Are you having any more kids?

I am 36 years old, my husband is 47 and I still get asked this. As I reconnect with high school friends since I joined Facebook a couple of weeks ago, I have been asked this on more than one occasion. Many of these friends have newborns or infant they are posting pics of. Hey, I'm happy for them, but we are SO done having kids. So done that, on the day I went up to the hospital to meet my new nephew 6 years ago, my husband and I then walked across the street where he proceeded to ensure we don't have any more kids with a "procedure" at the urologist office.

Despite the trials and tribulations of having young children, I also know we now have it pretty good. I can go to the grocery store or run an errand and leave them at home for an hour or so. I can touch base with them as they head out the door to play with friends and know they are independent and responsible enough to take care of themselves for a little while. I can take a shower, mow the lawn, take a nap, watch a movie, cook a meal, etc. and they either help or leave me to it. We have waited 7 years to get to this point.

I really hope my sister reads this post, and maybe it will give her some hope that less stressful days are coming. I actually was inspired to write this post after just reading her latest blog post, www.myheartofhope.blogspot.com. I absolutely adore my nephew and niece, but like all 6 and 3 year olds, they are a handful. Like all young kids, they are totally demanding of her attention, and will not settle for anything less than 150% of it. We were there just 3 short years ago as our kids have about the same age difference as hers. I got through it, and she will too.

So, are we having more kids? NO, NO, NO. When we got married, we ideally wanted one of each and we got them. We are now looking at a whole new challenge as we head into the teen years and beyond. But we are SOOOOOOO glad to get past the infant/toddler/preschooler stages and to the point we are now.