse

Ephesians 2: 8-10 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Favorite Family Meal 

Pork Tenderloin with Peach Chutney, and Vanilla Sweet Potato Souffle

Pork Loin

I roast a large pork loin and rub it with salt, pepper, and sage.

Cook 30-45 minutes per pound of meat, and flip every 30 minutes.

Peach Chutney (to serve on top of pork loin)

Ingredients:

2 lg Peaches, coarsely chopped (about 2 cups) Canned will do in a pinch

1 c Raisins

1 c Packed brown Sugar

1/3 c Lemon juice

1 Jar (2 to 3 ounces) crystallized ginger, finely chopped/ 1/2 -1 tsp

powdered ginger or to taste

1 Clove garlic, finely chopped

1/2 ts Salt

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in 2-quart microwavable casserole. Cover tightly and microwave on high 10 to 12 minutes stirring after 5 minutes, until peaches are transparent and chutney is syrupy. Refrigerate until chilled. Store in re-refrigerator up to 2 weeks.

Vanilla Sweet Potato Souffle

Ingredients:

4 c boiled mashed sweet potatoes

1 c sugar

3 eggs

1 T vanilla

½ c butter, melted

topping:

1 c brown sugar

½ c flour

1 c chopped pecans

1/3 c butter

Directions:

Mix sweet potatoes, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and butter, Pour into buttered 1 qt. dish. Mix all topping ingredients together with a fork. Sprinkle crumbs on top of souffle. Bake 30 min at 350.

Grilled Asparagus Spears

Slice off last 1/2 inch of each spear. Marinate bunch of spears in a mixture of lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper for 20 minutes.

Grill to your own amount of doneness :) We use a George Foreman indoor grill, and I think I grill them for between 7-10 minutes.

Favorite Family Dessert

Filled Coffee Cake

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

2 cups flour

1 cup salad oil

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp. salt

4 eggs

1 can pie filling ( I usually use blueberry)

Directions:

Beat oil, sugar, and vanilla. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt together in a measuring cup or bowl, then beat into wet mixture. Pour half of batter into greased 9x13 pan. Spread or drop pie filling over batter. Place remaining batter on top. Mix with a knife, swirling through batter.

Sprinkle mixture of 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes.

Her Websites

http://tiltedpirouette.blogspot.com - Attachment Parenting, Breastfeeding, etc

http://pursuingharmony.blogspot.com - general parenting/life with focus on special needs

http://mimzywood.blogspot.com - homeschool blog

If you would like to suggest a mother of a large family or if you are a mother of four or more children and are willing to be interviewed, please email Shiloah Baker.

Related Articles in the Deluxe Edition