Being pregnant...

Especially for the third time in my situation is like. Well it's hard to explain. People still ask you questions like it's your first, and make additional judements because it's not. Like when my husband and I bought a pregnancy test before we actually concieved (I had a fluctuating cycle, this particualr one happened to be 40 days long and we just KNEW I had to be pregnant) a woman at Wal-Mart passsed us looking at the tests. She stopped, looked at my two in the cart, then at me and hands me a coupon saying "Every little bit helps."

Where do people get off making judgements about MY family, MY decision? I mean seriously. Okay, well maybe I do get the occasional comment I look about 16 and with two in the cart MAYBE I can justify it, but still not really. People notice I am pregnant and say "Oh, its your first?" I say no... it's my third. They stare like they had some kind of stroke or something.

Then I get the comment, "You're brave to have three that close together."... Excuse me you said brave, but I know you meant stupid. I never once thought of myself as brave, or stupid. This is whats right for my family, and while I value the opinion of my close friends and family, it's still my decision and everyone else can butt out. I may grump and complain about being pregnant, but I will never regret it. We may struggle to make ends meet, but we make the sacrifice for our family and it will always be worth it.

One day when I am 43 and still young and beautiful when my youngest child is grown and ready to graduate, and suddenly I am in the prime of my life when I should have a nearly paid for house and a better job and life experience and I get to travel the country every summer when I am off from teaching they will be eating their words. Thats what Joel and I always wanted, the joy of raising kids of our own, then being young empty nesters to enjoy our alone time, and still yet young enough grandparents to be very active participants in our grandchildrens lives, and maybe even be lucky enough to see great grandchildren.

We'll have enough time in our prime to save money for retirement, which will be buying a three wheeled motorcycle and a pop up camper and going out for a week or two at a time and just travel.