Misconceptions Part 2

This is where I will answer some questions we get. I hope to only glorify the Lord and to encourage other families that have "more than the usual" number of children.

Question 1: Do you know what causes that? Do you have a tv? And those questions along those lines. WEll yes I sure do know what causes it!! All blessings come from the Lord(Jess that might be a good response for you to try :) ) WE have went between having cable tv and not having it, we are very specific of what the kids can watch though no matter what. But yes we do have a tv. I just love really how people think it is their business to begin with.

Question 2:How do you manage everything?? Well with prayer. That is how I manage alot of days. Have a schedule,being consistant,being organized helps. Finding ways to make things work easier. We were never promised life would be easy and yes we have hard days but it is all worth it. I am sorry if this did not answer some of your questions or what you wanted to hear. But somedays I only manage with the Lord's help, when I try to go at it on my own that is when I fail miserably.


Question 3: What does a day in the Ballard household look like? Well, depends on the season. To be honest in the past year I have experienced problems with my thyroid and things like that and experienced 3 miscarriages( We are happily expecting now and things are looking good). So, things right now look different than they used to. Right now I try to sleep in a bit before I get up so my oldest daughter takes care of breakfast. We get up, eat, take vitamins and start the day. I usually start the day with making the bed and starting a load of clothes. WE start chores and whatever we need to get done that day. Some days we have errands to run or appts to make but most days look the same. Chores, I school with the little ones before lunch, we have lunch and then the older ones do most of their school in the afternoon because most of the younger ones are sleeping. I have days to make out bills,make menu plans and grocery list,do Quickbooks for the company ,etc... So my days are a bit different from what the kids look like. My day consist of doing many loads of laundry. All the kids are given different parts of the house that is their responsiblity. We trade off every so often. After the kids get their school work done they pretty much do whatever needs to be done. I have one older one that always makes sure he can get outside. His day always starts feeding the hogs,chickens,and dogs. So each child's day looks a bit different as well. About 4:30 we start dinner because my hubby likes to eat when he gets home from work usually. AFter dinner we do whatever needs to be done and we usually do family Bible study about 7 together. Then it is play time , bed routines,etc... I hope this makes sense. Our days are pretty routine but we just get done whatever needs to be done and I guess each day looks a bit different. Some days the older ones need me more with school and some days not so much.

Question 4: Do bigger families get sick more often?? Well, this is a hard question to answer right now since we just are getting over a stomach bug lol. No actually we hardly ever have to go to the doctor and from the small families I know we are just as healthy or healthier. Now when we do get something naturally it has more people to go through so it takes longer to get rid of things and sometimes 6 kids sick and throwing up is harder than 1 or 2 but for the most part I think we are pretty healthy. Our youngest who is 15 months old has been to the doctor for his first check up after he was born and to be circumsized and for that check up, other than that he has not been. :) Things could change but for the most part no I do not think bigger families get sick more often.


Question 5: I have been asked recently what our budget is for a month. That is kind of hard to answer right now because we are trying to change some things so we can spend less. Right now our GOAL is $650 a month for our family which is a family of 11 right now, baby will make 12 :) Ways we stretch our budget is my husband and older sons hunt deer so we have alot of deer meat. WE raise our own hogs(some say this does not save money since they eat so much but I disagree AND I know WHAT we are eating),we raise our own chickens for our eggs. WE shop at Sams,Aldi,and Ingle's. Making a menu plan at the beginning of a month sure does help!!! Winter is pretty easy to save money because you can do meals like Chili,Chicken Chili,Potato soup,Veg. Soup,etc... We have been trying lately to add lots of fruits and veggies into our meals. :) But since we homeschool we have to prepare 3 meals at day at home. If you are trying to stretch your budget adding fruit to a meal or something like brown rice is great.


I hope this kinds of answer some questions you might have wanted to ask big families. I also hope this is an encouragement for others. I am always honest and open about my life. I have nothing to hide. Just a mom and wife trying to do the Lord's work while here on earth.