The Homemaking Cottage Series Presents:

Mothers of Large Families

Carrie Holmgren, Mother of seven

I was born in Woodland, Ca. The youngest of 6, (1 sister 17 years older than I, then 4 brothers) and a little spoiled, although not spoiled rotten. My Dad worked at the University of Ca. at Davis, while my mom was a medical transcriptionist for the mental health department. My mom and dad were both very loving to me and now that they are both gone, I cherish my childhood memories all the more. It seems that I was raised more as an only child since my siblings were all much older than I. Today, my sister and I are close even though we don't get to see each other often due to living 2000 miles apart. I love all 4 of my brothers, but really have only gotten close to 2 of them. I grew up being very shy and introverted and hate to admit, very self righteous. I didn't have many friends until after we moved to Michigan when I was 16. There, I found many friends and just loved being with them. My shyness diminished and my love for other people began.

Her Husband

I met my husband when I was 19 and he was 16. It almost seems like it was a love at first sight thing, but with the age difference, I never gave it too much thought that he might be 'the one'. Instead, I went back to Michigan and told my niece and other friends who were younger about this neat guy I'd met... a couple years later he called me and that was the beginning. We married when he was 22 and I was 25. I'm thankful for a Godly man who is teachable, gentle, fun to be with, who loves his wife and his family and is willing to work so hard to provide for us and be the Godly, manly, leader of our home. It's such a blessing to me to be married to my very, very, best friend! He's what I have now learned is called a 'visionary' person, loving to create and plan. He started his own home design business 7 years ago with the desire to design homes that are unique, affordable and very livable for a family and the lifestyle that each family has. Living in one of 'his' homes, I see that he truly has a talent. He's asked me to help him in the sales/marketing end of his business which I just love. We have a booth at the home and garden shows that I man for the weekend with either my husband or one of the older boys.

Why The Decision to Have a Large Family?

Both of us are from larger families, and both of us are the babies. We both grew up with lots of nieces and nephews around and have both always loved children. Before we were married we always talked of a large family. We've been blessed with 7 children here and have 3 little ones already Praising God in heaven.

We still have all of our 7 at home with us.

Isaac is 19, working in the office of a concrete construction firm. He is very musical, gentle and would make the perfect counselor. Whenever there is a discussion going on at home, he is there being the mediator and helping us see what the other person is actually saying. As the eldest brother he has taken the responsibility of 'setting the stage' of how you treat a younger brother and he makes it known to the others that "remember, I took you places when I started to drive, now you pass that on to the next guy".

Joshua, 17, just graduated and has the natural ability and love for any kind of construction work. Since a little tiny boy he's had a hammer in his hand and has known what to do to make it produce what he has dreamed up. As a little guy, he was our active child, into everything, climbing, jumping, loud and.... oh, only you have these type of children understand. Today... his very presence brings a smile as I watch him with his aggressive, 'can do' attitude, get things done, plan for his future, and confidently use all that energy to make things happen! Hang in there mom, the day will come when it will be worth it!

Benjamin, almost 15, is the motivator of the family. He's been a hard worker/organizer since about 2 years old. He is the one who at about 5 decided all the silverware needed to be put in the silverware tray all facing the same direction, stacked properly. He came to me with this dilemma and I gave him permission to work on getting us all to do it. I made my efforts but let him take the rest of the family on as his project. Today ( and ever since that day) the silverware is always put in as he has taught us. He also is very musical, teaching himself to play on both the piano and the trumpet.

Philip is almost 13, the quiet, sweet natured, kindhearted child of the family. He is so very, very good with the younger children, in the past year has 'come into his own' finding his love in computers. It is he who has helped me get my blog going, teaching me to upload pictures, and any other question I've had. He had a little learning 'glitch' that was very frustrating to both him and mom, but with God sent direction and help from Dianne Craft (diannecraft.org) he struggled through a year of brain and body exercises last year and we are thankfully now seeing the results with tears of joy instead of frustration!

Esther, 8, has been given the musical abilities, also. (I play, but only by note. My husband sings, but neither of us can play like the kids can) She loves babies but other than that likes outdoor activities far better than the inside 'girl' things. She's very sociable and talkative with anyone who is near by, no matter what the age. Her dad is her hero in life and when he is around, all other things come to a halt so she can be with him.

Rebekah, 5, seems to be a carbon copy of mom, so far. She told me last week that she wants to marry a farmer so she can cook for him and all the workers that will come to work on their farm. She LOVES to cook and bake, dropping whatever she is doing when she hears the least bit of noise from the kitchen, running in with the cheerful offer of 'can I help you?'

Seth, 2, is very much like his oldest brother in his gentle way. He loves to talk... ( somehow we have 6 talkers out of 7... I think some would say that it is inherited from mom and dad) follow any of his older siblings, doing just what they are doing, and because of this may be a little 'older' than his actual 2. He is the pride of 4 big brothers who all say they are waiting for him to be a little bigger and follow them around on the job site, in the woods, and on all the excursions that the big brothers take.

Some joyful experiences with her large family

When we home school, there are enough kids in the 'class' to do a project, put on a play, carry through a bigger project or find someone to play with. It's been such a blessing now as the boys are older and I see them 'coaching' their younger siblings on any number of life lessons in caring compassion. With a large family, we all get lessons every day with learning to get along with others, in communication, in respecting other's property, and being that all of us love people, we have a large amount of company. That naturally leads to working together, not only to prepare the house and food for whatever the occasion is, but also serving the guests, and after it's all done to work together to clean up. With this many people in the house there is no way that I can do it all. Everyone has to pitch in and do their part, not to earn allowances or privileges, but because they live here and their participation is needed in order for us to survive! Today we know that the work ethic in our country has disintegrated to some very low standards, but by growing up in a large family, a work good work ethic maybe one of the unthought of benefits. I love to sit back and watch our family, no matter if we are working or playing together, just so we are together!

