Too many

Too many!!! What does that mean?? People tell us "you have to many kids", "too many animals", "too many issues".... Well, I sure have something to say about that. God gave us TOO MANY kids... Not because he wanted people to be annoyed by us, but because he wanted to shine his light through us.. He has blessed John and I with 8 children, 3 grandchildren, 1daughter in law and 1 son in law. When we go to town some people give us dirty looks when the kids are thrilled to just go somewhere (kinda crazy kids).. They watch us load and unload the kids from the van or pick up.. They watch us wrestle through the stores with a little spanking here or there and a little don't touch this or don't touch that. But what they are missing is the fact that we love them very much and believe that they are truely a blessing from God. I mean who else could have made the twins.... Yes they are wild and crazy most of the time.... But in reality they are just normal kids. Try going to a school and sitting there for an hour and you will see. God has great things planned for each and everyone of our kids. The people that are stubbing there nose at us and talking behind our backs obviously doesn't know what it means to be given the gift of raising children...
Now on the animal thing... Yes we do have several critters. And yes they are spendy... But what more joy do we see when the kids are riding the horses for hours and just happy as can be. How about the dogs. They are happy no matter what we do. They always listen to me whine and complain. Usually giving me a sympathy lick with a really wet tongue. The kids love the dogs. They say a mans best friend is a dog... The cats now..... They are hunters, which keeps the mouse population down. They also snuggle with the kids at night to keep them cozy and calm. They are cheap keepers for sure... The goats... Well they give us milk back. So in itself they are worth keeping. Also having the kids watch the babies being born and helping to raise them is giving them responsibility and also teaching them about how critters have babies... What a lesson in itself.. So I say THE ANIMALS STAY... No matter who says what....
Everyone has issues, but it really isn't anyone else's problem. Don't others have enough issues of there own to worry about, rather than worrying about mine..... If they are Godly people then why not be praying for us and not gossiping... Makes total sense to me... Life is too short to have this behavior..
I may sound a bit irritated but I am not... I just feel compelled to let this out. And heck, no one will probably even read this, but at least I have it off my chest. I do feel much better now... :~}