I guess in manner of sorts this is what my DH and I have done. We had our first child then actively used contraception (NFP) until we consciously conceived our DS. Since then it's been embracing the children that came... (two more daughters). Unfortunately I have lost 6 since so conceiving has become very conscious again!

So, we have four children now and this baby in my belly will be 5. I will be 40 in August so I will be haning up my boots after that - this pregnancy has been very stressful...

Having a large family is wonderful! I love it and I think our kids do too. They play together, hug each other, do "stage shows", dance and sing... They fight too like all kids but the love is great. Yep, our kids don't do holidays to Disneyland - but we camp, and do other more affordable things. We have a great life and so do they. They go to independent school - they do sport, and other activities. They revel in the handme downs from the others.

There are sacrifices that have to be made - thats for sure. But I am now a SAHM - I bake, I taxi and I am TIRED! But I wouldn't change my family - I wish I had have started earlier so there was time for more. I wish that my other babies hadn't flown away and we would have that family of 6-7 that we dreamed of... But the Universe had other plans.

Dustmite - if you and your partner have the love and the energy a big family is WONDERFUL!

ETA: WE are not catholic either! Tho DH was brought up a Catholic!