Her mentor or person who is a shining example

The hardest part of motherhood that I have found is just dealing with 'me'. Emotions can be from one end of the spectrum to the other, causing depression, anger, impatience, frustration. Elisabeth Elliot's radio program 'Gateway to Joy' gently led me to see that this life I'm living isn't all about the big 'I'. It's not all about what 'I' want, feel, or think. Instead, God's word has wonderful instruction for wives and mothers and by listening to her encouragement and explaining of many different parts of scripture, I've found such happiness in being a wife and mother God's way.

Experiences or knowledge has helped her on her journey

When I was a young mom, I hate to admit it, but I thought everything had to be picture perfect at all times, including my children. Time and experience have taught me that God has made children to be individuals, in His image and He is going to be working with them all through their lives just as He is still working with me. I’ve learned that each of us will walk through life falling down and rising up, that life is short and uncertain and only the moment we have right now matters. When we had our 5th son, still born at 20 weeks, and realized that it could have happened each time and we could have had to bury each of our babies, I began then to appreciate them more than ever!

It is true that we don't know when it will be time to leave this earth and I have made an effort to enjoy the here and now, to take the time to talk with them when they want to talk, to play when it's time to play and share the time we have with each other.

We both grew up in a circle of friends with what our culture today calls 'large' families. It has been a huge help to me to just be around other mom's who have already raised heir children and have wisdom and encouragement to pass along.

Once when the boys were small, I was seeking advice from my neighbor lady who also had many children. My frustration was that our boys didn't clean up after themselves and it was 'one of those days' for me. Her calm answer has stuck in my head and encouraged me many times. It comes from Isaiah 28:

Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

In other words, don't discourage, but teach it over and over and over again to these little ones, and one day, it will click. Now, with older children, I see how true that is. It does click! I encourage you mom's of little ones.. don't despair but remember 'precept upon precept, line upon line.

Favorite Quote/Scripture

Rejoice evermore.

Pray without ceasing.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Sometimes life can be hard, large family, small family or no family at all. I love this reminder because it gives us an order of how to be content. Praise first. Then pray, asking as we are encouraged to do. Last, be thankful for what we have, for today’s circumstances, for this IS what God has given you today. The quote that I like goes along with it: “Circumstances are an expression of God's will.” If only we can remember that chance isn't a word in God's vocabulary, and then trust Him.

Favorite family meal

These have become a family tradition in our house. Most everyone asks for crepes for their birthday breakfast which always gets served to the birthday celebrant in bed.

Breakfast Crepes

I like to make the fillings before I start the batter.

Cream Cheese filling:

4oz cream cheese

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 container of cool whip or 1 cup whipped cream

Beat well together. Set aside.

Berry Filling: We love this with blueberries, but when the other berries are in season, we always debate which REALLY is our favorite.

3/4 cup sugar ( more or less depending on sweetness of the berries)

2 T. cornstarch

Mix well.

Add and stir

1 cup water

1 cup berries

Cook and stir over med/high heat until mixture thickens and boils

Remove from heat. Add 3 more cups berries and stir.

(You can add all the berries in the beginning, I prefer to do it this way as they keep their fresh taste and texture better if they don't cook so long)

Blend together with mixer or blender:

3 eggs

3/4 c. flour ( original recipe calls for white, I've used spelt or whole wheat and they are fine)

1 c. milk

1/4 tsp. salt

Pour about 1/4 cup batter onto a hot lightly greased griddle and spread around into a 7 inch circle. Fry till the top begins to dry out, flip and fry another mintue or so. These don't take long to bake and are better if they don't fry too long and get overdone.

Fill with the cream cheese mixture, roll. Top with the berry sauce.

Or... for those who don't like all the goodies, spread with butter and sprinkle lightly with sugar. Roll and enjoy!

Favorite Family Dessert

Fruit Crisp

Fill a 9x13 pan with whatever type of fruit you have; apples, peaches or pears are our favorites, (or a mixture of all 3)

Top with a mixture of:

1/2 cup butter

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup oatmeal

3/4 cup flour ( usually I use spelt)

Bake at 350 for about 35 minutes, until bubbly. Let cool before serving. Top with freshly whipped cream, vanilla yogurt or vanilla ice cream.

You notice that there I didn't put any sugar in the fruit mixture. Although it is sweeter if you make a thickened sauce with sugar in it, I like it plain so then when we eat the leftovers ( if there are any) for breakfast, it's a good healthy breakfast! (sometimes I make two pans; one for dessert and one for the next morning.)

Her Website

This past winter my cousin and I started offering classes in couponing, creative cooking and soon we'll be doing one on canning, in hopes of helping those who are struggling financially in this economy. I also started a blog Primeonadime.com in hopes of encouraging others on a daily basis not only in shopping and cooking, but in any area of life that inspiration comes. My husbands home design web address is rosewood-design.com.

To you young moms who are just beginning this journey of motherhood, enjoy it. It goes by too fast and no matter the culture may try to tell you, you ARE doing the most important job on earth! That child will forever thank you for staying close and providing a loving home to grow up in when all around is chaos, turmoil and unrest. When the days get long and dreary, reach out to help others and let your children experience the joy of giving and sharing. One last thing, and most important of all. Treat the man that God gave to you as husband, and to your children as father, as a king. The rewards will be endless, even if it takes time for him to grow, recognize and appreciate your love, it’s the first step that YOU can make towards a better marriage and home. God bless you all! He's called us to a high and noble calling, may He give you joy in doing His service!

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.

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