OK, my family is not big yet but here it goes….

1. Because each child comes with two helping hands and one very loving heart.
2. Because the more children we have, the more chances we get to finally raise one right!
3. Because Jesus said we had to be like children to enter the Kingdom of Heaven and I am a visual learner, so every extra example helps me remember how to get to Heaven.
4. Because I enjoy the opportunity to tell people that they are all mine, that we are far from rich, and that there is so much more joy in the simplicity of a large family than they can imagine.
5. Because they grow up too quickly!
6. Because the smell of a newly baptized baby is addictive.
7. Because we need to practice compromise and tolerance and what better place to practice than a home full of different people of different ages and different ways of looking at life?
8. Because every once in a while, you get a glimpse of the fruit of your labor, and that, is priceless.
9. Because there is no sweeter way to suffer than to have to sit through hours of whining, crying, messy diapers, illness and know that all they need is you to feel better. God has given us such a grace in the ability to bring comfort to our little needy ones.
10. Because a child’s kiss makes the whole world better and the more children you have, the more kisses you get so the world gets better a lot quicker and a lot more often.

A friend of mine shared this article on National Catholic Register, “Snappy Answers for Stupid Questions About Your Big Family” written by Simcha Fisher.  I loved it so much that I shared it on Facebook, which sparked some discussions, and it gave me an idea. 

I have to state here that of the main reasons why we love being a big family is that we like to follow the rules.  The Lord himself said, “Be fruitful and multiply!” – Genesis 1:28.  Therefore, I thought it would be fun to host a blog hop of sorts that listed TEN REASONS to be thankful for our BiG families.  Want to hear more?

Here’s the Blog Hop Logo:

Want to join us?  Okay first, the rules:

1.  You have to just totally LOVE big families.  It would be helpful if you have at least four kids yourself but if you don’t, it’s okay.  For the record: Adopted, step-kids, etc. all count…the main thing is that you have at least 10 positive things to say.

2.  You have to believe in the Bible passage, “Be fruitful, and multiply” Genesis 1:28

3.  You have to post on your blog, your top ten reasons why you think big families are a blessing.

4.  Link up to us below so we can visit your blog and see your post.  Please visit our friends and leave them a comment!

5.  Add our adorable “Be Fruitful, and Multiply” button in your post or on your side bar.  (the code is below)

6.  Also, if you visit someone’s blog in this Hop, please follow their blog through Google Friend Connect (or other blog following tool)

WHAT IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A BLOG, you can still participate.  Here’s how:
1.  Make a list of at least five reasons you love BIG FAMILIES.

2.  Leave us a comment on this post.

Have fun!  I can’t wait to see everyone’s post. 

Here is the button you will need to add to your blog (medium size):

<center><a href=”http://raisinglittlesaints.blogspot.com/2011/05/be-fruitful-and-multiply-blog-hop.html” target=”_blank”><img alt=”Raising (& Teaching) Little Saints Blog Hop” src=”http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l612/RaisingLittleSaints/followtherules-1.png”/></a></center>

Or a smaller one:

<center><a href=”http://raisinglittlesaints.blogspot.com/2011/05/be-fruitful-and-multiply-blog-hop.html” target=”_blank”><img alt=”Raising (& Teaching) Little Saints Blog Hop” src=”http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l612/RaisingLittleSaints/followtherules-1-1.png”/></a></center>

For those of you new to the blog world:
What Is A Blog Hop?

A blog hop is a list of blogs that you can “hop” from one to another very easily. It is a great way to increase your traffic, gain readership, increase subscribers and increase twitter and facebook likes. A blog hop usually starts with a blog host. A blog “host” lists a Linky (list of links to other blogs or posts) on their page, along with the Blog Hop rules. There are 2 parts to a blog hop:
1) Each participant adds their info to the Linky so others can see it.
2) Each participant re-posts the Linky on their blog to promote the blog hop
(http://www.wikihow.com/Blog-Hop)