My new role model

... is Michelle Duggar.

Let me start off by saying there is no desire in my heart to have 19 children although I believe God has placed this passion (and ability) in Michelle and her husband's hearts (and body!). I just know my body is not made for carrying babies unless God sees fit.

Here is today's interview on Today with Meredith Viera . The couple and most of their children are reporting from Little Rock on the condition of 7-week old Josie (born at 1 lb 1oz in December) at 25 weeks gestation.

I enjoy watching the TLC show "18 Kids and Counting" in the afternoons if I have a break. If I could sum up what I like about the family, I would note:

#1) Love and respect in marriage

Michelle and Jim Bob's (sorry, but doesn't 'James Robert' sound much better??) love and respect and visable affection for each other. It is difficult enough for Dan and myself to prioritize our marriage sometimes, let alone with so many more children. Jim Bob often is holding his wife's hand or her waist, and I swear Michelle still blushes when he does so.


#2) Patience

Michelle's patience for the kids. In the 'line up' of children, there are six boys from age 11-5. She often remarks that the children just need a place to get out their energy. Granted, the children have acres of land and thousands of square feet in their home to run and place, but they are very noisy nethertheless. She and Jim Bob discipline for sinful behavior and not just childishness although sometimes the line between the two is thin;-) This has been a good reminder for me during the day when Russell's crazy and silly side emerges!

#3) Godly direction

I love the clips of footage of Jim Bob and Michelle sitting at the table with their family and reading just a few verses of scripture and then talking about the meaning of the verses and conversing with their children about daily life application. JB gives them enough to think about and not so much to only hear "wah, wah, wah" (as in Charlie Brown...).

#4) Enjoyment of children

Michelle and Jim Bob love spending time with their children and truly enjoy their children. Yes... sometimes this is very hard to do! They don't see the kids as a bother and through work and play, are with their children guiding them and nuturing them. JB and Michelle have taken their kids on flight across country, on mulitple bus trips (to DC, LA, NYC, and the midwest). If they can take their kids on vacation, anyone... yes, anyone can:-)


So's here's to the Duggars, one positive Christ-centered family on TV:-) Yeah, TLC!